Mastery over any language stems from an ability to intrinsically think in that language and that language alone, either automatically or by switching thought completely from another language to the one in question. With English having been established as the gold standard for communication across the world in the past centuries, it has become imperative for most people to start excelling in their use of the language. However, true excellence in this language, like all others, will only stem from developing an ability to think in it. 

Advantages of being able to think in English

• The first advantage of being able to think in English is that there is no need to translate from the language you think in to English which helps you in turn in becoming fluent in the language. 
• One of the greatest, most obvious and immediate perk of being able to think in English is acing interviews. Most professional and skilled job profile interviews are conducted in English and a ready hand at the language is often impressive for potential employers and an immediate plus point during such interactions, and even in interactions generally in personal, academic, and professional life.
• Accessing information also becomes easier when you are able to think in English. Information on media is generally most accessible in the English language and thinking in English helps you to quickly absorb said information. 
• Further, thinking in English helps you internalise the language, which helps you automatically realise the correct use of the language without actively thinking about it. This helps you to create a good impression in most spaces as not just knowledge of English, but also perfect grammar is demanded and necessary. 
• Let us discuss how one can accomplish this remarkable feat, and hence combat many educational and professional barriers that are created by the language in the world today.

Methods to Start Thinking in English

• A good place to start is regular reading. Reading good literature greatly enhances not only your ability to think in the language but also helps you work on vocabulary, grammar, and internalising the language. Similarly, consuming good media can also help you start thinking in the language. 
• At the same time, starting such a journey can be overwhelming and taking one step at a time may be more advisable. In such a situation, it is good to start small, perhaps with single words that you may decide to use continuously in conversations, or with small reminders that you periodically give to yourself to speak and think in English.
• You can do this by setting your phone lock screen as a sign that reminds you to speak in English or rewarding yourself every time you accomplish a “Thinking-In-English” related goal. Rewards can include small candies or chocolates or tiny treats that you may like. You could also elect to leave small notes around your house or workplace that push you to think in English and spend your bathroom time learning a word-of-the-day!
• Two more effective and slightly larger activities are narrating your day to yourself and making up conversations, either with yourself or with an imaginary friend. These help you in getting accustomed to speaking in the language as well, which is the next step to thinking in it. Every time you do not know how to say something in English while conducting these practices with yourself, which can be very therapeutic by the way, don’t jump to the dictionary.
• Rather, think of words that are similar or opposite to the word you are struggling with, and understand whether you know the meaning of those words in English. See if you can find your way to the word you are looking for instead of turning to dictionaries and thesaurus’ for help.
• Using books like Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis provide an excellent insight into the world of English through fun activities and anecdotes. This book, in particular, talks a lot about the etymology of words and greatly facilitates the process of starting to think in and about the English language. It is a highly preferred book among those trying to master the language for professional purposes or preparing for competitive exams with a challenging language component.

Benefits of Improving Listening and Reading Skills

Any conversation about mastering a language contains three components- speaking, listening, and reading. Most ways to start thinking in English use speaking skills as a medium to gain mastery, however, listening and reading are also immensely important parts of the language. While reading good literature can improve your reading skills, reading out loud can also contribute to both the reading skill and also the ability to start thinking in the language. On the other hand, listening to English music and podcasts are also a good way to accomplish the goal.

Conclusion

In view of the fact that English is a second language for most populations, it is a given that mastering English to the extent that you start thinking in it, especially at a slightly older age can be a challenge. Nonetheless, this is not impossible in the least, especially not with the wealth of resources at your disposal on the internet.