How to improve spoken English?

This is one of the most common questions that we face on a day-to-day basis. As an English speaking course provider, we have researched and identified newer ways that can help students to improve their communication skills. One such experiential way is to go lyrical.

Often, students get bored learning grammar and other nuances of English. In such a scenario, a little dose of fun is always welcome. So, let us join together in a fun and entertaining journey to improve your English speaking.

Principles of learning English

Before we venture deep into how music can help you improve your vocabulary, let us first look at the principles you need to follow on this route.

1. Have fun while learning English

It is essential that you enjoy this activity, albeit, the whole point would be lost. Make sure you are passionate about the kind of music that you choose to listen to, to improve your English learning.

2. Practice 20 minutes every day

It would be much simpler to follow this principle if you preach the first rule. Learning a new skill, especially a new language, takes a lot of effort and time. Although learning English may not eat up a lot of your time, but you may have to commit a small portion of it every day. Unless you practice each day without fail, you would not reap significant results.

3. Have your reasons in place

It is important that you have your reasons in place for learning English. It is not something that you are doing for the society, at large. So, come up with a strong motivation that will keep you on track to learning English.

Now, just turn up the volumes and put on your headphones, the most enjoyable English learning class is about to begin.

The best way to learn English - the no stress way

Set a goal. The goal should be to have an enjoyable time while you improve your vocabulary. Get used to hearing English. It is a known fact that people who enjoy English music have good knowledge of the language as well. This is because you are exposed to a humongous library of new words. The goal is to know their meaning and their usage.

In addition, while you hear music, you can also understand the feelings. This is the nature of music; it allows you to connect the feelings, words, meanings and stories, all at the same time.

Let's look at the lyrics of a popular song:



Artist: Eurythmics

How many sorrows
Do you try to hide
In a world of illusion
That's covering your mind?

If you listen to this song and pay attention to the lyrics, you would learn a lot of new words. This song is simple, the pronunciation is clear and the words are easy to understand.

If you come across a word like illusion, look up for its meaning online. Wikipedia definition, "An illusion is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation."

Now, relate it with the lyrics of the song, the concept would be clearer. Isn't it easy to learn new words and improve your English vocabulary this way? Learn English for free by listening to your favorite songs. Get started now!

About eAgeTutor:

eAgeTutor.com provides English courses online for people who want to improve spoken English. Our expert tutors from around the globe undertake the online spoken English classes. A mix of interactive and fun-based programs is developed for students to help them improve their English language.

For further information on our online spoken English courses, please visit www.eagetutor.com.

- By Monika Agarwal

Related topics:
 

How to learn English through listening?
Golden Rules for Improving Spoken English

Do you feel shy to communicate with strangers? Do you get jitters with the thought of carrying out a conversation with your boss? Are you tongue-tied before a presentation in your office?

If your answer is YES to all these questions, then you are definitely scared of your communication skills. Many people worry about their poor communication skills to an extent that they stop communicating altogether. If you are making this grievous mistake, let me tell you it is not the right way to improve your conversation skills.

Effective communication is important in all spheres of life, both personal and professional. You cannot understand a person/subject/topic if you are unable to communicate properly. To rise and shine in the dynamic business world, good communication is a requisite. Let's look at some of the ways through which you can improve English communication.



Learn the basics

Communication means transfer of messages between a sender and a receiver through various modes, including written words, spoken words and nonverbal cues. Confidence is another essential aspect of effective communication. You should be confident that your point is worthwhile to the subject. Be aware of your opinions and stay confident in your expression. These can equip you to convey your message effectively. Start your practice of effective communication by carrying out simple conversations. Each day and every minute you can practice to better your conversational skills. Just stay on track and never give up, no matter how bleak the road ahead appears.

1. Keep your audience engaged

Communication is a two-way road and the response of your audience decides your fate. So, make an eye contact whenever you are with people. You may be listening, or speaking, it is important to maintain eye contact intact. This is the key to successful communication. Eye contact establishes the interest and at the same time motivates the speaker to go on. Hand and facial gestures are another way to support your conversation. Your gestures can speak more than your words, so pay attention. Keep your facial and hand gestures as well as your tone in sync.

2. Effective listening is vital



To improve your English communication skills it is important to develop effective listening skills first. A successful listener is the one who can decode not only the words that are being communicated but also the feelings and emotions that comes with it. Do not just pay attention to the end of the sentence, so that you can take ahead the conversation. The rule is to talk less and listen more.

3. Enjoy the power of words

When we say enjoy, we literally mean it. Words are a powerful tool and when said in the right manner, they can have the right impact. So, don't just rush with your words, speak clearly and precisely. Never mumble to get away from the conversation. If you are being asked all the time to repeat a sentence or word, then you are not communicating effectively. Make use of simple words and pay attention to your pronunciation. Speak with the right pace; if you rush with your words, people will think that you are a nervous speaker. So, be careful with your pace.

Hope the above English tutorial is helpful in improving your English communication skills.

How many times have you heard people say phrases like 'going bananas' or 'at loggerheads' and scratched your head wondering what these phrases mean? These phrases are called idioms. Idioms are a collection of words that do not adhere to their dictionary meaning, rather these words, collectively, imply a different thing. For example, take the idiom 'at loggerheads', the dictionary meaning of loggerhead is a type of carnivorous sea turtle. However, loggerheads in this phrase do not refer to the turtles. Rather, at loggerheads means to be in a conflict. 'Both the team members are at loggerheads, it's a wonder how any work gets done!' – This sentence uses the idiom perfectly!

So, that is how an idiom works. It helps you convey your message without having to say it explicitly. In our last two blogs on idioms , we gave you a few idioms, along with their meanings, for practice. We hope that you are, by now, quite fluent with the ones we had provided.

It will not be a wonder if you are keen on learning more idioms, after all, that is the charm of idioms – they are addictive! Idioms lend a sense of affluence and in-depth learning of the language to a person's spoken English. The good news for you is that the English language is blessed with a number of vibrant idioms that are fun to learn and great to use. So get your pen and paper out and start learning!

• Turn over a new leaf: No, you do not have to actually go a pluck a leaf every time someone says, 'turn over a new leaf'. This idiom means to make a fresh start. This is a perfect idiom to boost some positivity in a person who has suffered a loss. Eg. "After suffering bankruptcy in his business, Suresh decided to turn a new leaf; albeit after taking into account all sorts of risks." Turn over a new leaf means to make a new beginning or give up the old ways.

• Face the music: Doesn't this idiom make you feel nice? After all, who doesn't like music? However, when someone says that you are bound to face the music, it means that you are going to be in some trouble – that definitely is not a cheering thought. Face the music implies that a person will have to face the consequences of their action. Eg. "I broke my sister's favorite watch, which she has lent me. Now I will have to face the music when I go back home."

Many people approach us with the same issue, "How to improve my English speaking skills?" While we do give them some easy pointers and tips that can help them, many people require more personal attention and teaching. For such people, the best option is to join an online English class like eAgeTutor. With proper guidance and personalized approach, a student can learn fluent English and enroll in spoken English courses that will help him/her achieve his/her goal.

Office parties are a great way to unwind, break the ice, and get to know your colleagues and to let your hair down as well. Office parties offer one more opportunity – to practice your English and social skills.

Office parties are the perfect place to strike a conversation with the colleagues you have always wished to speak with. The environment and mood is just perfect – neither too formal, nor too casual. This is the perfect setting to strike a casual conversation and indulge in some small talk.

However, for people who are complete novices, even a casual conversation at the party is enough to break them into a sweat. The fear of fumbling, making a mistake, mispronouncing, and many other such monsters come to haunt the mind when you are not confident about speaking in English. However, you should remind yourself of one thing always, if you do not practice spoken English, how will you ever improve and gain the confidence? Do not be afraid of making mistakes, rather take them sportingly and learn from them.

To help you out, we will give you a quick lesson to give you an idea of what a standard conversation at a party goes like. We, definitely, cannot predict what the mind of a conversation may crop up at a party, but we can definitely draw a rough sketch to prepare you beforehand so that you do not get caught unawares!

Here is an idea of a usual conversation at a party:

(Before we start, let us make some fictional characters amongst which the conversation will take place. Raj (our amateur English speaker), Suresh, and Priya should be good!)

Raj joins Suresh and Priya

Raj: Hey Suresh, how are you?

Suresh: Hello Raj, meet my friend Priya. Priya, this is Raj, he works in my department.

Priya: Hi, Raj.

Raj: Hi, Priya. So, which department are you in?

Priya: I am in accounts.

Suresh: Hey, let us get some finger food to eat, while we chat up.

Priya: Why, that is a good idea!

Raj: yes, let us go.

As you must have deduced by now, since this is a party, casual words like 'hey', 'chat up', etc. are acceptable. These words give your sentences a fun feel and are apt, given the situation. Now our scene is proceeding towards food. Remember, food is always a safe topic of conversation. Unlike other topics, where people can get judgmental or hurt, food is, by far, a safe topic and it is pertinent that you exploit this opportunity to its maximum.

At the buffet table:

Suresh: Priya, try these paneer fritters. They are amazing.

Priya: Sure.

Raj: I would like to has some, as well.

Suresh: Not has, Raj. You should say 'have'.

Raj: What?

Suresh: You should say, 'I would like to have some, as well.'

Raj: Oh. Thank you for correcting me.

Suresh (to Priya): Raj has been trying to improve his English speaking skills and he practices often. I must say, he has improved a lot.

Priya: Oh! That is terrific, Raj. All the best.

So, this is how you should always welcome help and correction. This is the only way you can improve spoken English. Joining an online English speaking class like eAgeTutor is also a good idea as it will help you understand the rules and nuances of English, thereby improving your spoken English.