Hello friends. Very often people who learn English cannot speak it quickly. When they do exercises, work on grammar, everything is all right. But as soon as you need to speak English, and speak quickly, in front of someone, they are silent, as if they took water in their mouths. Fear, self-doubt, stupid mistakes come from somewhere. And the thought simply refuses to work quickly.
I want to give you a couple good advice how to speed up and speak English faster.
- Learn texts and dialogues by heart. To get started, read the same text a lot, a lot. Instead of text, dialogues, movie scripts (episodes), lyrics are suitable. It is also important to have time to read along with the announcer who does the voice acting. a) first learn to read some text quickly. b) orally, without peeping, answer this text to yourself. Imagine yourself as an actress. It's like you're learning a role. Speak your role with expression, with meaning. Even if you don't understand what you're saying. Still, try not to stop. It's like you're already on stage.
- Talk to yourself. Make it a habit to talk to yourself for at least 10-20 minutes a day. Again, like an actor who reads monologues. Pick a topic and talk about it. The topic can be very simple, no need to philosophize. For example, they took a pencil, put it on the table and said at the same time I’m putting the pencil on the table. Then they put it in a book, said I've just put it into the book.
Daily exercises of this kind will help loosen the tongue.
- Retellings of the text. Read the text several times, then retell it in your own words. But required condition for this and the above exercises, speak out loud. Open your mouth, perform a speech act. It is very important!
When retelling, you need to say the same thought that you read, but in different words. It doesn't have to be complicated, it's better to simplify. Speak as clearly and simple sentences. Where you can say a complex sentence, it is better to say 2 simple sentences.
- Rehearse your speech. Imagine that you have a presentation at work tomorrow, or you will have to say a few words in front of the team. What do you say? Think. Make up a speech. And then rehearse it. Set yourself a time limit. Let's say you have to talk for 1 minute. Speak at a normal pace. Practice the speech until you can speak quickly.
— Write yourself to the camera or at least to the recorder. Keep a video diary. You don't have to show it to anyone. The bottom line is that you see yourself from the outside. At first, you will not like yourself terribly, especially when you speak English. But if you do this every day, then speaking in front of someone will become something normal and familiar to you. And it is also important to hear yourself from the outside in order to know what needs to be worked on.
- Believe in what you can say in English free. Imagine that you already know how. As they say, try this glass ceiling. Then both stiffness and slowness in speech will go away.
- Get rid of perfectionism. Many people do not speak because they are afraid of making a mistake. But no one will punish you for mistakes. You are not on an exam. On the contrary, foreigners are very responsive people, they are ready to help, ready to wait patiently for you to express your thought. Don't be afraid of your accent, of what you think for a long time. The main thing is that you want to speak and you can express your thought. Anyway, you won’t be able to jump over the stage of mistakes, and all your mistakes will come out in speech. Speak out the mistakes to get rid of them forever.
I once had a student - an adult uncle, the owner of a small but successful company in Ukraine. He had very funny English. But that didn't stop him from speaking it. Use English during negotiations, while traveling. He was not shy and treated English, as it should be done - as a means for expressing thoughts and a way of interacting with people who do not know Russian. You should hear how the Chinese speak English. But this does not prevent them from interacting with enterprises and companies around the world. So more optimism, less perfectionism! If you are physically able to speak quickly (do not have mental disabilities), then you will be able to speak quickly not only in Russian, but also in English. I wish you success!
A few tips from my personal experience of learning English. So how do you learn to speak English language on one's own? All this I will describe further.
About learning English from personal experience
Last but not least, PRACTICE! If you want to speak English, you must speak! I found very good pen pals and we talked a lot. It was difficult in the beginning, but week after week it got better and better. Try to speak as often as possible and it will serve you well! Try to practice your speaking skill every day. It doesn't have to be face to face, you can also just chat, it's quite useful too. Just remember "If you want to talk, you must talk"!
So after 3 months of studying I started to speak slowly, after 4 months it was better, and after 5-6 months I could speak English and understand people very well!
You can say that you don't have free time for all this, but I didn't either. I also worked and studied at the university. Surround yourself with English, immerse yourself in it! Try to combine English with your everyday life! It's not difficult, and if you really want to succeed in your studies, then you definitely can do it!
Try, friends! Study hard and never give up! Just remember that "If you only speak one language, you can't speak" (c)!
Read my articles, they will help you in your study! Subscribe to blog updates in the form on the right, as more than 3,000 people have already done! Download for free. In it, I have collected all the most valuable knowledge and recommendations that will help you speak English as quickly as possible! Now you know how to start speaking English, the main thing is not to be lazy.
Keep learning English and take care of yourself!
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Have you ever envied chameleons?
Well, you understand what we are talking about - such colorful reptiles that can blend into any background.
The chameleon just changes its color and oops! - it is absolutely indistinguishable from the tree on which he has just climbed, or the stone where he sits.
Wouldn't it be nice to be a lingua chameleon?
Life would be much easier if we could easily change our accent, vocabulary and grammar and speak exactly like native English speakers.
Well, it doesn't hurt to dream...
In fact, if you want to be indistinguishable from native English speakers in a conversation, you will have to put in a lot of effort. But it may not be as difficult as you think.
There are concrete practical steps you can take to make your speech flow freely, like a native, both in pronunciation and in the vocabulary used.
By applying these tips and adding patience and practice to them, you will not notice how you turn into a lingua chameleon.
4 tricks to help you speak English like your first language
1. Learn different English accents
There are many accents among native English speakers.. A New Yorker speaks very differently from a Texas native.
And, for sure, you have heard Royal English (British English). Let me tell you the truth: not everyone in Britain speaks like the Queen. There are also Scots, Welsh and Irish, all with their own unique accents.
Here's a fun diversion for you: look on YouTube for videos of people trying to reproduce different accents of English.
2. Imitate natives in pronunciation
Well, now you have general idea about differences in English accents. But in what direction to go to achieve the desired pronunciation?
A great starting point is to watch authentic English videos and imitate everything they say. This will reveal to you a truly original pronunciation, speech constructions and style.
Also, you can watch facial expressions and speech apparatus and copy them.
There are educational videos (for example, BBC Pronunciation or) and programs (for example, Tell Me More) that demonstrate the position of the lips and tongue when pronouncing each letter English alphabet and all their combinations.
I know these activities are tiring, but they will help you pronounce words correctly, especially with sounds that are not in Russian.
Therefore, memorize them and practice in front of the mirror. Rehearse again and again, bringing everything to automatism. You can even try to record yourself on video so that you can evaluate your progress!
Our website is a great source of authentic videos that you can use to learn correct pronunciation. This innovative platform transforms real life videos such as movie trailers, funny YouTube clips, news stories and more into interactive language courses.
3. Use slang in conversation
“Slang” is informal (and sometimes even vulgar) words and expressions. Slang is more common in colloquial speech than in writing.
Slang is usually specific to different communities, so the slang used in the southern part of the United States is very different from the slang you hear among the British. (To understand how much, watch this funny interview “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” with actor Hugh Laurie.)
But there are slang expressions that are used almost everywhere, and you need to know them. For example:
Wanna(Want to - want, want)
hang out(Spend time together - hang out, hang out)
In a friendly atmosphere, an Englishman or an American would say: “Do you wanna hang out?” instead of the formal “Do you want to spend some time together?”
Most The best way memorize slang expressions - actively use them in a conversation. But be sure to consider the context, as slang is only appropriate in an informal setting.
4. Learn idioms
An idiom in English is a set expression, the meaning of which is not obvious when translated literally.
The use of idioms is not as common as slang in informal settings. However, there are times when native speakers use idioms and confuse you.
For example, if a colleague tells you: “you can’t see the forest for the trees,” it might even be a little embarrassing. After all, in your conversation there was nothing to do with the forest and trees at all!
And all because of the use of the usual idiom. “You can’t see the forest for the trees” means that you go into too much detail and do not perceive the situation more broadly, as a whole.
Also very helpful journaling idioms, which you have met, and (possible) equivalents on your mother tongue. This will help you remember them better.
In the end, do not be afraid to use such allegories! You may not get to the point right away, but a good native speaker will help you use the right idiom in place, and you will remember it faster.
It is not an easy task to master English at the native level. In truth, it is even extremely complex.
However, you can start today by improving your pronunciation and practicing your ease of speaking.
Don't let slang and idioms hinder your progress. Dive in.
And one fine moment, when you least expect it, you will suddenly speak like a native English speaker.
You can learn English on your own. But it will be, firstly, much longer. Secondly, you risk learning grammar and pronunciation incorrectly. And it's very hard to get over. An experienced English tutor will correct mistakes in time, point out weak spots and in general, will teach new material according to a certain curriculum adapted for the beginner. It is quite difficult to compose it yourself.
From the first day of study, listen to English phrases that are spoken around you. Don't take them as background that doesn't apply to you - you have to really hear every word to begin to understand the language. This will help you expand your vocabulary, understand the features of sentence construction and the use of specific words. You will learn to catch intonation, which plays a very important role in the English language. To listen, you need to immerse yourself in the environment. When you find yourself in an English-speaking country, you just need to take the subway or walk through the supermarket to hear English spoken. If you are not yet planning a move to New York, radio, television and music will help you out.
To speak at the native level, you need to know about 3000 words. 1000 words will allow you to express your thoughts and understand others. And when you just start learning, vocabulary you do not have. Learn verbs, nouns, adjectives and other parts of speech daily. If you know 20 nouns, 20 verbs, and 20 adjectives, you can make a couple of hundred phrases with different meanings. Of course you will talk like a child. But this is how a child learns a language!
In study foreign language The main emphasis is always placed on speech practice. At the same time, communication is effective tool further improvement of English. A language parent is your friend who knows English well. This is a native speaker who really likes you in a human way, and he is interested in helping you. You will become for him a child, which we began to talk about in the previous paragraph.
Parent rules:
- try to understand what you are saying;
- not correct you;
- pretend that he understands everything you say;
- use unfamiliar words.
This gives an amazing effect. After all Small child learning to speak from adults. They use new words and behave loyally with the child, portraying a complete understanding of even the most unintelligible baby talk. Result: the child begins to talk, every day doing it better and better.
We use the muscles in our face to pronounce certain sounds correctly. The sounds in English are different from Russian, so you need to learn how to pronounce them correctly. To do this, copy the facial expressions of native speakers - peer into the faces of the heroes of TV shows and talk show hosts. Repeat phrases after them, trying to copy facial expressions and intonation as much as possible. Do you know what awaits you after such training? Pain in the muscles on the face! This means that you are doing everything right!
You say: "What simple tips! Can they really help?" Why complicate the simple? Especially if these recommendations work effectively with millions of people around the world who are learning English.
Try it and after 3 months you will say: “Unbelievable! It worked! And it will be true.
How to learn to speak English quickly and competently? This question is asked daily by millions of students around the world, for whom the encounter with the language barrier has become an unpleasant step in learning a language. However, any obstacle can be overcome, the main thing is to choose the right means to achieve the goals. We have collected for you the most simple and effective advice, which will help you improve your spoken English and achieve fluency in communication.
Speaking is the most important skill in learning any foreign language. Some students admit that they easily master grammar, read with pleasure foreign literature and quietly listen to audio recordings. But when it comes to speaking in English, they fall into a state of “I understand everything, but I can’t answer anything.” And this often happens not from a lack of knowledge or a limited vocabulary, but because of a lack of conversational practice and a psychological barrier.
What's stopping you from speaking English
Let's look at not psychological, but namely linguistic reasons that may stand between you and fruitful communication in English.
Insufficient level of knowledge of the language
The vocabulary of native speakers is 10,000 - 20,000 words. For everyone who studies English, 2,000 words are enough for comfortable communication on everyday topics, which corresponds to the Pre-Intermediate level. As you can see, everything is not so scary!
To start speaking, you must master the minimum grammar:
- present - Present (Simple, Continuous, Perfect);
- past tense - Past Simple;
- future tense: Future Simple and construction be going to;
- modal verbs: have to, must, can, may, might, should;
- indirect speech;
- passive voice.
If your knowledge of English is at the Elementary or Beginner level, you need to bring it up to Pre-Intermediate. If you have already overcome this bar, then you are ready to communicate in English. Yes, such conversations will not be ideal and easy, but to express your thought accessible ways you definitely can.
Nothing to say on the topic
If it seems to you that you don’t know what to talk about at all, start with the development of Russian speech. Take any object or phenomenon. Think about what thoughts and emotions you have in relation to him. Try to find several subtopics within this broad topic. Then talk about this subject or phenomenon for at least one or two minutes. Exhale. Try the same but in English.
For example, take the theme "Vacation". It resonates with each of us. Some travel to the same favorite country every year, while others value diversity and contrast. Some save for repairs and rarely allow themselves tourist trips, others cannot live without constant adventures. What can you say about vacation?
Structure of the answer to oral questions
We analyzed the monologue. And what about dialogue? Let's imagine that you are asked a simple question. For example:
- What is your favorite kind of food? - What is your favorite food?
If panic arises in your head and the gastronomic variety creates complete chaos, take your time. The fate of mankind does not depend on your answer now. Think calmly and only then speak according to an approximate scheme:
- Introductory offer:
It's difficult to choose because I like many different dishes. - It's hard to choose because I like many dishes. - Answer:
I think pasta with meatballs is my favourite. - I think pasta with meatballs is my favorite dish. - Reason/Example:
My wife cooks it very well. And I also like to order this meal at a restaurant. It is so delicious. - My wife cooks it amazingly. And I also like to order this dish in a restaurant. It's so delicious. - Conclusion:
Well, if I had to choose just one, I would definitely prefer pasta with meatballs. - Well, if I had to choose only one, I would prefer pasta with meatballs.
By practicing answering questions in this way, you can get rid of the “I have nothing to say” problem.
We have analyzed the reasons that interfere with colloquial speech. Now let's move on to practice. Are you preparing for negotiations, presentations or other communication at work? You are probably nodding in the affirmative right now. So it is with a conversation in English: you also need to carefully prepare for it. But not everyone has time for this. If you need to speak English confidently “already yesterday”, we have a solution.
The more words you know, the more conversational topics are available to you and the more accurately you can express your thoughts. Therefore, being carried away by conversational practice, do not forget about replenishing your vocabulary.
2. We make our speech live and natural
To make your speech beautiful and natural, while learning a new word, look in the dictionary, which lists its synonyms and antonyms, as well as related words. phrasal verbs and idioms. So you diversify your speech and increase your vocabulary.
3. Learn phrases
If you ask modern polyglots how to learn to speak English quickly, many of them will answer the same way: “Learn cliché phrases and speech constructions.” Expressions such as Let's talk briefly about… (Let's talk briefly about…), I am inclined to believe that… (I tend to think that…), I've got an impression that… (I have the impression that…) will help you start a conversation competently and beautifully.
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Would you repeat that? | You won't repeat? |
| Excuse me? | Sorry? |
| I run your pardon? | I apologize? |
| Sorry? | Sorry? |
| Speak up, please. | Please speak louder. |
| Would you mind repeating that (speaking up), please? | Could you repeat it again (speak louder), please? |
4. Activate vocabulary
Active vocabulary - those words that you use in speech or writing, passive - you learn in someone else's speech or when reading, but do not use it yourself. The more active your vocabulary, the more ways you have to express yourself and the easier it is for you to express yourself in English. Work on expanding it: learn new words and bring them into your speech.
5. Learning to paraphrase
If you are afraid that during a conversation you may forget a word, then do not worry, because you can learn a paraphrase - an indirect, descriptive designation of an object. And in order for you to be able to paraphrase, we will give some tips.
- If you forgot compound word, use the simpler one: a department store - a supermarket.
- Use that, which, who to describe a subject or object:
It's a very large shop that sells food and other products for the home. - This is a large store that sells food and other products for the home. - Use antonyms and comparisons:
It is opposite to a neighborhood shop. = It's not a neighborhood shop. - It's the opposite of a convenience store. - Use examples: “Sainsbury’s” and “Tesco” are examples of best supermarkets. - Sainsbury's and Tesco are examples of the best supermarkets.
6. Learning to ask questions
The strategy for any successful conversation is to talk less about yourself and be more interested in other people's opinions. To do this, you need to master the scheme for constructing the main types of questions. For example, a person tells you that he likes to decorate his apartment.
- I like decorating my flat. - I like to decorate the apartment.
- Think about what questions you could ask this person?
What materials do you like the most? - What materials do you like the most?
Did you learn something about decor? - Have you studied decor?
Could you please show me your best work? - Will you show your best work?
Would you like to take part in some decorators contest? - Would you like to take part in the decorating competition?
7. Use a special textbook
Development aids oral speech - good help for every English learner. They give you things to talk about interesting ideas and expressions, as well as new phrases that can be successfully used in any conversation.
8. Improve your pronunciation
Work on your pronunciation: if you confuse sounds or pronounce them indistinctly, the likelihood of being understood is greatly reduced. Do you want to speak correctly? Imitate the speech of those people who speak clearly and distinctly. You can imitate your English teacher, BBC announcer, favorite actor or English-speaking friend, if any. When you learn to pronounce sounds clearly, you will not be afraid of being misunderstood and you will not be embarrassed by your accent.
9. We are engaged in modern listening
English listening doesn't have to be monotonous or intimidating. Train perception English speech You can listen to modern podcasts, audio series and radio shows. Some of them are adapted for learning, others contain useful colloquial phrases from real live speech of native speakers.
Even if you don't have much free time to study, you can install podcast, radio and audio drama apps on your smartphone. Listen to them on your way to work, during your lunch break, on a trip, while shopping, etc. We advise you to listen to the same recording several times. If possible, you can repeat after the speaker. This simple trick will improve your listening skills.
10. Watch videos
How to quickly learn to speak English with the help of video? Watch videos on topics that interest you, listen to how and what native speakers say, and repeat after them. So you will not only master colloquial phrases, but you can also learn the correct articulation by imitating the heroes of the video.
One of the best resources that you probably know is the portal of educational videos from the best lecturers in the world.
11. Sing songs
Favorite English songs can help you improve your speaking skills. Open the lyrics of a song you like and include it in your recordings. Listen to the performer and repeat the text after him. Try to keep up with the pace of the soloist's speech and at the same time pronounce the words as clearly as possible.
12. Read aloud and retell what you read
Reading aloud works similarly to listening to video and audio, only here you read the text yourself and retell what you read. As a result, new words and phrases are memorized.
13. Recording your voice
Choose a general conversational topic, such as a story about your favorite book. Turn on the voice recorder on your smartphone or laptop and record your voice. After that, turn on the recording and listen to it carefully. Pay attention to when you have a hitch, where you delay the pause, how fast your speech is, good pronunciation and correct intonation.
Usually the first recordings for English learners are not a test for the faint of heart: firstly, we are not used to hearing ourselves from the outside, and secondly, English-language speech at the first stages of learning sounds strange and incomprehensible. We recommend that you do not despair. Imagine that this is not your voice, but some outside student who really wants to learn English. What would you advise him to work on? After a month or two, compare the first and last entries: the difference will be noticeable, and this will inspire you to further exploits in learning English.
14. Talk as often as possible
Dreaming in free time speak English but your friends are not interested? Try participating in conversation clubs with other English learners. These meetings are held both live and online. it a great opportunity start talking and get used to someone else's speech. In a relaxed atmosphere, you can chat on various topics, on occasion, turn in interesting words and phrases that you heard somewhere, and just have a good time.
Clubs can be selected according to your level and in accordance with interesting topics: sightseeing, art, friends and loved ones, sense of humor - the list is inexhaustible. Big Advantage- You will work in small groups of up to 7 people.
The more you communicate in English, the sooner you will achieve fluency.
15. Finding a partner
Did you buy a membership to a fitness club, but quit after a couple of months? Decided to learn the guitar, but the enthusiasm faded and you switched to something new? Perhaps you just lack motivation and support. You need someone who will support the desire to learn English. Try to find a friend who will go to courses and conversation clubs with you, communicate on various topics and in every way motivate you to continue learning.
16. We do not theorize
Practice, practice and only practice of speaking will bring the desired results. One theory will not be enough: no matter how much you read useful tips about how to start speaking English, the language will not be given to you until you start putting all the tips into practice. Yes, you yourself know this. Whatever you undertake, whether it is driving, cooking or yoga in hammocks, without practice, theoretical manuals will become waste paper.
Today you have received a guide to action on how to learn to speak English. We hope you will not only carefully read our tips, but also begin to put them into practice.
How to speak English like a native