Why Conversation Training with Native English Speakers is the best way to Improve Fluency
Most ESL students have strong foundations in grammar and vocabulary but still struggle to speak fluently. The only logical solution to this is Conversation training. Conversational training is the only way you can achieve true English fluency and speak like a native. Let’s explore why conversation training is such a key element in developing language proficiency.
Conversation training will help you develop confidence
Confidence is the number one thing lacking in second language learners. Most English leaners have a massive knowledge of vocabulary. Because of the lack of confidence in their abilities to speak, they fail to use the words they already know in real conversations.
Conversation training with native speakers will allow students to build confidence and speak English more freely. The more confident and relaxed you can be, the better you will speak.
Conversation training will also help improve Pronunciation
The best way to overcome any pronunciation problems is by hearing the language spoken in conversation over and over again. If you listen to native English speakers more, your ears will get used to native accents more.
The second part to this is trying to pronounce words that aren’t easy, instead of avoiding them. Repeated trial and error with corrections is actually a great way to learn because it is happening in real time, in context. Work with an English tutor who will gently correct errors and allow the student more chances to use tricky words.
If you want to be truly fluent, learn “real English”
As an ESL student, are you learning “real English” or “textbook English”? If you are just learning textbook English, that might be the reason you are still not fluent.
Formal vocabulary and usage vs. friendly and informal is an extremely vast area of knowledge. Even using “slang” is important in certain social situations. The best way to learn real English is through conversation training with real native speakers. You can’t just learn expressions used by real speakers by studying from textbooks. Most English textbooks are outdated when it comes to slang and idiomatic language.
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Lot of non native English speakers don’t understand native accents
Many non native English speakers do not have a trained ear. This means that when native speakers speak an average speed in English, they miss a lot of words. To train your ear to native accents you must engage in a lot of real-time conversations with native speakers. If you don’t have a partner for conversation training, a good alternative is listening to audiobooks. Check out this site for some free samples.
Progress simply comes with time and repetition, and conversation training with real native speakers is the best solution.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Like with improving a lot of other skills, practice is the key to improving fluency. This could come from exposure in a variety of ways (audio, tv, reading and speaking aloud etc.) that the student would practice on a daily basis, conversation training with real native speakers is the best way to improve fast. So practice everyday with your conversation partner until “thinking in English” becomes an autonomic process you are speaking English without thinking.