When attempting to learn English or any other language, different people have different ways of learning. For instance, some learn best through listening, some by looking and some by more direct and active approaches. The basic rule for learning any foreign language is reading, and people who read extensively pick up a language faster than any other method. Even though everyone has their own way of learning, there are several tips that can make learning English easier.

Desire to Learn
Unless a person is really interested in learning, nothing will help him to learn regardless of the quality of instruction or books. People who are disinterested tend to find excuses to avoid studying, and even if they do study it is very difficult for them to retain anything. So before you start the actual learning, it is best to honestly ask yourself if you really want to learn English.

Target and Motivation
The main target and motivation behind the desire to learn English needs to be identified, as this will serve as the primary impetus for the learning. There are many reasons for why people want to learn English. The stronger the reason behind the learning, the faster and better the learning will be.

Practice Makes Perfect
Just like athletes perfect their sport through practice, language learners also polish their learning through practice. Some ways to practice include conversing with English-speaking people; writing emails, notes and letters in English; and making phone calls to practice English speech. Practicing also includes increasing exposure to English though watching English-speaking movies and TV, listening to English-speaking radio and hanging around English-speaking people--even if just as a listener.

Increasing English Vocabulary
The larger a person's vocabulary is of a new language, the greater will be her ability to converse or write with proficiency and ease. The trick here is to remember new words when reading or listening and to try to use them as much as possible in one's own speech and writing. Word games and puzzles are other ways to improve vocabulary.

English-Speaking Friends
Having friends who speak nothing but English leaves one little choice than to speak English with them. This improves the language in an informal and relaxed setting where one is not under stress to learn, as in a formal classroom setting.

Regular Study Habits
Making and keeping regular study habits ensures that you are practicing learning on a daily basis. This is the key to success. Also by studying a little every day you can review the daily lessons or the new words learned that day and absorb them in memory. This is a far better approach than studying several hours once or twice a week.