LEARNING a language is always hard work, you've got this far so you should be proud of yourself. But, how do you take your conversation in another language to the next level? Language teacher Mike Robertson provides us with his top tips for improving your English through conversation.
Whilst it may seem like English is the global language of choice, there are many other languages that people wish to learn. Your mother-tongue may be desired by someone who wants to travel to a country of that language, or simply wishes to learn something new. Language exchanges can be the perfect student option for those looking for a low cost (or free) method of practicing their English. Websites like Facebook and Gumtree are great for finding groups or individuals who want to meet up - but Apps like The Fluency Connection, HelloTalk and Tandem are also extremely useful and perhaps more professional.
Maybe you want to learn more about sci-fi movies, or become a professional in German beer brewing. Whatever your hobbies and passions, clubs and societies are perfect for meeting like-minded people to discuss these topics. Improving English conversational skills is all about practice, vocabulary building and exposure to real-world situations. By joining a club that you like, you will be able to learn the words and expressions most relevant to you. You may also get the opportunity to socialise at night with your team (and we all know about liquid courage). Making friends in your new city and practicing English is the best way to improve.
Tell your English-speaking friends that you want to improve your speaking skills and ask them to correct your mistakes. How can you improve if nobody tells you right from wrong? Maybe you have problems pronouncing thought, or maybe you are mispronouncing a popular idiom. Whatever your issues, make sure you ask for assistance. English is unlike languages such as French or Chinese - there are many ways to say the same thing, and often correctly. Your friends may not know that you wish to improve your expression or pronunciation. So don’t be shy - ask for help!
Listening to music and watching films is great for improving listening skills, but it is also fantastic for learning new vocabulary and expressions. Maybe you like the idioms and metaphors in Arctic Monkeys’ music, or want to talk as charmingly as James Bond. We all learn language through ‘mimicking’ - that is, copying what others say. By watching films you love, and listening to favourite songs on repeat, you are giving yourself a great opportunity to improve your English. The same goes for reading (which helps our spelling too!)
Studies show that we remember far more information when we teach it. If you have to explain something to someone, there’s a big incentive for you to pronounce everything correctly and use your best expression. It doesn’t matter what the subject is, as long as you are speaking in English. Eventually, you will start to form new habits and see that your language level has improved. So go on, if you’re in your 3rd or 4th year, request to be a tutor in your field of expertise. You might just surprise yourself with how good you already are.
