10 Ways To Improve Your English Fluency Without Resorting To Grammar Memorization
Most people feel that learning a new language such as English means they have to learn the grammar rules. Granted, the English language can be difficult. After all, some words sound similar but mean totally different things. For example, where, were and we’re or there, their, and they’re. While knowing grammar can help, you don’t need it to speak the language.
It can take years to learn English grammar rules, but speaking and understanding can come naturally. How can you expand upon the vocabulary and speak English fluently without the need to learn and memorize all the grammar rules that go along with it?
Use Audiobooks Instead Of Textbooks
Textbooks are not the easiest reading materials on the planet, are there? English textbooks are filled with non-relatable conversations. The expressions and phrases found in these books are not naturally spoken and may make no sense to the reader. They are loaded with grammar rules that include exceptions to the rule.
Steer clear of textbooks and use audiobooks instead.
Audiobooks are read by native English speakers and designed for native English speakers. While listening to the audiobooks, you’ll get a feel for the natural pronunciation of words and come across slang terms you can’t learn from any English textbook.
Audiobooks are also useful for learning new words. When you hear the words with your ears, you learn how to pronounce them and their use in a sentence. This is a more active learning process and can indirectly impact your learning how to speak it
Another way audiobooks are more valuable than textbooks is their convenience. If you commute to work or are traveling, you can use the time to listen to audiobooks and learn the English language. This kills two birds with one stone – you get to where you are going and learn how to speak English fluently without spending additional time studying it.
Listen To Native English Speakers Talking To Each Other
Open your ears whenever you are out in public. It doesn’t matter where you are – grocery store, bookstore, mall, park, Revenue Office, court, etc. Of course, it may seem like you’re eavesdropping on their conversation, and in some way, you are. You’re just listening to what is said to get a feel for the language.
If you feel awkward with the “eavesdropping,” then you have the option to watch TV shows, news programs or movies to help you learn the English language. Be aware that you’ll be picking up on the accents too, but it’ll give you an idea of how words are sounded in English.
Repeat the phrases used to get a feel for yourself. You don’t have to do this for more than 15 minutes a day unless you want to do it longer. 15 minutes a day is more than enough time to get a basic understanding of what words mean and how to say them in a sentence.
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Talk To Yourself
Use a mirror and speak to yourself. Pick a topic and hold a conversation with yourself for a couple of minutes. The idea is to watch your facial expressions, how your mouth moves and your body language. It’s like having a study buddy, but you are your own study buddy. If you’re unsure of a word, try another way to express what you are saying. The key is to keep going. If you have problems with a word or phrase, you can look it up once you’re done with the exercise
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Talk With Friends
It’s hard to make new friends when learning a new language. Therefore, you have the option of speaking English with friends who are in the same boat as you. If you have joined a university English as a second language class, be sure you hold conversations in English. If one of you makes a mistake, another may have the knowledge to correct you. This will give you a better grasp of the language
Read Out Loud and Record Yourself
Many people, when reading, tend to read to themselves. However, if you’re learning a new language, you should always read out loud. Once you get a feel for what words mean in a sentence, you can get an understanding of how to use them in a natural English-speaking conversation.
Get a better feel for how you speak the language by recording yourself and listening to it back. How do you sound? Does it sound like you mispronounce words, or is the rhythm off? Try reading over the material again to perfect the tone and pitch and understand how words are spoken and used.
Find A Conversational English Teacher
Learning English can be difficult, and you may decide to an English teacher is the way to go. However, you want to learn conversational English that can be used in daily life. The best thing to do is find an English teacher who is willing to speak conversationally. This gives you the best of both worlds. You’ll learn how to speak correctly and still practice conversational speak.
With a conversational English teacher, you boost confidence in yourself and improve the fluency.
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Use Skype
Skype is a free software chat program that can be downloaded onto your computer, tablet or smartphone. You do need an internet connection to use the program, but you can find English tutors or teachers that can teach you how to speak conversational English fluently. Be sure to find native tutors and teachers if you go this route.
Skype also has a chat box where you can type back and forth with each other.
This lets you see how words are broken into syllables to ensure proper pronunciation and words’ meanings. Or, you can use the video chat feature to see each other face to face and talk. Whatever method you choose, the lessons can be completed any time you have free time.
Try to hold Skype lessons at least twice a week; the more lessons a week, the faster it will be for you to understand and speak fluent English..
Many people see YouTube as just a place to find music videos, but YT has grown way beyond that. Today, it’s a place to find material of all types, including how to speak fluent conversational English. Look for a minute or two long clip that uses words you would typically hear in actual life. From there, you want to match the speed, tone and accent too. The key is to speak like a native English speaker, so don’t fret if you miss a couple of words. Just keep going!
Use YouTube or Other Video Learning Sites
Many people see YouTube as just a place to find music videos, but YT has grown way beyond that. Today, it’s a place to find material of all types, including how to speak fluent conversational English. Look for a minute or two long clip that uses words you would typically hear in actual life. From there, you want to match the speed, tone and accent too. The key is to speak like a native English speaker, so don’t fret if you miss a couple of words. Just keep going!
There are also other video learning sites that can help you pick up the English language faster than learning it through a textbook with confusing grammar rules.
Sing English Songs
You may feel comfortable singing in your own language, but try a song in English. Practice to yourself initially, so you can build confidence in yourself to sing in front of others. Once you feel better about your English fluency, you can always join a choir to expand your horizons.
What To Remember…
What is the number one theme with the above tips? You don’t have to know grammar to speak the English language. As you see, there is a multitude of ways to learn English without studying its grammar. Learning English can be fun!
Of course, correct English language learning means you must find a native English speaker to teach you. Reading books and hearing others talk is great, but if you’re going to learn the language one-on-one, you need to find a native speaker. This is the best way to understand your mistakes, as they can correct you immediately.
English is the most challenging foreign language to learn, but that doesn’t make it impossible. Forget all that you have been told that understanding grammar is just as crucial to speaking it. While important, it’s not the end-all, be-all to learning how to speak fluent English. Use the tips above, and you’ll be speaking English like a pro in no time.
