For language fluency, it’s crucial to master speaking as one of the four language skills, alongside listening, reading, and writing. All these skills should be learned and practiced together with equal significance.
You probably know that speaking skills are the hardest part of any language journey. Sure, you can learn grammar and vocabulary all day – but without actually putting your knowledge into practice by speaking to people, it’ll remain forever theoretical. Which is why many learners find speaking English so intimidating; we’re afraid of making mistakes and sounding foolish in front of others!
Don’t worry though – mastering English doesn’t have to be so scary or overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll look at some simple tips on how to start improving your spoken English today.
Tips for Speaking Skill
Tip #1 Practice speaking English every day
In case this isn’t already obvious, you need to use English everyday in order to master it. The key to improving your English speaking skills is to practice regularly. Make a conscious effort to speak in English every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will help you get comfortable with the language and improve your fluency.
Tip #2 Read Out Loud
Reading out loud can help you improve your English speaking skill as well. Choose a book or article that interests you and read it out loud, focusing on enunciating each word clearly and speaking at a comfortable pace.
Tip #3 Think in English
While this is not a direct speaking tip, it will help you when it comes time to speak! Try to think in English as much as possible, and avoid translating your thoughts from your native language to English when speaking. This lead to inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Make a habit of thinking in English whenever possible, whether you’re taking a shower, cooking dinner, or simply walking down the street.
Tip #4 Focus on Pronunciation
Take cues from how native speakers pronounce words and try imitating their accent. Watch English movies, listen to podcasts, and surround yourself with the language as much as possible. To practice pronunciation, find an audio or video recording of an English speaker speaking at a normal pace, and repeat what they say while trying to match their accent and rhythm as closely as possible. You can pause and rewind the recording to keep practicing until you get better.
Tip #5 Build your vocabulary
Building up your vocabulary is key to improving your English speaking skills. Try to pick up a new word every day, and practice using it in context. You can take help of flashcards or apps for memorizing vocabulary. An easy way to practice is by finding sentences or phrases that use the new word, and repeating them out loud with emphasis. Throughout the day, try using the word in other sentences to solidify your understanding of the word’s meaning and context.
We encourage a holistic approach to language learning, that engages all your skills, despite the challenges you might face. Learning a language involves stepping out of your comfort zone and making mistakes regularly, especially in the areas you feel weakest in.
This is why at EC Live we have incorporates Pre-Lesson Tasks and Post-Lesson Tasks within each lesson for students to practice all four language skills within a certain number of lessons, ensuring you will practise all four skills throughout any course. Learn more about EC Lives Intensive lesson structure here.