There are so many apps and websites that can help you translate. But learning a language is more than just remembering vocabulary. Here are are some clever ways to use technology to help you learn English in ways that might surprise you.
1. Sing songs using a karaoke app.
Learning English songs is an enjoyable way to learn the language. By doing karaoke or using karaoke apps you can make sure the lyrics to songs are on the screen as you sing. This will help to reinforce the language, plus you get the bonus of being able to repeat the same phrases again and again if they are in the chorus.
If you want to engage more with Australian culture, singing songs by Australian artists is a good place to start. You could try the classic 1980s hit, ‘You’re the Voice’ by John Farnham, or for something more contemporary try 'Fallin' by Jessica Mauboy.
Source: Getty/PonyWang
2. Practise with a voice-controlled virtual assistant.
Although the best way to practise English is to talk with someone in person, sometimes, it’s hard to find a partner. Whilst there are , you can also practise English with a voice-controlled virtual assistant.
Virtual assistants are available on your phone, tablet and smart home devices. You can ask your assistant what the weather is for the week, to set an alarm and to even help you practise English.
One awesome feature that some assistants now have is that they can now speak with an Australian accent! So as you practice English, you’ll also get used to understanding the accent.
3. Find subtitles in video platforms and use them.
Popular video platforms now give you the option of turning on subtitles or closed captions [CC] when you watch videos. Online streaming services also give you this choice.
You can try watching your favourite shows with the subtitles turned on in English. You'll be able to find out English expressions to match phrases you already know in your own language and you can also learn how words are spelled out. And the great thing about an online video is that you can always pause it if you need more time to absorb words and information.
Improve your English language skills with the SBS Learn English series, . You can follow the Chang family as they go through common situations in Australia. This series is captioned in English and also subtitled in other languages.
Woman taking photo of signs Source: SBS
4. Take photos of signs and words
Imagine your phone as a way of collecting learning material. We can't study every minute of the day and sometimes you don't have the time to focus on learning English. But you almost always have the time to take a quick photo!
If you see something you don't understand just take a quick photo of it so you can look at it later. Then when you have time you can go back over your photos and translate them or ask someone to help you to understand the meaning.
5. Listen to English podcasts.
The amazing thing about podcasts is that you can listen to them anywhere. By multitasking you can turn any activity into learning time. Do you have to travel for work? Maybe you need to do some gardening? Next time, put your headphones on and find a Learn English podcast to make the time double as useful.
There are lots of podcasts that can help you learn English. is unique because it helps you with the English language and Australian culture.
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