Learning how to speak English is a tough task, but it’s certainly not impossible. The number of English speakers around the world has been on the rise for many years, although the English language doesn’t have the largest number of native speakers in the world, it has the widest reach of any language spoken today. With the current number approaching 2 billion, according to some estimates. The fact that so many people now use English as either a first or second language indicates that English is likely to remain a globally dominant language for many years to come.

Let’s just take a look at the possible reasons to learn English.

1.  1.  People who speak English have more job opportunities. Businesses need employees who can communicate fluently with English-speaking partners and clients. In addition, entrepreneurs can access a far wider range of customers online by using English.
2. 2.  The English language gives students access to information and research. Since many of the top academic journals are published in English, students and academics need strong English reading and writing skills. Moreover, for a research study or other publication to get sufficient attention, it should be published in English.
3. 3.  English is the language of science and technology, English speakers have more opportunities to work with others in these fields and to share ideas and innovations.
4. 4.  Being able to speak English makes it easier to travel. Because English is spoken as a first or second language in so many different countries, it is always easy to find English speakers as well as printed information in English, especially at hotels and in areas frequented by tourists.

After discussing the possible reasons to learn English we will now concentrate on how to learn speaking English in lesser time. You are never too young or too old to start learning English. Don’t make excuses not to learn. Have a read of the below list and we are sure you will find a lot of helpful tips to improve your English!

IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

Good pronunciation will help people understand your spoken English clearly, even if you don’t know many words. There are three levels of pronunciation, and most English learners need some improvement in their pronunciation. You can practice your pronunciation with English pronunciation lessons. Nobody likes to hear their own voice, but be brave and try it! Record your voice and listen to your pronunciation and intonation. It will help you to identify your problem areas.

LISTEN TO MORE ENGLISH

Most English learners read too much and listen too little. But when babies and children learn English, they listen first – then speak – and later learn to read and write. If you want to improve your English speaking, spend more time listening! You can use the listening lessons on Espresso English as well as the reading and listening lessons – listen to the audio while you read the text, then read the text out loud (speaking), trying to imitate the pronunciation you heard in the audio.

LEARN PHRASES, NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL WORDS

Whenever you learn a new word, try saying it in a complete sentence. For example, let’s say you learn the word “Procrastinate”. You can create some sentences.

PRACTICE READING ENGLISH OUT LOUD (READ AND SPEAK)

When you speak English, there are two main difficulties:
The mental difficulty of thinking of the English words to say
The physical difficulty of pronouncing the English words correctly
Reading English texts out loud will help you with the second part without having to worry about the first part. It will train your mouth and lips to pronounce English words more naturally. We suggest reading every text out loud two times. The first time, read slowly and focus on pronouncing each word correctly. Underline the words that are difficult to pronounce and repeat each one ten times. The second time, read faster and focus on making your English “flow,” speaking each sentence with a natural rhythm. You can’t learn English from a book. Like driving a car, you can only learn through doing it.

THINK IN ENGLISH

Try not to think in your native language and translate in your head – this makes speaking English more difficult, especially since many things don’t translate well. Thinking in English is something you can practice all the time, but it’s especially important when speaking English. Think in English to improve your fluency. Talk to yourself…but, not on the bus otherwise, people will think you have gone crazy!

MASTER IMPORTANT ENGLISH GRAMMAR POINTS

Some English grammar can be learned in just one sitting. Other English grammar points need to be studied intensively. Below we’ve got the ones you’ll need to spend some time on. Study these grammar items carefully, then practice using them when you speak English. Over time they’ll become natural.

IF YOU FORGET A WORD, USE OTHER WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT

It’s very common for English learners to stop a sentence in the middle because they’ve forgotten the word they want to use. In this case, the other person can help you if you describe the word you want by using other English words.

REMEMBER THAT WHEN SPEAKING ENGLISH, COMMUNICATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GRAMMAR

The #1 goal of speaking English is to communicate. Although grammar is important, it is less important than communication when speaking English.

LEARN FROM REAL CONVERSATIONS

You can study English conversations with the Practical English. If you live in an English-speaking society, pay attention to the English conversations around you. If you don’t have contact with native English speakers, watch TV shows and movies in English with English subtitles to learn English conversation patterns.

SPEAK SLOWLY

Trying to speak English too fast won’t make you sound like a native speaker. Instead, it can actually make it more difficult for the other person to understand you. Speaking English slowly has two advantages:(i) It gives you more time to think of what to say;(ii) It makes your speech clearer so the other person can understand. Over time and with practice, your spoken English will get faster naturally.

DON’T GO OVERBOARD

The faster you try to learn English, the more pressure you will put on yourself. The key is to ease into learning English with less pressure .You will feel less nervous when you make mistakes (and remember, mistakes are good!).

JOIN SPOKEN ENGLISH COURSES

When you are on your English course, be prepared for your class. Do your homework as soon as possible and hand it in on time. Review your notes and your last lesson a few minutes before the class. Doing this will refresh your memory and you’ll be warmed up for lesson.

JOIN ONLINE CONVERSATION GROUPS

There are hundreds of language conversation groups online. These websites are a great option because you are able to converse with a native or near-native English speaker right in the comfort of your own home.

JOIN ONLINE FORUM THAT USES ENGLISH

Joining an online forum means you can interact with native English speakers. It also gives you a chance to practice your English outside the classroom without leaving the comfort of your own home.

ARRANGE DEBATE OR DISCUSSION

Debate. Discuss topics in a group. Each person should choose a viewpoint (even if you don’t agree with it) and debate it within the group. Make sure you get your point across. Learn to listen actively. Active listening will help in the classroom and it will help you get more out of, and contribute more to, group study sessions. Focus on the person who is talking. Don’t fidget or become distracted by other people or events. Concentrate on the speaker with your ears and eyes. Follow the movements the speaker makes in an effort to hear more. It may help to repeat what you hear others say in an effort to understand their thoughts.

RELAX AND HAVE A POSITIVE, CONFIDENT ATTITUDE!

If you make a mistake or forget a word when you are speaking English – it’s OK! Don’t be nervous or afraid. The person who you’re talking to will understand and be patient with you. If you are insecure when speaking English, it will be even more difficult to think of the words you know.
If you haven’t gotten the results you wanted yet, it’s not because you’re bad at languages, it’s because you haven’t found your own special way of learning yet.
We’ve heard of people who learned how to speak English only by speaking, and this is definitely how young children learn before they can read or write. But we think that at least some study will help you learn much faster than if you just try to learn English speaking only. The overall key is to practice consistently, and never give up.