Introduction
Learning to speak English fluently can be a daunting task, but it’s an achievable goal. Everyone learns differently, so you may find that some of these methods don’t work as well for you as others, but there are plenty of resources available to help you achieve your goals in the most efficient manner possible. Here are 10 ways to speak English fluently in a short period of time!
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1) Get the right tools
Speaking a new language comes with its challenges, but having all of your bases covered—like pronunciation and sentence structure, grammar and reading fluency—will make you speak English confidently. Learning vocabulary words or phrases won’t help if you can’t pronounce them correctly or use them appropriately. Luckily, there are tools out there that will improve your speaking skills for free and over time. You can download lessons to your smartphone so you have them wherever you go. If you have access to high-speed internet at home, try free online courses like Duolingo; sign up for one-on-one practice with natives on italki; or pay someone through Speak from Home and they’ll Skype with you regularly.
2) Have the right attitude
Confidence is key when it comes to speaking. If you believe that you can speak fluently, you’ll set yourself up for success from day one. Even if your grammar isn’t perfect, or your pronunciation is still a little off, positive self-talk and practice will get you further than you would have ever dreamed. And after all, native speakers have heard their share of bad pronunciation, so don’t worry about being perfect—just be confident and embrace your progress!
3) Watch videos with subtitles
The best way to practice speaking confidently is by watching videos with subtitles. There are plenty of free sites that offer lots of great content, but YouTube has something for everyone and it’s one of my favourite places to practice speaking with subtitles. After you find a video you like, download it or add captions (YouTube makes it easy) and then press play whenever you have some time on your hands and want an extra challenge. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes each day, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your fluency will improve—the key is keeping up with it!
4) Listen to the language outside your comfort zone
Listening is an easy way to get your ears around spoken language. It helps with your pronunciation and exposes you to accents from around the world. Choose a random podcast or listen to song lyrics; even watching something on YouTube is better than just staring at a textbook for hours on end. If you have time, tune into online news programs and watch interviews (try TED Talks). Listening can be pretty passive, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard work—just like any other skill, practice makes perfect! After all, we need four weeks just to learn how to walk! So if you want fluency in speaking english go ahead and start listening now... You’ll be talking like a pro before you know it!
5) Use free resources on YouTube
One of our favourite tips for learning how to speak fluent, confident and natural English is using free resources on YouTube. YouTube can be an incredible resource for learning how to speak natural English because there are so many ways that you can customize your video-watching experience. For example, if you want to practice listening comprehension you can use various strategies such as turning off captions or muting the audio. And if you are more of a visual learner (and who isn’t), you can choose videos with subtitles so that you don’t have to read while watching.
6) Focus on improving pronunciation
Learning how to speak fluent, confident and natural English is an achievable goal. Every English learner is different, but there are a number of easy ways to improve in a reasonably short period of time. If you’re hoping for fluency, remember that speaking confidently is more important than speaking quickly. When learning how to speak natural-sounding (native-like) English, take time at first with your pronunciation and learn how to say words and phrases correctly. Over time as you get more accustomed to proper pronunciation, work on working your speed up so you can express yourself clearly. It will make all that effort worthwhile!
7) Analyze your weaknesses
Before you set out on your quest for fluency, it’s important to take an honest look at your weaknesses. Your goals are worthless if you don’t understand what skills and knowledge you need to work on first. This can be as simple as taking an online quiz from a language learning site. It can also mean scheduling regular sessions with a tutor or hiring an experienced teacher. Regardless of what you choose, try not to get too hung up on classes that teach accent reduction. There is nothing inherently wrong with teaching people how to sound like locals; however, it may not be your best use of time and money at first (depending on your primary goal).
8) Talk as much as possible with native speakers
No matter what level you’re at, talking with native speakers is an excellent way to improve your fluency in English. If you’re just starting out, start with people who are close by and whom you have something in common with (i.e., friends or classmates). You might not understand everything they say, but their speech patterns and vocabulary will help stimulate your own thoughts and increase your confidence while speaking. If talking on campus or through apps isn’t cutting it for you, look into volunteering at an organization like Habitat for Humanity.
9) Record yourself speaking
It’s not easy to identify your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to speaking. Take out your phone, flip on your camera, and do a short recording of yourself talking about an interesting topic. How did you do? If you’re looking for improvement, don’t be afraid to practice (and record) often. It takes time but can help you build up confidence and reach fluency in no time!
10) Practice every day
You won’t become fluent overnight, so dedicate time every day for practicing your speaking. Even if you have a job and have kids to take care of, try finding 10–15 minutes each day that you can dedicate to working on your pronunciation and speaking aloud. Repetition is key when learning anything new, so choose topics that are meaningful to you—not just random facts—and continue with them until they’re automatic. Not sure where to start? Try talking about hobbies, books or travel. Mentioning something specific will make it easier for others to understand what you’re saying.
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Authored by:
Sharanu Gogi
English Language Teacher