Communicating fluently in English allows you to connect with people,
participate, and solve problems in American society. Fluent
communication requires understanding what is being spoken or read and
being able to produce fluid, well-pronounced, and accurate messages in
return by speaking and writing. How fluent are you? Do you understand
everything you read or hear? Do the people you communicate with
understand you?
This resource offers English Language Learners strategies for acquiring
greater fluency in English. Most of the strategies involve the
simultaneous use of two or more literacy skills: listening, speaking,
reading, and writing. You may already use some of the suggested tools
such as dictionaries, television, or social media--excellent! By now seeing
these mediums as ways to advance your language learning, you will have
more opportunities to practice and improve your fluency in English.
Developing Listening Skills: Could you repeat that, please?
Whenever you engage in a conversation, watch TV, participate in class,
or attend a meeting at work, you are listening. But are you also
understanding? In order to make sense of the spoken word, you must
develop strong listening skills, and this takes practice and patience. Here
are some tips for improving your listening skills in English:
Get to know the English Sound System: Consonants, Vowels, and
Blends. When you first heard English, it probably sounded like a long
strand of sounds with some pauses and pitch changes. Learning to
recognize the different sounds of the language will help you identify
syllables, words, and sentences, and finally general content and ideas