How can improve my speech when speaking English, when is not my first language?

Question

I know English. I can understand it pretty well, since a little girl I have taken English as my second language. My problem is speaking it. I speak my native language all the time with people and don't really use it to have a normal conversation with people. I can understand it and write it pretty well, but when suddenly I have to speak in English, like on the phone for example I get tongue tied.

I don't know if this has to do with shyness, afraid of not saying right, or not being accustomed to speak in English all the time, but I would like to improve it since I am planning to go to the U.S in the future and I want to fit in with no problems.

Is there a creative way to improve the way I speak in English. I don't have time nor money to spend money on a class. My college offers one, but one class isn't enough for me to learn.

Answer 1

Although a link has been found between reading/writing/listening and speaking, the best way to improve your speaking is to actually speak.

Several ways to do this include: watching English-language TV and repeat one person's part. Singing along to music will help to. Reading aloud helps. These options help you practice forming the English sound system in your mouth.

But ultimately, you need to put yourself in the situation where you are forced to use English to communicate: find/make a friend who speaks English and use only English with that person (non-native speakers work just as well as long as they force you to communicate).

What I see to be the problem is a hesitance that many people have when forced to use a non-native language. This is natural. But you have to remember that most people are very polite and will help you. In the end, using a language is about communicating with another person, and so working toward that end should include practice that requires it. To say it another way, if your goal is to feel comfortable using English to communicate, then you have to practice using English to communicate. Make the means of learning the same as the target.

I apologize that this is not so creative, but this is what works.

Answer 2

You're english is beautiful. I love you for it.

It's ok, If english is a second language to you most people will pick up on that and give you the time it takes to say what you mean. Not a big deal. Practice makes perfect. So just speak english whenever you can, or buy some audio tapes and listen/repeat words. :)

Answer 3

You have gotten some wonderful replies to your question.
However, I would like to add a "Welcome To USA", And Come As You Are. We Love Folks With Accents, We Even Try To Duplicate, Because We Adore The Language Difference. You were born in a different country, and have taken English as a second language for a long time. Never stop learning anything, soak it up like a sponge, and when you get here, just be yourself, you will WOW everyone.

Answer 4

WATCH TV! Read books, even kids books. This way you will pick up small things that you weren't aware of. Also, ask your friends to correct you if you get something wrong. Practice, practice, practice! Speak English whenever you can, and listen carefully to someone who speaks English back to you. In time, your English will get a lot better, and you will feel a lot more comfortable.
Anyway, your question was phrased very nicely and I could understand it very well, so your English is very good already! Good luck and keep practising!

Answer 5

Hi,

Listen... the fastest and most efficient way... the very best is actually to listen to American songs.... Learn them by heart if you can... and not only will you be improving your speech but as well your speech speed, your verbs tenses, your vocabulary, and improve on your knowledge of American culture... all at once...lol... It is the fastest, and at ZERO cost if you borrow CD's for free at your local library....

Believe me... You will learn way faster than with any books, and because you alreay unerstand it, you will be able to use all these songs to make your speech ability come out in a very natural way, with some whole phrases an expressions used in most of these songs... I suggest slow songs to stat with..., than speed up the beat.... It works.... For 1 hour of intensive listening you gain the equivalent of 10 hours of knowledge... and this is more FUN than listening to lessons on tapes..., plus, with the music, it is much easier to remember the lyrics, the verbs, and full expressions and phrases, all made that you may simply remember when you'll need it....

Good Luck!

Answer 6

Yes, there is a way :) pretend you are having a conversation with someone, speak with an invisible companion, argue with him/her. Ask your invisible friend questions!

I'm learning russian at the time and I have all these invisible friends that want to get into arguments with me; they make sure I practice whenever I'm alone with them :)

Hello Mr. Refrigerator, let's see what you have to offer me today! Good morning, do you have any fresh lettuce? What is that disgusting thing there, way back in the corner?

You get the idea!

Answer 7

my (English As A Second Language teacher )used to tell me the following tips " think in English" that is mean when you see anything try to describe it in English even if it is between you and yourself , we usually as a not native speaker think in our native language now let's try to think but loudly and in English also try to talk English with anybody even if he\she doesn't speak it and the more you talk the more you will be OK, it is just a matter of time I think.

Answer 8

hello audio girl, and welcome to the world of English, Im very compassionate about my native language (English) and Im wiling to do absolutly anything I can to help. The first thing I would suggest is going to your local library and buying cds that have speech prononce tutoring, this will help you further develope the right sounds at the right times. secondly I would listen to as much English radio as Possible. I have a suggestion go to www.wsbradio.com and tune in daily, this is a talk radio program that is from my native Home town of Atlanta. you will hear a vareity of shows, from news reperts and traffic, to Political talk shows such as Shawn Hannity ect. these wil help you if you listen to them and try to mimic them. also feel free to contact me via yahoo answeres and send me messgaes and questions about pronounciation. and by all means feel free to get Cd's and tapes so that you can hear english Mucsic. then try to mimic the lyrics as closely as possible. Im so happy to hear your interested in my language. Im willing to help if at all possible. God Bless

P.s (where are you from originally, and what is your native language?)

Answer 9

Lots of reading and reading out loud helps me vastly to improve my Spanish. It certainly would help a Spanish-speaker to improve in English.

Answer 10

I think that listening to some tapes that have someone speaking exactly how things should sound would help a lot.