Tips on how to Speak English Well.
1. Accept That English Is a Weird Language
Sometimes you can find patterns in English grammar, but other times
English doesn’t make sense at all. For example, why are “read” (reed)
and “read” (red) the same word, but pronounced differently depending on
whether you’re speaking in the past or present tense? Or why is “mice”
the plural of “mouse”, but “houses” is the plural of “house”?
Unfortunately, there are just as many exceptions as there are rules
in English. It’s easy to get stuck on learning how to speak English
properly, if you try to find a reason for everything. Sometimes English
is weird and unexplainable, so instead the best thing to do is just
memorize the strange exceptions and move on.
2. Dive into the Deep End
Studying English for an hour once a week isn’t usually enough to make
any real progress. The best way to quickly improve your English is to
spend at least a few minutes practicing every day. Immerse yourself as
much as possible every time you study, and challenge yourself to listen
to, read, and even say things in English that you think might be too
difficult for you. If you want to speak English fluently, you need to
make it an essential part of your everyday life.
3. Stop Being a Student
The right attitude can make the difference between failure and success. Stop thinking of yourself as someone who is
learning English, and start thinking of yourself as someone who
speaks
English. It’s a small change, but it will make you feel more confident
and help you to use the English you already know more effectively.
This also means you need to start thinking in English. If you want to
say the word “apple” in English, for example, right now you probably
think of the word in your native language first, and then try to think
of the correct word in English. Instead, try imagining a picture of an
apple, and then just think the English word “apple”. Real fluency
happens when you stop mentally translating conversations.
4. Remember the Answer Is in the Question
Listen carefully when someone asks you a question in English and
you’ll answer perfectly every time. English questions are like mirrors:
Does he…..? Yes,
he does.
Can she….? Yes,
she can.
Is it….? Yes,
it is.
If someone asks you a question and you’re not sure how to answer,
start by thinking about the words used in the question. The person has
already said most of the words you need to make your answer. Instead of
just memorizing English grammar, start to look for patterns like this
one. There are a lot of simple ways to “cheat” and make it easier to
remember the right words.
5. Get More out of Listening
When most students listen to a native English-speaker, they focus on
understanding what all the words mean. This is definitely important, but
there is a lot more you can learn from listening. Try listening not
just to what the words mean, but to how the person says them. Notice
which words the person links together in a sentence, or when they say
“ya” instead of “you.” Try to remember these details the next time you
speak and your English will begin to sound more natural.
6. Use It or Lose It
There’s an expression in English: “Use it or lose it,” which
basically means if you don’t practice an ability, you might forget it.
This idea can be used to help you remember new English vocabulary. The
best way to remember a new word is to use it
right away so it
will stay in your memory. When you learn a new word, try to say it in
sentences a few times over the next week and you’ll never forget it.
7. Learn and Study Phrases
Speaking English fluently means being able to express your thoughts,
feelings and ideas. Your goal is to speak English in full sentences, so
why not learn it in full sentences? You’ll find that English is more
useful in your everyday life if you study whole phrases, rather than
just vocabulary and verbs. Start by thinking about phrases that you use
frequently in your native language, and then learn how to say them in
English.
8. Don’t Study Grammar Too Much
The key to learning a language is finding a balance between studying
and practicing. Speaking English fluently isn’t the same as knowing
perfect English grammar – even native English-speakers make grammar
mistakes! Fluency is about being able to communicate. That’s why
sometimes it’s important to put the grammar textbook away, so you can go
out and practice those writing, reading, listening and speaking skills
in the real world.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Sometimes it can be difficult to put all those rules and words
together into a simple sentence. Don’t let the fear of saying something
wrong stop you from speaking at all. Even if you think you’re making a
mistake, keep speaking anyway. Most of the time, people will understand
what you’re trying to say, even if you make a mistake. Plus, the more
you speak, the easier it gets, and the more quickly the right words will
come to mind.
10. Learn from Everyone
You don’t have to only learn English from textbooks and teachers –
anyone who speaks English can help you practice. Imagine how you would
feel if someone asked you, in your native language, how to pronounce
something? Would you be angry? No! You’d probably be happy to help, just
like most English-speakers are happy to help you. If you know any
English-speakers, whether it’s a friend or co-worker, take advantage of
the opportunity to practice and learn from them.
(c) FluentU
