Effortless English Podcasts
Effortless English Chat
How to Choose the Right English Learning Material.
Alex: Hi everyone, welcome back to Effortless English Podcasts.
Alex: I'm Alex.
Luna: And I'm Luna.
Alex: Today, we’re talking about something that almost every English learner faces.
Alex: How do you pick the right learning material for yourself?
Luna: Oh yes, that’s a big one.
Luna: I mean, who hasn’t stood in front of a bookshelf or scrolled online and just felt totally lost?
Alex: Right?
Alex: There are so many books, apps, videos, and courses out there.
Alex: Some promise fast results, others say they’re made by “experts.”
Alex: But in the end, most people just feel overwhelmed.
Luna: Or worse, they buy something because it “looks good” and find out later it’s not helpful at all.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: And here’s what happens a lot.
Alex: You try one thing.
Alex: It feels hard or boring.
Alex: So you stop.
Alex: Then you buy another book or switch to another app.
Alex: The cycle repeats.
Luna: That’s so true.
Luna: And then people think, “Maybe English just isn’t for me.”
Alex: But actually, the problem isn’t with them.
Alex: It’s the material they chose.
Alex: Not all learning materials fit everyone.
Luna: Just like not all shoes fit every foot.
Alex: Nice one.
Luna: Thank you.
Luna: So today, we want to help you break that cycle.
Luna: We’ll talk about common mistakes people make when choosing materials.
Alex: And how to avoid those mistakes by using smart, simple strategies.
Luna: Some of it might sound like common sense.
Luna: But trust me, a lot of people skip these steps and waste time.
Alex: We’ll also look at what science says about choosing the right material.
Alex: Yeah, I’ve read a bunch of studies and we’ll share some interesting stuff.
Luna: And don’t worry, we’ll keep it easy to understand.
Luna: No scary words.
Alex: Promise.
Luna: Before we jump in, just a quick reminder.
Luna: You can find the full script of this episode in the link below the video.
Alex: That’s right.
Alex: If you want to read along, or check anything we said, it’s all there.
Luna: We also have subtitles in multiple languages.
Alex: So if you need them, just turn on the CC option.
Luna: And if you like what we do, please hit that subscribe button.
Alex: It really helps us out, and you’ll never miss a new episode.
Luna: Alright, let’s get started!
Alex: Alright, let’s talk about what really makes choosing English materials so hard for most people.
Luna: Yes, let’s start with the big one—people don’t even know where to begin.
Alex: That’s true.
Alex: I’ve talked to a lot of learners who say, “There are just too many options out there.”
Alex: And because they don’t have a clear starting point, they end up stuck.
Luna: Or they just grab whatever pops up first in a Google search.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: But not every book or app is made the same way.
Luna: And not every learner is the same either.
Luna: What works for one person might not work at all for someone else.
Alex: That brings us to another big problem—too many choices.
Alex: You walk into a bookstore or go online, and boom, you see rows and rows of English books.
Luna: It’s like trying to pick one snack from a whole wall of chips.
Luna: You feel excited at first, but then overwhelmed.
Alex: And that choice overload can make people shut down.
Alex: Or they just pick something at random.
Luna: Yup, and that leads to mistake number three—choosing something just because it “looks” good.
Alex: Oh yeah.
Alex: I’ve seen books with shiny covers and bold promises like “Learn English in 30 Days!”
Luna: Or apps that say, “Just 5 minutes a day and you’ll speak like a native!”
Luna: Sounds amazing, right?
Alex: Too amazing.
Alex: Most of the time, these are marketing tricks.
Alex: The material inside might not even match your level or needs.
Luna: And you end up wasting time and maybe even money.
Luna: Worse, you might start thinking, “Is it me?”
Alex: That’s the saddest part.
Alex: People blame themselves when it’s really the material that’s the problem.
Luna: Another issue I see a lot is people not having a goal or direction.
Luna: They just know they “want to get better at English,” but that’s too vague.
Alex: Yeah, it’s like saying, “I want to be fit,” without knowing whether you want to run faster, lift weights, or lose weight.
Alex: Without a clear goal, you can’t measure progress.
Luna: And when you don’t see progress, it’s easy to quit.
Alex: Right.
Alex: A 2022 survey showed that over 60% of language learners gave up within the first three months.
Alex: And one of the top reasons was “not knowing if the material was working.”
Luna: That’s really sad.
Luna: Learning a language is hard, but it should also feel rewarding.
Alex: That’s why knowing your goals is so important.
Luna: And also knowing yourself.
Luna: Are you someone who learns better by listening?
Luna: Do you like stories or prefer short exercises?
Alex: These things matter.
Alex: And the earlier you figure them out, the better your learning journey will be.
Luna: So if you’re feeling lost right now, don’t worry.
Luna: You’re definitely not alone.
Alex: And the good news is, once you understand what the common problems are, you can start to fix them.
Luna: That’s what we’ll talk about next.
Alex: Alright, now let’s talk about what happens when you choose the wrong material.
Luna: Oh, this one hurts.
Luna: I’ve been there, and it really kills your motivation.
Alex: Same here.
Alex: You start out excited.
Alex: You’ve got a new book or a fresh app installed.
Alex: Everything feels possible.
Luna: Then, two weeks later, it’s sitting in the corner collecting dust.
Alex: Yeah.
Alex: And it’s not because you’re lazy.
Alex: It’s because the material wasn’t right for you.
Luna: If it’s too hard, you feel stupid.
Luna: If it’s too easy, you feel bored.
Alex: And when you’re bored or frustrated, it’s really hard to stay motivated.
Luna: That’s why a lot of people quit.
Luna: They think they’re not good at English.
Alex: But really, they just picked the wrong tool for the job.
Alex: Think of it like trying to build a house with a toothbrush.
Luna: That sounds exhausting.
Alex: It is.
Alex: And now let’s talk about the second big problem—time and money.
Alex: English learners spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on classes and books.
Luna: Don’t remind me.
Luna: I once bought a full course just because the teacher had a nice smile.
Alex: Did it work?
Luna: Not at all.
Luna: The lessons were all grammar drills with zero speaking practice.
Alex: Ouch.
Alex: And that’s the thing—when the material doesn’t match your goals, you get no results.
Alex: So not only do you waste time and money, but you also feel like you’ve made no progress.
Luna: And that feeling is the worst.
Luna: You start to doubt yourself.
Alex: And the truth is, some materials are actually harmful.
Alex: That’s our third point.
Luna: Harmful?
Luna: That sounds scary.
Alex: It can be.
Alex: Some books or courses teach outdated phrases.
Alex: Or worse, incorrect grammar.
Luna: Oh!
Luna: Like when people say, “He go to school every day.”
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: If you read or hear the wrong form over and over, you start to think it’s right.
Luna: And then you use it in real life and someone gives you a weird look.
Alex: Yeah, not fun.
Alex: The brain learns by patterns.
Alex: If the pattern is wrong, it becomes a bad habit.
Luna: And bad habits are hard to break.
Luna: Especially when you don’t even know they’re bad.
Alex: That’s why it’s so important to choose material that’s accurate and clear.
Alex: Even better if it’s been reviewed by experts or native speakers.
Luna: So true.
Luna: I used to follow a blog where the writer made small grammar mistakes.
Luna: I didn’t notice at first.
Luna: But later, when I took a test, I got a lot of simple stuff wrong.
Alex: That’s the risk.
Alex: If you’re learning from the wrong examples, your English will go in the wrong direction.
Luna: And correcting that takes twice the time.
Alex: So the lesson here is clear.
Alex: Picking the wrong material can slow you down, cost you money, and mess up your language skills.
Luna: But don’t worry, in the next part, we’ll show you how to make smarter choices.
Alex: Now that we’ve talked about the problems with choosing the wrong material, let’s look at where people usually go to find their learning resources.
Luna: Yeah, because knowing where to look is half the battle.
Alex: First up—bookstores and online platforms.
Alex: This is the classic way most people begin.
Luna: Totally.
Luna: You walk into a bookstore, and there’s a whole wall labeled “English Learning.”
Luna: It looks helpful, but also a little scary.
Alex: And online stores like Amazon are even more overwhelming.
Alex: You type “English textbook” and get thousands of results.
Alex: Some have high ratings, but you don’t know if those reviews are real.
Luna: And sometimes the top-rated ones are just the most advertised.
Luna: Not the most useful.
Alex: Right.
Alex: But the good thing about bookstores is that you can flip through a book before you buy it.
Alex: That gives you a feel for the layout, the exercises, and the level.
Luna: I love that.
Luna: I can tell within five minutes if something feels right or wrong.
Alex: Online, though, you have to rely on sample pages or reviews.
Alex: Some websites offer “Look Inside” options, which help a bit.
Luna: But still, it’s a gamble.
Alex: That brings us to another source—learning forums and recommendation articles.
Luna: Oh yes, the land of advice.
Luna: I’ve spent hours reading posts like “Top 10 English Books for Beginners.”
Alex: Same here.
Alex: And some of them are useful.
Alex: Especially when people share their personal experience with a book or course.
Luna: But there’s also a lot of noise.
Luna: What works for someone in Japan might not work for someone in Brazil.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Language learning is personal, so take every recommendation with a grain of salt.
Luna: Still, I like forums when I want to hear real stories.
Luna: Like, how did this book help you speak better?
Luna: Or did it help you pass a test?
Alex: That kind of feedback can be more helpful than a star rating.
Alex: Just remember, no single book is “perfect.”
Luna: Now let’s talk about the place where most young people go first—YouTube and social media.
Alex: Ah yes, the land of short videos and fast advice.
Luna: And also, lots of pretty teachers.
Alex: Don’t remind me.
Luna: YouTube can actually be great.
Luna: You can watch real lessons, see the teacher’s style, and decide if it works for you.
Alex: That’s true.
Alex: Some channels are very well made and follow a clear structure.
Alex: Others are more for motivation or quick tips.
Luna: But there’s a catch.
Luna: Just because someone speaks English well doesn’t mean they know how to teach it.
Alex: Or that their videos are based on a real teaching plan.
Luna: Social media is even trickier.
Luna: Instagram posts with “5 English phrases to sound cool” might look fun, but they don’t teach you how to build real sentences.
Alex: Yeah, learning bits and pieces is fine, but not if it’s your only source.
Alex: So if you use YouTube or social media, make sure it’s just one part of your study plan.
Luna: Think of it like snacks.
Luna: Fun, tasty, but not a full meal.
Alex: Well said.
Alex: The best way is to combine these sources.
Alex: Visit a bookstore, read online reviews, and check out video samples.
Luna: That way, you’re making an informed choice instead of just guessing.
Alex: Up next, we’ll share how to actually choose what’s best for you.
Alex: Now let’s dive into the most important part—how to choose the right material for you.
Luna: Yes, because even the best book in the world won’t help if it doesn’t match your needs.
Alex: Step one—know your learning goal.
Alex: Do you want to improve listening?
Alex: Speaking?
Alex: Grammar?
Alex: Vocabulary?
Alex: Each goal needs different tools.
Luna: Exactly.
Luna: If your main goal is speaking, but you choose a grammar-heavy book with no speaking practice, you’re going to feel stuck.
Alex: Or if you want to get better at listening, but the book only has reading exercises, you’re missing the point.
Luna: So first, write down your main goal.
Luna: Be specific.
Luna: Not just “I want to improve English,” but “I want to understand fast conversations” or “I want to speak with confidence in meetings.”
Alex: The more clear your goal, the easier it is to choose the right tool.
Alex: Step two—know your learning style.
Alex: Some people are visual learners.
Alex: They remember better when they see pictures or read text.
Luna: Others are auditory learners.
Luna: They do better when they hear things.
Alex: There are also people who need to write things down or say them out loud.
Luna: I’m one of those.
Luna: I have to say it or write it, or it doesn’t stick.
Alex: I’m more of a reader.
Alex: I like to see the rules and examples laid out.
Alex: That’s why when I choose a book, I check how it explains things.
Luna: Me too.
Luna: I hate books with long blocks of text and no examples.
Alex: That leads to step three—check if the material is clearly structured.
Alex: A good book or app should move step by step.
Alex: It shouldn’t throw five grammar rules at you on page one.
Luna: And it should review things too.
Luna: If you learn something once and never see it again, you’ll forget it fast.
Alex: Right.
Alex: A 2020 study showed that learners remember 40% more when the material repeats and builds on earlier lessons.
Luna: That’s huge.
Alex: So flip through the chapters.
Alex: Are they organized?
Alex: Do the lessons build on each other?
Alex: Is there a review section?
Luna: If yes, that’s a good sign.
Luna: If it looks random and messy, skip it.
Alex: Last step—look for extras like listening files or exercises.
Alex: These make a big difference.
Luna: Yes!
Luna: I once used a book that came with an audio CD.
Luna: I listened to it in the car, and it really helped.
Alex: Same here.
Alex: Audio is great for pronunciation and real-life speed.
Alex: Exercises are also key.
Alex: Reading and watching is good, but practice is better.
Luna: I like materials that ask questions at the end of each section.
Luna: It makes me stop and check if I really understood.
Alex: And that helps your brain hold onto the info longer.
Alex: So, quick recap:
Alex: Know your goal.
Alex: Know your style.
Alex: Pick structured material.
Alex: And make sure it comes with listening or practice.
Luna: Do that, and you’re already ahead of most people.
Alex: Coming up next—we’ll share how to test if your chosen material is actually working.
Alex: So, you’ve picked out some learning material that looks promising.
Alex: Great.
Alex: But now comes the big question—how do you know if it actually works for you?
Luna: Oh yes, this is where people often get stuck.
Luna: They buy a book or subscribe to a course, but they’re not sure if it’s helping.
Alex: Step one—try before you buy.
Alex: Always check if there’s a sample lesson, a free trial, or even a preview video.
Luna: A lot of websites now let you see the first few pages or watch the first class.
Alex: And that’s super helpful.
Alex: You get a taste of the style, the tone, and the structure.
Luna: It’s like test-driving a car.
Luna: You don’t want to commit to something without knowing how it feels.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: For example, if the sample lesson uses too many hard words or the teacher speaks too fast, that’s a red flag.
Luna: Or if it feels boring or too easy, it might not push you enough.
Alex: So always use those samples to get a feel.
Alex: Step two—give it a one-week test run.
Luna: I love this part.
Luna: You don’t need to decide everything right away.
Luna: Use the material for a week, and see how you feel.
Alex: Are you able to follow the lessons?
Alex: Do you enjoy using it, or does it feel like a chore?
Luna: And more importantly—are you remembering what you learned?
Alex: One great way to test that is by teaching it to someone else.
Alex: If you can explain what you learned in your own words, that’s a good sign.
Luna: I also like writing short notes or recording myself.
Luna: If I can use the new words or grammar in a real sentence, then I know it worked.
Alex: You can also track your own reactions.
Alex: Did you look forward to each session, or did you keep finding excuses not to study?
Luna: If you’re avoiding it, that’s a clue the material might not be right.
Alex: Step three—adjust as you go.
Alex: No need to stay with something that’s not helping.
Luna: I used to feel guilty for quitting a book.
Luna: Like, “I already paid for it, I should finish it.”
Alex: Same here.
Alex: But think about it—your time is worth more than the price of a book.
Alex: If it’s not helping you learn, let it go.
Luna: And don’t wait months.
Luna: Check your progress every week or two.
Luna: Are you improving?
Luna: Can you understand more than before?
Alex: A good trick is to go back to a podcast or article you tried earlier.
Alex: If it feels easier now, your material is probably working.
Luna: If it still feels just as hard, maybe it’s time to switch.
Alex: Language learning is a long journey, but the tools you use make a huge difference.
Alex: Don’t be afraid to change paths if the current one isn’t leading anywhere.
Luna: So remember—try it, test it, and tweak it.
Luna: That’s how you find what really works for you.
Alex: So far we’ve talked a lot about personal experience.
Alex: But let’s back it up with some science.
Alex: What do studies say about the impact of learning materials on language success?
Luna: Yes, tell us what the brain experts have to say.
Alex: Well, first—good materials really do matter.
Alex: Research shows that using the right learning materials can boost both motivation and learning speed.
Luna: Makes sense.
Luna: If you enjoy your material and it helps you learn, you’ll stick with it longer.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: One study from 2019 found that learners who used materials that matched their personal goals stayed in their study program 40% longer than those who didn’t.
Luna: Wow, 40% is a lot.
Alex: Yeah.
Alex: And those same learners also showed higher test scores.
Luna: So if you’re wondering if the right book or app makes a difference—the answer is yes.
Alex: Big yes.
Alex: Now let’s talk about learning with more than one sense.
Alex: This is called multi-sensory learning.
Luna: Ooh, sounds fancy.
Alex: It just means using more than one part of your brain.
Alex: Reading, listening, speaking, writing—doing these together helps you remember more.
Luna: So like reading a word, hearing it, saying it, and writing it down?
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: A study from 2021 showed that people who combined listening and reading learned new words 30% faster than those who only read.
Luna: That’s amazing.
Luna: I always learn better when I do more than one thing.
Luna: Just reading is too quiet for me.
Alex: Same here.
Alex: That’s why materials with audio, videos, and speaking tasks are so powerful.
Alex: They activate more brain areas, which helps you remember.
Luna: So when choosing a textbook or online course, look for one that uses pictures, sound, and speaking.
Alex: Right.
Alex: And now the flip side—what happens when you use the wrong material for too long?
Luna: Let me guess—nothing good.
Alex: You’re right.
Alex: Studies show that using poorly designed or incorrect material can actually make your English worse.
Luna: Wait—worse?
Luna: Not just slower?
Alex: Worse.
Alex: If the material has bad grammar or strange word use, your brain starts to think that’s normal.
Alex: And fixing those habits later takes more time and effort.
Luna: That explains why I used to say things that sounded okay in my head but were totally wrong.
Alex: You’re not alone.
Alex: One study tracked students who used outdated materials.
Alex: They had more trouble with writing and speaking tests than those who used modern, well-structured books.
Luna: Yikes.
Luna: So it’s not just about learning slowly, but learning the wrong way.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: That’s why using trusted, updated, and balanced materials is key.
Luna: Science says it.
Luna: So we should listen.
Alex: Yes, and use that knowledge to make better choices.
Alex: Alright, we’ve shared a lot of tips and research.
Alex: Now let’s talk about what worked for us.
Luna: Yes!
Luna: Everyone learns differently, and I think our styles show that.
Alex: Definitely.
Alex: I’m the kind of person who wants things to be fast and efficient.
Alex: I don’t like wasting time.
Luna: Shocking.
Alex: So when I started learning languages, I made a system.
Alex: I wrote down my goal—“understand tech podcasts without subtitles.”
Luna: Of course it’s a podcast.
Alex: Then I found materials that fit that goal.
Alex: I used a textbook that came with listening tasks and vocabulary lists.
Alex: But here’s the trick—I only studied the parts that helped me reach my goal.
Luna: Wait, you skipped chapters?
Alex: Yep.
Alex: If a chapter was about writing emails, I skipped it.
Alex: My goal wasn’t writing, so I didn’t spend time on it.
Luna: That’s very Alex of you.
Luna: I, on the other hand, like to feel the language.
Luna: I pick materials based on how they make me react.
Alex: What do you mean?
Luna: If a story makes me laugh, or I feel like, “I want to keep reading,” then it’s the right one.
Luna: I once learned 20 new words in a week just because I loved a silly comic.
Alex: That’s impressive.
Alex: So you learn through emotion?
Luna: Yep.
Luna: I look for things that are fun or feel natural.
Luna: I even learned a lot from watching romantic dramas with subtitles.
Alex: That would not work for me.
Luna: And that’s okay.
Luna: The point is, I stay with the material longer because I enjoy it.
Alex: And I stay because it helps me reach my goal faster.
Alex: So no one way is better.
Alex: What matters is knowing what keeps you going.
Luna: Exactly.
Luna: And here’s a tip—if you feel bored, it’s not you, it’s probably the material.
Alex: Or if you feel confused every time, the book may be too advanced.
Luna: Don’t force it.
Luna: Switch it up and try something new.
Alex: And remember, combine fun and function.
Luna: Learn smart, but also enjoy the ride.
Alex: Alright, we’ve covered a lot today, so let’s take a moment to wrap things up.
Luna: Yes, and maybe give people a simple list to remember.
Alex: Good idea.
Alex: So here are the key steps to choosing the right English material.
Alex: Step one—know your goal.
Alex: Ask yourself, “What do I really want to improve?”
Luna: Speaking? Listening? Writing? Grammar?
Luna: Pick one to focus on first.
Alex: Step two—know your learning style.
Alex: Do you learn better by reading, listening, or doing exercises?
Luna: Do you need pictures or real-life examples to help you understand?
Luna: Use that to choose your material.
Alex: Step three—check the structure.
Alex: A good book or course should guide you step by step, with clear lessons and review.
Luna: If it looks random and confusing, walk away.
Alex: Step four—look for extras like audio, videos, or practice exercises.
Alex: These make a big difference in helping you use what you’ve learned.
Luna: Then, test it out.
Luna: Use free samples or try it for a week.
Luna: Ask yourself—am I learning anything?
Luna: Am I enjoying it?
Alex: And here’s the final step—keep checking your progress.
Alex: Set small goals and see if the material helps you reach them.
Luna: If not, don’t be afraid to change it up.
Alex: Now, let’s be real.
Alex: You’re probably not going to find the “perfect” book or app.
Luna: And that’s okay.
Luna: Learning is a journey.
Luna: It’s normal to switch tools along the way.
Alex: What’s important is to keep moving forward.
Alex: Use what works, drop what doesn’t.
Luna: And don’t be afraid to experiment.
Luna: Try a podcast this week, maybe a grammar book next week.
Luna: Mix it up and see what sticks.
Alex: I always say, small wins build big habits.
Luna: And big habits lead to real change.
Alex: So give yourself permission to try, adjust, and try again.
Luna: That’s how you grow.
Alex: And remember, the goal is not just to study English.
Alex: The goal is to use English—at work, in travel, with friends.
Luna: So choose materials that help you do that, step by step.
Alex: You’ve got this.
Luna: We believe in you.
Alex: Alright, that’s a wrap for today’s episode.
Alex: We hope this helped you think more clearly about how to choose your English learning materials.
Luna: And if you want to review anything we said today, don’t worry.
Luna: We’ve got you covered.
Alex: You can find the full script of this episode in the description box below the video.
Alex: Just click the link to read everything we talked about.
Luna: We also have subtitles available in multiple languages.
Luna: So if you need extra help following along, turn on the CC option.
Alex: That way, you can listen and read at the same time.
Luna: And now it’s your turn!
Luna: We want to hear from you.
Luna: What kinds of materials have worked best for you?
Luna: Have you ever picked a book or app that didn’t help at all?
Alex: What helped you figure out what works for you?
Alex: Share your story in the comments below.
Luna: You never know—your tip might help someone else.
Alex: And if you have any questions about today’s topic, feel free to ask.
Alex: We always check the comments and try to answer when we can.
Luna: Or maybe you want us to cover a topic in the future—let us know!
Alex: And if you haven’t already, hit that subscribe button.
Alex: It helps us keep making these episodes and reach more learners like you.
Luna: Plus, you’ll get a little alert every time we post something new.
Alex: Easy and free—just one click.
Luna: Alright, that’s it for now.
Luna: Thanks so much for joining us today.
Alex: And remember, learning English doesn’t have to be hard.
Alex: You just need the right tools.
Luna: And the right friends to cheer you on.
Alex: See you next time on Effortless English Podcasts.
Luna: Bye!
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