Being able to speak English confidently may seem like a daunting task, but there are many things, both big and small, you can do to help overcome this and reach your goal of improving your English speaking skills…
Listening
The first step to becoming a more fluent speaker is actually to improve your listening skills. Each day, try to incorporate some English listening practice: whether that be listening to a podcast, audiobook or watching TV in English with English subtitles if needed. By doing so, you will be able to hear the correct pronunciation of words, hear the intonation and how certain words and sounds join together, as well as of course picking up on new vocabulary and phrases.
Join a Communication Course
Finding the opportunity to practice your English speaking in everyday life may be difficult if you’re living in a non-English speaking country, and none of your friends and family speak it. Therefore joining a communication course will provide you with the chance to speak English regularly. You’ll be surrounded by others who have the same goal as you and in an environment that removes any awkwardness. You’ll be with a professional who can correct any mistakes and make the process a whole lot easier.
Language Tandem
Language tandems complement communication courses well because they also provide you with the opportunity to speak in English in your everyday life, but in a more informal setting. Again, you’ll be surrounded by people who are not speaking their native language which will help eliminate any embarrassment or reservation you may feel. Furthermore, you will be able to learn more colloquial English which will help you when putting what you’ve learnt into practice in the real world. At a language tandem you will have complete control of the conversation and so you can talk about the topics that really interest you, which may encourage you to speak more.
Record Yourself
Talking to yourself may feel unnatural, but by doing so and recording it will enable you to really listen to your own voice, and not how you think you sound in your head. You will hear if you are pronouncing words correctly, if you are speaking at an audible pace, if you are mumbling and perhaps need to speak more clearly. Or, alternatively, you may be surprised and it will give you the confidence boost you need to get out there and speak with others. Although it may make you cringe to listen to your own voice back, the benefits will override this.
Try some of these tips and see how quickly your English speaking skills improve, you’ll be surprised.