5 Tips to become a more confident English Speaker

Do you know grammar and vocabulary but still not a confident English speaker? Have you studied English for years but still get scared and nervous when speaking in English? We have 5 tips on how become a more confident English Speaker.

Speak a little slower than usual

So often the words are spoken so fast the words are either combined or the meaning is lost. Even the most fluent English speakers talk too fast, and people have a hard time understanding what was said. Take your time and slow down. Think through your word choices and how it sounds. In time it will come more naturally, until then you will sound like a more confident English speaker when you slow down a bit.

Practice Everyday

Practice, practice, practice! The best way to become a confident English speaker is to practice speaking English. This can be difficult as it often requires at least one other person to speak English with you. You can arrange speaking lessons with a tutor, visit an English-speaking store, travel to an English-speaking country or make a pact with your fellow English learners to only speak English when you’re together. If you don’t have anyone to speak English with, you can still improve your speaking skills by reciting speeches or lessons out loud.

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Expand your vocabulary by reading a lot

Reading is a great way to expand your vocabulary. People are often more conscious of how they write than how they speak. While most written English isn’t the same as spoken English, written words usually offer more diversity.

This will allow you to learn multiple ways of saying things. English is a versatile language that has multiple words for just about everything and if you learn only a few, you will find that it makes a big difference in how people respond to you.

Read a wide variety of books. This will allow you to grow you vocabulary in multiple subjects. Begin with books that are easy to read but still challenge your language skills, such a junior high or high school novels. These are books that are chosen specifically to help students focus their skills on different aspects of language.

Keep in mind that it isn’t about what you read, it’s what you take away from it.

Watch Native English Speakers actively

If you want to become a more confident English speaker, you have to be familiar with how Native English speakers use the language. Though this is more passive than actually having a conversation, many people find that watching native speakers, from a distance as an observer, improves aptitude with the English language. Questions you may have about a phrase or rule could be answered in dialogue, or you can develop an appreciation of the rhythm and cadence of the English language as it is meant to be spoken.

So what are some effective ways to watch Native English speakers? You can watch movies, you tube videos, TED talks, documentaries and listen to audiobooks. The key is to watch and listen actively. Watch facial expressions and listen for voice changes as certain words are being said. Look to see what emotions you can see on a person’s face as they speak. Notice the words that are being used repeatedly (For example: yes, I know, really). Watch for how conversations begin and how conversations end. What body language can you identify during transitions in conversation? Finally, listen to the mood of conversations.

Finally, if you want to become a confident English speaker, stop translating

One of the biggest mistakes English learners make is to try and translate directly into English what they would say in their native language. Although it is tempting to do this, this will make it impossible for you to become a confident English speaker. You will always look nervous and anxious when you speak this way.

You will sound like more confident English speaker when you stop translating and just start speaking from your mind. You will make a few mistakes as you learn but you will look a lot more confident and natural.

January 26, 2017