#40 Talking About Study Methods｜Everyday English Phrases

Conversations about study methods frequently appear not only among friends but also in language schools and online communities.

Being able to ask questions such as “How do you study?”, “What materials have helped you?”, or “How do you stay focused when you’re tired?” allows you to deepen the conversation and gain useful advice from others.

In this article, I explain helpful English phrases for talking about study methods, as well as effective ways to ask questions that help broaden the conversation.

Dialogue

A

How do you usually study English?

B

I try to study a little every day. I focus mainly on reading and listening.

A

That sounds effective. Do you use any particular materials?

B

Yes, I use online courses and podcasts. They help me stay motivated.

A

I see. How do you stay focused when you get tired?

B

I usually take short breaks or change what I’m studying. It keeps me fresh.

1. Asking About Someone’s Study Methods

This question uses the structure “How do you ～?” to ask about someone’s routine or everyday habits.

Including “usually” places focus on the person’s habitual study style. This expression can be used not only for studying, but also for asking about other daily routines.

Examples:

2. Expressing Effort or Trying to Do Something

“try to + verb” means “to make an effort to do something.”

Adding a frequency-related phrase such as “a little every day” makes the explanation more specific.

A useful variation is the negative form “I try not to ～”:

3. Explaining What You Focus On

“focus on + noun / -ing form” means “to concentrate on something.”

Using “mainly” emphasizes the primary area of focus.

Both “focus on” and “mainly” are commonly used in business contexts as well, making them practical expressions to remember.

4. Asking About Study Materials

To ask what study tools someone uses, you can say:

Here, the key is the phrase “any particular”:

Another useful expression is:

This is commonly used in English-speaking environments when asking for suggestions.

5. Talking About Staying Motivated

The structure “help + person + verb” means “to support someone in doing something.”

“Stay motivated” uses the pattern “stay + adjective,” which is common in expressions about mental or physical states:

This expression can be applied to many sources of motivation, such as study partners, music, or routines.

6. Talking About How You Reset When Tired

Maintaining good study habits often requires having ways to reset when you feel tired. In English, the following expressions are commonly used:

“Change what I’m studying” is a practical phrase that can be adapted:

Summary