Speaking a language that is not your mother tongue is not something that comes naturally to most learners. Sometimes, the focus in the learning process is placed on understanding; writing, speaking and reading skills are neglected. In addition to neglect, speaking a language that is not naturally one you grew up with takes a lot of courage. People are afraid of making mistakes, being laughed at, or sometimes worse, not being understood because of their accent or mispronunciation.
We are all human. People make mistakes, even native English speakers. Letâs have a look at how you can improve your spoken English.
Tip #1: Speak, Speak, Speak
This might be difficult when you lack the confidence to speak in English and because you are afraid of making mistakes. However, you should realise that making mistakes when speaking English is part of the journey and learning process. It is also inevitable.
It is important to remember that speaking English and improving this skill is similar to learning a sport or a musical instrument â the only way you can become good at it and improve it through practice, practice, and then even more practice.
Tip #2: Read out Loud
Reading your English homework, a newspaper or an Internet article out loud to yourself is great because you can practice pronunciation. Aand if you are not sure you are pronouncing it correctly, check by using the sound tool from Cambridge Dictionary. You can choose either the UK or US version depending on which accent you prefer. When reading out loud, you donât have to worry about correct grammar or sentence structures. You only need to focus on making your English sound great.
Tip #3: Have a Debate
Even if you are not in class, get some friends together and have a practice oral English session. Choose a topic that you are all interested in, take a few minutes to prepare what you want to say, and practice by sharing your viewpoint of the topic. Ensure that you all communicate in English, and talking about things that you find interesting makes speaking the language a positive experience. Furthermore, hopefully, you wonât feel (too) shy in front of your friends and will have more confidence to speak in English.
This is Part 1 of how you can improve your spoken English. Stay tuned for Part 2 with a lot more tips! Remember to keep on practising your spoken English, as that is the only way you can improve.
Ever wonder how native speakers learn English? Here are some ideas:Â Learning English Like a Native Speaker
About the Author
Denine Walters is currently a freelance writer, editor/proofreader and ESL teacher. Previously, she taught online English lessons to students from all around the world and, before that, she lived and taught English to young learners in Taiwan. In her free time, she likes to read, do scrapbooking and grammar quizzes, and travel.
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