How to think in English: 10 easy tips and the science behind them!

How to think in English and the science behind it all!

Thinking in English is the key to speaking fluently without constantly translating in your head. If you’ve ever struggled to find the right words because your brain is still operating in your first language, don’t worry—you’re not alone!

The good news is that you can naturally train your brain to think in English. Here are ten easy tips, supported by scientific research, to help you get started!

1. Start with simple words

Study: Cowan, N. (2005). Working memory capacity and the control of attention: An integrated theory of cognitive control. Psychological Bulletin.

Cowan’s research on working memory capacity highlights how cognitive control is tied to the ability to process and store information in real-time. When learning a second language, starting with simple words strengthens your working memory by simplifying the information you need to process. This allows learners to gradually build vocabulary in English without overwhelming the brain.

When you associate simple objects with their English names, you engage your memory systems without overloading them with complicated linguistic structures. This approach helps your brain form quicker associations, making it easier to recall those words later in conversations.

How to apply this:

Begin by labeling common objects around you in English. For example, instead of thinking “mesa” (in Spanish), consciously think “table.”

Play simple word association games in your head, such as “apple = fruit, red, sweet.”

When walking outside, name things you see: “tree, car, street, shop.”

By making this a daily habit, you create a mental framework for processing thoughts in English without translation.

2. Label your surroundings

Study: Paivio, A. (1986). Mental representations: A dual coding approach. Oxford University Press.

Paivio’s theory of dual coding suggests that the brain processes verbal and visual information separately but in parallel. Labeling objects with sticky notes helps by providing both visual and verbal associations. When you see the label “mirror,” the visual cue of the object and the word in English activate separate pathways in your brain.

This redundancy strengthens memory and retrieval by creating multiple connections to that word. Essentially, you are making it easier for your brain to process and retain the English word for each object through repeated exposure.  

How to apply this:

Use sticky notes to label objects in your house (e.g., “mirror,” “refrigerator,” “window”).

When using an item, say its English name out loud to strengthen memory.

Try to recall these words later without looking at the labels.

Over time, these repeated associations will help you remember and recall English words more easily!

3. Use an English-to-English dictionary

Study: Kroll, J. F., & Stewart, E. (1994). Category Interference in Translation and Picture Naming: Evidence for Asymmetric Connections Between Bilingual Memory Representation. Journal of Memory and Language.

Kroll and Stewart’s study shows that translating between languages can create interference, especially for bilingual individuals. By switching from one language to another, your brain has to work harder to resolve conflicts. Using an English-to-English dictionary helps eliminate this interference.

When you use definitions in the target language, you prevent your brain from making unnecessary connections to your first language. This leads to stronger vocabulary associations and reduces the likelihood of errors or hesitation when speaking.

How to apply this:

Instead of translating “complicated” into your native language, look it up in an English dictionary to see “difficult, complex, tricky.”

Write down new words with their English definitions and example sentences.

When reading, guess the meaning of new words from context before checking the dictionary.

This technique strengthens English associations and reduces the urge to mentally translate.

4. Talk to yourself in English

Study: Swain, M. (1985). Communicative competence: Some roles of comprehensible input and comprehensible output in its development. Input in Second Language Acquisition.

Swain’s research on output hypothesis emphasizes that producing language (speaking or writing) is essential for second language development. Self-talk allows learners to actively practice language use actively, creating neural pathways that enhance fluency. When you narrate your actions in English, you engage in “output,” which Swain believes is just as important as receiving input (listening or reading).

This process helps to solidify language in your brain by giving you a chance to practice forming correct sentence structures, boosting confidence and fluency.

How to apply this:

Narrate your actions: “Now, I’m making coffee. I need to boil water.”

Plan your day in English: “I have a meeting at 10 AM. I will go shopping after lunch.”

Think about your opinions: “I really liked that movie because…”

The more you talk to yourself in English, the more natural it becomes.

5. Think in full sentences

Study: De Groot, A. M. B. (2006). Language and Cognition in Bilinguals and Multilinguals: An Introduction. Psychology Press.

De Groot’s work highlights the importance of fluency in language acquisition, particularly the shift from word-level thinking to sentence-level thinking. When learners think in full sentences, they engage in deeper processing.

This involves grammar, syntax, and context, which helps them internalize English structures and expressions. Thinking in full sentences reduces the need for translation and accelerates the natural use of language in real-world situations.

How to apply this:

Instead of thinking “hungry,” think “I am hungry. I want to eat something.”

Challenge yourself to describe your surroundings in full sentences.

Write down full thoughts in a journal and try to think in those same sentence structures.

This practice will make English conversation flow more smoothly.

6. Watch and listen to English daily

Study: Isabelli-García, C. (2015). Language Learning and Technology: The Impact of Technology on Language Learning. Cambridge University Press.

Isabelli-García’s study shows how immersion (exposure to the language through media) increases language proficiency over time. By watching TV shows, listening to podcasts, and engaging with English content daily, learners are exposed to a wide variety of vocabulary, accents, and conversational patterns.

This consistent exposure helps the brain adapt to language nuances and accelerates fluency by reinforcing learned words and structures in different contexts.

How to apply this:

Watch TV shows, movies, or YouTube videos in your target language.

Listen to English podcasts or audiobooks during your commute.

Repeat key phrases or sentences you hear to improve retention.

7. Speak with real people

Study: Liu, M. (2011). A Review of Research on Teaching and Learning Second Language Speaking. Journal of Language Teaching and Research.

Liu’s research underscores the importance of real communication in language learning. Speaking with real people requires immediate processing, which forces the brain to respond in English. This type of real-time interaction provides feedback and helps learners overcome hesitation and self-doubt.

According to Liu, language learning is most effective when the learner is actively engaged in speaking, as this pushes the brain to form new connections between thoughts and language.

How to apply this:

Join language exchange programs.

Speak with colleagues, friends, or online tutors in English.

Attend online discussion groups or forums in English.

8. Write a daily journal in English

Study: Skehan, P. (2002). The Psychology of Second Language Acquisition. Oxford University Press.

Skehan’s research shows that writing is a critical component of language acquisition because it allows for internalized thinking and cognitive processing. Writing in English forces learners to actively think about sentence structures, grammar, and vocabulary.

Daily journaling helps learners practice English production, and the act of writing solidifies knowledge by encouraging the brain to process language at a deeper level, fostering fluency and recall.

How to apply this:

Write about your day in English.

Describe things that happened, your thoughts, or future plans.

Use new vocabulary words in your journal.

9. Use English when making decisions

Study: Keysar, B., Hayakawa, S. L., & An, S. (2012). The Foreign Language Effect: Thinking in a Foreign Language Reduces Decision Biases. Psychological Science.

This study shows that using a foreign language in decision-making reduces cognitive biases like overconfidence or emotional influence.

The researchers found that when making decisions in their native language, individuals were more prone to overconfidence—meaning they were more likely to believe they were correct, even when they weren’t.

However, when participants made decisions in a foreign language, they were less likely to be overconfident because the extra cognitive processing required led to more careful and analytical thinking. Pretty cool, right?

When you make decisions in English, the brain is less likely to make impulsive choices because it’s processing the information more analytically.

This not only helps develop fluency in decision-making but also reinforces the brain’s ability to think in English automatically in high-pressure situations.

How to apply this:

Plan your shopping list in English.

Debate the pros and cons of choices in your mind in your target language.

Make mental checklists in English.

10. Be patient and keep practicing

Study: Pavlenko, A., & Lantolf, J. P. (2000). Second Language Learning as a Mediation Process. Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Learning.

Pavlenko and Lantolf’s research highlights that second language acquisition is a gradual process that requires continuous practice and exposure. They emphasize that patience is key to language development because language learning involves changing the brain’s structure through repeated engagement.

According to their findings, learners who persist in their practice, despite initial struggles, ultimately develop more robust and natural language skills.

These studies show that the tips for thinking in English are not only practical but also scientifically grounded. By understanding how each method works to shape your brain’s ability to think and communicate in the language, learners can approach their language practice with more confidence and awareness. Let me know if you’d like further details on any of these studies!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Listen to my podcast! 

 

Further Reading

Why do I have a fear of speaking in English and what can I do about it?

Top tips for success in your online English courses: How to stay motivated and organized

Five of the best websites to learn English effectively

Top 5 online tools to use as an ESL learner

The question of time: How long does it take to learn English?

Why you should develop a growth mindset for language learning

What kind of online English courses are best for me?