Lesson 73: Tips for English learners for talking and speaking fluently

1. It is not necessary for you to always speak a whole sentence all the time, which non-native learners often try to do. You can continue the conversation with words like 'okay', 'ya, 'sure', hmm', 'I see', 'is it' 'that's surprising', carry on' et al.

2. If you can't recall a particular word or you are unsure about the sentence formation, phrase and don't know how to describe a particular situation, there are ways to get out of the situation. You can always talk about a situation or thing in many different ways.

For example, if you don't remember what to say when your vehicle 'breaks down'. And somebody asks you what has happened? Surely you can answer him:

*My bike's engine has developed a fault
or
*Something seems wrong with my bike
or
*The engine doesn't work
or
*I will have to show my bike to the mechanic.

So you just need to be a little more imaginative. And you can escape any such difficult situation easily. Meanwhile, keep working on your vocabulary and you will surely succeed.

3. Gestures are also important. If you are attentive and that is evident from your face and eyes, the person won't feel that you are not communicating enough. Not all people are talkative and generally people like listeners. So be more of a listener.

4. Don't talk about 'Wren and Martin', I mean, grammar is surely okay but just don't concentrate so much that you lose your basic aim--speaking English.

5. If somebody told you to read English newspapers and watch news for learning the skills of English conversation, just don't believe him. Bookish English is different from the English you wish to learn. The better option is to watch English serials, interviews, soap operas or movies [for starters those regional movies with English-subtitles] and of course, listening to the Radio.

6. Learners often make this mistake. They want to talk like an Express train, falter and as a result get frustrated. But it is not necessary. Take your time. You don't need to talk fast. Be steady and to the point.

7. Pauses can be used effectively. Ah...ummm.....can be used with perfection when you are thinking of a proper word. Even English speakers use them. Not everybody can recall anyword anytime. So just relax. These hmmmz and ummmz are there to help you.

Remember, you can even say No by raising your shoulders or pursing your lips out. So don't get panicky that you don't know a word. You know it.

For learners, the non-native ones who live in Asia, Africa, China, Japan, Gulf and other countries, we will keep bringing to you such tips and ways to communicate and speak English. Don't hesitate in asking us and keep sending your valuable feedback.