Turn London Into Your Classroom: How to Learn English from the City Itself
- London Noun
- Sep 7
- 6 min read
When I was an undergraduate student at the University of London, I thought I had made a terrible mistake. I had decided to study a language, Russian, that I knew very little about, but had come to realise that it had very difficult grammar and pronunciation. I almost gave up. What saved me was my love of Russian culture and history.
I realised that although the daily three-hour Russian grammar classes were a necessary evil – and they really were evil, despite the best efforts of my wonderful teachers Natasha and Nick – I needed to focus on why I wanted to learn Russian in the first place: to communicate with Russians and appreciate their culture on a deeper level. That’s when concentrating on learning outside the classroom spurred me on to success.
As a third-year university language student in Moscow, I dutifully attended the compulsory classes, but what motivated me and assisted with my progress was taking advantage of everyday situations as learning opportunities and grasping any and every opportunity to have meaningful cultural experiences to boost my Russian. I treasure these memories and hope the experiences I had in Moscow can serve as an example for anyone in London now or who is planning to visit.
The aim of this blog post is to share practical tips to make daily life in London part of your English learning journey.
Why London is the Perfect English Teacher
Everywhere you go in London you are exposed to English. As you walk along the streets pay attention to signs, adverts, inscriptions on buildings and the conversations you hear. I strongly disagree with the idea that London isn’t an ideal place to learn English because of the large number of international residents and visitors. This is a huge bonus as you’re exposed to the huge varieties of English that exist.
Another benefit of London being so multicultural is that it’s easy to practice without feeling judged. As so many of the residents of the city have had their own battles with learning English, they are generally patient and ready to lend a hand to those still in the thick of their own conflicts.
London itself is also an excellent classroom as you have access to world-class resources including museums, theatres, universities and many fascinating events. The ‘late’ events hosted by various museums at the end of the month are particularly fun ways to engage with their collections and see their exhibits in a new light.
As a language learner, you may have spent a lot of time in the classroom being taught ‘correct’ English. However, textbooks and other learning resources tend to oversimplify or present language in unnatural ways. They even sometimes give you expressions that nobody uses nowadays. That’s why I argue that London as a city should be your classroom. As you explore the metropolis and meet its inhabitants, you are exposed to real, unfiltered language and can begin to understand the rich and exciting culture here.
Everyday Situations as Learning Opportunities
If you’re serious about breaking through whatever is limiting your progress, you have to become obsessed with making every situation a learning opportunity. When you’re ordering food or coffee, practise making polite requests. When you’re shopping, ask an extra question during real-life exchanges. When you’re out and about using public transport, read notices, listen to announcements and be brave enough to ask for help.
It is in these seemingly small moments that you will make huge progress. Try to be reflective as well. After a conversation with a shopkeeper, ask yourself: did I understand everything? What parts of the conversation were difficult? Was I fully understood? Were the issues that I faced due to a lack of vocabulary, very fast speech, pronunciation or some other problem? Being aware of this will help you move forward and know what you need to focus on in your language learning.
Cultural Experiences That Boost Learning
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” So said Samuel Johnson in 1777. This rings just as true today as it did back then.
London is estimated to have more than 200 museums and galleries with the British Museum being the most visited. Many of them are free to enter although you may need to book online (at no cost) before visiting.
Don’t just mindlessly wander around the space. Many of the museums have ‘Learning’ sections on their websites and have free learning resources. Print a worksheet and do the activities as you explore. Read the labels on artefacts and engage with interactive displays. Some museums have free guided tours, so go along and practise your listening skills.
I remember with fondness the time that my Russian teacher, Lola, in Moscow invited the class back to her flat to watch a film in Russian. I barely recognised any words but understood that it was still very useful to practise listening to the rhythm of the language and learn about the culture. There are so many events in London that will allow for both. Go and see a show in the West End. Yes, it’s expensive and should be considered a treat, but there are ways to find cheaper tickets. A trip to the cinema is also worthwhile for the same reasons.
Throughout the year there are a variety of public lectures, festivals and networking events. These offer the perfect way to practise your speaking and listening skills and in some cases your reading and writing skills as well. You’re bound to find something that takes your fancy. As someone who loves to travel, I particularly enjoy the events at the Royal Geographical Society.
10 Practical Tips for Learners in London
Keep a small notebook / notes app for recording new vocabulary and review it regularly.
Record and practise phrases you hear being said around you.
Set weekly mini goals (e.g. ask for directions on public transport 3 times).
Use London’s resources – Find conversation partners from meetups, cafes, or language exchanges.
Listen to real English on public transport – The tube, buses and Overground are full of difference speech varieties. Try to catch key words or phrases and notic how pronunciation changes.
Read authentic English every day – Free newspapers like ‘Metro’ or the ‘Evening Standard’ or adverts on the Tube are great for new Vocabulary. Try to look out for idioms or headlines that use wordplay.
Visit museums with guided tours – During the tour write down 5 new words or expressions and later try to use them in a sentence.
People-watch in cafes or markets – Pay attention to how people order food, thank the staff, or chat with friends. Notice the tone and rhythm of their speech.
Try London’s theatre or comedy scene – Watch a play, a musical or stand-up comedy to experience natural, fast-paced English. Even if you don’t understand everything, it will help you to improve your listening skills.
Join a London walking tour – it’s a chance to hear storytelling in English, learn history and ask questions.
The role of a private tutor alongside London
While all the effort you make outside of the classroom will help to boost your language learning, it’s essential to have strong foundations in the first place. For example, I have met students who want to only practise speaking, even though they are still at a relatively low level and lack knowledge of grammar structures or vocabulary. By repeating the same mistakes again and again when trying to speak, they reinforce the errors, and it makes it harder for them to speak correctly in the future.
One-to-one lessons with a private tutor could help you turn your daily experiences into learning progress. As an experienced, qualified tutor, I share effective strategies with my students, provide engaging lessons and most importantly give them regular, specific feedback to help them make progress.
Conclusion
London itself can be your classroom if you approach it in the right way. I challenge you to read the 10 tips above again and make a plan to start using them. Even if you’re not in London physically, you can join us spiritually by going to online events or using resources online. If you’d like guidance on making the most of London as your teacher, I’d be happy to help through personalised one-to-one lessons. Use the contact form on this website to send me a message and I’ll be in touch.
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