4 min What to Do to Not Forget English During Summer Vacations From School
Do you want to keep your English strong during summer break? When school is out, it’s easy to forget what you’ve learned—this is called summer learning loss or the summer slide. It means that if you don’t practice, you might lose some of the English skills you worked hard to build during the school year.
That’s why it’s important to keep using English, even when you’re not in class. The more you read, write, speak, or listen in English, the easier it will be to remember everything. And don’t worry—it doesn’t have to feel like homework! There are lots of fun and simple ways to practice English while enjoying your vacation. Keep reading to learn from us at Novakid how to handle the summer learning gap.
What Is Summer Learning Loss (and Why It Matters)?
Summer learning loss, also known as the summer slide or learning gap, occurs when students forget what they learned in school during a long break, such as summer vacation. This can make it harder to keep up when school starts again.
For students learning English as a second language, summer learning loss can be a big problem. If you don’t practice, you might forget words, grammar rules, or feel less confident when speaking. Many students lose progress in vocabulary, forget how to build good sentences, or get nervous when trying to speak English. But the good news is that with a little practice, you can keep your skills strong and avoid summer learning loss altogether!
Should I Study English Over the Summer?
If you are new to learning languages, you might be wondering, “Should I study English over the Summer?” While this may not be what you wanted to hear, the answer is YES; but it doesn’t have to be boring! You don’t need to sit at a desk with a textbook all day. There are many fun, easy ways to spend your summer vacation in English that don’t feel like studying at all.
You can watch your favorite movies or shows in English, read comic books or simple stories, play games, or talk with friends and family in English. Even listening to music or singing along to English songs can help! These small things keep your brain thinking in English without feeling like schoolwork.
However, always remember, especially when it comes to children, summer is a time to relax! It’s important to enjoy your break, just try to add a little English into your day.
How Can I Stop Forgetting English? (Easy Ideas)
The best way to stop forgetting English over the summer is to use it a little bit every day. You don’t need to study for hours, just have fun with it! Here are some easy ideas you can try:
- Read short English books, comics, or even fun stories online.
- Watch English movies or YouTube videos with subtitles to understand how people really talk.
- Try listening to your favorite English songs and learn the words—they’re great for picking up new vocabulary!
- You can also keep a simple summer journal and write a few sentences each day about what you did or how you feel.
- And don’t forget to speak! Try using English with a friend, family member, or even just by talking to yourself once a day.
The more you use English, the easier it gets to remember!
How to Learn a Language Over the Summer (Without Studying All Day)
Now that we’ve talked about how not to forget English and fun ways to practice, take a look at some simple activities, or “summer homework,” to help you keep learning.
Start by setting small goals, like learning five new words a day or writing one journal entry a week. This helps you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
You can also use apps to practice vocabulary and grammar in just a few minutes a day—some even feel like games!
Speaking of games, playing word games, trivia, or quizzes in English is a fun way to learn without even realizing it.
And if you’re on social media, try writing your captions or leaving comments in English. Little things like this keep your brain active and help you use English in your daily life, even during vacation.
But, remember, don’t waste your whole summer just scrolling and commenting, there are lots of ways to not waste your summer on your phone and make learning feel like an adventure.
Join a summer language camp or program, either in person or online. These are great ways to meet other learners and speak English every day. You can find a Language immersion summer camp near me by searching the web or reaching out to Novakid.
You can also take a short English class or tutoring session once a week to keep improving step by step. Here, you can book a trial class with Novakid!
If you love stories, join an English book club or movie club—talking about books or films in English helps you learn new words and practice speaking. Another great idea is to find a language exchange partner, like someone who wants to learn your language while helping you with English. It’s a fun way to make friends and grow your skills at the same time.
What to Do If You’re Traveling or Busy
Before we sign off, we want you to understand that we know summer can get busy. You might be going on a family trip or vacation, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop practicing English! Even if your schedule is full, there are still easy ways to keep learning.
While you’re on the move, try listening to English podcasts, music, or audiobooks during long rides or flights. You can also keep a small travel journal in English to write about your day, what you saw, or how you felt. It’s a simple way to keep using English, even when you’re on the go.
If you meet people who speak English—other travelers, tour guides, or locals—don’t be afraid to start a short conversation. Every little moment helps! No matter where your summer takes you, there’s always a fun and easy way to keep English in your life.
