How to Improve Spoken English?

It is a well-known fact that the best way to learn something is by simply doing it.  The same rings true for perfecting your spoken English.  Attempting mastery of your spoken English by simply reading a book is akin to thinking one can pilot an airplane by watching a video or reading a “how to” book on the subject.  The following are some useful tips to aid in becoming adept with your spoken English.

SEE ALSO: 5 Rules for Excellent English Pronunciation

Practice Makes Perfect

Improving your spoken English comes only with consistent practice.  Speaking in English as often as possible will lead to proficiency and success.  Engage family and friends in English conversation whenever possible.  This is excellent practice.  Becoming skilled in spoken English is something that one can achieve through daily practice.  As the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect.”

Fluency or Correctness

The words “fluent” and “correct” are important.  However, the two words do not always work together.  It is important to realize that simply because one speaks rapidly in an effort to sound fluent, one may not be speaking correctly.  This is similar to driving an automobile at a high rate of speed.  The faster one drives, the greater the chance of causing an accident.  Speaking fluently requires ideas to flow freely, but speaking too quickly presents the risk for word fumbles.  In order to reach and maintain an accurate fluency, one would do well to begin speaking slowly.  Fluency comes with repetition and rehearsal.

Books as Resources

Keeping a dictionary and a thesaurus on your person always, will provide a great sense of security and a handy reference.  These two will become your constant companions.  It is important to make note of new words.  Furthermore, a dictionary will provide not only the word’s definition, but also the proper pronunciation.  This will also greatly enhance your vocabulary.

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Listen to Your Voice

It would be wise to avail yourself of a small recorder in order to improve your English.  Record yourself and learn from the recording.  Listen to yourself speak, and you will be surprised at what you hear.  This type of feedback is crucial in order to correct your speech.  This is a very efficient way to analyze how you sound, and it provides a resource for corrective action.

Be Interactive and a Great Listener

Communication involves two sides, and talks become more participatory.  Continue asking questions to ensure the listener is paying close attention.  This also provides feedback that the listener is interested in your ability to speak English.  This also provides an opportunity for the person who is practicing his or her spoken English to learn how to be a great audience.  Being a good listener makes for becoming a great speaker.  As a bonus, being a good listener inspires the other person to talk more.  This provides more opportunity to listen to correct English.  There are many tips available in order to provide the ease of fluency.  In the interest of brevity, here is a summary that will provide a pocket reference of sorts:

• Read magazines and books aloud – this will help to improve your vocabulary as well as your grammar.  This also trains your mind to knowing you can speak well.  This is a confidence booster.

• Make use of the Internet – this will enable you to find some great audio tapes sold specifically to help with vocabulary and grammar.

• Vocabulary improvement – an extensive vocabulary plays a vital role in any sort of communication.  A narrow and inadequate vocabulary results in repetitive words, which causes your audience to lose interest.  Further, it will cause you to lose confidence.

• Listen to English music – this is an enjoyable way to help you become used to the correct pronunciation of English words.

• Watch English language television – for obvious reasons, continuing to watch programs in your native (non-English) tongue will not help advance your English speaking skills.

• Keep a diary written in English – This is a fun way to develop English thinking skills.  It is wise to begin thinking only in English.  This will feel strange in the beginning, but eventually becomes second nature and your road to successful spoken English.

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