Ability to speak correct and fluent English has become indispensable to be successful in any given field or study. Having said that, it doesn’t mean ‘If you don’t know English, it is the end of the world’’. English is the second official language in India. It is accepted and understood in most of the schools, colleges, learning institutes, offices, business houses and more. Ability to speak fluent English helps one to communicate his thoughts in a clear and concise manner. It increases his/her chances to succeed in a given field or study. Many brilliant students and efficient employees sometime lose out due to lack of good English communication skills.
Tips to improve your spoken English!
If you are one willing to speak English fluently, follow the tips and march towards reaching your goal:
1. Read, Read and Read: The way to speaking fluent English or for that matter any language depends on your amount of reading you do every day. The more you read on different topics and subject matters, the better will be your hold on the language. Make it a point to read any of the English newspapers every day without fail – The Hindu, The Economics Times, Deccan Herald etc. However, you don’t need to read the entire newspapers, you can read topics of your liking. In addition, read story books, novels or magazines that interests you. Reading on a regular basis helps you to develop good vocabulary and better understanding of sentence structures, usages of words and more.
2. Carry a Pocket Dictionary: If you are in a very nascent stage, I would suggest you to carry a pocket dictionary. While reading a book or going out, you might come across words whose meaning you are not aware of. Make a point to check your dictionary then and there to clarify your doubt. This way you could learn new words and get better idea of how to use words in a sentence or context appropriately.
3. Learn Words and Phrases: Learning new words is fun and good to add up your English vocabulary. But learning words alone won’t help you to speak proper English sentences. Learning English phrases are important to speak well structured English sentences. Even a child when it starts learning, it learns words and phrases together. Learning phrases would enable you to speak hundreds of correct English sentences.
4. Listen Attentively: By now you have been reading a lot of topics in English and learnt hundreds of words and its usage in a sentence or context. Well done! Since you have done a fantastic job in the reading part, now pay attention to the listening part as well. The first step to speaking a language fluently begins with ‘Listening effectively‘. So tune in to English songs, watch English news, movies, talk shows and more. Do this exercise for at least 1-2 weeks’ time (however, this duration is not sufficient to excel in any language), to get a fair idea how words are pronounced and sentences are constructed to express thoughts & feelings. Then start the next major step of practicing along with the played music or movie, for e.g. if you are watching an English movie, try to listen to the dialogues and practice along with it. If you find this difficult to follow, listen to a part of the dialogues and pause to repeat the sentences. Repeat this process, you would be able to see result in a matter of weeks.
5. Observe the Speaker’s Mouth: When you start practicing English by watching a speaker on a television, note the speaker’s mouth and lips movements. Also try to imitate the tone and rhythm of the speaker.
6. Think in English: Now most of the Indian students or people who learn English does a common mistake of translating a sentence from their native language into English. This gives an MTI influence. So always always think in English, if you want to speak the language well.
7. Read Out Loud: While you try to excel your English speaking skills, it is important to read out loud. When you take up a book or magazine and read out loud, you can identify where you are making mistakes and rectify it. Reading out loud also enables you to enhance your pronunciation.
8. Speak Out: Reading and listening are the first two steps in learning a language which is followed by speaking. Your entire effort of learning to speak English would be futile if you don’t speak out. Don’t shy away of making mistakes, just speak. When you make it a point to speak in English with your friends, family and acquaintances, you give yourself the necessary opportunity to speak the language fluently. Communicating in English in day-to-day life improves your command over the language.
9. Join a Group: It is better to join an English speaking group where learners like you are trying to speak English. This gives a common ground to practice the language better. Joining a group enables you to share what new words or phrases or techniques you learnt. As well as, it gives you the opportunity to learn effective English speaking methods from others.
10. Don’t Put too Much Attention on Grammar: While you try your level best to speak fluent English, don’t bother yourself with too much in using correct grammar. Because even native English speakers make grammatical mistakes while speaking the language. Rather you may focus on expressing your thoughts or points well, to be understood by the listener.
In conclusion, speaking a language fluently depends on your level of dedication, passion and the amount of hard work you put in. If you are determined to speak English fluently, practice practice and practice speaking and in a matter of 3 months, you could see improvement in your English speaking skills.
And if you want to expedite your English speaking skills and want coaching courses or classes from an English language expert. Then post your learning requirements here and get connected to the best English tutors and English Language Institutes.
