Ways to improve english speaking skills
WAYS TO IMPROVE ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS
Quan Chi Kien, Nguyen Le Diem Quynh, Ngo Thanh Tien
Faculty of English, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH)
Supervisor: Do Thi Song Tuyen (MA)
ABSTRACT
Speaking English is the most essential and fundamental aspects toward both communication in
real life and business. Therefore, the number of students attending English speaking courses is
currently in a significant increase. During their studying process, most of them find it difficult to learn
and practice speaking English correctly and fluently. Numerous studies have been done by
researchers to determine the major causes for these invisible barriers, which prevent learners from
succeeding. This paper aims to indicate some prominent problems that are hindering students and
then provide some methods to improve their speaking skills. Furthermore, tips and examples are
also included.
Keywords: English speaking skills, problems, study methods.
1 INTRODUCTION
Speaking is one of the most important skills of all the four language skills because individuals who
learn a language are referred to as the speakers of that language (Ur, 1996). Speaking English
fluently and effortlessly can be challenging, but once you mastered your spoken English, it could
easily provide you with some extremely practical benefits. However, according to Bueno, Madrid
and McLaren (2006), many learners state that they have spent so many years studying English as a
second language but cannot speak it appropriately and understandably. Nowadays, a colossal
number of youngsters or even adults all around the world have found themselves in this similar
situation with no proper guidance or solution.
2 COMMON PROBLEMS RELATED TO LEARNING SPEAKING
According to Shanya (2019), a teacher from Espresso English.net, most of her pupils admit their
struggle is through the lack of these four principal abilities: listening, vocabulary, pronunciation and
confidence. Furthermore, learners also find it difficult to controlling the function of the language
(transaction and interaction) and understanding the social cultural norm (such as turn-taking, about
what, and for what reason, etc...) (Hendra, 2012). Another research conducted in 1995 by Taiqin
showed that ninety-five percent of students said that they had difficulty in speaking because they
were afraid of making errors.
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3 WAYS TO IMPROVE SPEAKING SKILLS
3.1 Posture
Moving your body while studying not only helps you leap faster in your speaking process, but it can
also be applied in all other learning processes. A research by Asher (2003) (a language teaching
expert) about the role of the body language on learning showed that students who physically
moved and smiled while learning could shorten their process by four to five times. For example, you
stand up when you encounter the word ‚stand up‛. Therefore, by combining physical movement,
you push English deep into your memories. This is the first step to improve and really carve English
far down into your brain.
The body is a powerful energy source. By using each of these simple techniques, you can
increase your energy while learning. The more you do it, the more energy you have. When you
have more energy, your will learn faster and remember more. So do not forget to use strong
posture and smile.
3.2 Mindset
Hoge (2018) once said that our beliefs strongly influence our results and abilities. If we believe, we
will succeed. If we do not, we will fail. Therefore, mastering our beliefs and ideas is another way
that will bring you to the next level in term of speaking English. For example, adult learners are
commonly believe that English is not easy, while children believe otherwise. This is why
youngsters are more efficient in learning than adults. One simple way to dispose and destroy
these negative beliefs is by telling yourself everyday ‚These beliefs are wrong, I am good at
English‛ and ‚English is easy‛.
So, destroy your negative beliefs, choose and practice positive beliefs. Remind yourself every day
that negative beliefs are bad. These are the keys to master your mind to be a successful English
speaker.
3.3 Self-study
First, learning through your eyes is important, but to enhance your speaking abilities you would also
need to focus on listening. According to Shaya (2019), a conversation takes about fifty percent
speaking and fifty percent listening. Vocabulary and grammar improvement are also sharpened by
listening to the audio such as music, movie, talk show, etc. You should dedicate thirty minutes each
day practice your listening skills either by watching movies or interacting with native English
speakers.
Another way is to take online courses. This method of convenience has been verified to be
extremely useful for those who do not have much free time. During those courses English is widely
used, thus, the teacher could immediately spot your pronunciation mistakes.
Finally, this solution for improving spoken English will require you to ask yourself questions and
answer them through your life experience. Tell mini-stories is the name of this method, you need to
constantly asking yourself questions and give short answers or sentences and try using different
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sentences. Many repetitions during this practice will speed up your learning and remembering
abilities. For example, ask yourself what you do and how you feel when anticipating the spoken
English course.
3.4 Attending classes
Taking direct English classes is an essential action for those who are willing to spend time and
aiming for a faster completion. Following your instructors and apply some of the postures and
mindset from the section above, you will soon notice a positive change in your spoken English.
Speaking English like a native speaker are no longer for away.
4 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the methods mentioned earlier are some of the best ways that I think will really help
you achieve you goal of communicating like indigenous English speakers. A strong posture, smile,
positive thinking and appropriate method are the recipe for your outstanding improvement not just
in English speaking but also in learning the other English skills.
REFERENCES
[1]
Asher, J. J. (2003). Learning Another Language through Actions (6th edition). Los Gatos, CA:
Sky Oaks Productions, Inc.
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
Bueno, A., Madrid, D., & McLaren, N. (2006). TEFL in Secondary Education. Granada: Editorial
Universidad de Granada.
Hendra, H. (2012). Speaking Problems Faced by the English Department Students of Syiah
Kuala University. Lingua Didaktika. Vol 6 (1): 37-38.
Hoge, A. J. (2018). ‚Powerful English Speaking‛. Retrieved from
Hopkins, D. (1993). A Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Research. Philadelphia: Open University
Press.
Shanya, M. (2019). ‚English Speaking Tips For 4 Common Difficulties‛. Retrieved from
Taiqin, Dong. (1995). ‚I can try it at least‛: A strategy for Effective Inter-Class Oral
Communication‛. English Teaching Forum. 33 (1): 28-29.
Ur, P. (1996). A Course in Language Teaching Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
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