It’s great to see you here for video #2 of “Get off the intermediate plateau, with Virtual Immersion.”  Let’s keep the positive momentum going and learn one, new action you can take today that will push you past an intermediate level in English.

Today our goal is to start with a smart new strategy. And to create an important new habit that will change the way you practice English.

We’ll work together to create a daily English routine, specifically for you.
You’ll choose different and exciting ways of learning English every day.

Does this sound hard to do?
I’ll share a few strategies that will help you make this simple and efficient.
That way, you’ll know exactly how to get started.
And you’ll be able to start working towards an advanced level of English right away.

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First a quick recap of Video #1 in our “Get off the intermediate plateau” series.

We remember what we repeat–so let’s look at what we learned in Video #1:

• You may be feeling blocked at an intermediate level. That’s normal!
• You need to change your approach and try some smart, new strategies–like a virtual immersion.
• Two approaches to learning English that you need are natural learning and deliberate learning.

If you missed Video #1, you’ll find it here.

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Virtual immersion is my secret weapon for helping you go beyond an intermediate level in English.

It’s extremely effective because it helps you:

• Practice lots of English every day, with short, easy-to-do activities
• Be much more regular & consistent, so you “switch your brain to English”
• Create your routine for enjoying English
• Remember things better and learn faster
• Feel more confident and comfortable using English for your work–and for your personal pleasure

Many of my clients tell me they wish they could have worked for a few years in an English-speaking country. They recognize that immersing yourself in a language is effective.

I use virtual immersion in the programs I create to help my clients reach their English goals–without leaving their countries, jobs, or lives behind!

Because I know how important this kind of experience is.

And because I know you’re a busy professional with a busy life and lots of goals for your career too!

So here’s your chance to try it out.  Have fun and let me know how it goes.

Index:

1. My own virtual immersion example: How I use virtual immersion.
2. For a successful virtual immersion, keep it simple. Start with one resource to use.
3. For a successful virtual immersion, start with a one-day plan.
4. Your sample plan for perfect Virtual Immersion day.

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1. My own virtual immersion example: How I practice German.

The example I’m going to give you today is one daily routine that makes it feel easy to do English, even if you’re busy, or tired.

It’s inspired by my own routine–for learning German.

To be honest, running a business, creating videos, coaching clients, managing a team of 15 people… that takes a lot of time & energy!

But routines like this are how I make it easy to fit language learning into my busy day.
And it has helped many of my clients too!

Also check out my lesson: Stop translating in your head.

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2. For a successful virtual immersion, keep it simple. Start with ONE resource to use.

For this routine, we’ll use ONE main resource: a podcast in English.
We’ll use this episode from the Faster Fluency Conversation Club podcast: How to feel more confident speaking in English.

The transcript for the episode How to Feel More Confident Speaking in English here

This routine includes both natural and deliberate learning, which we talked about in the previous lesson.

And I’ll tell you EXACTLY what to do, step by step!

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3. For a successful virtual immersion, start with a one-day plan.

Yes, creating your very own virtual immersion will take some time.
But you probably already know the most effective way to address something important and complex.  Start with a single, useful step!

That’s all you have to do today.

Tomorrow, you will choose what your single next step will be.

You may be at a moment in your life when you have the time (or the desire) to make a big change in your habits. In that case, you could try your entire plan tomorrow.

But you don’t have to do it all at once to be effective.
In fact, something important you need to know if you really want to improve is:

What works for YOU.

You are the expert in your own language learning.

Maybe you’re very busy right now.
In that case, start with the first step and add more activities day by day.

The important thing is to start.

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4. Your sample plan for perfect Virtual Immersion day.

1. First, listen to the podcast while you get ready for work. This is an example of natural learning–you’re just listening to the sounds and maybe a few ideas.
2. At breakfast: Read the transcript and do some more natural learning:  You are picking up interesting or useful expressions. The transcript for the episode “How to Feel More Confident Speaking in English” is here
3. During your commute, listen to the podcast again. Try to notice your useful expressions in context. This is an example of deliberate learning–you are listening with a specific purpose.
4. During your lunch break: Create some flashcards with new vocabulary. I’ve made some cards for you on Quizlet! Click here to access them. Study them during the day (1-3 minutes). You’re using deliberate practice because spacing out your review sessions during the day makes what you are learning stick!
5. When you commute home: Listen again to the podcast one more time. It’s another chance to notice and remember the expressions you learned today.  You guessed it, deliberate learning. You are listening with a purpose.
6. In the evening, write a list of the expressions you learned from memory.
7. Connect with a conversation partner or teacher, so that you can discuss the podcast and use some of your new vocabulary. If you don’t have a conversation partner, you could always join my Faster Fluency Conversation Club!
8. To finish your day, write for 5 minutes. See if you can summarize what you learned.   Try to use your new vocabulary again! Here’s an extra tip: write it by hand. Why?  Because this helps connect it all to your brain!

That’s a basic summary, but I explain it all in more detail in the video and with some visuals to really help you see what to do. Click here to watch it.

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My question for you

What’s the ONE thing that you can do starting today to create your own virtual immersion?
Maybe you can start doing all of this right now!

But if you’re like most people (including me) you need to create new habits step by step.
That way your change will last over time. And turn into a habit.

You can do this!
Christina

P.S. In case you missed the FIRST video Get off the intermediate plateau, with Virtual Immersion,” you can watch it here.

Episode #3 is coming next Tuesday!

Also check out my lesson: How to remember vocabulary in English.

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Take the next step: Improve your English in the comments

The best way to become more confident using Business English is to practice!

Here’s your weekly challenge for this week:

1. In the comments, tell us what ONE thing you’ll do today.
2. And let us know if there is one thing you’d like to do all week.

If you learned something from this lesson, please share it with your coworkers & friends. You can send your message to them in English for more practice!

Click here to share this article on LinkedIn
Click here to share this article on Facebook

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Are you trying to get off the intermediate plateau?  Don’t miss out on the rest of the lessons in this virtual immersion.

Are you ready to try some new and smart English-learning strategies and finally go beyond intermediate?

I’m passionate about making and sharing new lessons to help you reach your Business English goals, so you can reach all your goals.

If you want to get all my future lessons, videos, virtual immersion challenges, plus my English Habit Starter Kit to make it feel easier to learn more each day, sign up here.

See you for the next step in this virtual immersion!

Christina

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