English Speaking
Speaking English is a challenge for any learner of the language, especially when they’re not well equipped with the vocabulary and the grammar. However, these are obstacles that can easily be crossed with a little bit of effort and participation.
The first step to learning is realising the fact that learning the English language should not be a duty or chore for you; it should be taken as a fascinating hobby that will help you to expand your horizons in many aspects of your life. Don’t take learning as a task; instead enjoy it, and you’ll be able to conquer such obstacles easily.
One of the most important aspects of improving spoken English is to have an extensive vocabulary so that you could express your thoughts clearly and easily. Having a good stock of words would help you to be more precise with your construction and more articulate with your speech.
However, only the knowledge of vocabulary won’t be sufficient in improving your speaking skills. Your sentences might not make sense if you simply do a literal translation of words from your native language into English, without supporting it with proper grammar that must go along with it. Therefore, having knowledge of basic grammar is another very necessary component of improving spoken English.
It is not necessary to have an extensively detailed knowledge of grammar for speaking fluent English. In fact, speaking in absolutely correct grammar may sometimes lead to awkwardness in casual and informal meetings or talks. So, if you are not looking to improve your spoken English for work-related purposes, just having a basic grasp of grammar would be enough to get you started.
Once you have the grammar and the words required, the next step is to be able to convey them to others in a confident and easy manner. For this, you need to believe in yourself, as well as know your limitations at the same time. While you reap the benefits of your learning, also do recognize your limitations in terms of speaking. A simple trick is to keep the sentences short and simple. Also, do not hesitate to ask the other persons for clarification if you do not understand them or you yourself are stuck on a word or two in the middle, and need some help.
Remember that English, just like any other language, may carry more than one meaning in its spoken words. A sentence could be idiomatic or sarcastic or questioning, etc., so you need to pay attention to different tones and stress points to get clues about the hidden meanings. This observational activity would also prepare you to utilise what you learn from here in your future conversations.
Last but not the least, keep practicing.– Speaking English yourself as much as you can and trying to understand the different accents of native English speakers are two things that would take you a long way in retaining what you learnt as well as improving your spoken English skills. Watch English movies, news channels, soap operas, etc. to hear crisp English diction and absorb the different styles of pronunciations. Record yourself having a conversation and compare it with a native speaker’s diction, so that you can recognise your grey areas and act upon them.
Keep in mind that while you are a learner, you still need to follow social norms. Be polite and respectful while talking to others. If you are not sure about the correct ways to address people and respond to them in English, take some time out and learn the necessary phrases and words before you step out into the world.
Once you start following these tips religiously and conversing in English regularly, you will surely notice a significant improvement in your spoken English skills!
