Developing Speaking Skills

General Tips from Roger Butler

  1. Take every chance to speak English. In class put you hand up if you think you know the answer.  Only speak English in class. Try not to ask for translations.  Start an English only conversation group. Ask the teacher if you can give a 3 minute presentation on a topic that interests you (also answering audience questions). Ask the teacher for more class or group discussions.  Improve your speaking confidence and fluency though: practicing conservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX7i3l0WSe8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX7i3l0WSe8  and engaging in real conversations. Hellotalk https://www.fluentin3months.com/hellotalk-review/ is one of many language exchange apps.
  2. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes or showing you lack of speaking skills. Just do it!  Just speak. Don’t be embarrassed about your weak spoken English. Does it really matter what others think about your poor grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation? We learn from our mistakes. You will learn to speak better by speaking.
  3. Use the English you have.  The spoken English you have is a valuable starting point. Your spoken English fluency and accuracy will grow from this if you use it enough, if you speak enough. You don’t need to speak in complete sentences if you are not able to. You do not need to use correct grammar or even use the correct vocabulary, just try your best. Express yourself the best you can. For example, you might want to ask your teacher when the mid-semester exam is.  However,  you might only be able to say “Test when?” He will probably say “do you mean when is the mid-semester exam? Then you can say “Yes. when is the mid-semester exam? So listen for rephrasing and re-speak. Focus on accuracy (correct grammar and vocabulary) and good pronunciation when re-speaking. When you don’t know the word for something (when you don’t have the vocabulary you want) speak anyway. You might want to say “Where can I get some foreign currency?” or “Where is the bureau de change? However, if you don’t  have the vocabulary shown in italics there is a problem. You can instead something like say “Where change money?” or “Where can I get some non-Saudi currency?” When you become aware you are missing some vocabulary, in this case foreign,  be sure to find the word, in this case a word that means non-Saudi, when you can. You could a translator app for this.

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Tips from myenglishteacher.ue

This site https://www.myenglishteacher.eu/blog/ways-to-improve-your-english-communication-skills/ recommends practice as much as possible, but it also makes makes the following points:

1. Slow Down Your Speaking Speed

You would like to make a good impression on your audience and avoid making mistakes. So you may try slowing down your speaking speed.

2. Give Yourself Time to Think

You may be worried that the people you’re talking to are impatient and would like you to say what you want as quickly as possible. People often prefer a well-thought-out answer to a rushed one. So just relax.

Equip yourself with fixed phrases you can use when remaining silent doesn’t seem to be an option. Here’s an example:

  • Why is there so much violence on TV? That’s a good question. Let me think for a moment, I haven’t really thought about it before. Well, I suppose…

Here the speaker gains considerable amount of time to reflect just by repeating the question and adding a few sentences. If you do the same, you’ll sound more fluent and won’t feel the pressure of having to say something before you’re ready.

3. Acquire Sentences, Not Only Words 

It will be such a relief not having to worry about whether the sentence is correct grammatically or not. Let’s look at an example:

to appreciate = to recognize the value of something/somebody

  • I think it’s necessary to feel appreciated in a relationship/ at work.
  • I appreciate all your hard work.

Isn’t it much more useful to memorize ’appreciate’ this way?

4. Learn to Listen

When speaking in a foreign language, you might be so focused on what you are saying and whether it’s correct or not, that you forget to listen to what others are saying.

This is a big mistake as they might be using the exact words or grammar you’ll be needing later on. So pay attention to what’s being said around you, it’s your most important resource at the time of speaking to someone.

5. Practise Your Interrogatives

We also need to keep in mind the fact that communication is a two-way process. Not only does it make you seem uninterested – even rude – if you don’t ask questions, you might also end up being the one who has to do all the talking. So, when you’ve run out of ideas about what to say next, remember: others might have something to add.

  • What are your views on that?
  • How about you? What do you think?
  • Why do you think there’s so much violence on TV?

Questions like this will keep the conversation going and will show your interest in other people’s opinion. They will also give you time to relax a little and start enjoying yourself.

Interrogatives can be quite tricky, so make sure you spend enough time learning the correct ways of asking questions.

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Reading aloud

According to Richard https://www.italki.com/discussion/135237 

research has shown:

– you remember better when you read and speak out loud, and
– your oral muscles remember how to form the sounds and speaking becomes easier.

When language learners read out loud, speaking becomes easier and their speaking skills improve.

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Some Selected Tips from English First

 

Listen Listen to news bulletins and songs in English to listen to the pronunciation of words. You can also learn new words and expressions this way. The more you listen, the more you learn! Try copying what you hear to practise your pronunciation and learn which words in a sentence are stressed.

 

Learn a new word every day Choose a word you would like to work on and use practice it in different sentences. Use the word until you have learnt it and keep using it regularly.

Watch movies in English and pay attention to new vocabulary and pronunciation. Imitate the actors and have fun with it.

Do interesting activities in English Take a cooking course in English or join a book club! Anything you enjoy doing, make sure you do it and communicate it in English. Using English to talk about things you enjoy will make practising a positive experience.

Video Tips

WARNING This video gives good advice. However, he second most important point made is converse with native English speakers. There is some advice in this respect regarding places to visit to meet native English speakers that is inappropriate within Saudi culture.

Selected tips from this video:

  • Hang out at places in your town where you are like to meet English speakers and speak to them.
  • Travel to English-speaking countries.
  • Think and talk to yourself in English.

Selected tip from this video:

Learn English in complete thoughts or ideas e.g when he was young. Build your speaking skill by learning longer and longer “speeches’.  Here  is how when he was young can build:

  • When he was young
  • When he was young, he used to…
  • When he was young, he used to ride his bike
  • When he was young, he used to ride his bike for hours on end.