With English fast becoming the medium of communication, conversation, and instruction all over the globe, there is an increasing need to imbibe the language skills. Such an immensely important language, that is also the bridge between nations and people, and is the universal mode of communication, demands proficiency and knowledge of it. We all need to learn it and to an extent, also master it. We can do so by following some basic steps. 

Read

Read as much as you can, and make it a habit. Read books, novels, poetry, magazines, newspapers in English. Also browse through the dictionary and encyclopedias. All of this will show a marked improvement in your English.

Write

Writing is a good practice. You can maintain a journal or a diary. Write regularly, anything. Even jotting down events, that occur during the day, can improve your grasp over the language, and soon you will find yourself not fumbling for words. And there will be an automatic and cascade of words to express your feelings. Thus will thus improve your English to a great extent. This practice should start ideally in childhood, but if it did not take place, then beginning at the earliest, that is today, is necessary. 

Listen

There are people who have an excellent command over the language. You should listen to them converse, and not just that, also take part in it. Initially you may be apprehensive and shy, but only if you speak in the presence of experts will you know your flaws and also be able to correct them. The learning is definitely better through this, as listening is learning. 

Speak

Speak up! Speak to people in English. You may stammer at the beginning, but it is a part of the learning process. It will take time to acquire fluency. Speak to yourself in the mirror. Another good idea is to record what you are speaking and then listen to it. You will get to know your mistakes, which you will not know while conversing without recording, as you do not pay attention when speaking. And then you can work on your mistakes. Most of us make grammatical errors while speaking as it is spontaneous. Only practice will minimize it. 

Watch

Watch good English movies, television series, news and other programs on television. Listen to English radio programs. It helps. 

Training

And if you are unsure of yourself, or are wise enough to evaluate your incapability, then you should enroll for an English language course. There are innumerable training institutes that have opened up recently. Enroll into a reputed and good one and within a very short time you will be a fluent communicator in the English language. But also remember tat no course helps without practice. 

So the secret of learning English is to practice, and more practice.