Can I really improve my English in 30 days?
Yes, you can!
The 30-Day English Challenge is designed to improve your speaking, writing, vocabulary and reading, and boost your confidence and fluency. By completing a simple language task every day for 30 days, you’ll be on your way. to better English… fast!
How does it work?
The idea behind a 30-day English challenge is simple. Your English will improve quickly because you will be thinking in English. Thinking in your second language is not easy to do, but it will help you improve faster. By the end of the month, you will be thinking in English for up to 90 minutes a day. That’s a total of over 18 hours in English!
The activities throughout the challenge are easy to follow, and fun to do. You can jump right in to Day 1 whenever you feel ready.
What do I need?
You will need 3 things to start the 30-day challenge:
- a new notebook and pen
- the 30-Day Calendar (download PDF below)
- determination and a positive attitude!
If a 30-Day English challenge sounds a little intimidating, remember this: there’s no one judging you except YOU! If you miss a day, don’t give up. Just start again where you left off. If you enjoy a particular activity, do it more often! It’s up to you how far you want this challenge to go, but I’m hoping you can go the distance. You have all my support and encouragement.
How do I get started?
Step 1: Download the 30-Day Challenge calendar. It includes live links to each daily challenge.
Step 2: Click the link on each day to complete tasks. Bookmark this page so you can access it easily.
Step 3: Show off! Post your challenge photos to Instagram at #30dayEnglishchallenge and tag @TalkinTownEnglish
Ready, Set, GO!
Day 1: Write a letter to your future self
Time: 5 mins
Target Skill: Writing
Write a letter to the person you would like to be at the end of the 30-day challenge.
Write down the things you hope to achieve. Be specific. Do you want to improve your grammar, reading or writing? Are you more focused on pronunciation? Maybe you want to feel more confident.
Whatever your language goals are, take a few minutes to write them down. At the end of the challenge, you can read your letter again. You may be surprised at your success!
Write a letter to your future self
Day 2: Read your daily horoscope
Time: 5 mins
Target Skills: Reading & Vocabulary
What’s your astrology sign? How do you pronounce your sign in English? Read your horoscope out loud to practice pronunciation. Look for new phrasal verbs. Write any new vocabulary in your notebook.
If you enjoy reading your daily horoscope, do it every day for the rest of the challenge. You might even find love, luck, or money!
Click here to find your horoscope based on your Zodiac sign.
Day 3: Listen to a news article
Time: 10 mins
Targets: Listening, Pronunciation
Have you heard of BreakingNewsEnglish.com? It’s one of my favorite places to find easy news stories for ESL. Head over and choose a short article that interests you. Listen to the audio version once or twice, focusing on understanding the main ideas. Don’t worry about catching every word—just train your ear to follow the flow of natural speech. This is a great way to improve your listening skills and expand your vocabulary at the same time.
Day 4: Take some online personality quizzes
Time: 15 mins
Targets: Reading, Vocabulary
Who are you? Personality tests can help you find new career paths and lifestyles. They can help you understand your own strengths and weakness and how to improve. The tests are full of useful vocabulary, too!
Take your free personality test at 16personalities.com
Day 5: Listen to a guided meditation
Time: 15 mins
Targets: Listening, Vocabulary
Take time to chill! Prepare a quiet, comfortable place to sit, and let the guide lead you for 16 minutes of total relaxation.
Day 6: Sing along to 3 favorite songs
Time: 15 mins
Targets: Listening, Fluency
What’s your favorite song in English?
Choose a song you love. First, try to write the words by listening to the song. Then check your work by looking up the lyrics online. Correct any mistakes you made, and translate the lyrics if you need to to find the meaning. Then listen one more time and sing along to the lyrics you wrote. You’ll be ready for karaoke night in no time!
Here’s a great place to start your lyrics search
Don’t feel bad if you can’t catch every word! Even native speakers get surprises when we look up the actual words.
Day 7: Watch a Ted Talk about language
Time: 20 mins
Targets: Listening, Vocabulary
Ted Talks are a fantastic way to stay up to date with current trends in science and technology. Visit the website’s wonderful collection of language-themed topics. Then sit back and enjoy a good monologue. Lydia Machova’s TED talk (posted above) explains the secret to learning new languages from polyglots around the world. I highly recommend checking it out.
Find a TED talk on language here
Day 8: Write about your hobby
Time: 20 mins
Targets: Vocabulary, Writing
Do you have a hobby? Mine is crochet. Your hobby is a great place to explore in English. For today’s challenge, write about your hobby and why you like it.
Then, make a list of vocabulary words and phrases that are specific to your hobby. For example, if your hobby is crochet, include terms like yarn, hook, stitch, and chain. Aim to write about 150 words on your hobby.
Need help choosing? Here’s a list of great hobbies to start
Day 9: Read the weather report
Time: 15 mins
Targets: Reading, Speaking
How’s the weather? Read today’s weather for your city. Look up any words you do not understand and jot them down in your notebook. Then read tomorrow’s forecast and use the future tenses to predict the weather!
Day 10: Listen to a famous speech
Time: 20 mins
Targets: Listening, Fluency
Do you have a favorite leader, inventor, or visionary? Find a speech by a person you admire and give it a listen. Listen again while reading the words. Think about the tone of their voice and the message behind their speech. Here’s a great one by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ya’ gotta love that guy!
Remember the “Wear Sunscreen” speech? Never forget it!
Day 11: Practice irregular verbs with flashcards
Time: 25 mins
Targets: Memory
Irregular verbs are essential for speaking and writing correctly in English, especially in the past tense. Grab a deck of irregular verb flashcards here and flip through them daily.
Go through the cards a few times and try to say the past and past participle forms out loud. Knowing irregular verbs well will help you express yourself more accurately and confidently in conversation and writing.
72 Irregular Verb Flashcards Are Here
Learn and memorize 72 of the most common irregular verbs in English with a colorful deck of photo flashcards. Free shipping!
Day 12: Get a free online tarot reading
Time: 25 mins
Targets: Vocabulary, Reading
Curious what the universe has to say? Try a free tarot reading and see what fate has planned.
Tarot readings are full of rich, emotional language—great for learning new vocabulary and reflecting on your goals. Do you agree with the results—or do you think tarot is just a silly game?
Click here for a free online tarot reading in English!
Day 13: Describe a photo you took
Time: 25 mins
Targets: Memory, Pronunciation
Choose a photo you’ve taken—any photo that has a story or memory behind it. Write a short paragraph describing the image, where and when you took it, and why it’s meaningful to you.
Focus on using clear descriptive language. Who or what is in it? Where were you? Talk about the setting, colors, people, or emotions connected to the moment. This activity helps you practice past tense, adjectives, and storytelling all at once.
Day 14: Watch a How It’s Made video
Time: 30 mins
Targets: Listening, Fluency
Have you ever wondered how fireworks are made? Or where silk comes from? I have. Humans make and build incredible things, and I love watching the process. Who knew they use insects to make lipstick?
Find a short episode of How It’s Made on YouTube and watch how everyday products are created. These videos use clear speech and technical vocabulary, making them great for improving your listening comprehension and learning new jargon.
As you watch, try to note a few key steps in the process or pause to repeat phrases aloud. Then turn off the sound and try to narrate the video as you watch. It’s a simple way to build vocabulary and learn about the amazing world around us!
Day 15: Write about your job or studies
Time: 30 mins
Targets: Writing
Wow! You’re halfway through the challenge! Keep up the good work.
Speaking of work, what do you do for a living? If you’re a student, what are you studying?
- What are your future career goals?
- What are some of your biggest accomplishments so far?
- Do you enjoy your job and/or classes? Why or why not?
- Is your resume up to date? Let’s work on that.
Here’s a helpful guide on writing a job description with examples
Day 16: Read 3 movie reviews
Time: 30 mins
Targets: Vocabulary, Reading
What’s the last movie you watched? Read some reviews about it in English. Did most people like it? What was best about the film: the story, the acting, the costumes, or the music? What wasn’t so good about it? Try to read at least one positive review and one negative review so you can discover extra vocabulary.
Read reviews of the last movie you saw on Rotten Tomatoes
Day 17: Take 3 online listening tests
Time: 40 mins
Targets: Listening, Fluency
There are many sites that offer free listening tests. Do a quick search, or check out some available IELTS listening practice tests here. Another great site for listening practice is breakingnewsenglish.com. English teachers around the world flock to this site for lessons based on news articles. The lessons include listening at various speeds in both British and American English. You can search for lessons by topic, and there are thousands of them. The site adds new lessons weekly, so be sure to visit regularly.
Day 18: Follow an exercise video
Time: 40 mins
Targets: Kinesthetics, Listening, Vocabulary
Get ready to work your body as well as your mind!
Practice the names of body parts and directions as you gain fitness. Put on comfortable clothes and find a place where you have plenty of space to move around. Then start your workout video and follow along. You can choose to do yoga, pilates, aerobics, or whatever your body is craving.
Why not add a 30-day exercise challenge to your daily routine? Here are a few of my favorite exercise challenge videos.
30 Day Pilates Body Challenge: The Balanced Life Pilates with Robin Long
Home Workout Challenge with Holly Dolke
After your workout (and shower) see if you can remember and write down any new exercise phrases you learned. You might be a little sore tomorrow, but as they say: “No pain, no gain!”
Day 19: Prepare a meal using a recipe
Time: 40 mins
Targets: Reading, Vocabulary
You don’t need to cook a 5-course meal. Start with something simple you already know how to make: a sandwich, pasta, or an omelette.
Google your recipe and choose one that looks simple and delicious. If you have a cookbook in English, that will work too (with fewer distractions). Always review the recipe first to make sure you have all the ingredients and understand all the measurements and directions. If you are cooking for two or more people, try explaining your dish in English as you serve it. As they say in English, Bon Appetit!
Here are some quick meal ideas to get started
Day 20: Memorize 3 proverbs
Time: 45 mins
Targets: Speaking, Fluency
Proverbs are short, wise sayings that appear often in conversations, stories, and advice. Learning them helps you sound more natural and gives you insight into English-speaking cultures and values.
For today’s challenge, choose 3 well-known English proverbs to memorize, such as “Practice makes perfect,” and “Better late than never.” Say them out loud, write them down, and try to use each one in a sentence.
Day 21: Watch a travel video of your city
Time: 45 mins
Targets: Listening, Speaking, Vocabulary
You know your hometown well, but there’s always more to learn! Watching travel videos about your hometown is a great way to brush up on your history and learn geographical vocabulary.
- What’s the history of your city?
- What are the most popular things to do?
- What are the best places to go and foods to eat?
- Are there any dangerous areas or problems in your city?
You can watch the travel video of my beautiful city, San Diego, California. We have lots of tacos, beaches, and parks. Come visit soon!
Day 22: Write a “Thank You” note
Time: 45 mins
Targets: Writing
It’s always good to be grateful.
Maybe someone has given you a nice gift or extended and act of kindness. Or you just want to show appreciation for something special in your life. Tell the people you love that they are important to you with a thoughtful thank-you note. Use the link below to help you along.
How to write a thoughtful and sincere Thank-You note
Day 23: Read the bio of a famous person
Time: 45 mins
Targets: Reading, Vocabulary
Is there a person who you admire? A person who inspires you? Find out more about their early life, challenges, and accomplishments in their biography. Ducksters.com has an abundance of famous people you can learn about. Visit the website, scroll down the list and pick someone you would like to learn more about.
For extra speaking practice, read the biography out loud. For extra writing practice, write a letter to the person you read about. What would you say to them? What questions would you ask?
Find your person on Duckster’s
Day 24 : Listen to a podcast or radio show
Time: 60 mins
Targets: Listening, Fluency, Vocabulary
Spend an hour listening carefully to a podcast episode. Listen to people tell their life stories, explain science, or debate conspiracies.
Below are some of my favorite listening podcasts that English learners can really enjoy.
The Moth Radio Hour is for normal, everyday people to tell a story from their lives.
Day 25: Write a bucket list of 25 things you want to do
Time: 60 mins
Targets: Writing, Vocabulary
In English, the idiom “to kick the bucket” means to die. So a “bucket list” is a list of things you hope to do before that happens.
Think of all the things you want to do, places you want to go, experiences you want to have. Then write them down!
You can use my template below to start your list. Or checkout some ideas to get started.
Get your Bucket List Printable Template
Day 26: Play some online language games
Time: 60 mins
Targets: Vocabulary, Grammar
Word games are a great way to learn. Play online Scrabble or Words With Friends, Wordle, or my favorite: Contexto! These games are sure to add a fun element to your English challenge.
Check out some of these cute video games for English practice
Day 27: Make an “About Me” video
Time: 60 mins
Targets: Writing, Speaking
An “About Me” video tells people who you are, where you’re from, and what you have to offer. It’s useful to have when you apply for a job or are building an online presence.
You don’t have to write your whole life story, but you can if you want to! Prepare some talking points, and then set up your phone or computer to record yourself. It’s never easy to watch ourselves on camera, so if you’re feeling shy, just use a voice recorder.
After you finish, don’t watch the recording right away. Come back a few days later and give it a listen. Pay attention to your volume and speed. Note any mistakes you might have made. Think of improvements. When you are ready, try making the video again. You’re sure to improve after a couple tries!
Here’s a helpful guide to creating an About Me video
Day 28: Watch a classic American Film
Time: 90 mins
Targets: Listening, Speaking, Fluency, Memory
Grab some popcorn! Choose a classic American movie like Forrest Gump, The Wizard of Oz, or Back to the Future. Or choose from this list of Top 100 American Films. If you like musicals, there’s a list of my favorites below.
Watch it with English subtitles to help you follow along, and pay attention to the dialogue, expressions, and body language. Afterward, try summarizing the plot or writing a few sentences about your favorite scene. Translate the title into your first language. Does it sound good or bad?
This task improves your listening skills, exposes you to natural speech, and gives you a view of true American culture. And of course, you get popcorn. Bonus!
Here’s a list of 35 greatest musicals of all time
Day 29: Write the biography of a family member
Time: 60 mins
Targets: Writing, Speaking
Choose a family member to interview. Prepare by writing 5-6 questions for them to answer. Conduct and record the interview on video or audio. Afterwards, listen to it and translate their answers into English. Share an English copy with the person you interviewed.
Here are 10 Tips for Interviewing a Family Member
Day 30: Read A Teen Fiction Book
Time: 90 mins +
Targets: Reading, Speaking
Celebrate your final day of the challenge by diving into a teen fiction book. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve your English. It strengthens vocabulary, reinforces grammar naturally, and helps you think in English. Plus, it’s enjoyable!
But teacher! Choosing a book is challenging!
I know. And I have the answer.
Get a Choose Your Own Adventure story. This series is perfect for English learners of all ages. The stories are short and full of adventure and exciting endings. I promise you’ll love them! Think of this as your small gift to yourself for completing the challenge. You did it!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed the 30-Day English Challenge! You practiced English for a total of over 20 hours 1,205 minutes) of English practice in 30 days!
So what now?
The 30-Day Challenge doesn’t have to end here. I hope that some of these daily challenges will become part of your daily routine.
Keep using those flashcards from Day 11, and listen to more podcasts like you did on Day 24. You can always restart the challenge all over again. Share it with a friend and do the challenge together. It’s twice the fun and twice the fluency.
Leave a comment below and tell me how your challenge is going!
*The 30-Day English Challenge is dedicated to my mom, who always motivates me to be the best I can be, every day of the year. Thanks mom!
Leave a Reply