How to Think in English

Cami
Jul 3
2 min read

Say goodbye to mental translation.

Start speaking with confidence and clarity.

Stop translating in your head. Here’s how to finally start thinking in English, and why it matters more than you think

Hey there!

Be honest with yourself for a moment. Have you spent time learning grammar and building your vocabulary, but still find that when you try to speak, your thoughts go through your native language first?

That pause. That hesitation. That moment when your brain races to translate every sentence before it reaches your mouth.

Does that sound familiar?

If you have ever thought, “I know how to say this… I just can’t say it fast enough”, this newsletter is for you!

This week, we are focusing on a big shift that can help unlock real fluency:

Learning to think in English.

It sounds simple. But it changes everything.

Why does thinking in English matter?

The truth is, your brain can only handle so much at once. If you are constantly translating from your first language, your brain is doing double the work. That slows you down and makes you second-guess everything.

Thinking in English helps you:

Respond more naturally and quickly in conversation
Reduce mistakes caused by direct translation
Build confidence in your speaking
Develop a stronger connection to the language

It is not about being perfect. It is about reducing friction between your thoughts and your words.

5 ways to start thinking in English today

Here are some simple but powerful techniques we share in our fluency classes at The English Life Academy:

1. Describe what you are doing

As you go through your day, try narrating simple actions in English.

For example, I am making coffee. I need to reply to that email. I cannot find my keys.

It may feel strange at first, but this builds fluency in the language you actually use.

2. Switch your inner voice

Catch yourself when you are thinking in your native language and gently switch to English. Even for just five minutes at a time, you are training your brain to reach for English first.

3. Use short ‘thinking time’ reflections

Give yourself daily mini-questions like:

What do I need to do today?
How did yesterday go?
What am I grateful for this week?

Answer them in your head in English. If it helps, speak them aloud.

4. Learn phrases, not just words

Thinking in English becomes easier when your brain remembers full expressions rather than single words.

Try learning in chunks, like at the end of the day, I am not sure about that, or It depends on the situation.

5. Join conversations often

Nothing helps you think in English more than actually speaking it.

Our small-group classes (at The English Life Academy) are designed to get you talking quickly and comfortably, with guidance to help you speak more naturally each time.

Start small, stay curious

Thinking in English is not something that happens overnight. It begins with tiny shifts in your habits, your mindset, and how you engage with the language each day.

There is no perfect moment to begin. Just a quiet decision to start paying attention. And from there, it gets easier.

Wishing you a calm and focused week,

Benjamin & Cami