5) Read, watch and listen to English in many different contexts.
If you only watch news programs in English, then you will be able to understand a more “formal” style of English, but not a typical conversation between two native speakers, which is often filled with idioms and slang.
On the other hand, if you only watch movies and listen to songs in English, then you might not be able to understand (or write) a more academic article. And if you only use English for work, then it will be hard to talk about other topics because you won’t have the vocabulary.
So make sure to diversify your English input:
fiction and non-fiction
formal and informal
lectures and conversations
serious subjects and comedy
etc.
6) Learn to think in English.
This is one of the biggest keys to English fluency – but how can you learn it?
There’s a step-by-step process you can follow:
First, beginning to think with individual English words
Then progressing to thinking in English sentences
Finally imagining entire conversations and stories in your head in English
(Read this lesson for a more detailed explanation with examples).
This is one of the best ways to practice English, because if you make a “mistake,” nobody knows about it!
Also, you can practice thinking in English anytime, anywhere. No need for a textbook or classroom. The earlier you begin the habit of thinking in English, the easier it will be to speak fast.
7) Say things with different words – be creative!
Two big obstacles to English fluency are lack of vocabulary and pauses / hesitations. This usually happens because you have an idea, but you can’t express it in English. It can be really frustrating. However, if you don’t know a particular word, try to think of alternative ways to express your idea.
Here’s an example: in a conversation about cooking, my student didn’t know the word “onion,” so instead he said, “the white vegetable that when you cut it you cry” – it was a perfect description, and I understood exactly what he wanted to say!
This is also important for English sentences. Sometimes you want to say something a certain way because you are translating directly from your native language, but you don’t know how to construct the phrase in English.
Of course, learning to think directly in English will help you avoid this problem – but also try to be open-minded and flexible in thinking of different ways to say the same message.
Native English speakers also have many ways to say the same thing – just look at this list of different ways to say “hello” and “goodbye” in English.
8) Practice talking to yourself.
This is REALLY an excellent way to develop your fluency and build your confidence. There is no pressure to be perfect, and nobody else will hear your mistakes.
For speaking ideas, go to this website and choose a topic. Imagine somebody is asking you the question. Then practice answering it by talking to yourself out loud.
Yes… it feels a little bit silly. But you can do it alone where no one will hear you, and it’s a great step to putting your English into practice.