Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That!

There is a video on YouTube of a lady saying: Ain’t nobody got time for that. This video has received over 40 million views. It was originally part of a TV news report and then it was made into a song. It’s pretty funny. Click on the link to check it out.

Anyway, earlier today I was thinking about what she said, not because she used incorrect grammar (Ain’t nobody got time for that means nobody has time for that), but rather how true the statement seems these days, especially for people who are learning English. In other words, I was thinking about how difficult it can be for my students to find time to fit learning English into their already busy schedules.

Most of the people I work with are either hardworking university students or super busy professionals who work full time jobs and do all kinds of other interesting things with their lives. It can be tricky for them to find time to fit English into their day.

As you know, I believe that one of the best ways to improve your English is to LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. And then read, read, read. That’s why I create the free podcasts, available via iTunes and on this website. And that is also why I am working on a new product, which I plan to launch within the next month or so. (More on that, later.)

I actually feel busy myself, but I try to fit in time for my own language learning endeavors as well, which include fitting in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and sometimes German, though I am currently only able to consistently fit in a little bit of French and some Spanish.

It’s well known that we all spend a lot of time these days working, and when we aren’t working, we are doing our best to spend quality time with family and friends, and some of us even try to find ways to get a little exercise now and then.

So, I thought of 10 ideas that may help you fit English into your busy life.

The goal is not to think in terms of 1- or 2-hour blocks of study time, but rather to think in terms of 10- or 15-minute chunks of enjoyable learning activities here and there throughout the day.

1. Listen to English music, podcasts or audiobooks while driving. Many people spend at least 20 minutes or more each way commuting to work. Use this time to listen to English. Remember, listen to something that you enjoy and that you can mostly understand.

2. If you are going to watch TV, watch an English-speaking TV series. Some popular ones are Breaking Bad, How I Met Your Mother, Psych, Glee, and The Big Bang Theory.

3. When you are taking a shower, speak out loud to yourself. Repeat sentences that you are trying to master. Tell yourself a story. Practice answering questions. Have a conversation with yourself. Sing or recite poetry.

4. Change your Facebook, Twitter and Google+ settings to English.

5. Kill two birds with one stone by listening to English on your iPod or MP3 player while taking a walk or a run.

6. If you spend a few minutes reading the news each day, do so online at an English news site such as NPR, BBC, CNN, Democracy Now or the New York Times.

7. Carry a book with you at all times. Read when you are waiting for somebody or something, like in a line or at the doctor’s office.

8. If you have a friend or a family member who speaks English, speak to him or her in English as much as possible. If they speak really well, ask them if they are willing to speak to you in English only, even if you can’t yet keep up your end of the conversation in English and you have to answer in your native language. At least you will get more listening time in by doing this.

9. Listen to something in English while you do other things, such as washing the dishes, cleaning the house, folding laundry or working on your car.

10. Keep a book or a magazine in the bathroom. You can read while you are doing your business.

Hopefully this post will inspire you to find your own ways to fit English into your day. If you have other ideas, please share them with our community of English learners in the comments section below.