Taking a break from school or class this summer? Great! But don’t let your English take a holiday too. With just a little self-study each day, you can keep improving your skills and return stronger. Here are five easy, research-backed habits to help you stay on track—even during vacation.

1. Make a Summer Study Routine

Even during holidays, routines help. Try to study at the same time each day—even just 20 minutes. According to research on spaced repetition and learning schedules (Cepeda et al., 2006), regular short study sessions help your brain remember more than long, random ones. Morning? After lunch? Pick a time that works for you and stick to it.

2. Use the Pomodoro Method: Study in Short Bursts

The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes study + 5 minutes break) is perfect for hot, lazy summer days. It keeps your focus sharp and gives your brain time to rest. Studies show that focused work in short intervals improves concentration and memory (Cirillo, 2006; Jabr, 2013). Set a timer and make your English time count.

3. Talk to Yourself (Yes, Really!)

No English class? No problem. Teach yourself out loud! Say what you’re doing (“Now I’m making coffee”), describe pictures, or explain a grammar point. This taps into the “Protégé Effect”—teaching helps you learn better (Fiorella & Mayer, 2013). Plus, speaking out loud builds fluency and confidence.

4. Mix It Up: Try Different Skills Each Day

Don't just do the same thing every time you study—change it up! Read one day, listen the next, then practice speaking or writing. This is called interleaved practice, and research shows it helps you learn better by making your brain work harder to remember and connect information (Rohrer, 2012).

For example, one day you might read a short article, the next day you could watch a YouTube video in English, and the day after, write about your summer plans. This variety keeps learning fun and effective.

5. Sleep Well, Learn More

Want to remember what you studied today? Go to bed on time. Sleep helps your brain store new words and grammar rules (Walker & Stickgold, 2006). Even short naps can boost memory. So, don’t study all night—study smart, then sleep!

Final Thoughts: Summer Is for Learning Too!

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy learning your way. With these five small habits—routine, short sessions, speaking out loud, mixing up your practice, and getting good sleep—you can keep your English strong all summer long. Start small, keep it simple, and enjoy your progress.

You’ve got this! 

Do you have any tips that work for you? Share them in the comments!

Glossary 

1. Routine
   A regular way of doing something.
   → Example: “I try to follow a morning routine: wake up, eat breakfast, study.”

2. Pomodoro Technique
   A time management method where you study for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break.
   → Example: “I used the Pomodoro Technique to study vocabulary without getting tired.”

3. Protégé Effect
   A learning idea that says you learn better when you teach someone else.
   → Example: “I explained the grammar to my friend, and it helped me remember it—that’s the Protégé Effect!”

4. Mix it up
   Do different things instead of the same activity every time. This keeps things interesting, keeps your exposure to English varied, and helps boost motivation.
   → Example: "Mix it up—read one day, write the next."

5. Memory consolidation
   The process of making a memory stronger and more stable in your brain.
   → Example: “A good night’s sleep helps with memory consolidation—I remember more the next day.”