Why English Conversation Practice is the best way to Improve Fluency
There are several ways to help one improve one’s fluency in speaking English. Some students find certain ways easier than others. It is very important to practice English as often one can – several times a week will give one the most benefit. In this post we will discuss a few key strategies you can use to improve fluency through English conversation practice.
Maximize the time you spend with “English”
In addition to speaking English on a regular basis, one can help by listening English via the internet or English television or read English newspapers either by buying them or reading them online. Try reading as many articles as possible on a regular basis and then discuss the articles with other friends why may also be learning English. Listen to English news to help with accents and pronunciation. Learn to think in English too. One can learn the elementary rules of basic English but to speak English fluently is more difficult. This is where English conversation practice is really important.
Pick an English course that is “Conversational”
Join a conversational English course like Spoken English Practice where one can have 2 or 3 classes a week with either an American English tutor or British English tutor. Choosing between listening to either American English or British English can depend on which accent you want to listen to, whether you are going to work in America or Britain, acting preferences (if you are an actor or actress) or family reasons.
Expand your vocabulary through English conversation practice, not memorization
Speaking with an English tutor helps one improve one’s vocabulary as the lessons will cover many subjects ranging from travel, politics, travel, history, business, education, country differences, global warming or recycling to name but a few. Tutors will help improve both vocabulary and pronunciation. We all make mistakes when learning a new language and tutors will help build one’s confidence as one learns and improves English conversation. Being nervous is understandable but the more one practices the quicker one will improve.
Consider language learning apps
Duolingo is another free app which allows one to practice speaking and listening to the spoken language at any time of the day on a regular basis. This app can also help build one’s confidence without making one feel that other people are listening to any mistakes that one can or could be making.
Record yourself
If one can record oneself speaking English out loud and then listen to what one has recorded, this will also help with English speaking. Read full sentences out loud from English articles. Join others who want to have English conversation and help one another.
Join online conversation groups
Join online conversation groups with others who want to learn English. Try choosing a topic in advance, which allows preparation time to work out what one wants to say and discuss.
Understand that English fluency needs a lot of practice
We must not put pressure on ourselves to learn too fast. Learning to converse in English must be done on a regular basis even if it is a maximum twice or three times per week of for example 15 – 30 minutes per session. Speaking English on a regular basis with a tutor helps one learn the structure of spoken English together with what to say and how to say things and speaking with a tutor makes learning English fun and interesting.
There is a great deal of satisfaction of learning to converse in English. It is only when we look back at how far we have come that we realise how much we have learnt. Make notes of what one learns and tutors will give students a great deal of encouragement of how to improve. The more confident we become in speaking English means that we become more fluent and this will help in all areas including travelling, conversation between friends of other nationalities and also if one needs to speak English for work. Remember practice conversing in English makes one perfect!
