Struggling with Spoken English? How Can I Improve My Fluency?

Hello friends, I want to improve my spoken English skills. What should I do? Please help me. Thank you.

Read aloud in the first place. Read daily for an hour whichever article you like from any leading magazine. If you find any new words, inscribe them at the top of a book that you will flip over regularly. Regarding grammar, I try to upload what may be of immense help. Speak with others in English regardless of their contempt; if they mock your English, it will eventually get polished. Regards

Hi,

Spoken English is no rocket science if you start treating it as your mother tongue. A child learns the mother tongue first before learning/knowing the national or business language; so do you. What was the mantra at that time when you learned your mother tongue? Easy to guess, "Environment."

You need to create a complete English predominant environment around you. Books, newspapers, TV channels, videos, telephone chats, SMS, your meal itinerary... friends, in fact, everything. You might be silent out of shyness initially, but that's normal, as when you were learning your mother tongue, you were a passive participant. But you improved, and hence you will again. Be firm in observing the new environment around you; it will help you to learn the practical application of English with correct usage. Once comfortable, consult theory on grammar and other documents for knowledge correction and then rehearse.

You will start living it one day!!! Trust yourself and go ahead!! All the best.

There are a lot of online courses with audio. If you are not a native speaker of the language, I think it is better to just keep on watching English news channels and repeating what they say. A dictionary is also a great tool. If you can browse for a word a day and try to use it on the same day in your speaking, hope this helps though this is just an amateur practice.

Hi Venkat,

I agree with what everyone is saying; please go through the attachments that Vaidya has posted. They are a good start.

Here are some simple tips to improve English Communication:

1) Start thinking in English: I know it sounds stupid, but trust me, this works. You talk to yourself in your mother tongue, so when you are asked to speak in English, you are short of words as you are not able to match your mother tongue words with English words. Hence, you fail there.

2) Watch English news channels. They are a good source of decent English communication. Channels like Times Now, Headlines Today, CNN IBN, etc.

3) Read more English newspapers, not the gossip columns, but good articles. Do a lot of reading.

4) Practice, practice, practice. What you read and hear, start speaking in English. See if you can get a mentor to correct you when you go wrong. Otherwise, google for English grammar and learn to construct sentences. That will also help you.

If you've decided to learn, no one and nothing can stop you.

Let me/us know if you need further help.

Regards,
Pawan

Hi there, I completely agree with everybody. In my opinion, the basic problem you are facing is a lack of vocabulary and understanding of tenses. I would suggest that you start reading the dictionary regularly and familiarize yourself with simple words that are commonly used. Practice making sentences with these words daily, and you will see an improvement.

Thank you.

There are just a few things to do:

1) Speak in English - just speak; there is a slight amount of pain (you don't know all the words) and fear (some will comment). Some people might laugh; let them laugh. Don't care.

2) Don't care about grammar - throw the grammar book away. If you read enough books in English, your grammar will improve by itself. I have quite good English writing skills but have never studied grammar for more than 25 years now.

3) Think in English - this was once said by Pooja Bhatt, and it's true. People generally think in Hindi and speak in English - that's why they don't learn how to talk correctly.

4) Give yourself a time of at least three months.

5) Love the language - forget the national politics that Hindi is our mother tongue and English is not. It does not help. English has included a number of Hindi words; it's but natural that we include English. Love it like the most loved person you ever loved. You will never lose the language.

Hi,

All the comments here are really worth it. The main thing to do is READ LOUD. Just don't care if anyone teases you about reading aloud; this will actually help you perfect the pronunciation of words and improve your tone and technique of speech. You will also get to know when to pause while reading a sentence and where to punctuate. Try to improve your vocabulary by reading new words and implementing them in your daily life.

Even if a sentence is grammatically incorrect, as long as the message is conveyed, it is not a big issue. However, when you write something down, grammar does play a vital role. Watching English news channels will help you improve in this aspect.

Regards,
Bhavani S

Dear Venkat Ji and Yashoda Ji,

Just follow the advice of seniors who have contributed above. I have nothing more to add to what they have all said. Nonetheless, I cannot prevent myself from quoting what one Marathi author, Shri Mahadev Kokate, has said in his book - Phad Phad English Bola (Speak fluent English). He says that a child picks up its own mother tongue without any tension. The child goes to school very late, after it understands and is able to communicate in its mother tongue. Its knowledge of its mother tongue precedes its learning in school, even Kindergarten. The child is never shy of its grammatical mistakes. It goes on communicating and gradually acquires mastery over its mother tongue. So follow the advice of seniors - Think in English, talk in English, and also dream in English. And one day you will be a master in English. Think English, speak English, and dream English but please don't eat English. Eat only Indian. With best wishes,

There's a book named "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis. It was a great help to me as a beginner. It helps with accents and builds vocabulary too.

Also, watching lots of English movies can be a great help.

All the best!

Hi All,

Let me explain how the 'LSRW' concept works with a simple example:

1. Listen: Take an example of a newborn baby. Initially, he can only listen to things. (Intense listening required, news channels, and English rap songs with lyrics in your hand)
2. Speak: After listening, the baby is able to speak a few words taught by the mother, father, or other family members. (Speak English in front of the mirror; it shows you how good you are looking)
3. Read: As he/she is able to speak properly, then reading becomes easier for them. (Read your best local English newspaper)
4. Write: Finally, they can write. (Ask your friend or any family member to give a random topic to you, and you have to write on this topic. Make it a habit for a few days.)

To summarize, don't feel shy when you want to learn English. Treat yourself as an infant. But let me tell you one thing, your day will definitely come.

- Babu

Best Solutions:

- Read newspapers, novels, kids' English test books, etc. (read out loud) and narrate the summary in English to your kids, friends, or family members.
- Watch news on broadcasting news channels such as NDTV, BBC, or CNN.
- Watch English films without subtitles to increase your understanding and improve pronunciation.
- Cultivate the habit of speaking English with your colleagues, friends, and family members. Don't feel uneasy about making mistakes; instead, learn from them.
- Learn grammar. Purchase the book "Wren & Martin."
- Try chatting with your friends on Yahoo, Google, Rediffbol, ICQ, Paltalk, etc.
- Record and play back your conversations to evaluate your delivery.
- Every day, stand in front of the mirror and pretend you are in conversation with a friend. Speak in English and observe your body language and facial expressions.
- Buy a dictionary to read and understand a new word every day/week and ensure you use that word at least thrice daily when possible.
- Attend free seminars where people speak in English, even if they are not of interest to you, to understand the language and how it is spoken.
- When someone is speaking in English, pay close attention and learn how they articulate their thoughts.

It's definitely a slow process but a surefire way to improve your fluency. Have confidence, don't feel shy, and keep practicing as it leads to perfection. Good luck to you.

- Babu

Dear Friend,

Assume that you have two newspapers in front of you - one in Tamil and the other in English. I suggest you pick the English one. If you pick up the Tamil paper, you stand a lesser chance of improving your English. I do not mean to say you should not read your mother tongue, but if you wish to increase your mastery of English, then it's better to start thinking in English - yes, I really mean thinking. Read loudly.

If you do not understand the meaning of a word, don't bother. Read that word three or four times and allow your mind to keep it in the corner for the time being. The same word will become meaningful when you read something else. Speak, don't be ashamed. We are not born to English - you will improve. It's only your willingness that takes you forward.

Hi,

I agree with everyone. Try to watch English news channels on a daily basis because it's simple and decent to listen to or watch English films or English TV episodes repeatedly. This can not only save you money on DVDs but also help you truly learn the language without having to study it. Some comedies can become funnier the more you watch them, especially if you watch them without subtitles and start to understand a little more each time you watch.

Thank you!

Dear Venkat,

I appreciate your interest in improving your English skills. To begin speaking or writing in English effectively, it is essential to have a good grasp of English grammar and a decent vocabulary. Start by practicing speaking in English without hesitation in front of a mirror or with your friends. Additionally, try reading English novels and newspapers such as The Hindu or The Times of India. If you come across any unfamiliar words, make a note of them in your notepad. Watching English movies and news programs, like DD News, can also be beneficial. I hope these suggestions will help you in your English language journey.

All the best.

Spoken English is not an easy task. It requires a lot of effort. Watch English movies, listen to English songs, maintain contact in English, and practice speaking English in front of a mirror.

Thanks & regards,
Kirti Mittal

Hi Friends, I am also facing the same problem regarding English, and I have one more issue—stage fear. How can I overcome this problem?

Regards, Manohara

Dear Venkat and friends,

Let me please share my experience. My father encouraged me to read the editorial page in The Hindu, Indian Express, etc. I did that faithfully. He encouraged me to speak in English where necessary, unmindful of any errors that might crop up. Vocabulary grows on its own as you speak. After all, learning comes with practice. At this stage, I don't think you can pick up books and note down new words to be used at an unknown time. It is of no use. Shun shyness, if any, first. Keep a small Oxford dictionary with you and refer to it whenever you find time. Language is a means of communication and is meant to make the other person understand what you want to say. Just try to make it as flowery as you can. That is spoken English. Words will fall in line on their own. You don't have to apply any specific accent. Just speak naturally. Do you think the accent of English newsreaders is correct? Don't worry. Just speak. Publish your email ID so that people like me will be able to write a few sentences whenever time permits, just to make you read. Almost forgot to mention, keep reading Reader's Digest. It is a beauty for both spoken and written English. Try and come back to the threads after reading an issue of it. You will notice the change yourself. Good luck and best wishes.

I also agree with them. Once you start speaking in English, don't worry about what people say or think; try to speak in English as much as you can. Treat English as an activity, not just as a language.

Dear Venkat,

Everything begins from the origin. Our origin is our family. Start talking to every family member only in English. As our friends said, whatever it is, think in English and try to express what you want to say in English.

Your grammar could be corrected day by day. For this, you would require a good friend or relative who is good at grammar, vocabulary, and is always, if not most of your time with you.

It is not true everybody uses all the words they say in a day. Perhaps you can list out the sentences you are required to use frequently. For example, start like this -

1. At home - Getting out of bed - "Good morning, where is the toothpaste and my toothbrush, is the coffee ready? Is my dress ready? Where is my lunch pack?", etc. Leaving home - "Goodbye, darling, I will be back in the evening by 8 P.M. What do you want me to bring from the market? Do you want a cinema ticket? Is there any medicine to be purchased?", etc.

2. Reaching the office - "Hello everybody, good morning, how was yesterday? My friend... so and so... why did you not call me up for yesterday's dinner at... Today I will treat at..."

"Where is the file I left/kept here yesterday?"

Pick up such small, simple sentences that do not involve complicated or advanced grammar to start with. After familiarizing yourself with such small things, then you will learn how to converse with longer and more advanced English.

Your success lies in identifying what is incorrect grammatically, in pronouncing them, pass between words, etc. If you can find friends who will help you in this manner, you will become a master over time, say in a few months. Of course, there is no magic that will help you master English overnight.

As many friends said, you will learn how to pronounce if you watch TV news.

If you write down whatever you could speak one by one and give those sentences to someone who knows the language better than you, ask them to correct grammatical errors in those sentences, then you will correct them and speak better in due course.

To improve further - you have to learn some of the frequently used phrases, idioms, present, past, future tenses, how to & where to use vowels, active & passive voice, positives & negatives. That's all. Read all kinds of English materials, newspapers, magazines, books, novels, etc., to learn how English is used in modern and day-to-day affairs.

After all, it is the headache of the persons you are going to talk to, then why do you worry?

One best way should I suggest, make friends from LKG to 8th Std. select girls, (don't pick up boys they will spoil you), you will learn lots of English, its pronunciation, very quickly. After all, they are also learners like you, no matter both of you would commit errors, learning by committing errors is always good as you will never repeat such errors.

All the best.

Kumar, Bg.

Thank you. I am basically from a village where there is no English medium. Still, I am trying to speak in English. Can you please tell me what I should do? Please help me out.

Dear Mr. Venkat,

Already, quite a few helpful messages have been received.

Firstly, based on the subject of your email and assuming your intent, the subject could be written in several ways, such as:

1.0 How to improve my English?
OR
2.0 How to improve my spoken English?
OR
3.0 How to speak fluent English?
OR
4.0 How to improve English speaking skills?
OR
5.0 How does one speak English fluently?
OR
6.0 How do I improve my fluency in English?

I have provided multiple examples above as a grammar enthusiast might not approve of the title as presented in your email. There could be more variations, but time constraints limit the list.

The aim is to present you with various possibilities for consideration.

Stephen Covey once said, "All things are created twice: first in the mind and then in reality." Therefore, any improvement begins with the mindset. When a thought comes to mind, rehearse it mentally, irrespective of its grammatical accuracy. Note it down; you may spot an error. Correct it and then articulate it accurately.

Maintain confidence. Close friends offer constructive criticism, while less polite individuals may make sarcastic comments. Both types of feedback aid in learning.

Many successful speakers in the world commenced as inexperienced beginners. Disregard the fear of failure. Failures serve as the initial stages of a journey that you will appreciate once you achieve fluency and reflect back. Eventually, you will find them more amusing than anyone else!

Adhere to the Chinese proverb, "I hear - I forget, I see - I understand, I do - I remember."

In essence, practice. Practice consistently with all the guidance you currently possess.

Good Luck,

V.RAGUHNATHAN

"No sentence will start with 'because' because 'because' is a conjunction."

Yes, being a Tamilian, I am also familiar with it. The author of the statement is none other than the late C.N. Annadurai. Yet, if you follow, then start with "Now that," meaning because and "for," meaning because, but note! While writing, you must insert a comma, and while addressing, give a pause.

Regards,
Vaidya from Tirupati

[QUOTE=eastculturalassociation;1532224]

Hi Venkat, as I can see, people have already given you some very good suggestions. Along with that, please watch English movies, English news channels, and listen to English music. If possible, try to sing along with the songs... trust me, it helps.

Can I say one thing? Try to speak in English as much as you can. Even if it is wrong, don't mind. Keep speaking and also learn some phrases to use. English will not come merely by attending a Spoken English class. When we put effort into everything, only then can we achieve victory. Put in as much effort as you can, and surely one day you will succeed. Wishing you all the best!

Find someone to practice spoken English with you every day and point out your mistakes. If you can't find such a person, then enroll in practice-based English speaking courses.

My opinion is the same as what is said above: (1) speak in English—just speak. There is a slight amount of pain (you don't know all the words) and fear (some will comment). Some people might laugh; let them laugh. Don't care.

Advice given by learned members is practical and useful. Read newspapers, watch TV news, and speak as much as possible in English. Practice makes perfect. Do not worry about others laughing at mistakes in diction or words, and you will overcome the barrier.

Hi,

Please go through the link below. I am sure that it will help you.

Can I improve my English without joining English Classes - English Speaking Delhi