How To Speak English Well
How To Speak English Well
How To Speak English Well
Fluency
1. Accept That English Is a Weird Language
Sometimes you can find patterns in English grammar, but other times English doesn’t make
sense at all. For example, why are “read” (reed) and “read” (red) the same word, but
pronounced differently depending on whether you’re speaking in the past or present tense? Or
why is “mice” the plural of “mouse”, but “houses” is the plural of “house”?
Unfortunately, there are just as many exceptions as there are rules in English. It’s easy to get
stuck on learning how to speak English properly, if you try to find a reason for everything.
Sometimes English is weird and unexplainable, so instead the best thing to do is just memorize
the strange exceptions and move on.
This also means you need to start thinking in English. If you want to say the word “apple” in
English, for example, right now you probably think of the word in your native language first,
and then try to think of the correct word in English. Instead, try imagining a picture of an apple,
and then just think the English word “apple”. Real fluency happens when you stop mentally
translating conversations.
If someone asks you a question and you’re not sure how to answer, start by thinking about the
words used in the question. The person has already said most of the words you need to make
your answer. Instead of just memorizing English grammar, start to look for patterns like this
one. There are a lot of simple ways to “cheat” and make it easier to remember the right words.
5. Get More out of Listening
When most students listen to a native English-speaker, they focus on understanding what all the
words mean. This is definitely important, but there is a lot more you can learn from listening.
Try listening not just to what the words mean, but to how the person says them. Notice which
words the person links together in a sentence, or when they say. Try to remember these details
the next time you speak and your English will begin to sound more natural.
6. Use It or Lose It
There’s an expression in English: “Use it or lose it,” which basically means if you don’t practice
an ability, you might forget it. This idea can be used to help you remember new English
vocabulary. The best way to remember a new word is to use it right away so it will stay in your
memory. When you learn a new word, try to say it in sentences a few times over the next week
and you’ll never forget it.