Mastering English Conversation Might Be Easier Than You Think! Effective Learning Methods to Speak Fluently
So, how can you make English more approachable and overcome the hurdles holding you back? What’s missing from your current approach?
For those who think, “I’d like to speak English someday, but…,” let’s dive into ways to start speaking more confidently in English.
The Learning Timeline to Speak English
How much time can you dedicate to learning English each day? According to the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Service Institute (FSI), mastering English typically requires around 2,200 to 3,000 hours of study. This depends on your current level and how fluent you want to be. For example, if you study for an hour each day, it could take up to six years to achieve conversational fluency.
Learning English, especially for busy professionals, isn't something that can be achieved overnight. But through consistent effort and ongoing practice, progress is inevitable!
A good balance between input and output is often cited as 3:7. This means that speaking the words and grammar you’ve learned helps reinforce them even more. Input (listening or reading) can be done alone, but for output (speaking), consider trying platforms like RareLingo for conversational practice.
What It Takes to Speak English Confidently
Japanese and English are fundamentally different languages, with varying grammar, sentence structures, and even word order. So, it’s understandable if it feels challenging at times. But no matter how different the language, if you truly have the drive to speak English, you will get there. Here are some tips to make it happen.
1. Clarify Your Reason for Wanting to Speak English
Before diving into specific study methods, it’s important to clarify why you want to learn English. Knowing your motivation makes it easier to identify the most effective study techniques.
Whether it's to study abroad, work overseas, make international friends, or live in another country, your reasons for learning English can vary widely. Someone preparing for a university abroad will need to focus on academic English, while someone looking to make foreign friends doesn’t need to concentrate on formalities.
By clarifying your goal, you can tailor your learning plan to your needs, creating a direct route to improvement.
2. Don’t Panic When Progress Seems Slow
In the early stages of learning, you may notice your skills improving quickly. However, as you reach a certain level, it can become harder to improve. Instead of getting frustrated, stay focused on your goals and enjoy the journey. It’s all part of the process.
3. Focus on Enjoying the Conversation
Many people who have improved their English cite “having native-speaking friends or partners” as a key factor. English is an excellent tool for expanding communication.
By wanting to share feelings and thoughts with someone you care about, your desire to speak English will grow naturally.
Forget about being perfect or worrying about mistakes. People who want to converse with you won’t mind mistakes – they just want to engage in the conversation with you!
4. Five Simple Ways to Boost Your Speaking Skills Daily
To get better at English, the first step is to remove any barriers you may have toward speaking it. If you make it a habit to expose yourself to English regularly, you won’t panic when it’s time to use it in real situations. While joining an English class is always effective, here are some simple ways you can incorporate English into your daily life.
a. Listen to English as Much as Possible
When you decide you want to speak English, one of the first things you can do is listen to it as much as possible. This is your auditory input. For example, listen during your free time, while commuting, in the bath, or before bed. Even if you’re not focusing on grammar or pronunciation, make sure you are listening as much as possible.
Podcasts related to your specific interests are a great choice, but watching movies or TV shows also helps. Listening frequently will naturally improve your listening skills over time.
b. Practice Speaking to Yourself in English
Just as you need to listen to English, you need to practice speaking it too. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, try speaking to yourself!
For example, if you're hungry, say “I’m hungry” in English. If you're tired, say “I feel sleepy.” Even small phrases like these help. If it feels awkward at first, try shadowing what you hear in TV shows or movies, and practice repeating what the characters say.
Shadowing is a technique where you mimic the speaker's words a couple of beats behind. It helps with both speaking and listening. Use videos, podcasts, or audiobooks for practice!
c. Keep a Journal in English
Writing in English, even if it’s just a simple journal, can also be very helpful. Most journals talk about what you did during the day or how you felt. These are common topics in conversation.
When talking to a native speaker, they often ask you questions like “How did you feel about that?” or “What’s your opinion?” Writing these kinds of thoughts in a journal will help you organize and express them more naturally when you converse in real life.
And since no one will read or correct your journal, don’t worry about making mistakes. The goal is to practice articulating your thoughts in English.
d. Input → Output: Repeat the Cycle
No matter what study methods you use, the key to improving is applying what you’ve learned. Input (listening or reading) helps, but the real magic happens when you output (speak or write). This process needs to be repeated for progress.
Even after 10+ years living in English-speaking countries, I’m still practicing daily with input and output.
5. Have Fun While You Learn!
The challenge of speaking English becomes much more manageable when you approach it with a positive, fun attitude. Continuous practice, clarity of goals, and dedication will get you there!
Remember, consistency is key. Stay passionate about your study method, and the day you can confidently speak English will come.
Let go of the pressure, enjoy the process, and take it at your own pace. Why not start your journey today with RareLingo?
This approach highlights both the mental and practical aspects of learning English, while also making it accessible and encouraging!
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment