Improving your English speaking skills
will help you communicate more easily and effectively. But how do you
become a more confident English speaker?
- Practiсe where you can, when you can.
Any practice is good - whether you speak to someone who is a native
English speaker or not.
- It's important to build your
confidence. If possible, use simple English sentence structure that
you know is correct, so that you can concentrate on getting your
message across.
- Try to experiment with the English you
know. Use words and phrases you know in new situations. Native
English speakers are more likely to correct you if you use the wrong
word than if you use the wrong grammar. Experimenting with
vocabulary is a really good way of getting feedback.
- Try to respond to what people say to
you. You can often get clues to what people think by looking at
their body language. Respond to them in a natural way.
- Try NOT to translate into and from
your own language. This takes too much time and will make you more
hesitant.
- If you forget a word, do what native
English speakers do all the time, and say things that 'fill' the
conversation. This is better than remaining completely silent. Try
using 'um', or 'er', if you forget the word.
- Don't speak too fast! It's important
to use a natural rhythm when speaking English, but if you speak too
fast it will be difficult for people to understand you.
- Try to relax when you speak - you'll
find your mouth does most of the pronunciation work for you. When
you speak English at normal speed, you'll discover that many of the
pronunciation skills, such as word linking, will happen
automatically.
When you are speaking English
- Try to become less hesitant and more
confident.
- Don't be shy to speak - the more you
do it, the more confident you'll become.
- Remember to be polite - use "please"
and "thank you" if you ask someone to do something for you.
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