Top Tips to Improve Your English Speaking Skills

Speaking English confidently is an important goal for many learners. Although joining an English school and going to classes regularly is one of the best ways to do this, it's not the only one. Below are some of the best ways to develop your speaking skills.

      1. Listen

One of the best ways to improve your speaking is to improve your listening. This helps you pick up phrases and words, learn proper pronunciation, rhythm and even intonation.There are many different ways to improve your listening, from watching your favourite movie or TV show in English with the subtitles on, to listening to the news, and even listening to podcasts in English. You can find various podcasts online about a range of different topics. Whatever interests you, there’s guaranteed to be a podcast about it! While you listen, take note of any interesting phrases and repeat them if you can, focusing on your pronunciation and intonation too. 

     2. Prepare

Many people don’t like speaking in a different language because they are nervous about making mistakes or worried about what to say. This problem can be fixed easily by preparing what to say before you say it. You often do this in class before a speaking activity. It’s the same idea! Everytime you find yourself in an English speaking situation, whether it’s ordering in a restaurant, making small talk with your colleagues or interviewing for a new job, take some time before to plan what you will say. Then when the time comes to speak you’ll feel much more confident and will surely speak confidently!

      3. Study

Studying the phrases and grammar you learn in class and using them as often as you can. Take some time each day to review what you’ve learned and make sure you continue to use it whenever you can. If you don’t, you might just forget it! Did you know learners have to use a new piece of vocabulary at least 8 different times to fully remember it? Sounds difficult. It isn’t if you just put in that extra effort outside of the class as well as in it. You’ll be a confident English speaker in no time. 

     4. Speak!

Maybe this might seem obvious but speaking as often as you can to as many people as you can is an extremely important thing to do if you want to improve. Don’t be shy or afraid to make mistakes. The more you practise, the more confident you will become, and the more you will improve. Take advantage of living in an English speaking country like Ireland or being a student in an English school like CEC. Make friends with native speakers or other learners and speak with them often. After a while you'll really start to notice the difference.