Let me tell you a secret. You’re reading this because you want to increase your ability to communicate effectively in English. When it comes to writing a good paragraph in English, you are a pro. But when it comes to speaking it, you start becoming insecure and begin to fumble. But, did you ever ask yourself, “How can I improve my English-speaking skills?” If yes, congratulations! You landed on the correct blog to solve all your queries.
There are more than 1.2 billion people who speak English, making it the most widely spoken language in the world. One out of every five persons can communicate in, or at the very least understand English. Whether you are a travel enthusiast, a student, someone working in the entertainment industry, a sportsman, or a businessman, speaking English fluently will keep you one step ahead of those who can’t.
When it comes to the internet, English is a particularly important language, with more than half of all information authored in the English language. Suppose you’re a Spaniard on vacation to Thailand; although the hotel receptionist may be unable to answer your query in Spanish, it is highly probable that they will be able to answer your question in English.
In science and research, English is the dominant language. A vast majority of research papers on any particular scientific topic are published in English to reach a greater audience. Even when it comes to higher education, students in many nations study their subjects entirely in English in order to make the content more accessible to foreign students.
Read till the end for some tips and tricks you can work on to learn how to improve your English-speaking skills quickly.
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Reasons You Can’t Speak English Well
“Even Though I spend so much time reading English, why is it so difficult for me to talk fluently?” is a common question you might have in mind. Have you tried to speak in English but found it difficult? Do you have a feeling that something is preventing you from speaking well? Read ahead to know about some possible reasons you aren’t able to speak well.
You aren’t devoted enough to it
Learning a language, whether English or any other, requires more than just one lesson; it also demands effort and dedication on your part. If you think practicing speaking English isn’t something to which you can commit at least 3 or 4 hours each week, it could possibly be one of the reasons your English-speaking skills aren’t improving.
Speaking English is something you are not used to
In order to excel at anything, you must practice it on a regular basis. Leaving things till the last minute and being anxious about it is not a good method to learn anything; you must pace yourself and build routines that are both handy and stress-free if you want to maximize your learning abilities. If you want to speak English fluently but are not using it in your daily conversations, how do you expect yourself to improve your English-speaking skills?
You consider yourself stupid
Learning to speak fluent English is not rocket science. Don’t make things too complicated. It’s common for most of us to believe that we are not the sort of people who can learn languages. In order to learn to speak English, you must be patient with yourself, avoid being too irritated, and refrain from being afraid of making mistakes. Some of your peers may learn more quickly than you, but this does not necessarily mean that they are more intelligent than you. You shouldn’t feel stupid because of this. Everyone has a unique form of intellect as well as a unique pace of learning.
Some strategies for improving English speaking skills
A lot of practice is required to master any skill, and communication skills are no exception. By practicing speaking, you will learn from your mistakes and expand your vocabulary as well as your knowledge of the language.
Here are some suggestions for improving your English communication skills:
Will speaking help me improve my English-speaking skills?
There is no “magic pill” for improving one’s public speaking skills. Since childhood, we copy what we hear from our parents, and that particular language becomes our mother tongue. These days kids under five spend a lot of time watching educational videos on YouTube. In fact, my cousin, who isn’t even five yet, remembers the names of all construction equipment and dinosaurs and can converse in English much better than a lot of adults I know. So, is this something magical? NO!
The most effective technique to improve one’s ability to communicate is to simply communicate more. Make it a point to practice speaking English as much as possible and with as many different individuals as you can.
If you’re pursuing a degree or going to school in a country where there are no native English speakers, meet your classmates after school, find a conversing partner, or join a community of learners online to enhance your practice time.
Watch English-language movies and make use of technology
A fun and efficient way to increase your English language proficiency is to watch movies in the English language. Watching movies in English may not help you enhance your debate abilities, but they can help you better grasp the language you are speaking. Always keep in mind that every movie which is in English can be used to improve your English skills. What matters most is that you have fun watching it.
It’s a lot simpler to sit back and relax with a movie than it is to go through a lesson or read a book. You’ll have a better time. In order to understand a word that might seem difficult to pronounce, search for its pronunciation in Google and repeat it.
Movies to watch to improve speaking skills:
- Jurassic World (2015)
- The Hunger Games (2012)
- The King’s Speech (2010)
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
- Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
You can also talk to native speakers from the convenience of your own home by using an app. HelloTalk and Tandem are two of the most widely used applications for this purpose. You can also use voice to text output on your phone or talk to smart assistants like Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa.
Will reading news in English improve my English-speaking skills?
It is recommended that you read a diverse selection of English-language newspapers, including daily newspapers as well as magazines and tabloids. Practice talking to your friends or family on current news issues. You can start the conversation by, “Did you read what happened at the Oscars?”, “Have you read the news today?” and so on.
Also Read: 12 Ways to Improve Math Skills Fast & Effectively
News articles or newspapers are published in such a way that they can target or attract distinct groups of readers. There are sections about lifestyle, crime news, opinion, and even advertisements. You’ll be able to pinpoint areas that you like and want to discuss.
Do not rely just on one newspaper. Change them out on a regular basis. This will help you get more familiar with a variety of writing styles and polish your vocabulary. Additionally, you’ll be able to express yourself more creatively in English.
Believe in yourself and stay confident
Confidence is a strange thing. Some people naturally appear to have it, even if they aren’t really the greatest at what they do. For the rest of us, on the other hand, it is something that has to be developed over time.
When it comes to developing English speaking skills, lack of confidence is the biggest barrier. The fact is that all language learners struggle with this, and one of the most effective methods to overcome this is to go out and practice as often as possible.
Some ways to boost your confidence in speaking English
- Breathe: Before you talk, take a deep breath to give yourself some time to reflect upon what you are going to say and boost your self-confidence.
- Speak slowly (NOT quietly): The majority of the finest public speakers in the English language talk slowly. You will sound more secure and trustworthy if you speak at a slower pace, which will also have an effect on how you feel.
- Don’t forget to smile: As a general rule, smiling has a calming effect on one’s mood. So, smile when you feel you’re becoming anxious while speaking.
Talk to yourself
Talk to yourself in English. It might be anything from a simple sentence such as, “I should get up early.” A reminder like, “I need to complete my work today.” or a self-motivation like, “I can do it!”
You may take up a book and read a couple of pages out loud to yourself, slowly. This activity may likely slow down your reading pace, but it will increase the speed with which you talk. You can also record yourself and listen to the recording to see if you made any mistakes in your pronunciation.
Self-talk is a good technique that can not only help you significantly enhance your speaking skills but can also help you improve other skills like getting comfortable with the language and sounding more natural.
Retell a story to someone else
By retelling a story, you can take the challenge of improving your English-speaking skills one step further. Use your own words to retrace the steps taken by other people’s thinking.
Besides improving speaking skills, retelling a story can help you develop your imagination and improve your capacity to share social experiences with others. Storytelling is not only entertaining, but it may also aid in the development of confidence and the promotion of social and emotional growth. It evokes a range of emotions, including laughter, melancholy, excitement, and anticipation. Thus, retelling a story has several advantages in addition to improving English speaking skills.
Can I think in English to improve my English-speaking skills?
To be able to think in English, you must include the language into your everyday routine. That is all that is required of you. If you speak primarily in English on a daily basis, you will instinctively think in English.
Don’t attempt to forcefully think in English. It simply happens on its own if you speak in English every day.
How to think in English?
Being able to think in English allows you to absorb the language more efficiently and engage more readily in discussions. But it is difficult to practice since the majority of us were taught English in school via the use of grammar-translation techniques.
When you are learning a language, particularly at the beginner level, translating sounds sensible. However, it, unfortunately, leads to a habit that is difficult to quit later on. In order to begin thinking in English, it is important that you learn to overcome this habit.
Take a look at these practices you can do to get your brain thinking in English.
- To begin thinking in English, you must engage yourself in the language. This does not mean residing in a nation where English is the primary language, but you may train your brain to only hear and see English by setting aside time each day to do so.
- You can increase your fluency and begin to think in English by using words that are simple or the words you know clearly. As a result of this, you don’t have to worry about learning new words or translating them, and you can simply concentrate on thinking in English.
- You should rehearse your way of thinking both alone and in the company of people. Conversations with students, teachers, or friends are a great way to improve your ability to think in English while speaking.
Conclusion- How Can I Improve My English-Speaking Skills?
So, get this party started! Choose your favorite approach for expanding your vocabulary, correcting your pronunciation, and improving your English-speaking skills by using the methods that are most appropriate for your needs. Don’t forget to put in as much time as you possibly can into practicing consistently. Whether you are improving your English for professional or social purposes, make sure you are putting the tips above into practice to help you quickly improve your English-speaking abilities.
