Achieving 'simply better' Spoken English

Speaking with customers

Introduction - Better Spoken English

Speaking English fluently is a valuable skill that can open doors to new opportunities in education, career, and social interactions. Whether you're a student looking to excel in school or an adult aiming to communicate effectively at work, enhancing your English speaking skills is essential. In this guide, I will explore practical steps and tips to help you get better spoken English.

Build Your Vocabulary to achieve 'simply better' English speaking

The first step in improving your speaking skills is to expand your vocabulary. Learning new words and phrases will give you more tools to express yourself. Here's how you can do it:

a. Read Books: Reading books in English, especially those at your reading level, is an excellent way to encounter new words and phrases. Keep a dictionary handy to look up unfamiliar words. Subscribe to my Newsletter to practice your reading in English. Find the form on the Home page.

b. Watch Movies and TV Shows: Watching English-language movies and TV shows with subtitles can help you associate spoken words with their written forms.

c. Use Vocabulary Apps: There are many apps available that make learning new words fun and interactive. These apps offer quizzes, flashcards, and pronunciation guides.

Practice Listening

Listening is a crucial strategy for improving your speaking skills. It helps you understand how words are pronounced and how native speakers use intonation and rhythm.

Here's how you can practice listening:

a. Listen to Music: Choose English songs and try to follow along with the lyrics. Pay attention to pronunciation and rhythm.

b. Podcasts: Find English podcasts on topics that interest you. Listening regularly will help you become more accustomed to the language.

c. Conversations: Engage in conversations with native English speakers, if possible. If not, practice with a language partner or tutor.

Speak Regularly

The more you speak, the better you'll become at it. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; they are part of the learning process. Here's how to speak regularly:

a. Daily Practice: Set aside time each day to practice speaking. You can talk to yourself, discuss a topic with a friend, or record your thoughts in English.

b. Language Exchange: Find a language exchange partner who wants to learn your language while you learn English. You can practice speaking together.

c. Join English Clubs: Many communities and online platforms offer English-speaking clubs or conversation groups. Joining one can provide a supportive environment for practice. But read this article to understand why chatting can be problematic.

Focus on Pronunciation

Clear pronunciation is essential for effective communication. Pay attention to how sounds are formed in English. Some tips to improve pronunciation include:

a. Mimic Native Speakers: Try to mimic the pronunciation of native speakers by listening to them carefully. Or get My 'simply better' Pronunciation Method to learn how to pronounce words and phrases.

b. Use Tongue Twisters: Tongue twisters are fun and challenging exercises to improve your pronunciation and fluency.

c. Record Yourself: Record your speaking sessions and listen to them. This will help you identify areas where you need improvement.

Learn Grammar and Sentence Structure

While fluency is important, you also need to use correct grammar and sentence structure. Study English grammar rules and practice constructing sentences properly.

a. Grammar Books: Invest in a good grammar book or use online resources to learn and practice grammar rules. Many online resources are free but be wary of mistakes in those resources.

b. Sentence Construction: Start with simple sentences and gradually build complexity. Practice different sentence structures.

MY 'SIMPLY BETTER' METHOD: MODULE A IS THE PERFECT WAY TO PRACTICE USING CORRECT GRAMMAR AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE.

Engage in Role-Playing

Role-playing can be a fun and effective way to improve your speaking skills. You can simulate real-life conversations and scenarios to practice English in a practical context.

a. Role-Play Scenarios: Create scenarios like ordering food in a restaurant, making phone calls, or job interviews, and act them out.

b. Use Dialogue Scripts: Find dialogue scripts online or in English textbooks to practice conversations.

But do not try to memorise such scripts; it's a waste of time and counterproductive.

Take English Classes

If you have access to English classes, consider enrolling in them. Formal instruction can provide structured learning and opportunities to interact with teachers and peers.

a. Language Schools: Many language schools and institutions offer English courses for various proficiency levels.

b. Online Courses: There are numerous online platforms that provide English language courses with flexible schedules. Understand, however, that such courses can be expensive as well as being a slow process.

Record Your Progress

Keep track of your progress by recording your speaking sessions or maintaining a journal. This will help you see how far you've come and identify areas where you still need improvement. Evaluate your level of confidence in using English.

Be Patient and Persistent

Improving your English speaking skills takes time and patience. Don't get discouraged by mistakes or slow progress. Stay persistent and keep practicing.

Conclusion

Improving your English speaking skills is an achievable goal with dedication and consistent effort. Building your vocabulary, practicing listening, speaking regularly, focusing on pronunciation, learning grammar, engaging in role-playing, taking classes, and recording your progress are all effective ways to enhance your skills.

Remember that everyone's language journey is unique, so be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of learning and mastering English. With determination, you can become a confident English speaker, - achieving 'simply better' speaking skills - opening up a world of opportunities for yourself.

Also remember that I have the modules available to practice all your skills.

(c) Apex English Tutoring September 2023

Michael

About the Author

Michael Finemore, MA (Research) CQU, TEFL/TESOL Certificate, an experienced English Teacher, is the Owner-Operator of Apex English Tutoring.