If you have ever tried to improve your English speaking skills, you would know that it is not as easy. Reading and Writing can be comfortable because you have time to think and edit. But English-speaking? That needs skills and a fast thought process. All of a sudden, you either stop speaking altogether or get caught in the middle of a sentence. It is frustrating, right? A lot of people give up and then feel embarrassed later. But mistakes are normal and they are actually one of the fastest ways you can learn.
But the problem is that most students just depend on memorising the grammar rules. But it is more about communication than perfection. The more you use the language in real conversations, the more natural you will speak. You don’t even need to spend extra money on expensive courses! What you need are just simple activities that train your brain to think and speak in English. So, I will share seven of the best English-speaking activities that you can start to improve your English.
Fun and Practical English-Speaking Activities
If you are also someone who wonders “how to improve English speaking skills”, you are at the right place! These are some activities to improve English speaking skills that you can try doing:
1. Talk to yourself
Talking to yourself in English might seem strange, but it’s a highly effective practice method. You’ll begin to notice areas for improvement once you start. You will know where you are getting stuck and how you can improve it. Make yourself your own conversation partner. You can just start speaking on any topic that you think is suitable. Once you start practising it with yourself, you will gradually start making improvements. Try narrating how your day went or just how you liked your breakfast. So, it is not complicated because even if you make a mistake, it is just you and no one will be listening. At first, you will hesitate and might feel awkward. But it will build up a habit and you will start thinking in English as well.
2. Join a Speaking Club or Group
Speaking with others sounds scary for a lot of people. But absolutely no amount of grammar practice can replace real conversations that happen out of nowhere. This is why joining a speaking club or a group is important. There are plenty of groups on Zoom, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp and even on Facebook that you can join. People from almost all around the world join those groups. You will be nervous at first but you will quickly realise that everyone is struggling and at the same level as you. Plus, you will also get exposure to certain accents and vocabulary. Join in as a listener at first and then you can start adding a few sentences slowly.
3. Record your voice and Listen
Most people hate hearing their own voice. It sounds strange and different from what it sounds like in your head. But that is exactly why it works. You will know where you are stuttering the most and hear the mistakes you have never noticed before. The best way is to pick up a topic and then speak on it for 2-3 minutes. Don’t stop recording when you get stuck so that later on when you hear it, you will know where you are lacking. You will know if you get stuck too often or repeat too often or you mispronounce a certain word. This way, you can work on it.
4. Copy the Actors from Movies/ Shows
This will be fun and practical. Choose a movie or TV show like Friends or The Office or any movie that you love. Watch a short scene then pause it and repeat the lines exactly as the actor is saying them. Try to copy the same rhythm or tone. This technique is called shadowing. It will help you with the pronunciation and natural speaking flow. It will also train your ear to recognise the native speakers. By copying them, you will get to the natural flow and accent. The best part is that it is so fun to do so! It will feel silly at first but it is really effective.
5. Have a daily conversation with someone
A lot of learners believe that they need long study sessions or to buy a course to get better at English. Honestly, short and consistent practice is more powerful. Even 10 minutes a day of speaking practice can be very beneficial. You can call your friend and ask how their day was. You can also join a quick chat room online and talk to them. Or even talk to your tutor for a short practice session. Your goal must be to make English speaking a habit and a normal part.
6. Use Language Exchange Apps
You can also download some apps that let you talk to an expert. Technology is now more accessible than ever and there are apps that do a wonderful job at this. Apps like ElsaSpeaks, YouGlish and others can connect you with native speakers who are also learning your language. This will help you to practise real conversations. The great thing about these apps is that they come with built-in features so you can practise and get instant feedback. It will also help you build up your communication skills.
7. Play Word Games to Improve Vocab
Another option is to play word games, which are an excellent way for increasing your vocabulary in English while also being entertaining. You can have fun while learning something. Games that need you to think about words and their meanings include Wordscapes, Scrabble, and crosswords. Choose 4 Pics 1 Word if you want various fun games to play. Along with increasing your English-speaking skills, these will also be fun.
If you want to improve your child’s English skills, you can also take PSLE English tuition which can help them. They are very effective and quick!
Conclusion
You don’t need to spend four hours a day to properly speak English. It takes patience and practice. So, keep in mind that stuttering, forgetting and making a few mistakes are all completely okay. Everybody makes errors from time to time and those mistakes are proof of personal development.
You are going to get less worried about speaking up and your words will come out easier. Consistency is the most important thing. When you practise and follow these exercises, you’ll quickly realise that speaking English no longer feels like an effort!
