Sunday 17 April 2011

Fluency in 5 easy steps

Does the task of learning English seem overwhelming? Fear not! Just like a baby learning to walk, you need to take it step by step. Read our advice and you will soon be running down the road to fluent English!



Start with a Smile

No matter what your level of English, a pinch of confidence can go a long way. To become fluent in English, you must be willing to take a few risks, and that requires courage. A confident speaker with a smile can create a great first impression, even if a few mistakes are made along the way.



Memorize More than Words

Do you know tons of vocabulary but have no idea how to use the words? Try learning phrases or whole sentences to give you a fuller understanding of their meaning. This will give you many more tools for communication.





Listen to Learn

When listening to English radio, news or movies, try to analyze what you hear. As English is filled with idioms, keep a notebook to write down new phrases and words. If you are speaking to a native speaker, make note of the way they use certain words. Learning from natural speech will let you move out of textbook English and into the real world of speaking.




Exercise those Vocal Cords

It's time to start a workout routine for your voice! If you have no one to talk to, try reading out loud, describing pictures in magazines, or objects in your room. You can also recite lines from plays and speeches, or practice presenting an argument. Remember the only way to feel comfortable speaking is to practice, so use that voice!




Take Up Modeling

Model the speech patterns of native speakers. Stress and intonation are key aspects of English, and affect the meaning of what you say. So whip out a DVD, and have the remote handy. Practice listening to and repeating the words of the actors at a natural pace, which in English means fast! This will not only speed up your speech, but also your progress on the path to fluency.

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