How to improve speaking skills in english
How to improve speaking skills in english
Becoming Fluent in English: How to Improve Speaking and Writing Skills
English is the most prominent language in the world. Perhaps not by the number of native speakers, but quite certainly so when you take into account all the people learning and speaking it as a foreign language. Learning to speak English fluently is, therefore, a very valuable skill to possess.
But learning a language, even one as frequent as English, is a tall order. No wonder, then, that learners of all ages have a lot of questions. They want to learn grammar easily, they primarily want to practice speaking skills, and they want to know how to improve sentence structure. So, let’s begin by answering some of the questions students of Los Angeles language schools often ask.
How can I improve my English speaking skills?
Ah yes, speaking. Virtually every English language learner on the face of the earth wants to learn how to speak English. And understandably so. With English being the lingua franca of the world, knowing how to speak it is no longer a luxury, but a requirement.
Frequent traveling, studying in a foreign country, watching films, listening to music, communicating with people online… All these activities demand knowledge of English language, to greater or to a lesser extent. And speaking English is the most sought-after linguistic commodity of the modern era.
There are two basic ways of improving your speaking skills, and they concern vocabulary and pronunciation. We are going to put grammar aside for now, as, according to the UCLA Department of Linguistics, grammar prowess is needed only for the more advanced levels.
What methods should I employ?
When it comes to methods that can help you improve your speaking skills, there are as many as you can think of. But, not all of them are tried and proven. Now, we’re going to see what some of the best methods for improving speaking skills are.
Speaking: Aaand you’ve guessed it, the no. 1 method for improving speaking skills is speaking. Don’t think we’re pulling your leg. Quite simply, the more you practice, the better you will become.
Reflecting: Once you’ve done speaking, you need to reflect. Otherwise, how can you identify your mistakes and correct them?
Recording: The best way to meaningfully reflect on your conversations is to record them, listen to yourself, and then write down all the mistakes you think you’ve made.
Relaxing: Yes, have fun with it. Don’t make it into a stressful experience. You can’t speak a foreign language when you’re wound tightly, so loosen up and let the words flow.
How often should I employ these methods?
And never shy away from repeating. If you think you’ve got it wrong, repeat. If you didn’t like the sound of it, repeat. If you think you can do better, repeat repeat repeat. Practice makes perfect, and, in this case, it’s constant and relentless practice!
How can I speak English fluently step by step?
Learning to speak English and learning to speak English fluently are two different matters entirely. For language learning beginners, fluency is an unattainable dream, a dragon in the cave at the top of the mountain waiting to devour your soul as you try to fell it. But it isn’t so grim, trust us.
While it is true that fluency in any language is difficult to achieve, impossible it is not! There are ways that can help you along the path to becoming a fluent speaker, and we are going to share the best ones with you.
How can I improve my written English?
Not all English is spoken English, and knowing only how to speak, neglecting the rules of spelling, punctuation, proper word order and structure can put you in a tight spot when you’re least expecting it.
But trust us, it is easier to improve writing than speaking skills, and for a number of reasons. Let’s see what the biggest problems English learners in Los Angeles are facing when trying to improve their writing skills.
How can I learn to spell correctly?
When it comes to spelling, the bane of existence of many an English learner, the rule is that there are no rules. Yes, there are some, but who has ever learned to spell by learning the rarely-without-exception rules of spelling? Our guess is nobody.
So what can you do? How can you learn how to spell? Is there a way out of that dark tunnel? Or was it single “n”? Anyways, yes, there are ways. And remember, “i” before “e”, except after “c”!
How do I learn formal writing?
This one is important for business. Writing in different styles is a useful skill to possess, as you may find yourself in a situation where everyday language simply can’t cut it. And, although it we’re saying different styles, people have most trouble accepting the rules of formal writing they will probably need at one point or the other.
Learning how to use formal language in written correspondence is a bit time consuming, but rather easy. There are set rules for beginning an email or a letter, ending it, using correct titles, pronouns, and so on. Once you learn how to write and spell, learning the rules of formal writing will be a walk in the park.
Is there a place in LA I can learn all of this at?
Yes, there most certainly is! College of English Language is the favorite English language school in Los Angeles for many English learners who come to the USA to improve their language skills and possibly continue their education. And, once you witness all the sights Los Angeles has to offer, such as the Griffith Observatory, it is easy to understand why people flock to this amazing city.
As for CEL, is there really any need to say anything? Yes? Well, ok then. The staff of this school is stellar, with only the most experienced and efficient teachers of English language. Couple that with the most modern methods of language teaching and learning, state-of-the-art technology employed during every lesson, and a pleasant learning environment, and you’ve got a winning combination. If you want to become one of the many satisfied students of our school, contact us today!
10 tips to improve your English speaking skills
Learning to speak English fluently takes time and a good understanding of the language.
Start by setting some realistic targets for your spoken English that are achievable in the near future. For example, “I want to improve my pronunciation of English vowel sounds” or “I’d like to write and conduct a short presentation in English for work”. Once you have several clear goals in mind, the following tips will help you to improve your English speaking skills…
1. Understanding comes first, so be patient
Imagine a newly-born baby. In the beginning, the young child does not understand language as such but communicates through body language, crying and so on. Then it starts to engage more actively with its parents, who speak to it constantly. The baby is a great listener but lacks the ability to speak properly for several years. Our understanding is always one step ahead of our practical ability to speak and this is especially the case when learning English as a foreign language. Work on improving your understanding of English by exposing yourself to the language as often as possible. Great listeners and observers make great speakers!
2. Confidence matters
Some of the most active and vocal students in any classroom are often the most confident ones. Being afraid to make mistakes in English will almost certainly lead to nervousness, which in turn produces a higher incidence of speech errors. At the same time, being overly confident can mean your ego gets in the way of progress. There is always room for a little constructive criticism and self-analysis but we should be proud of our achievements and sure in our ability to speak English well. If you are ever shy or embarrassed about making mistakes when speaking English, remember this: the vast majority of our mistakes in a foreign language come directly from our mother tongue and this is a 100% natural process. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes as long as we try to understand and learn from them. Most native English speakers are monolingual and are unlikely to speak your language so the fact that you are making an effort to communicate in English deserves their respect and appreciation.
3. Expand your vocabulary
Knowing more words in a language gives you greater choice and power when trying to express your thoughts and ideas. Having a larger vocabulary will help you understand native speakers better and read more complicated texts. Learning thematic vocabulary and discussing topics connected with it can expand your lexical horizons. Remember that there are always several ways of saying the same thing and knowing more words will simply mean you are able to express an idea faster and more directly. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the new words and phrases you learn. Avoid overusing idioms – many are outdated and no longer in use. Always learn vocabulary in a context – don’t just swallow the dictionary!
4. Use audio books
There are now many websites that allow you to download audio books free of charge so there is no excuse for not having a few in your collection. Choose an interesting audio book (perhaps one you are already familiar with in your native language) but don’t start listening to it straight away. First take the original text and read chapter one. Then underline any new words and translate them. Once you are sure you have understood everything, listen to the first chapter in the audio book and follow the text version as you progress. When you next go for a walk or drive to work, put on the audio book again but without the text version – you will understand much more! This approach will also help you make the connection between how English words sound and how they are written.
5. Work on your pronunciation
Poor pronunciation is a barrier to fluent spoken English and if you fail to clearly distinguish certain sounds you may be misunderstood. Native English speakers often use contractions and connected speech to make pronunciation easier. It is a good idea to select a speech model you like – for example, the BBC news or a favourite actor – and try to copy how they speak English. Notice where your pronunciation differs from that of the native speaker (you may want to record yourself speaking). Practise pronouncing minimal pairs (words that differ in just one sound) to sharpen distinctions between difficult phonemes. Work out which English sounds present the most problems for native speakers of your language and focus on these through drilling and repetition. For example, short æ and e in words like “bad” and “bed” are often difficult for Russian speakers of English so practising utterances like this can help: “She said she was sad because her bed was bad”. It is also worth learning the phonetic alphabet so you can check the correct pronunciation of words in a dictionary.
6. Watch films and TV in English
Films provide great listening practice and insights into “real” speech situations involving native English speakers. Material of this kind often contains a wide range of vocabulary, including slang, professional jargon and popular expressions in the modern language. If you regularly watch new films and TV programmes, you will always have your finger on the pulse of current English usage. If you find watching full-length films tiring, try a short documentary or serial – these are often shorter (around 30 mins). Download subtitles in English if you have difficulties understanding fast speech and native accents. However, avoid subtitles in your language as they will prevent you concentrating on the English original. If you watch the same types of English video material on a regular basis, you will soon find that words and expressions start to repeat. The more you watch, the easier it will become for you to understand native English. After this, you can try using the words and expressions you have learnt in your own speech.
7. Listen to songs in English
If you are a music lover, this tip is for you. Take several of your favourite tracks in English and download the lyrics from the internet. Read and translate these lyrics, making a note of new words and expressions. Remember that the language used in songs is often non-standard and can be literary or poetic so there is little sense in spending hours on a direct translation – just try to get the gist of the song. Now play the song and follow the lyrics you have printed out. After this, you can listen to the song any time without the lyrics and still understand what it’s about. If you have an ear for music, try learning some songs in English and then sing them in the shower each morning!
8. Find a study buddy
If you find it hard to stay motivated when studying English or just don’t like learning on your own, you may want to look for a study buddy. Ask your friends whether they speak English and would like to practise with you once a week. You can then meet up to watch English films, play games in English, attend a speaking club in your city, travel abroad together, etc. This could make studying the language more fun and provide you with a constant conversation partner.
9. Network with natives
There are numerous language exchange and pen pal websites on the internet where you can meet other speakers of English. Some will be native speakers, but the majority will be non-natives. In any case, sites of this type can provide a great opportunity to network with new and interesting people from around the world, perhaps make a few friends and practise your written and spoken English. If you enjoy travelling, maybe one day you will get a chance to meet some of your new friends face-to-face!
10. Take English conversation classes online with a native teacher
At the end of the day, there is no substitute for real conversation practice with a native English speaker. If you don’t live in an English-speaking country and don’t have native English friends, then a logical alternative is to take conversational lessons with a Skype English teacher. Regular 1-to-1 speech practice will give you the targeted approach you need to make fast progress with your English speaking skills.
5 Ways to Improve Your Speaking Skills in English
Let’s face it: Finding ways to improve speaking English is hard to do!
“Well, that’s obvious,” you might be saying. “Any English learner could tell you that!” Advertisements
And yes, it is hard to find the time and opportunity to improve your English speaking skills. You might not have anyone to practice with, and if you’ve taken English classes, they might have been too easy, or even too formal. Many of our own students gave up on English classes in the past because they were not learning the language they needed to improve their English speaking skills.
But even if you have the time, opportunity, and resources to practice speaking, you may feel like you’re wasting your time. You may be getting bored of always having the same kinds of conversations in English. Or you may feel like you always talk about the same subjects and that you’re not learning the English vocabulary you need to speak more naturally and fluently.
Whatever your issue is, if you’re willing to get creative, think outside of the box, and maybe even laugh at yourself a little, there are some really fun and effective ways that can help you improve your English speaking.
And that’s what we’ll talk about today! Here are 5 ways that can improve your speaking skills in English:
Choose something to memorize and recite.
Play English games with a group–or by yourself.
Try improv in English!
Give a presentation to an audience–or to an empty room!
Take English classes online with a teacher who uses real, authentic materials.
So, if you’re ready to boost those speaking skills, let’s jump in!
Effective Ways to Improve English Speaking Skills
1. Choose something to memorize and recite.
While reciting something from memory might not be the same as the kind of speaking you do in English conversation, it’s a great place to start, especially if you’re alone!
Why? Because it will help you with pronunciation and adjusting to the sensation of speaking English, which can be hard if you’re shy or if you feel self-conscious about your speaking skills.
So, here are some ways you can start!
Poetry
Poetry can be intimidating to a lot of people, but it doesn’t have to be! There are so many classic and contemporary poets that use modern English that’s fairly easy to understand. Here are some poets you should check out:
Or this poem by Rupi Kaur:
If you’ve never memorized a longer piece of text before, it can seem impossible, but it just takes repetition.
Start by reading the poem out loud a few times, and if you come across a word you don’t know how to pronounce, you can look up the pronunciation online. Underline words that are difficult for you to pronounce so that you remind yourself to slow down when you say them. You can highlight or circle any words that should be stressed in the line of poetry.
To memorize the poem, challenge yourself to say the first two lines without reading. Once you have the first two lines, try to learn the first stanza, or verse, of the poem. Keep this up until you’ve memorized the whole poem.
But don’t let it go to waste! Record yourself speaking your poem and listen to yourself to see where you need to improve. Recite the poem to your English teacher, to a friend, or anyone kind enough to help you practice your speaking in English. Advertisements
And, once you have learned the poem by heart, challenge yourself to talk to others about your interpretation of the poem. What do you think it means? What are some strange words or images the poet uses? Why does this poem matter to people? This is a great way to start producing some of your own original ideas in English.
A monologue
If you have no interest in poetry, another great option for memorization might be a famous monologue. And it doesn’t even have to be that famous! It can be a courtroom speech given by a character in your favorite legal drama like Suits or The Good Wife. It can be something funny a character in The Office said in an on-camera interview. It should be anything that’s going to entertain you and help you loosen up.
And if you have no idea where to find a short monologue, I suggest that you make a list of your favorite English t.v. series, and think of some memorable moments. If you can, find a clip of it on YouTube, like the one below:
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The nice thing about YouTube is that you can access the transcript for the video if you click on those three dots next to the “Save” button. You’ll see an option that says “Open transcript,” and you’ll be able to read the monologue there so that you can memorize it as part of your English speaking practice.
As you learn the monologue, challenge yourself to imitate the speaker as much as you can: pay attention to their intonation, their accent, and what words they stress. This method is called “shadowing” and it’s one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation and speaking in English.
And then, of course, you have to force your friends, family, and people at parties to listen to you. Or send them a video of your monologue. If they love you, they’ll enjoy it.
2. Play English games with a group–or by yourself
English teachers try to keep a large arsenal of English games that they can play with their students in a class. And this is not just for children, but for adult learners as well. Because we all enjoy games, and they can help us learn.
English games help to create an educational environment that’s positive and relaxed, and when your brain associates English learning with fun, you retain new grammar points and vocabulary even better.
But anyone can play these games, not just people in classrooms! Here are some ideas you should try:
Dictation games
Dictation is when you speak something to someone so that it can be written down or typed. For example, if you’ve ever used your voice to write a text, you’ve used dictation.
Watch the video below for a couple of examples of dictation games that are suggested for the English classroom, but you can also play them with your friends. You just need to find an English text that’s appropriate for your level. This video talks about a game called “running dictation” and “shouting dictation.”
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Speaking games
Speaking games that you can find in the store–or create on your own!–are great for people who want to practice in or out of the classroom.
In the popular game Taboo, for example, players create teams, and you have to get the other players on your team to guess the word on your card without saying the word.
A conversation card game like We’re Not Really Strangers requires players to ask questions based on how we view people and what we may not know about them or ourselves. There are questions like “Do you think I’ve ever had my heart broken?” and “What’s the last thing you lied to your mom about?” At the end of the game, players write each other a hand-written note, but they’re not allowed to open it until later.
Or there’s The Hygge Game, which was created for “cozy conversation.” Hygge is a Danish word that’s used to describe that feeling of coziness, comfort, and warmth that you feel with family and friends, especially during the cold months of winter. So this game is designed to create fun conversation with questions like “What would be the title of your biography?”
3. Try improv in English!
Improv, which is short for improvisation, is another fun way to practice speaking with a group of people or by yourself.
But what is improv? Improv is a kind of theatrical performance where there are no scripts or plans, and the “actors” have to invent everything as they go.
It’s great for preparing your brain to talk to anyone, and I think it’s perfect for practicing your English speaking skills.
But, to do improv the right way, five rules are important to know:
Don’t deny: This means that when your improv partner says that their name is Sally and the scene is in a pet shop, you have to accept it instead of saying, “No, this is actually a bakery.”
Don’t ask open-ended questions: You can’t ask your improv partner who they are or what they are doing there because it will usually kill the scene.
Don’t try to be funny: Improv often has comedic moments, but when you try to be funny, it’s hard to stay in the moment of the scene and the story.
You can look good if you make your partner look good: This rule helps to remind you that improv is collaborative and it’s not about one person showing off, but rather, working with others to create something.
Tell a story: It’s not just about trying to think of strange things to say but to create a story for the audience.
Why am I telling you all these rules? Because if you think of improv as another kind of English game, these rules can help! And, again, improv works great in the classroom or out of it.
A great way to make it work for your English-speaking needs is to act out a situation that you might have to face in the future, like traveling to another country or attending a work conference.
Improv games
Improv games usually help the actors warm-up before they have to perform, but these games also work well for groups of English learners.
The rules for these games can help give you a guideline for playing them with friends or family, but you can always change the rules if you need to.
To make it work best for your English speaking practice, choose some expressions or phrases that you need to work on right now. Or, choose one tense that you want to practice and ask everyone to speak in that tense. There are lots of ways you can adapt these games to your English speaking practice.
Word at a time
Sit in a circle and choose a title such as “My Worst Trip,” or “A Day at the Beach.” Each player has to say one word at a time to tell a story based on the title, and it has to make sense!
Story Death
Players gather in a line, and one person acts as the “judge” who points at the players. When a judge points at a player, they have to tell the story, and if they get stuck, another character has to jump in. If anyone stops to think, the audience can shout “die,” and the person who stopped the story has to pretend they’re dying dramatically.
Hitchhiker
You need three chairs for this one, and three people to pretend that they’re in a car. One person acts as the driver. They begin the conversation, but a hitchhiker–a stranger who needs a ride–gets in the car. This person chooses a certain kind of character to act out when they get in the car, and the other people in the car have to try and match what they’re doing. But they have to copy the hitchhiker without knowing what the character is supposed to be.
All the actors have to keep up the conversation until the driver leaves. Then everyone slides over and returns to their original character until another hitchhiker gets in the car.
Give a one-person improv show!
What do you do if you don’t have anyone to do English improv with? Do your own improv show!
Give yourself a scenario, problem, or general setting for a story. Then, set a time limit, and act out a story! Record it and send it to your friends or family, or post it online. Let people see it!
4. Give a presentation or speech to an audience–or an empty room!
Everybody has something that they love to talk about. Maybe you love to talk about what you do for work, or you have a hobby that excites you.
So, think about how you can convince others to love that thing, too, or at least explain why it matters. Try to organize your presentation into an intro, a few main points, and a conclusion, but don’t worry too much about writing it out.
If you’re too shy to talk in front of other people, you can give your presentation to an empty room, or record your presentation. Then, watch your presentation to figure out the areas you need to focus on in order to improve your English speaking skills.
Here are some 5 to 15-minute presentation topics you should try:
How Learning Another Language Affects the Brain
The 5 Books Everyone Should Read
Why Children Should Learn to Code in School
Three Ways to Organize if You Hate to Organize
The Three Best – and Worst – Pieces of Advice You’ve Ever Been Given
5. Take online English classes with a teacher who uses real, authentic materials.
Online English classes are definitely one of the best ways to practice your speaking. If you’re working live with a qualified teacher, you’ll get instant feedback, and you’ll understand why you’re stuck at an intermediate level in English. Most importantly, you’ll learn exactly what you need to do to improve your English speaking skills.
But it’s important to make sure that your teacher uses the right materials for your English speaking classes.
When you’re a beginner, you get used to learning English with content that’s created specifically for learners. While it’s educational, this content is too easy, so it will not help you reach an advanced level and improve your English speaking skills.
Real and authentic materials, such as videos, podcasts and articles that aren’t created specifically for English learners, will help you learn the structures and vocabulary you need to push your English speaking skills to an advanced level.
So, it’s important for intermediate English learners to start using authentic content as soon as they can because it’s impossible to improve without it. From our experience, this is the number one reason learners get stuck at an intermediate level in English.
And that’s what we currently offer in our English coaching program!
In our program, we help non-native English speakers advance their communication skills without spending hours on grammar textbooks, or wasting money learning language they’ll never use in real life. Using our unique strategies and resources, we help students overcome their fears and hesitations, so they can easily and effortlessly speak English with everyone they meet!
We design our own materials using real and authentic content that focus on teaching you things like phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions in a way that helps you to use and retain them.
If you want to know more, our English classes are currently open! And please feel free to contact us with any of your questions or comments about our online English speaking classes.
What if I’m too self-conscious to practice speaking English?
First of all, if you feel self-conscious when you try to speak in English, I completely empathize! I feel self-conscious speaking in my native language, too, sometimes!
Start by reminding yourself that it’s human and normal to feel shy or self-conscious. Try to have some patience with yourself and understand why you might feel that way.
If your self-consciousness feels like it’s holding you back completely, start small. Start by learning a short poem or line from a t.v. show to memorize and say when you’re alone. Practice speaking by yourself for a few weeks.
Then try to record yourself speaking for at least a couple of minutes. You might not like it at first, but I promise that you will get used to hearing yourself speak eventually if you take it slow and don’t rush yourself.
Finally, working one-on-one with an experienced teacher will give you the safe environment you need to get out of your comfort zone, build your confidence, and overcome your hesitation and fear of speaking English.
Remember that it’s also okay to be a shy, reserved person. Not everyone can be the extroverted, talkative life of the party. Focus on practicing the English that you need to speak more when you’re working or traveling, but don’t push yourself to talk to strangers at a party if you don’t feel ready!
Practice is important, but it also has to work for you. It’s okay if your way of practicing English doesn’t look the way it does for other learners.
How To Improve English Speaking Skills
How To Improve English Speaking Skills
Many students master the fine points of English grammar but find themselves at a loss when it comes to actually having a conversation with native speakers. In reality, the only way to develop fluency in speaking is by huge amounts of listening, and then practicing. The following are a few tips for improving English speaking skills. Don’t forget that listening is the foundation for speaking! When you also want to practice speaking, here are some suggestions for how to improve English speaking skills.
Find An English-Speaking Conversation Partner
First of all, it’s important to find native speakers to practice with. Students who are living around many English speakers may be able to find informal opportunities to chat with neighbors and local business people. Joining a club or a volunteer organization can be a great way to get to know people informally. Another option is enrolling yourself to online classes that offer English-related courses like IELTS preparation course. If that isn’t an option, consider hiring a private tutor. A lot of students find and meet with tutors online via tools like Skype or Google Hangouts.
Make Sure To Listen As Well As Speak
When practicing with a native speaker, try to balance your listening and speaking. It’s a good idea to prepare questions in advance so that the conversation will flow back and forth. If your conversation partner asks you a question and you answer at length, you can always turn the question back to your partner by asking, “What do you think?” or “What about you?”
Record Your Conversation Practice
Recording is a great way to get the maximum benefit from a conversation with a native speaker. When you listen again, you can evaluate your own pronunciation and notice areas where you need to improve. You can also review the content of the conversation, take notes on new vocabulary or misunderstandings, and prepare questions for the next meeting.
Surround Yourself With The English Language
Another way to improve your English speaking skills is to immerse yourself in English as much as possible. Watch movies or TV in English, with subtitles if you need them, and watch the same programs over and over. Most people find that they understand more each time. Listening helps you become familiar with the rhythms and intonations of English. Once the sounds are familiar, try imitating them.
Practice With Music and Movies
Listen to music in English and sing along. Music is one of the best tools for learning intonation pronunciation. Listening to and singing songs might also help you remember vocabulary and phrases (if the song is easy to understand), and it will help you learn to pronounce English rhythm in a more natural way. By unconsciously imitating the singer, you’ll learn to pronounce phrases the way native speakers do. One good song for ESL or EFL students is “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega because it uses simple language to describe everyday scenes and actions. Movies are a much better choice for learning English. You’ll learn vocabulary, idioms, slang, pronunciation, and listening by watching movies. Be sure to use my movie technique when you do this!
Read Aloud
Reading out loud is a great way to practice speaking when there are no conversation partners available. Reading aloud gives you a chance to focus on pronunciation and pacing without worrying about coming up with words. Make sure to practice with material that you can understand. Some students find videos online that have transcripts. Many TED talks, for example, include word-for word transcripts of the talk. By reading aloud from a transcript, you can check your pronunciation by listening to how the speaker says something.
Talk To Yourself
Saying your thoughts out loud or narrating your actions (“I am drinking coffee, and now I’m going to open my book”) can be a very effective way to practice spoken English. By talking to yourself, you can become more fluent in translating your thoughts into spoken words. Practicing alone is also a low-pressure way to practice, since no one will hear your mistakes.
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How to Improve Your English Speaking Skills – 10 Strategies
Do you find yourself scrambling for words during conversations? How often do you face an awkward silence? Do you wonder how some people manage to breeze through a conversation with ease?
You have might have wanted to improve your English speaking skills but failed at it. But you can change that and start today.
Common Problems of Communication:
Though people have different problems when they converse, they fall under three major buckets.
1. Thoughts not translating to words
You have good things to state in your head, but when you have to utter them as words, you find yourself scrambling and looking for a decent enough sentence. Sometimes you miss sentences, sometimes you miss words, sometimes you miss the grammar and sometimes you miss the thought itself.
Because you struggle to use the right words, you fail to convey the message with clarity. Sometimes, the wrong choice of words leads to an incorrect message altogether.
2. Words lacking impact
You want to persuade, motivate or build rapport but your words do not make enough impact. Your normal flow of words and the way you state them makes your message as bland as white bread.
The sentence sounds powerful in your head but comes across as plain vanilla when spoken. You wonder, “Wait a minute, it sounded awesome in my head.”
3. Vocabulary not good enough
When a fluent speaker talks using above-average vocabulary, you fail to understand what the words mean. You know the words used weren’t that complex but you do not know what exactly they mean. Sometimes you think you know the meaning of a specific word but you aren’t sure.
10 Strategies to improve your English speaking skills
To turn into a better communicator, you need to spend time. You will not notice changes overnight, but if you keep working step by step, you will develop significant skills. Like Dave Brailsford dominated world cycling by using the marginal gains technique, you should approach your progress as a daily improvement.
Here are some tips which help you improve your English speaking skills.
1. Don’t be ashamed to make mistakes
One of the biggest reasons why people struggle to speak fluent English without hesitation is because they feel conscious of their words. If your native language isn’t English, you prefer speaking as little as possible to avoid any mistakes. You worry about others judging you and as a result, you keep your lips sealed.
Unfortunately, you will have a hard time improving your English speaking skills unless you try. Without attempting to speak, you cannot improve your communication.
Expecting to improve your speech by speaking as little as possible is like trying to learn swimming without stepping into the water. You have to get wet to learn and water will seep into your nostrils when you are learning. People might turn around to look but do not let that bother you much.
I had the same insecurity when I had trouble speaking in a flow. I used to try to wrap up my sentences in quick bursts. But little by little, I stepped out of my comfort zone.
During the process, I framed some terrible sentences and used the most stupid words for the context, but I got better. I am not an amazing conversationalist even today, but when I look back at how hesitant I was many years back, I feel happy to know how far I have come.
If you do not want to talk because you fear making mistakes, read no further because the rest of the tips will be of no use.
2. Embrace pauses
The biggest fear of a person with weak communication skills is a pause. The sound of silence between a sentence makes them feel like they are under the gun of judgment.
The truth is, pauses add more value to your speech when you use them right. All good speakers use pauses for the best effect. If you need an extra moment to gather your words, just pause, even if you are in between a sentence. Sometimes you might pause at awkward points but you will realize the difference between the good and bad pauses yourself.
A little silence works better than an incorrect usage of words. Also, a pause makes you appear more thoughtful. Do not fear pauses, embrace them.
3. Keep a mental count of filler words
The most common flaw in conversations is the overuse of filler words like “errr, like, umm, you know”. When you gather your thoughts to grab the right words, you feel the necessity to fill in the silence with a sound or words.
You do not have to.
As mentioned in the previous tip, pause instead of using a filler word. Now, it is easier said than done because your subconscious mind prompts you to use those words without your knowledge.
But if you pay enough attention to your words, you will notice your mistake as soon as you do it. You may not detect it quick enough to stop using the filler word, but you do have a moment where you feel, “damn, I used ‘like’ again.”
When you keep telling yourself you made the mistake, the message feeds into your subconscious. So mentally tell your brain that you messed up and your mind will learn to correct itself. Again, do not expect results overnight, but if you do this many times in a day, you will notice a significant cutback in your usage of filler words in a month.
I used tons of filler words. Like, err, umm, you know. You name it and I have had that habit of using it. Telling myself I made a mistake was one of the most powerful techniques which helped me get over them. Today I feel so comfortable using a pause instead of a filler word and so does the listener.
4. Speak at a pace you are comfortable with
If you have trouble speaking in a flow, you tend to rush through the sentences because of insecurity. But speaking at a faster pace makes it all the more difficult for you to gather the right words.
Try to calm down and slow down your pace. You will feel your brain undergoing stress when you speak slower than your usual talking speed, but it will get better.
I had a habit of speaking fast no matter what language it is. Slowing that down took a toll on my brain. But I kept trying to, even though it was hard. In about two weeks, I started feeling a little comfortable lowering my pace.
During those weeks, I would slip back into my quick speaking habits half the time. Even then, the habit of lowering my pace half the time served as enough practice.
Even today I speak like a bullet train sometimes but my average talking speed has reduced over the years. Lowering your pace of speech will help you turn into a better speaker.
5. Keep a scoreboard
Each day rate yourself on how you did that day. Choose a scale of 1-10 and evaluate yourself. It does not matter if you do not rate accurately. Keeping a scoreboard helps you focus and work on it.
The best way to keep a scoreboard is to put up a chart on the wall and write down the daily figure. Using an excel sheet or a notepad to keep track works too.
Do not be afraid to use decimal points like 5.5, 6.3 and so on. When you maintain scores and work hard to do better than the previous week, you will improve over time.
The technique applies to learn or grow in any area and not only communication.
6. Write down what you did well
At the end of each day write down what did you do well which helped your communication. You might have attempted to talk more, you might have used a new word in your speech or you might have tried to change the tone of your voice. It does not matter how big or small the improvement is. If you put an effort to advance, write it down.
When you note down what you did well, you get a dopamine rush. The more dopamine you get from your improvement, the more you feel like going at it. The behavior turns into a routine and you cultivate strong habits that become second nature after a few weeks.
7. Write down the mistakes you did
As human beings, we are forgetful creatures. When you make a mistake, you will not always remember to correct it the next time unless the consequences were catastrophic. For example, if you used filler words such as like, umm, you know, you will keep repeating the same mistake unless you remind yourself to change.
Everyday note down what went wrong and how could you have done better. Your notes serve as a reminder for your brain. When you write down your mistakes, your brain slowly learns not to repeat the same error. You might still repeat the same misstep, but you will notice yourself overcoming your flaws.
Jotting down your mistakes is powerful. Try it for a week and know the results for yourself. You will find your English speaking skills improving little by little.
8. Make a swipe list
Writers have a habit of maintaining a list of good usage of words that they like. Learning from them, I maintain a list of good metaphors I encounter whenever I am talking to a person or reading a book. Here are some from my swipe file:
Likewise, you must keep a list of good words or sentences that you heard or read which you would like to use. Do not try to get into usage which is much above your skill level. For example, if you have trouble framing sentences without making a grammatical error, do not try to use metaphors or analogies. You will end up frustrated and disappointed.
Aim to make progress at a pace you can handle. Trying to go faster is like trying to run a marathon at a sprinting pace. You might gain an early lead when you take off but you will run out of steam soon after.
9. Read the book how to talk to anyone
If you have trouble with communication, you turn anxious when talking to a person. Due to that fear, you worry about the topic to talk about as well.
You find yourself in between the devil and the deep blue sea where at one end you worry about your vocabulary and sentences, while on the other you worry about what to talk about. As a result, you refrain from talking and you do not get a chance to practice enough.
The book How to talk to anyone by Leil Lowndes helps you with… well, doesn’t the title tell the story? Yes, it helps you talk to anyone and hold a conversation. You will understand several tips to communicate better.
You might find some easy to apply and some impossible, but the book will help every single person no matter what your level of language is at the moment.
Grab a copy now and you will not regret it. Thank me later.
10. Learn a new word every day
Do you know that the difference in vocabulary between a great communicator and an average one is 50 extra words? Because most good speakers do not use complicated words in their speech.
When you hear the words of a speaker you admire, turn a close ear to his words. You will notice that you know all the words. You just have trouble using them in sentences.
To improve your bag of words, try learning a new word every day and attempt to use it in a sentence at least once. Again, do not go overboard and try to use sophisticated words like multifarious or exacerbated. People will know you are attempting something stupid.
Instead, use a simple word in your speech which you otherwise don’t. For example:
| Regular Usage | Improved Usage |
| He is clever | He is a sharp guy |
| Can you explain a little more? | Can you elaborate more? |
| I am very tired | I am totally exhausted |
If you see, none of the changes are excessive. All the alternatives are simple words but add a little more punch to the sentence.
Conclusion
Improving your English speaking skills will take its due course. I suggest you take a vow to spend at least three months(six months is ideal) in putting in the effort. If you expect quick results, not only will you not find them but also you will give up in no time.
Learning how to improve verbal communication skills is a journey, not a destination. I am on the journey myself and have come a long way over the years, but I don’t think I have even reached the halfway mark. Oh wait, I said the destination does not exist, didn’t I?
Come along, walk and take the journey. You will enjoy the ride.
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Maxim Dsouza has spent over a decade experimenting and finding various time management techniques to improve his productivity. He strongly understands the fact that time is a limited commodity and tries to make every second count. He has extensive experience in leadership in startups, small businesses, and large corporations.
He has helped people of different professions and age groups gain clarity on their goals, improve focus, revise their time management skills and develop an awareness of their psychological cognitive biases.