It is very likely that your previous attempts to learn English were not well aligned with your goals. And even if they were, it is much more difficult to stay motivated studying teaching material in traditional methods where the focus is on the grammar of the language. Even new online platforms and cell phone apps use this outdated logic. At Habitat it's different. We understand that English and Spanish are just tools for you to achieve your goals, that is, no one needs to be an expert in grammar to communicate on a daily basis, whether in work meetings or on vacation trips. What you need is to talk regularly to people who already speak English and who know how to give you feedback so you can improve in the language. Here we call these people helpers, because they listen like friends and guide like teachers. And it is precisely the exchange of experience that will keep your motivation with the second language high. This method works.

Research indicates that it takes 1,200 hours of English exposure and practice to go from beginner to upper-intermediate level, although this largely depends on your motivation and engagement with the language. Immersion abroad is still the quickest way to achieve fluency, but it's not the only option. For professionals, practicing English via video call may be a better alternative. In addition to the flexibility of your schedule, you don't need to take time off work. And you can immediately apply your newly acquired English skills, which opens the way to new opportunities.

If you type this question into GPT Chat or Google Bard, they will describe a complete strategy to help you with this process, such as watching films and series in English, for example. It also helps to listen to music, read books and listen to podcasts on topics that interest you. This all works because it encourages autonomy. When you take on the role of protagonist in the language immersion journey, everything becomes lighter and more fun. And it's good that it is so. After all, the tongue is also a muscle. When you stop practicing, it atrophies. Okay, but that's only half the battle. There's no point in just consuming content if you don't share it with anyone. Remember that the main function of any language is communication between people, living experiences together and relating. Perhaps it will soon be possible to connect at this level with artificial intelligence. Until then, our suggestion is that you find more people to talk to regularly in English and Spanish. It's worth reinforcing: be patient with yourself and celebrate each small achievement. The important thing is to stay motivated and keep practicing.

According to the EF English Proficiency Index, a ranking of 112 countries and regions by proficiency in the English language, people in their 30s have been improving their English three times more than those aged 21 to 25. In 2021, for the first time, the global average of adults over 40 years old reached the Moderate Proficiency Level. These trends contradict the belief that there is a best age to learn a language, after which progress is practically impossible. Children and young people need access to quality English teaching throughout their basic education. Adults need continuing education that works.

The job market values professionals who are bilingual or multilingual. Studies show that professionals who speak Spanish earn higher salaries than those who don't. If you already understand Spanish well, it is likely that you will be able to achieve fluency in less time compared to a speaker of a non-Latin language, for example. This time may be even shorter if your motivation to learn the language is linked to a concrete objective, such as professional opportunities and international mobility. Remember that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin. It is also the official language of 20 countries, with around 70% of the population in Latin America speaking Spanish.

Now that you've felt the pain of low fluency in English, you've realized how this language can boost your goals and transform your life, right? Yes, now you are ready to master this language once and for all. Because until then, “studying” English you associated with something boring, difficult and impractical. Did I get it right again? What if I told you that you could practice English every day lightly, talking about what you like most, and without worrying so much about making mistakes, or about understanding 100% of what the natives say? This is the Habitat Languages methodology, connecting the practice of English with what matters most: the opportunity to make your dreams come true.