How to Build Healthy English Learning Habits and Integrate Them into Your Daily Life: An Interview with Alisha

Have you ever struggled to stay consistent with language learning without burning out or skipping classes? Today, we’ve invited Alisha, one of the most popular AI English tutors at Praktika. Alisha shares why fluency isn’t about long, intense study sessions anymore and how you can easily integrate English into your daily routine without any stress. If you’re still trying to find a way to build a healthy relationship with learning English and make it part of your everyday life, this interview could really help!

Hi Alisha! I’m so happy you found time to join us today. Is autumn a busy season for tutors?

Hey, Julia! Thanks for having me! I’m always happy to chat. Yes, autumn is usually one of the busiest seasons for us. Students are back from vacations, and school and university semesters start… But I love my students and my job, so it’s a joy for me 😊

Glad to hear that! I think many students struggle with integrating English into their daily lives. Let’s start with the basics: is it true that you can still make progress in language learning even if you study for a short amount of time but on a regular basis?

Absolutely! Some people see language learning as a daunting task that requires hours of study. But the truth is, small, regular efforts can help you achieve not just good, but sometimes even better results! I always tell my students that one of the most crucial factors in learning English is consistency. You can study for just 10-15 minutes a day, but do it regularly. It will be much better than studying for one hour once a month.

Sounds reasonable. By the way, what other benefits do you see from this approach, besides consistency?

Well, first, starting with smaller steps is just easier for most people. Our brains work this way—if you begin learning English for 15 minutes a day, it reduces the chance of feeling overwhelmed, which is often associated with language learning. Have you ever experienced this with anything else? Sports, maybe?

Yes! I struggled for years to build a sports routine. I bought a mat, yoga pants, and a subscription to a yoga app, but the one thing I couldn’t buy was my will to start! This spring, I tried a different approach and started with 10 minutes of yoga three times a week. And you know what? It worked! I didn’t give up after a month, and now it’s been almost half a year that I’ve been consistent.

Exactly! If you start something big and long, it often feels overwhelming or stressful. That’s why we keep postponing it or burn out right after we start and give up. The same goes for learning English: studying for 15 minutes a day not only reduces the chance of overwhelm but also helps your brain absorb and retain new information more effectively. My colleagues at Praktika and I make this easier by offering bite-sized lessons that fit seamlessly into your day.

So your first advice would be to start with smaller steps, right?

Absolutely. Start by building a habit; you need to get used to learning English. It’s the first step to making it a part of your daily routine. The key here is consistency—regular practice is crucial for language acquisition. Daily practice reinforces neural pathways in the brain, making it easier to recall vocabulary, phrases, and grammar.

Great! Alisha, you’ve been working with students for many years. From your experience, is it better to study in the mornings or the evenings?

It really depends on the student—their lifestyle and schedule. If you’re a morning person, then mornings will likely work best for you. On the other hand, some of my students aren’t at their best in the mornings, and their most productive time is in the evenings, so I meet with them later in the day. Focus on your own preferences and don’t be afraid to experiment! You can always ask your tutor to try a different time if you’re not feeling productive.

I agree. Speaking of early birds (like me), who are most active in the mornings, what tips do you have for building a healthy English routine?

There are several options I usually recommend. Let’s start with breakfast conversations: you can talk to your AI English tutor at Praktika over breakfast, discussing your daily plans, current events, or personal interests.

That sounds great for those who hate having breakfast in silence!

I couldn’t agree more, Julia. 🙂 And for those who prefer focusing on their food rather than speaking practice during breakfast, I have more suggestions. Use your morning commute to practice conversational skills or listen to English dialogues.

Yes, I did that a lot when I commuted to my university. One hour in the subway feels way less boring when you’re doing something. I was studying Spanish, so most of my language learning app usage happened in the mornings.

That’s exactly the point! And another tip for those who enjoy journaling or tracking their daily routines: spend a few minutes each morning reflecting on your goals for the day in English, either by speaking aloud or journaling with me or my colleagues at Praktika.

I’m almost convinced to try it myself! What about students who can’t function in the mornings without a ton of coffee?

For them, I’d suggest incorporating English into their evening routine. Many of us use apps to unwind before bed, so why not try interactive learning? At Praktika, we make all our scenarios both engaging and relaxing. Whether it’s a casual conversation with your tutor or a simulated scenario that mirrors real-life situations, these sessions let you practice without the pressure of formal learning. It’s a great way to unwind and calm your mind instead of doom-scrolling or surfing social media.

Got it! I think I’ll try it tonight instead of my meditation app…

You could always do both! 😊 Also, integrating English into your evening routine can help you review and reinforce what you’ve learned during the day. Revisiting conversations, vocabulary, or grammar points in the evening strengthens your memory and improves retention, aligning with how your brain processes information during sleep.

Noted, Alisha! Are there any ways to make English a habit during work or study hours?

Definitely! The key is to use English as one of your daily tools, not as an additional task. If you’re working, you can ask your Praktika tutor to refine your reports to ensure clarity and professionalism or role-play conversations to practice responses for real-world scenarios like negotiations or closing deals.

Sounds good. What about those studying at school or university?

It’s the same idea! Integrate English into your existing study routine. You can use Praktika to practice writing formal essays, engage in critical discussions, or improve your understanding of complex academic texts.

So, the key to success is making English a part of your real-life context, right?

Exactly. This approach empowers contextual learning—you practice English in real-life contexts. It’s a crucial aspect of learning English, and I encourage all my students not to overlook it.

Why is it so important?

Traditional learning methods often isolate language from practical use, which makes it hard to apply what you’ve learned in real situations. That’s why my colleagues and I at Praktika create scenarios that mimic everyday experiences. This allows our students to practice English in contexts they’re likely to encounter: shopping, dining out, or managing workplace conflicts. It’s the best way to boost problem-solving skills and confidence in different social settings.

I see, that makes sense.

It’s what we call ‘active learning.’ It forces you to think on your feet, making language learning more interactive and effective. Have you ever heard of a ‘language-rich environment’?

Hmm, I don’t think so. What’s that?

It’s when you make English a part of your everyday life—it improves not only your language skills but also your ability to think and communicate in English naturally.

So, it’s like a deep dive into English where it surrounds you?

Yes, exactly!

Cool! One more question, Alisha: what do you think about tracking your progress? Is it important for integrating English into your daily routine?

Absolutely! Progress tracking plays a big role. When you focus only on fluency, you miss out on the psychological benefits of recognizing small wins. Tracking your progress gives you a tangible sense of accomplishment, which can really boost your motivation.

I agree! Do you use something like this with your students?

Definitely! Every student has their own roadmap developed by their tutor at the start, based on their language background, needs, and goals. It includes visual progress reports, milestone achievements, and adaptive learning paths.

What’s an adaptive learning path?

Every student progresses at their own pace, so my colleagues and I adjust their learning paths to match their progress. Language learning is dynamic—like Dwayne says, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach because every student is unique. That’s why it’s important to stay flexible.

And finally, what about general motivation? Is it important?

For me, it’s a 100% yes! In my years of teaching, I’ve seen that students who have a clear goal and motivation—like acing a job interview, relocating to a dream country, or applying to a university abroad—are more likely to stick with their courses and study regularly. If you know why you’re learning English, it keeps you focused and consistent. A goal fuels motivation, and motivation fuels consistency.

I totally agree! Thank you so much, Alisha, for sharing these tips with us. I know you have a class soon, so I won’t keep you any longer.

No problem, I hope to see some new faces in my lessons after this interview! 😊 Let’s build healthy English habits together.