The document provides tips for English as a Second Language (ESL) students to develop good study habits. It recommends working with classmates to encourage each other and stay motivated. Students should also remember their reasons for learning English and create checklists to stay organized. Asking questions when unsure and managing time for English activities each day can help form productive study habits. Regularly previewing and reviewing material, even in short sessions, makes exams easier. Developing interest in different fields expands vocabulary through related topics. Enjoying life in the city where one is studying also helps language learning.

1. Good study habits for ESL students.
(English as a Second Language)
www.kgic.ca
Efficient and effective learning starts with acquiring good study habits. Once you get theses good
habits, you don’t even have to think about how to study. Learning becomes an easy part of your life!
How Can I get Good Habits?
1. Work with your classmates / good friends to encourage each other.
You will create more opportunities to use English. Also, working together with your friends will
encourage you all to motivate each other and making your study time more enjoyable. You feel
like you always have support even when studying feels difficult or boring.
2. Remind yourself of the reason why you want to learn English.
You will regain the sense of purpose and ambition when you remember why you wanted to study
English in the first place. Imagine yourself using English and doing whatever you wanted to do.
That image of yourself should be what you are going to be.
3. Create a check list to cover the things that you would like to achieve.
If you have multiple things that you need to do, create a to-do list (in English!!), and cross out
each item as you accomplish one at a time.
4. Don’t be afraid of being honest, and say “I don’t understand,” or ask questions.
If you are not good at asking questions, learn some question sentence patterns first, and write
down some simple formula like “Excuse me, but what does ~ mean?” or “Could you explain it?”
5. Use an alarm clock, cell-phone alarm or personal schedule manager to remind you of what to do
at when. Also, set aside 10 to 15 minutes every day for specific ESL activities like reading,
writing, listening or speaking.
Time management is a very important part of study skills and a good habit. If you need more tips
and ideas about time-management skills, ask your Student Progress Supervisor for more details.
6. Every day, set aside some preview / review time, as little as 10 or 15 minutes. And, ask
your classmate to ask you to make a sentence or use a phrase that you learned in class. Or, pick
one or two words / phrases from class material every day, and try using them.
Creating a habit to preview / review regularly is very, very important. If you preview, it will be
easier for you to follow the class content, and you won’t have to study very hard before exams!!
7. Develop interest in different fields by accepting opportunities, and be curious about everything
and anything. First, you can start learning words and expressions within the field that you are
interested in, for example, your hobby. Then, expand your interest into something that’s related to
your hobby. In this way, you can gradually get more knowledge of vocabulary and expressions in
different fields. If you focus too much only in one field, your vocabulary will become very limited.
8. Find ways to enjoy life in the city you are studying in.
Interestingly, those students who really enjoy every aspect of living in an English-speaking
environment always learn the language much faster and much better. When you are having fun,
you absorb everything quickly and without difficulty. Try to find your favourite or new activity, and
accept new opportunities to meet more people, see different things, and learn new ideas.
KGIC / SPS-studytips.goodhabits.2011