8 Tips to Improve Your English Speaking Skills

If you’re anything like me, then you find speaking to be one of the most challenging parts of learning a new language. Students are always asking me how they can improve this skill, so here are my top tips to help you become more confident and fluent in speaking English.

1. Practise speaking regularly

This may seem obvious, but the more you practise, the more comfortable you’ll become. Try to make speaking English a daily habit. One thing you can do at home is talk to yourself! Describe your day, your plans, the objects around you. Imagine a conversation and respond out loud. The more you do this, the easier it will be for you to recall the language at the time of speaking. This will also help highlight gaps in your vocabulary. When you realise you don’t know how to say something, look it up!

My favourite online translation dictionary is Word Reference. As well as the vocabulary itself, you also get example sentences, and they have a forum where you can find answers to your questions. Forums like this are a great way to practise! As well as Word Reference, try the Reddit language learning thread. The users are very active on this site, so there is always a discussion to join.

2. Shadow native speakers

Shadowing means listening to a native speaker and trying to imitate their pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm. This helps improve your accent and fluency. Find a YouTuber whose accent you like, pause the video, and repeat what they say. Record yourself, so you can play it back and see where you need to improve. You can do the same thing with podcasts, film, and TV.

3. Focus on Pronunciation

Good pronunciation makes your speech clearer and easier to understand. Websites like Forvo and YouGlish are great for this! YouGlish is my favourite because when you enter a word, you can choose from many different accents (United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand) and it brings up a video from the TED Talks website, so you can hear the word in context.

Nowadays, with the rise of artificial intelligence, it is easier than ever to work on your pronunciation. I recently discovered the Pronounce app, which offers both pronunciation training and an AI speaking partner! You can practise speaking about many different topics, such as work, networking, language, family, small talk, and philosophy. With the free plan, you can choose between British and North American English (unlock more accents with premium!). I love apps like this because they provide a safe space to learn, free from nerves or fear of judgement. One of the reasons that I find speaking my second language challenging is that I am a shy person. With an app, there is no reason to be shy! You can practise and practise, ensuring you will feel more confident for the real thing!

I will be trying out more language learning apps in the future, so I’ll keep you posted on what I find!

4. Find a speaking partner or tutor

Artificial intelligence is great, but nothing beats the real thing! Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a language exchange. Partner with someone who wants to learn your language while helping you with English. If you live in a university town, there will almost certainly be language exchange cafes that you can go to. Professional tutor platforms like iTalki and Preply offer one-to-one lessons to suit all budgets.

One of the great things about iTalki is that you can choose from two types of tutor – community or professional. If you are preparing for an exam, or want to learn about grammar, you are probably best off going for a professional tutor, but if you just want to chat, a community tutor can be a more affordable option. All new users get 3 trial lessons, so you can find a tutor you like before you commit to paying for lessons.

I'm also a big fan of Preply. In fact, I recently started teaching on the platform! Use this link to get 30% OFF your first trial lesson!

For one-to-one classes, the British Council is another excellent choice. They offer flexible online courses with classes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can buy with confidence with their 7-day money-back guarantee! As well as individual lessons, they also offer group classes (maximum 10 students per class).

Another great option for group classes is Babbel Live. Here, you can join group classes any day of the week and any time of day. Simply choose the topic that appeals to you and sign up! The classes are limited to 6 people, so you will have plenty of opportunity to speak. You also get access to the Babbel app! Babbel operates on a subscription model, so you can choose the length of time that suits you. You can cancel at any time, and they offer a 20-day money-back guarantee, so you can purchase with confidence.

5. Learn useful phrases and expressions

As well as learning vocabulary, it is also helpful to learn chunks of language. Learning phrases that you can use in daily life, such as “Could you help me with this?”, and “I’m my opinion…”, helps you to speak naturally and reduces hesitation.

6. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

I cannot stress this enough - Making mistakes is part of learning! Native speakers understand that English isn’t your first language, and most appreciate your effort. Frankly, you don’t want to waste your time with the ones who don’t! Communication is more important than perfection! When I first started learning Spanish, I listened to CDs by Michel Thomas. I always remember that he described speaking a foreign language as being like a game of tennis. The goal was to get the ball over the net, in other words, to be understood. Like tennis, a conversation is a two-way street. If you are not sure how to say something, the person you are speaking to will help you!

7. Immerse yourself in English

The more you surround yourself with English, the easier it becomes to think and speak in the language. Of course, this is much easier if you live in an English-speaking country, but even if you don’t, there are many things you can do. Watch English TV shows or listen to podcasts. Change your phone or computer settings to English. Use an English news application. When it comes to reading, blogs are a great resource. You can find blogs on every topic imaginable, and there are many styles to choose from – informal, formal, academic…

8. Set goals

Be specific about what you want to achieve. You could say, “I will have a 5-minute conversation in English every day”, or  “I will learn 10 new phrases each week and use them in sentences.” Make sure your goal is achievable. If you try to do too much, you will likely end up feeling demotivated. If you find that you are easily reaching your goal, then you can increase it!

Final thoughts

Improving your English speaking skills takes time and effort, but the results are worth it. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Remember, the key is consistency – practice a little every day, and you’ll see improvements before you know it!

Do you have a favourite tip for improving your speaking? Share it in the comments below!

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