Learning a foreign language can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to speaking. However, many foreign language students struggle to find opportunities to practice English. Here are 15 ways to practice speaking English, especially if you're taking an English class in DC. One of the most unique ways to practice speaking English is to download and use Whatsapp.
Whatsapp is a messaging tool used by more than 1 billion people around the world. In addition to using the app to send video messages and conversations in English, the app is also a great way to connect with other English learners to practice. Another great way to practice speaking English is to watch movies or TV shows with subtitles. Watch it once and practice paying attention to the dialogues (conversations) and the way people talk.
Pause at regular intervals to emulate (match, usually by imitation) your tone and pronunciation. Repeating what people say will help you sound more natural. While subtitles also help you learn to read in English, you can also use them to practice reading aloud. This is a great way to practice your pronunciation and intonation.
At the Washington language institute, inlingua, students will spend most of their time in class speaking English. If you don't have access to a language institute, you can join Meetup groups in your area that focus on practicing conversation in different languages. This is a great way to meet other language learners and practice speaking with native speakers. Using a dictation application or program is great for your speaking skills because it forces you to speak clearly and slowly.
It takes a little practice to get used to the dictation at first, so be patient with yourself. But, if you are still a beginner in speaking English, I recommend that you download ELSA Speak, which is an application that helps you focus on the pronunciation of English. When learning a foreign language, you'll find yourself talking to all kinds of native speakers: your teacher, restaurant waiters, taxi drivers, and the owner, so it's vital that you feel comfortable. If you know that you need to practice speaking but don't know what to talk about, memorizing something is a good starting point.
Another tip for increasing your fluency is to speak with a variety of phrases instead of individual words. To take full advantage of this feature and improve your English speaking skills, you'll have to repeat the word aloud, imitating the way the app pronounces it. In situations with friends and family, you'll have to explain to them that you want to speak in English because they may mean that you feel more comfortable speaking your native language. Configure all the virtual assistant tools you use (such as Siri, Google or Amazon Alexa) to speak English.
If you're having trouble having the confidence to talk to someone in person, maybe you can always start by writing online. If you're with a native speaker who knows that you're learning English, you can ask specific questions to better understand the meaning of the new words.
