How to Stop Translating and Start Thinking in English

“How do you say, ‘El libro está siendo leído por mi’ in English?” How many times have your teachers asked you to translate something from or into their native language?

How often do you to translate things in your head before answering? By contrast, how often do you  provide a natural-sounding reply, spontaneously and automatically, without even blinking an eye? Chances are most of you, students, still translate in their heads ,at least some of the time. Our goal as teachers is to guide students towards increasingly thinking in English and drop the crutch of translation. But we  know this is precisely one of the hardest things to achieve. So how do we do that? How can you effectively think in English?

What's important for you?

1. Do you want to speak in English or do you want to be a translator?

2. It’s counterproductive. The constant comparison of one language to another hinders naturally flowing speech. 

3. Some words or senteces are too hard to translate. You want to translate the perfect word from one language to another; but, you should be remembering the last lesson.

How can you start thinking in English:

1.Use and English - English dictionary

2. Don't say the word in Spanish if you forget it. Say it with your body.

3. Ask your teacher to use English in context.