Visit London from Your Sofa
Everyone says that the best way to learn English is to visit an English-speaking country. But traveling is expensive and difficult. The good news is that you can visit New York, London, or Sydney right now for free. You only need Google Maps and "Street View." This tool is not just for finding directions; it is a powerful way to practice reading and speaking.
Read the Real World
Textbooks often have boring sentences like "The bakery is open." Real life is different. Open Google Maps and drop the yellow person icon into a street in London. Look at the shop signs. You will see real English usage. You might see "Sale: 50% Off," "No Parking," or "Best Coffee in Town." Try to read these signs out loud. Guess what the shops sell just by looking at the windows. This helps you learn vocabulary in context, not in a list.
Master the Hardest Words: Prepositions
Small words like "next to," "opposite," "between," and "behind" are often confusing for beginners. Street View makes them easy. Look at the screen and describe the street. Make simple sentences about what you see. For example: "The bank is next to the pizza restaurant." "The red car is in front of the hotel." When you see the places with your eyes, these difficult grammar words become clear.
Be Your Own Tour Guide
This is a fun game to play for ten minutes. Imagine you are a tour guide. Click the arrows to move down the street and talk to yourself. Use the imperative form to give directions. Say things like: "Go straight on Oxford Street," "Turn left at the traffic light," or "Stop at the bus station." It feels like a game, but it trains your brain to think about space and movement in English.
Next time you feel bored with your books, take a virtual walk. It keeps your English fresh and exciting.