Everything You Need to Know About Learning to Speak English

If you are new to English or want to improve your fluency as a non-native English speaker, here are a few tips for learning to speak English.

Start With the Basics

It may sound simple, but learning the alphabet and numbers is one of the first steps to learning how to speak English. The more you know about how we communicate in English, the easier you will find it to understand and communicate with others.

If you have trouble remembering A-B-C or 1-2-3, practice by using flashcards or writing them down on paper so that they stick in your mind better. You should also learn the days of the week, months of the year, and seasons. Get used to the basics by trying to use them in your daily life, like when buying groceries or maybe talking to a friend.

Practice Regularly

Practice makes perfect, and if you want to speak English well, it is vital to keep practicing.

Practicing with a native English speaker is the best way to learn how the language is used. However, sometimes, that can be difficult if there are not many around you who speak English as their first language.

If this is the case, finding an English tutor or teacher may be helpful. They can provide an environment where they can give specific feedback on your pronunciation and grammar. You could also use a language learning app that will provide feedback on what you need to do or improve upon.

Making Mistakes Is Fine

You will learn more from making them than from doing everything right. If you are afraid of making mistakes, it is going to be harder for you to practice speaking the language.

You can correct your mistakes when someone points them out to you while speaking. So, learn how to accept criticism gracefully so that others will want to help improve your English too.

English Schools

Most English schools have native English speakers as teachers. These teachers can help you correct your pronunciation and improve your grammar, and teach you conversational skills. In many cases, the schools will focus on business English only. That is when you are learning English only to use in your professional life, like when you are talking to foreign clients.

The classes are generally small. Hence, there are plenty of opportunities to ask questions, especially for international students. For example, the Portland English Language Academy (PELA) in Portland, OR, is one of the best English language schools for international students. It is easy for students to engage and learn better from the instructors because of the way these classes are organized. 

Most schools offer group or individual lessons, and some even offer online courses. So, if you prefer to learn in a group, an English school will be ideal for you. However, you will also get individual attention in the top English language schools. 

Learn the Colloquialisms and Slang

To speak English like a native, you must learn colloquialisms and slang.

Colloquialisms are informal words and phrases that people use in everyday conversation. Slang is another type of informal language that often makes its way into normal conversations among friends, family members, and colleagues. This can include conversational fillers such as “um” and “ah,” as well as more colorful words or phrases such as “full of beans.”

English speakers must understand the different ways their fellow speakers express themselves in spoken language. So, if you are learning English to speak it like a native speaker someday, being familiar with these unique forms of speech will help you sound more fluent and native.

Read Books and Watch Movies in English

Reading and watching in English is one of the best ways to improve your English speaking skills. Once you read or watch something, it will be stored in your brain more firmly. You can also learn the pronunciations much better. This method is also a good way to learn English if you want to develop a particular accent.

Reading and watching are also great ways to learn new words because they have lots of different vocabulary that is not used so much in everyday conversation. That can help you understand how native speakers have been using the English language throughout the generations.

Use Educational Tools

Using educational tools and technology to help you learn is a great way to make the most of your time and effort. There are many different ways to do this.

Using online tools, such as websites or apps that offer lessons in the English language, can be a way to start. You can also play educational games that teach you English words and phrases. Listening to audiobooks is another way to get a good grasp of the English language. 

There is no need to feel intimidated by the English language. If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to speaking like a native in no time.