Speak English Fluently Tips
How to Speak English Fluently: Learn 8 Powerful Tips and Tricks
Learning how to speak fluent English is one of the main goals for most English learners. Fluency is the ability to speak smoothly and freely.
These are the best 8 tips.
How can I improve my English speaking fluency?
1 - Learn what it means to be fluent in English
2 - Speak English with confidence
3 - Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
4 - Listen to people speaking English in podcasts
5 - Record your own English-language audiobook
6 - Learn and study phrases
7 - Practice speaking English word by word
8 - Practice speaking English one sentence
1 - Learn What It Means to Be Fluent in English
Learn What It Means to Be Fluent in English
English fluency is one of the most common goals among English learners. Job ads often require applicants to be “fluent in English”. But what does it actually mean to be fluent in a language?
Fluency refers to that moment when you are able to speak easily, at a regular pace, and without needing to pause to think about the grammar or pronunciation.
Now, being fluent does not mean not making mistakes, ever. It is about communicating your message across smoothly, even if you may make mistakes. You realize that you are fluent when things ‘click’ and words flow. Again, even if you still make grammar or pronunciation mistakes, you may already be fluent in English!
Do we speak English or talk English?
Speak and talk have similar meanings and are often equally appropriate: I’m going to speak/talk to my teacher about it after the lesson. / I enjoyed speaking/talking to Max and I enjoyed talking to Max.
They both indicate that someone is to use your voice to convey information or to express a feeling. However, there are some small differences in how and when they are used.
SPEAK
- More formal. We usually use speak, not talk, for formal speeches and situations, when a person in authority is addressing an audience, or when the people involved don’t know each other very well. ✓ Before the election, the President spoke to the nation on television. / X The Prime Minister talked to Parliament this morning.
- Focus on the speaker. We use speak when we want to give more focus to the person who is producing the words. ✓ In the presentation, they spoke about the importance of a healthy diet.
TALK
- Focus on the conversation. Indicates that there is at least one listener and that there is potentially a conversation. ✓ I’d like to meet you to talk about my proposal. Not: I hope I can meet you to speak about my proposal. / Can we talk about our upcoming meeting?
2 - Speak English with Confidence
Speak English with Confidence
Believe it or not, being a confident speaker has little to do with your actual ability to speak in English.
You may know the right words and expressions to describe something. You may be exceptionally good at grammar. And yet, you still hesitate when you want to give your opinion in a meeting, or share your thoughts with a group of friends.
You get nervous, you stutter, and your mind might even go blank when you want to say something in English. That is because knowing how to say something and actually having the confidence to do it are two different things. You may lack the confidence to speak up, even when you have all the tools you need.
Additional tips to improve your confidence speaking English
Confidence is interesting. Some people seem to have it, even when they are not particularly great at something. If you are not naturally confident, don’t worry. It is something you can work on and improve.
Being fluent often starts with figuring out how to learn to speak in english. It involves knowing how to express ideas in English effectively, but there’s more than that. There are other non-language related tips that will help you speak English fluently.
Visualize success. This is a trick used by many athletes and high-achieving professionals. Instead of thinking, ‘I will make mistakes’, ‘They won’t understand me’, switch your mentality to ‘I am confident and capable’. Imagine yourself speaking clearly and fluently. Visualizing that positive situation will give your the confidence you need.
Congratulate yourself. Celebrate your wins and strengths. Think about the things you can already do well in English and be proud of them. It is easy to look at how much you still have to learn, but you should instead look back and see how far you have come.
3 - Don't Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Don't Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
We all make mistakes. Even native-English speakers. Accept that mistakes are normal and don’t stress too much about them. If you’re not afraid to make mistakes, your confidence will increase and your fluency will be much smoother. Over prepare, but don’t obsess over details or small mistakes.
Remember, your goal is to be fluent, not perfect.
Keep Notes on Your Mistakes
However, do keep notes on your mistakes when you speak in English. Write down the mistakes you make often and write examples of how to say them correctly. Review those sentences every now and then and repeat them out loud.
For example, if you say “I am driving to work every day”, write it down, and next to it add → “I drive to work every day”. Repeat the second sentence over and over again until it becomes natural. This exposure and repetition of the correct sentence will make the incorrect sentence sound odd to your ears.
4 - Listen to People Speaking English in Podcasts
Listen to People Speaking English in Podcasts
Podcasts are a fantastic way of learning communication and pronunciation patterns. Plus, you can listen to them while you are doing other things, such as cooking, doing the laundry, or driving. If you wonder how to learn to speak English, well, mimic others. Get yourself used to listening to people speaking in English. Pay attention to the expressions they use, how they pronounce words, their intonation…
Podcasts are extremely popular these days, so you’ll be able to find one that you love. Not sure where to start? Talaera Talks is a fun way to learn new vocabulary and improve your communication skills.
Pro tip: Use shadowing to improve your fluency
Shadowing is an effective technique that consists of repeating right after someone else. Don’t let the speaker finish the sentence and try to speak almost at the same time.
You should repeat after the speaker as soon as possible. Don’t let the speaker finish the sentence, and try to speak almost at the same time. It’s similar to when you sing along to your favorite song!
5 - Record Your Own English-language Audiobook
Record Your Own English-language Audiobook
When it comes to English fluency, the most effective strategy is to actually use the language. Speak to English-speaking coworkers as much as possible, join meetups with international people, and interact in English as much as you can. However, sometimes we don’t have the option to practice English with other people.
Here’s a tip! Think of a book or a story that you enjoy reading and record yourself reading it. Try to pronounce all the words clearly and slowly. This will take time –it’s not as easy as it may sound–, but we promise, it’s effective and fun. It’s a great way to practice your English pronunciation and pay attention to words and phrases.
6 - Learn and Study Phrases
Learn and Study Phrases in English
Create your own vocabulary list, but add them in phrases, not isolated. Regularly write down new words, expressions, and idioms and include their meanings and relevant examples. And more importantly - give them context! Use new words and phrases in sentences that are true to you, and associate them with things you already know, like a picture or a funny story.
Make sure this list is easily accessible (a note on your phone, a notebook you always carry in your bag, or a file on your desktop) and check it often. If you find it hard to remember new English words, use the power of repetition.
7 - Practice Speaking English Word by Word
If you are starting your English learning journey and you don’t feel fluent at all, start practicing word by word.
Use a dictionary or a tool to hear how a word is pronounced and then say it out loud. Listen to how it is pronounced, record yourself, and compare your pronunciation with the native speaker’s.
8 - Practice Speaking English One Sentence at a Time
English one sentence at a time
Don’t worry if you are not able to give presentations masterfully in English… just yet! Start practicing with one sentence at a time. Write down the most common sentences that you use at work and in your daily life and read them out loud.
Pro tip: Record yourself!
When you practice reading those sentences out loud, record yourself and listen to your own voice later. This will help you identify areas of improvement and get better at them.
Once you master individual sentences, try grouping them together and create a short story. Tell an anecdote or explain a project you are working on. You can start by writing them down and reading them.
Once you feel confident with that, try to say them off the top of your head, without any visual support. You will soon realize how little by little, you are able to put a few sentences together and create a story.
FAQ
What is the best way to become fluent in English?
There's no single answer to the question of how to speak more fluently. However, the best way to become fluent is to live in an English-speaking country or spend a lot of time with native speakers. If that's not possible, you can still progress by studying regularly and using technology to create practice opportunities.
How long does it take to become fluent in English?
If you wonder how I can speak English fluently and how long it will take, it depends on your starting point and how much time and effort you're willing to put in. Generally speaking, it takes around six months to a year of consistent study to become proficient in English.
How can I improve my English fast?
7 ways to quickly improve your English language skills
Watch movies in English. ...
Immerse yourself in English language news. ...
Start a vocabulary book of useful words. ...
Have conversations in English. ...
Practice, practice, practice. ...
Curiosity doesn't always kill the cat. ...
Don't forget to have fun while you learn.
How can I be fluent in English speakers?
How to speak English fluently – 6 key steps
Use idioms. Using idioms is a hallmark of fluency and a sign that you understand and appreciate the more 'poetic' side of the language. ...
Use the right idioms. ...
Work on your words. ...
Learn in chunks. ...
Pick a dialect (or not) ...
Know the culture. ...
Master slang. ...
Binge some shows.
Comments
Post a Comment