Archive · 8 Oct 2026
QS Shares Seven Ways to Improve English Skills Quickly
QS has shared seven ideas to help students practise English, especially before a test.
Watch things in English and notice how people speak.
Read English news or magazines to learn words and read more comfortably.
Keep a list of useful words, along with examples of how to use them.
Practise speaking, even if it feels strange at first.
Try timed exercises so the test feels more familiar.
Ask questions about why English phrases work the way they do.
Games and favourite shows can make practice more fun.
Regular practice can help students feel more confident.
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) recommends seven focused ways to improve English language skills, especially when an exam is approaching.
Watch English-language content and notice informal phrases, expressions, and how speakers explain ideas.
Read English news, magazines, or documentaries and keep a vocabulary list with examples of how words are used.
Practise speaking regularly with friends, conversation groups, recordings, or self-talk to build fluency and spot mistakes.
Use timed questions and exam-style tasks, stay curious about language, and make practice enjoyable to support consistency.
- Who
- Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) shared advice for students seeking to improve their English.
- What
- Seven practical ways to practise and strengthen English language skills.
- When
- For students preparing for an approaching English test; no specific date is given.
- Where
- The advice concerns English learning and test preparation; no location is specified.
- Why
- Focused practice may help students improve existing skills, prepare for test conditions, and build confidence.
Memorising phrases alone
Understanding and active practice
How to learn language
Memorising phrases alone
The article cautions that simply memorising phrases may not explain their context or how English works.
Understanding and active practice
QS recommends staying curious about why expressions are used, considering alternatives, and practising language actively.
Practice approach
Memorising phrases alone
Reading and listening are useful, but silent practice alone may not reveal mistakes made while speaking.
Understanding and active practice
Regular speaking, timed tasks, and enjoyable activities are recommended to build confidence and prepare for real use.
- Source
- Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), described in the article as a global higher education company.
- Number of suggestions
- Seven
- Listening and viewing
- Watch content in English and notice expressions and how people explain ideas.
- Reading
- Read English-language news and magazines or watch documentaries.
- Vocabulary
- Record useful words or phrases, synonyms, common phrases, and example sentences.
- Speaking
- Practise with a friend or group, record yourself, or speak to yourself in English.
- Test preparation
- Practise timed questions, sample tasks, speaking prompts, and exam-style writing.