The ability to understand and fluently communicate in a new language is empowering. However, the experience of learning a new language, such as English, is riddled with ups and downs.

Photo by Jonas Mohamadi

It can be exciting and fun on the one hand, while also setting up tough challenges on the other. 

One of the most daunting tasks on this journey of learning can be the actual speaking of English – especially for beginners. Reading, writing, and listening carry their difficulties, but speaking in a language that one has only recently begun to pick up can be particularly nerve-wracking. 

The following are a few tips that will help boost confidence and improve the overall quality of one’s spoken English.

1). Reading Widely

Most students focus on textbooks when they first begin to learn English. While these books provide vital information about the basics of the language, to speak or converse in it, learners need to examine and understand how English works in regular usage. 

Expanding their reading material to include publications such as newspapers, magazines, and other books provides them with the opportunity to do so. In a way, such written works allow students to observe English as a language in its natural habitat. 

While textbooks are designed primarily to display and teach English, a wider range of reading allows them to witness English as it usually is – to communicate ideas and stories. Not only does this enhance their understanding of the language, but also provides a means for them to build their vocabularies and develop familiarity with commonly used phrases and expressions. 

A wider reading pool also gives learners an equally wider range of options of subjects to choose from – they can also read about topics that interest them personally and not remain restricted to the discussions in their course books.

2). Using Audio and Video Resources for Learning

To speak English, learners must first know what it sounds like. To find this out, they need to listen to native and/or fluent speakers. Watching English movies, shows, or videos and listening to English music are fun ways of gaining this kind of exposure. 

Such media also provides the cultural context essential to understand the English language and communicate effectively with it. Podcasts and audiobooks are great resources too. 

While reading diversely certainly helps students understand how the language works, there is a difference between how it is written and how it is spoken. As they immerse themselves in English speech, learners get used to the way the language sounds as well as to how it is used when talking. 
At the same time, listening to dialogue familiarizes them with oft-employed figures of speech in English, such as metonymy and onomatopoeia, that may not make sense or sound different in their first languages.

3). Practicing Consistently

As with developing any other skill, speaking fluently in English requires practice. After observation and learning through reading and listening, the acquired information ought to be put into action. 

Talking with fellow learners or those who are already fluent is essential to improve spoken English. Even speaking to oneself in the language provides practice in translating one’s thoughts and articulating them aloud. 

Frequently speaking in the language helps students get comfortable with it and build confidence. As they begin to regularly hear themselves talking in English, they would be able to track and gauge their progress.

4). Slowing Down Speech

While those fluent in a language tend to talk fast, beginners and students are more likely to benefit from speaking slower. Talking fast is not necessary to communicate well – it could end up being a hindrance. 
When working with grammar rules that are new to them, talking slowly gives the speaker time to think and put across their message more effectively. Their speech is then clear for the listener. Fluent English orators should speak slowly, as it makes it easier for listening and comprehension.

5). Being Patient

Learning to speak a new language is not always smooth sailing. Learners are bound to get frustrated as they grapple with a new vocabulary that comes with its own set of rules. They may also have trouble comprehending cultural connotations and the new, unfamiliar way of looking at the world that comes with the language. 

Such left turns can end up fueling a steep drop in students’ motivation and interest. Being patient with oneself is key to preventing this from happening.

6). Avoiding Comparisons

Though learning is often a deeply individual process, learners may tend to judge their progress against that of other students (or even against the speech of those who are already fluent). However, this is not likely to produce an accurate image of their achievements. 

Different people have access to different kinds of resources. At the same time, one method may produce one kind of response in an individual and a completely different one in another. Comparison does not take these variations into account, and rather than helping, it hinders the learning process.

7). Embracing Mistakes

A common and predominant fear amongst beginners is that of making mistakes. It is often large enough to become an obstacle to even trying. When it comes to speaking in English, the issue may be aggravated, as fear of embarrassment and of being misunderstood builds up the thought of making mistakes into an even larger problem.

However, allowing the fear of making mistakes to get in the way of trying is counterproductive. It ultimately prevents students from effectively learning how to converse in the language. 

On the other hand, mistakes can act as great learning aids – they become hands-on experiences of what is right and what is wrong. They also help learners recognise the areas that they might need to work on further to strengthen.