📝 TOEIC Beginner, Where to Start?
TOEIC beginner and don't know where to start? Discover MTC's simple "first step" strategy to build a sustainable habit, avoid burnout, and create real momentum for your score.
📝 TOEIC Beginner, Where to Start?
Your First Step to Avoid Burnout
You’ve decided to take on the TOEIC.
You opened a textbook.
You downloaded a few apps.
You watched some YouTube videos.
And then… you froze.
Why does everyone else seem to already know what to do?
Where’s the clear “first step” for people starting from zero?
Let’s fix that — right now.
🧭 Start Where You Are. Really.
Most beginners quit not because they’re lazy — but because they try to do too much, too fast.
They think they need:
A full grammar textbook
60-minute study blocks every day
Some magic method that makes everything stick instantly
They don’t.
If you’re just starting, your only goal is simple:
Start a habit. Not a perfect one. Just a real one.
⏱️ Try This: 10 Minutes a Day
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Open a notebook and write the day: “Day 1”
Pick one simple English word or sentence. Write it. Speak it aloud. Write your own example.
Done? Great. That’s your first step.
Do it again tomorrow.
You’ve just started a momentum loop — and that’s way more powerful than a downloaded PDF or fancy app.
🌱 You Don’t Need Everything. Just Something Small to Begin.
You don’t need to buy a bunch of books.
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You just need:
A notebook
A pen
A phone timer
A clear reason why this matters to you
That last one? That’s the anchor.
Are you doing this to change jobs?
To prove something to yourself?
To feel confident again?
Write that reason down on page 1 of your notebook.
💬 Ask for Guidance When You Need It
No one gets extra points for doing everything alone.
If you’re stuck, confused, or overwhelmed — talk to someone.
Even our AI assistant on this site can help you get started.
(And it won’t judge you for asking!)
🎯 The Hardest Part is Starting — But You Just Did.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You don’t need to be fluent.
You don’t even need to be confident — not yet.
All you need is to begin.
You did that today.
Now… do it again tomorrow.
Let the momentum carry you.
We’re here when you’re ready for the next step.
✍️ The #1 Vocabulary Habit of Top TOEIC Scorers
Discover the secret of high-scorers: building your own English-English dictionary. Learn how this powerful habit, using active recall and spaced repetition, transforms vocabulary into usable, instant recall for TOEIC.
Build Your Own English-English Dictionary
What’s the best way to boost your TOEIC vocabulary?
You might think it’s downloading another app, or memorising another 1,000-word list.
But when you ask actual high scorers what works, many give a simple — but powerful — answer:
“I build my own English-English dictionary.”
No automation. No AI.
Just a small, handwritten notebook that helps them learn words deeply, not just recognise them on a test.
And it works — again and again.
🧠 What Exactly Is an English-English Dictionary?
It’s a personal notebook where you:
Write down new words or phrases you encounter — from practice tests, articles, conversations, or songs.
Define the word using simple English — not Japanese translation.
Write your own example sentence — something that connects the word to your life, interests, or emotions.
Let’s say you come across the word “hesitate.”
Instead of:
hesitate = ためらう
You might write:
hesitate = to stop or pause before doing something because you're unsure
My example: “I hesitated before pressing ‘send’ on my TOEIC test registration.”
It doesn’t have to be perfect English. What matters is that you understand it.
🔄 Review Is the Secret Weapon
Just writing it down isn’t enough.
To lock new vocabulary into long-term memory, try this scientifically supported review cycle:
Review your notebook within 12 hours.
This tells your brain, “Hey, this is important.” It starts the memory process.Review it again within 24–48 hours.
This strengthens the connection and makes the word easier to recall later.Then space out your reviews: 3 days later, then 1 week later.
This is called spaced repetition, and it works.
You can simply reread your notes, quiz yourself, or cover the definitions and try to recall them.
🔗 Link New Words to What You Already Know
When you add a new word, ask:
“Is this similar to any word I already know?”
“Can I use this with other phrases I’ve learned?”
“What kind of TOEIC situation might use this?”
Example:
New word: negotiate
You might write:
negotiate = to discuss something to reach an agreement
Related word: agreement, contract, deal
My example: “The manager negotiated with the supplier for a better price.”
Now you’re not just learning one word — you’re building a network of connected ideas.
✍️ Why This Method Works So Well
Handwriting builds memory. Typing is passive. Writing forces your brain to slow down and absorb the meaning.
Personal examples create emotion. Emotion = stronger memory.
Simple English definitions build fluency. You stop translating. You start thinking in English.
This isn’t just about passing TOEIC.
It’s about building real-world English skills — for life, for work, and for confidence.
🚀 Ready to Start?
All you need is a notebook, a pen, and five quiet minutes a day.
Build your dictionary.
Review it often.
Make it personal.
And watch your vocabulary — and your score — grow from the inside out.