Methods for Improving Your Spoken English

14 Methods for Improving Your Spoken English Without a Speaking Partner

1. Think in English.

Sometimes the difficult thing about talking in a new language isn’t the language itself, but how you think about it.

If you think in your native language and then try to speak English, you’ll always have to translate between languages. Translating isn’t an easy thing to do! Even people fluent in two or more languages have trouble switching between languages.

The solution is to think in English.

You can do this anywhere, anytime. Try to use English when you’re thinking about your day, or when you’re trying to decide what food to order. Even try to use an English to English dictionary to look up words. That way you never have to use your native language and translate words. You’ll notice that when you think in English, it’s easier for you to speak in English.

2. Talk to yourself.

Whenever you’re at home (or alone somewhere else) you can practice your English with your favorite person: yourself.

If you’re already thinking in English, try speaking your thoughts out loud. Read out loud, too. Practice is practice, and even if you don’t have anyone to correct your mistakes, just the act of speaking out loud will help you become more comfortable speaking English.

3. Use a mirror.

Whenever you can, take a few minutes out of your day to stand in front of the mirror and speak. Choose a topic, set a timer for 2 or 3 minutes and just talk.

The point of this exercise is to watch your mouth, face and body language as you speak. It also makes you feel like you’re talking to someone, so you can pretend you’re having a discussion with a study buddy.

Talk for the full 2 or 3 minutes. Don’t stop! If you get stuck on a word you don’t know, try expressing your idea in a different way. You can always look up how to say that word after the 2-3 minutes end. This will definitely help you find out what kinds of words or sentences you have trouble with.

4. Focus on fluency, not grammar.

When you speak in English, how often do you stop?

The more you stop, the less confident you sound and the less comfortable you become. Try the mirror exercise above, but challenge yourself to speak without stopping or stammering (taking pauses between your words) the entire time.

This might mean that your sentences won’t be grammatically perfect, and that’s okay! If you focus on speaking fluently instead of correctly, you’ll still be understood and you’ll sound better. You can fill in the correct grammar and word rules as you learn them better.

5. Try some tongue twisters.

Tongue twisters are series of words that are difficult to say quickly. One example is: “The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday.” Try saying this a few times! It’s not easy.

Word games like this will help you find the right placement for your mouth and tongue, and can even help your pronunciation. Y

6. Listen and repeat.

Do you watch TV shows or YouTube videos in English? Use them to improve your fluency. Choose a short part of a show and repeat it line by line. Try to match the tone, speed and even the accent (if you can). It doesn’t matter if you miss a few words, the important thing is to keep talking. Try to sound just like the native speakers on the show.

7. Pay attention to stressed sounds.

English uses stresses in words and sentences. That means you’ll need to stress, or emphasize, certain words and syllables (sounds) to give words and sentences different meanings.

Listen to where native speakers place the emphasis when they speak. Try to repeat it the same way.

This won’t only help you speak well, it might even reduce misunderstandings. Sometimes the placing the stress on the wrong syllable completely changes the word. The word ADdress, for instance, isn’t the same as the word adDRESS. ADdress refers to a physical location where someone lives, and adDRESS means to formally speak to a group of people.

Learn to hear the difference!

Interrupting

Interrupting politely


Excuse me,
Pardon me,
Sorry to interrupt,
May I interrupt (for a minute)?
Can I add something here?
I don't mean to intrude, but . . .
Could I inject something here?
Do you mind if I jump in here?

Getting back to the topic

Anyway,
Now, where was I?
Where were we?
What were you saying?
You were saying . . .
To get back to . . .

Elaborating

Asking for Elaboration


Could you elaborate (on that)?
Could you tell me a little more about it?
Could you give (me) some details?
Could you fill me in on that?
Could you expound on that?
What else can you tell us (about that)?
Is there anything else you can tell us?
Is there more to it?

Elaborating


To elaborate,
To give you more information,
Let me explain.
Let me elaborate.
Let me tell you a little more (about it).
Let me give you some details.
What's more,

Shock and disbelief

Expressing shock and disbelief

It is sometimes difficult to say how you feel in unexpected situations, such as natural disasters, bad news .., especially when you feel sad.

Here's a list of some common expressions to help you express

• shock
• and disbelief.

Shock:

I was	shocked to hear… stunned by... taken aback by…
... came as	a complete shock.
I'm in

Examples:

• I was shocked to hear the news.
• I was stunned / taken aback by the news
• I was completely taken aback by his behavior.
• I was just stunned by her clothes.
• The news came as a complete shock.
• We're all in complete shock.

Telling The Time

How to tell the time in English?

There are two common ways of telling the time in English. For 2:40 you can use one of these two ways.

• Digital: the easier way - "Two forty "
• Classical: you say the minutes first then the hour - "twenty to three"

Here are the different ways to ask for and tell the time.

Asking about the time:

What	time is it?
	time do you make it?
	's the time?
Have you got	the right time?

Talking About Favorite Things

Talking about favorite things

When you talk about your favorite things you talk about the best liked or most enjoyed things.

Examples:

• "What's your favorite color?" "Green."

Study the dialogue:

Leila is talking to her new friend Cathy:

Leila:	What kind of films do you like best?
Cathy:	Science fiction. And you?
Leila:	Comedy. And who's your favorite actor?
Cathy:	Tom Cruise.
Leila:	I like Robert de Nero most.

Asking about favorite things:

• What's your favorite sport?
• What sport do you like best?
• What sport do you like most?
• What kind of sport do you like best?
• Who's your favorite football player?

A Note on Spelling

There's no quick, easy way to overcome spelling problems. This is true partly because our English spelling system is complex and difficult to explain logically.

Even computer spell-checkers can cause problems for unwary users.

Also, most spelling habits are formed early when we're learning to read. As we grow older, those habits, good or bad, become almost automatic, and often we spell without thinking about whether we're right or wrong. Even computer spell-checkers can cause problems for unwary users.

If you have trouble with spelling, then, you need to do more than learn a few words. You need to form new spelling habits, and the most important is to make spelling a conscious activity. This can be frustrating if you interrupt your writing to look up a word, only to find you knew how to spell it all along. Because spelling improvement is as important as it is difficult, however, you can't afford to let it slide. The suggestions that follow are intended to help you develop good spelling habits.

Suggestions for Spelling Improvement

1. Don't look words up while you're composing. Wait until your thought-flow runs its course. As you write, highlight or mark any words you aren't absolutely sure about. Then later when editing, your attention will go right to these words and you can look them up all at once without interrupting and losing track of your thoughts. By looking up words later, you also can concentrate on learning to spell them correctly so you won't have to look them up again. You might even consider keeping a list of Target Words to concentrate on.

2. Every time you write a word ask yourself whether you know how to spell it. There are only two possible answers to this question: yes and no. Maybe, probably, and I think so all count as no. If the answer is yes, keep on writing, but if the answer is no, mark the word to look up. Most spelling errors come not on words like "cataclysmic," which you know you need to look up, but on words like "front," where you think the odds are with you.

Adjectives

witty

very clever and funny person

greedy

someone who wants more money, things or power than they need

lazy

inclined to avoid effort, not willing to work

cruel

a person that inflicts pain to people or animals without pity

morose

unhappy, ill-tempered or gloomy

stingy

a person unwilling to spend or give a lot of money, not generous

unreliable

not able to be trusted or depended on

reserved

people who do not show their feelings, silent or reticent

large-handed

a generous person that gives in large quantities

vindictive

a revengeful and cruel person

quiet

used about people who do not usually talk much, restrained in a speech, manner...

discreet

a tactful person that is careful not to say a secret

convivial

friendly, sociable, festive and making you feel welcome

skinny

being very thin in a way that is not attractive

friendly

people who are kind, not antagonistic or hostile, they often make you feel comfortable

diligent

someone who works hard and is constant in effort to accomplish something

Adverbs

Adverbs can tell you where, when, how, why and to what extent something happens.

There are several different classes of adverb (see above).

They are often formed from adjectives or nouns by adding the suffix -ly.

For example: Quick becomes quickly, sudden becomes suddenly, intelligent becomes intelligently.

To form an adverb from adjectives ending in -y change the y to i before adding the -ly.

For example: angry becomes angrily, busy becomes busily.

To form an adverb from adjectives ending in -e drop the -e before adding the -ly.

For example: feeble becomes feebly, true becomes truly.

Some adjectives ending in -ly need no changes.

For example: heavenly.

However there are exceptions.

For example: sly becomes slyly, shy becomes shyly.

Some adverbs do not end in -ly.

For example: fast, hard, straight.

Adjective	Pretty	Serious	Fast	Quiet
Example	She was a pretty girl.	He was a serious boy.	It was a fast car.	They were quiet children.
Adverb	Prettily	Seriously	Fast	Quietly
Example	The bird sang prettily.	The policeman spoke seriously.	Schumacher drives fast.	The woman spoke quietly.

Adverbs can modify adjectives

An adjective can be modified by an adverb, which precedes the adjective.

For example:-

That's really nice.

Adverbs can modify adverbs

Some adverbs can modify others. As with adjectives, the adverb precedes the one it is modifying.

For example:-

She did it really well.

Adverbs can modify nouns

Adverbs can modify nouns to indicate time or place.

For example:-

The concert tomorrow.

The room upstairs.

Adverbs can modify noun phrases

Some adverbs of degree such as quite, rather, so, such ... can modify noun phrases.

For example:-

We had quite a good time.

They're such good friends.

Adverbs can modify determiners, numerals and pronouns

Adverbs such as almost, nearly, hardly, about, etc., can be used:

For example:-

Nearly everyone, who was invited, came to the party.

Adverbs can modify sentences

Some adverbs modify a whole sentence, not just a part of one.

For example:-

Luckily the car stopped in time. In this sentence luckily modifies the whole sentence, it shows that it was good luck that the car stopped in time.

Alphabetical List - U-V

Union is strength	A group has more force than an individual.
Unwillingness easily finds an excuse.	A person who doesn't want to do something always finds a reason to avoid it.
Variety is the spice of life.	Doing a lot of different things makes life more interesting.
Virtue is its own reward.	You should not expect praise for acting in a correct or moral way.

Alphabetical List - W

Walls have ears.	Be careful.  People could be listening.
Waste not, want not.	If you never waste anything, you will have is when you need it.
(A) watched pot never boils.	If you wait anxiously for something to happen, it seems to take a long time.
(The) way to a man's heart is through his stomach.	Feed a man well and he will love you.
What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.	If a person doesn't know about something, it cannot hurt them.
What a man says drunk, he thinks sober.	People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol.
What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals.	People are less discreet under the influence of alcohol.
When the cat's away, the mice play.	People sometimes misbehave when the person in authority, is absent.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.	You should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting and behave in the same way.
When poverty comes in the door, love goes out the window.	When a couple loses everything, their relationship becomes difficult.
Where there's life there's hope.	As long as a person is breathing, there is hope for recovery.
Where there's a will there's a way.	If you are determined to do something, you will find a way to do it.
Who makes himself a sheep will be eaten by the wolves.	Possible interpretation: an easily influenced person can be mislead.
(A) wise head keeps a still tongue	An intelligent person knows when to stay silent.
Wisdom is better than strength.	It is preferable to use one's intelligence than one's physical strength.
(The) wish is father to the thought.	You think that something is true because you want it to be so.
(A) wonder lasts but nine days	The effects of an amazing or stirring event last only nine days; after that, life goes on as before.
Wonders will never cease!	Expresses surprise at an unexpected pleasure or event.
Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.	Worrying over small details can make them seem worse.
(Two) wrongs don't make a right.	It is wrong to harm someone because they have harmed you.

Alphabetical List - T

Tall oaks grow from little acorns.	Great things may come from small beginnings.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.	Children resemble their parents.
The best advice is found on the pillow.	A good night's sleep may help us find an answer to our problem.
The best things in life are free.	You don't have to pay for what is important: happiness, friendship, good health.
The darkest hour is just before dawn.	The most difficult moment is just before a problem is solved.
The devil looks after his own.	Success comes to those who deserve it least.
The devil makes work for idle hands.	People who have no work, or are idle, often get into trouble.
The die is cast.	A decision has been made and it is impossible to change it.
The early bird catches the worm.	Act early, or before anyone else, if you want to have an advantage or be successful.
The end justifies the means.	Wrong or unfair methods may be used if the result of the action is good.
The first step is the hardest.	The most difficult part of an action is the beginning.
The more haste, the less speed.	A person makes more progress if they take time to do things carefully.
The more you have, the more you want.	People have a constant desire to possess more.
The mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken.	If you depend on just one thing, and it fails, you have no alternatives.
The pen is mightier than the sword.	Words and communication have a greater effect than war and fighting.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.	The real value of something can be judged only after it has been tried or tested.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.	It is not enough to intend to do something, you must actually do it.
The tongue wounds more than a lance.	Insults can be more hurtful than physical injuries.
The truth is in the wine.	People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol.
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.	Feed a man well and he will love you.
The wish is father to the thought.	You think that something is true because you want it to be so.
There is a black sheep in every flock.	There is always someone who doesn't behave or perform like the others.
There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.	We do not own something until we actually get it.
There is a trick in every trade.	There is an established way of doing things.
There is no fool like an old fool.	An older person is expected to behave more sensibly.
There is safety in numbers.	Being in a crowd makes you feel more confident.
(A) tidy house holds a bored woman.	If a house is always tidy, the owner (woman) has nothing but housework to occupy her time.
Time and tide wait for no man.	Delaying a decision will not prevent events from taking place.
Time has wings.	Time goes by quickly.
Time heals all wounds.	The passage of time lessens the impact of bad events.
Time is money.	Time is valuable and should not be wasted.
To err is human, to forgive divine.	It is human nature to make mistakes, therefore one should forgive them.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.	If too many people are involved in something, it will not be done properly.
Too much bed makes a dull head.	When you sleep too much, you are not able to think clearly.
(The) tongue wounds more than a lance.	Insults can be more hurtful than physical injuries.
A tree is known by its fruit.	A person is judged by their actions.
Trust not a horse's heel nor a dog's tooth.	A horse kicks from behind, a dog attacks with its teeth.
Truth has no answer.	You cannot argue against facts or refute what is true.
(The) truth is in the wine.	People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol.
Truth is stranger than fiction.	Events in real life are often stranger than in fiction.
Two wrongs don't make a right.	It is wrong to harm someone because they have harmed you.

Alphabetical List - R

Revenge is sweet.	There is satisfaction in returning an injury.
(A) rising tide lifts all boats.	Refers to something that will be helpful to all.
(The) road to hell is paved with good intentions.	It is not enough to intend to do something, you must actually do it.
(A) rolling stone gathers no moss	If a person keeps moving from place to place, they gain neither friends nor possessions. Another interpretation is that, by moving often, one avoids being tied down!
Rome was not built in a day.	It takes time to a job properly.  You should not expect to do it quickly.
(A) rotten apple spoils the barrel.	A dishonest or immoral person can have a bad influence on a group.

Alphabetical List - S

Save me from my friends.	Friends can be more dangerous than enemies.
Saying is one thing, doing is another.	People don't always do what they announce.
Short reckonings make long friends.	Debts paid quickly encourage friendship.
Sickness in the body brings sadness to the mind.	Physical suffering can lead to sadness or depression.
Silence gives consent.	If you don't object something, it is assumed that you agree with it.
(A) soft answer turneth away wrath.	If your reply is polite and tactful you will avoid anger.
(A) smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.	Overcoming adversity leads to competence.
Snug as a bug in a rug.	Feeling very comfortable.
Spare the rod and spoil the child.	If you don't punish a child when he does wrong, you will spoil his character.
Speech is silver, silence is golden.	Speaking is good, but discretion can be better.
Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.	Physical attacks may harm me, but cruel words will  not.
Still waters run deep.	A quiet person with a calm outward appearance can have much knowledge or wisdom.
(A) stitch in time saves nine.	It's better to deal with a problem at an early stage so as to prevent it from getting worse.
Stolen fruit is sweet / the sweetest Stolen pleasures are the sweetest.	What is forbidden is the most tempting.
(A) stumble may prevent a fall.	Correcting a small mistake may help you to avoid making a bigger one.
(A) swallow does not make the summer.	One good event does not mean that everything is alright.

Alphabetical List - P-Q

(The) pen is mightier than the sword.	Words and communication have a greater effect than war and fighting.
Penny wise, pound foolish.	Refers to a person who is careful about spending small amounts of money, but not careful about spending large amounts.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.	One should not criticize others for faults similar to one's own and risk retaliation.
(A) picture paints a thousand words.	A picture is better than a long description.
Pity is akin to love.	If you begin to feel sorry for someone, you may start to love them.
Poverty waits at the gates of idleness.	If you do not work, you will not earn any money.
Practice makes perfect.	Doing something repeatedly is the only way to become good at it.
Practice what you preach.	Do yourself what you advise others to do.
Prevention is better than cure.	It is easier to prevent something from happening than to repair the damage or cure the disease later.
Pride comes before a fall.	Don't be too self-confident or proud; something may happen to make you look foolish.
(A) problem shared is a problem halved.	It is easier to deal with a problem when you discuss it with someone.
Procrastination is the thief of time.	Delaying an action for too long is a waste of time.
(The) proof of the pudding is in the eating.	The real value of something can be judged only after it has been tried or tested.
Punctuality is the soul of business.	You should always be on time for your business appointments.
Put all your eggs in one basket.	Risk everything by relying on one plan (e.g. by putting all one's money into one business).

Alphabetical List - O

An) old fox is not easily snared.	A person of experience is difficult to fool or manipulate.
Once bitten, twice shy.	After an unpleasant experience, people are careful to avoid something similar.
One father is (worth) more than a hundred schoolmasters.	A teacher cannot replace a father. A child is raised by a father and taught by a teacher.
One good turn deserves another.	You should be helpful to someone who helps you.
One of these days is none of these days.	Until a date is set, 'one of these days' remains a vague promise.
One today is worth two tomorrows.	What you have today is better than what is promised or hoped for.
One man's meat is another man's poison.	People don't always like the same things.
One man's trash is another man's treasure.	What is useless to one person could be valuable to another.
One swallow doesn't make a summer.	A single satisfactory event does not mean that all the others will be as good.
(An) onion a day keeps everyone away.	A humoristic version of "an apple a day..."
Only real friends will tell you when  your face is dirty.	Only a real friend will tell you the truth.
Opportunity seldom knocks twice.	Don't miss opportunities that come along.
(An) ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit.	It is better to be cautious and discreet than to try to be funny.
(An) ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.	It is easier to prevent something from happening than to repair the damage or cure the disease later.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings.	Children often speak wisely.
Out of sight, out of mind.	We tend to forget people or things that we do not see.