Daily Routine Ideas to Improve Your English in Just 10 Minutes

No time to study?

Sometimes it feels like there's never enough time in the day to do everything we want to. This is why learning a language in particular can feel very overwhelming, as the list of things to learn is never-ending. People often think that to learn a language you need to be sat at a desk with a grammar textbook in hand while writing endless verb conjugations and lists of new vocabulary. However, this is certainly not the case.

Did you know that putting in just 10 minutes of effort a day can go a long way to helping you progress in English (or whatever your target language may be)? In fact, quick but consistent practice can sometimes be much more efficient in helping you improve.

Here are some simple ideas that you can start implementing into your daily routine today:

1. Listen While You Get Ready

   Listen to a short podcast, your favourite music in English, or even put a YouTube video on in the background while you're getting ready. This is something you can do while brushing your teeth or making breakfast, so even if you're busy or in a bit of a rush, you can still immerse yourself in the language; you may actually be surprised at how much you can understand. This is something I like to practice quite often, for example, while I'm working on my laptop, I will put my headphones on and listen to a Spanish playlist. Passive listening exercises like this are a great way to get your brain used to the rhythm of the language and the way certain words are pronounced.

   If you’d like to practice your listening skills, here are some of my top picks:

   Podcasts:

   • Coffee Break English – Short, clear episodes designed for learners. (I used to listen to their French and Italian podcasts, and they were really useful!)

   • The Rest Is History – Perfect if you enjoy history, with engaging discussions from a British perspective.

   • Newscast (BBC) – Stay up to date with current events while improving your listening.

   • Dish (Cold Glass Productions) – One of my personal favourites! Light-hearted, fun, and also available on YouTube.

   YouTube:

   • Daz Games – Funny gaming and reaction videos

   • JOLLY – A duo who try different cuisines and share cultural experiences in a fun, entertaining way.

   • TED Talks – Great for more formal listening practice, with clear, structured presentations.

2. Keep a “Word of the Day” Notebook

   I personally used to do this while I was learning French; I would look up words that I found interesting or beautiful and write them down in my language journal. I remember writing down the word "libellule" (dragonfly in English), which was maybe not the most useful vocabulary at the time, but hey, at least I've never forgotten it. I'd then write a definition in the target language or a sentence so that I could understand how to use it in context. Make it part of your morning routine to take 5-10 minutes to search and write down a word. It can be a word that you like the sound of, or maybe a piece of useful vocabulary that you tend to forget. Then, to turn this into a more helpful and worthwhile activity, try to write a short sentence using the word. Learning small bits of vocabulary on a daily basis is a great way to improve your English.

3. Read Something Short

   Spend 10 minutes reading an English article, blog post, or even a few pages in a book adapted to your level. If larger books seem a bit daunting at the moment, don't hesitate to read a book made for children. This is exactly what I did when I first started learning French and Italian, and the illustrations in children's books often make it a lot easier to figure out the meaning of certain words. And of course, don’t worry if you don’t understand every word - focus on the main idea and try to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words by looking at them in their context. You can always write down any tricky vocabulary and come back to it later.

4. Speak Out Loud to Yourself

   As you go about your day, try to describe what you're doing or what you plan to do later on. For example, as you make your morning coffee, you could say to yourself, "I'm filling up the machine with water. I'm opening the fridge. I'm putting sugar and milk in my cup." - almost like a running commentary for each action that you do. This exercise is perfect if you don't have anyone to practice your English with, because speaking out loud helps to build confidence and allows you to see what topics you struggle to talk about so that you can improve them later on.

5. Language Learning Apps

   Having language apps on your phone is a great way to improve your English when you're short on time. The good thing about using apps is that you can turn notifications on, which can be a great reminder to study your English when you get caught up in your busy day. As well as this, some language apps propose a streak system, which can be a great motivator to keep consistently learning. Of course, everyone has heard of Duolingo, but when I don't have much time to study, I also like to use Drops, which is a great way to learn new vocabulary. However, as much as these language learning "games" can be fun, to really consolidate your learning, I recommend that every now and again you actively try to study the grammar points that you come across; otherwise, you will quickly forget what you have learnt.

Final Tip

The secret to learning English, or accomplishing anything for that matter, is consistency, not perfection. Why not choose a couple of these ideas and make them part of your daily routine? With only 10 minutes of input a day, your English will improve faster than you think!

Want more simple English learning tips? Check out my other blog posts or follow me on TikTok & subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Short on time? These simple 10-minute daily habits will help you improve your English without interupting your busy schedule