4 ways to Learn Modern Spoken English and talk like a Cool Kid!
Most English students want to learn real, modern Spoken English that is used by native speakers in day to day conversations. However, a lot of traditional English courses teach English that is not used by real native speakers in real life situations.
For example, take the expression “it is raining cats and dogs”. If you are a foreign student arriving at an US university, you will never hear any native English speaker using this expression in the classroom or cafeteria. Why? because it is an expression that is not used in real English conversations.
Today we are talking about 4 ways you can learn and expand your knowledge of modern Spoken English, and perhaps even learn how to talk like a cool kid!
Listen to music. Learn lyrics
The best way to start working on your modern Spoken English skills is by playing DJ with some of your Delete favorite word bands or artists. Turn to your favorite English musicians, and listen to the lyrics. Even better, look up the lyrics and find out what they mean!
This will both help you work on your pronunciation, as well as your memorization of popular terms and phrases (so that your English is not only correct, but so that it’s “hip” too).
Looking for a place to start? Try Willie Nelson’s “You are always on my mind” It is an Elvis song origically but this version is even better. Trust me 🙂
Join a “group” or “community”
Joining an English-speaking community or group is a great way to learn modern Spoken English. Think of a fitness group or a mom’s group. Or it could be a baking class or a yoga class. The idea is to absorb real English conversations from the real world.
An English speaking group can help you improve your pronunciation and increase your vocabulary. Most importantly it will expose you to modern Spoken English expressions including idioms and slang.
Listens to English podcasts.
Podcasts are a great way to improve modern Spoken English. No matter what you enjoy and find interesting, you can find a podcast that speaks about it. Not only does this allow you to further expand your vernacular, you can learn a wide range of new information about subjects you enjoy.
In addition, you are able to have more fun while learning modern Spoken English, a factor that has been proven to support learning and maintain your attention. You may initially have trouble discerning the accent to understand the words, but as you persist, you will begin to recognize phrases, vocabulary, and more through the podcasts.
A good podcast that has a lot of “cool” English and humor – try Real time with Bill Maher.
Practice modern Spoken English with Native speakers
Finally, the best way to learn to speak modern Spoken English is to practice with people who do. Find a Native English speaker close to your age and practice 3-4 times a week over skype.
There are many ways that you can get in touch with English speakers including sites like Spoken English Practice and Verbling. These websites offer reliable English language partners who will practice on a weekly basis.
There are also less reliable and more risky methods of finding native speakers on the internet such as Facebook and Skype.
Conversing with native speakers in English is the best way to learn real modern Spoken English and to learn to use English like a cool kid!
