If you want to be fluent in English you have to be able to apply grammar and vocabulary in real conversations.

Just learning grammar rules and memorizing vocabulary will not make you fluent.

This is the foundation of the Spoken English Practice study method.

As we approach the end of 2018, we wanted to share with all our readers some of our top tips on how to be fluent in English.

For this compilation, we have hand picked some of most effective tips we have heard from our teachers, English students, program directors and various other experts of English.

If you become fluent in English, you can pass any standardized English exam like IELTS or TOEFL. You can easily communicate with anyone in English without making mistakes.

We have ordered these as a countdown, but remember, all these 20 tips are equally useful for you to take your Spoken English to the next level.

Tip # 20

Speaking in English will make you Fluent. Nothing else will!

Of course, other areas like grammar and pronunciation are important.

But I would strongly emphasize the importance of speaking.

Sure there are going to be mistakes/gaffes. But we need to instill confidence in non-native speakers that speaking–including the occasional mistake–is the most effective way to improve.

Craig – Spoken English Teacher

Tip # 19

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes

Most English students know all the theories of Grammar, but when it came to speaking English, we are afraid that we may speak it wrong.

The only way to become fluent in English is by practicing speaking in English.

So don’t worry about mistakes. Start speaking. That’s what I did.

Nataliya – ESL student from Moscow, Russia

Tip # 18

Although grammar is a problem for most, I think it can be overlooked if the person can express himself/herself clearly.

If a person has good pronunciation, they can be understood even if their grammar is lacking.

I believe that, with practice and some guidance, they can overcome their accent and speak clearly.

The most important thing about been fluent in English is to speak English with confidence and Spoken English Practice can help with that.

Adam – English Speaking Programs Partner

Tip # 17

Learning English is a process. It is learning continuously. 

The challenge is that of accepting the reality that learning English is a process that involves not just learning new things but revising continually things already learnt. This is vital because forgetting is also an inevitable part of the process.

I tackle these challenges by focusing on encouraging students to speak freely by asking questions, initially, with no direct verbal correction.

Here are some conversation topics I use for free talking

Karen – Spoken English Practice Partner

Tip # 16

I think most students would want to be understood when they speak English so I think learning expressions for everyday situations would help them greatly.

Everyday expressions include natural elements of the English language such as Slang, Phrasal Verbs and Idioms.

For the example, do you know the idiomatic expression “proof is in the pudding” . It is not about food!

I enjoy being practical and using situational expressions for everyday events in life.

Marcus – Business English coach

Tip # 15

Fluency is more important than Accuracy

As someone who has been studying English for years, I believe that accuracy comes after fluency. Students will be able to pick up natural errors in communication and correct them through when they become fluent.

Accuracy is important in the ability to communicate due to the need to correctly describe what is meant to be communicated; however, without the confidence or fluency to begin communication, communication would not be enough to be meaningful.

Hence I found the Spoken English Practice method the easiest way to improve Spoken English

Amir – Iran (Scientist)

Tip # 14

How to be want to be fluent fast! – Immerse fully in English.

When learning any language, the biggest thing needed is a way to become immersed.

If a student is completely immersed in the new language he is learning, then there is no easy way out and he needs to use his resources to communicate effectively.

While this can lead to frustrating or awkward situations, those situations tend to be the most memorable.

For these reasons, my classroom would be fully immersed in the language that was being studied and students could only communicate in the new language being focused on.

Kathy – English Speaking Partner

Tip # 13

Find activities in English that interest and engage you.

Vocabulary is improved through many topical conversations and reading papers or magazines that are interesting to you. 

As long as the you are fully engaged you pick up new words and phrases efficiently.

If you are interested in reading about celebrities, pick articles on that area.

This will ensure you can keep reading for a long time, in a productive manner.

David – Program Director (Brazil)

Tip # 12

Focus on natural English.

Grammar can slow the flow of conversation if they become too obsessed with it. However for verbal skills required in everyday communication/business it is important they refrain from speaking how they would write English since this comes across unnatural.

If you think of how you use your native language you will also realize the important of speaking English naturally. 

The best way to do this – practice English with native speakers.

Cynthia – British English tutor

Tip # 11

Memorizing grammar is easy. Applying grammar is the most difficult.

While comprehending grammar may be simple, understanding how to use it and how to use it appropriately and quickly is the most difficult challenge for many students.

Practice English speaking  as much as you can. This allows you to apply grammar in real conversations.

-Britany, English Teacher

Tip #10

You cannot become fluent in English by just learning grammar and vocabulary. You have to practice speaking with native English speakers. That is the only way to speak English naturally and effortlessly.

– Greg, Program Director, Spoken English Practice, China

Tip #9

Avoid sticking to a text book as your main study method. In reality many native English speakers do not speak like that. Learn real English from real native English speakers.

– Lindsay, English Teacher

Tip #8

I have used English learning software like Rosetta Stone and I have also used many free English newsletters such as AJ Hoge. All those help you to learn beginner level English. If you want to take your English speaking to an advanced level, you must start practicing with a real Native English speaker.

Rohit, Student, India

Tip #7

I would encourage the student to speak as much as possible by asking open ended questions and allowing them room for discussions on their topics of interests. I would avoid correcting every mistake and only do so if the student would not be understood after completing their sentence, by offering alternative ways to express what they want to say.

Mary K, Teacher, Spoken English Practice

Tip #6

I have learned English in school and I knew what tense should be used when and other grammatical rules. However, I could not speak fluently and I got stuck a lot when speaking. I though too much about grammar when I spoke. Spoken English Practice’s unique Conversational approach has helped me speak English without thinking of grammar rules.

Val, ESL Student, Russia

Tip #5

Speak English as much as you can. Listen to English songs. Join an English conversation club. Skype a Native English teacher. The more time you spend speaking English, the more fluent you will be. Actively speak in English, rather than just learning grammar and vocabulary in theory form.

Kenneth, English Teacher, SpokenEnglishPractice.com

Tip #4

I think the 3 most challenging areas of English for non native English speakers are Grammar (especially conjugation and past and present tense), vocabulary, and pronunciation. As a teacher, I would have casual conversations where I would model by re-stating their sentence back to them in the correct way, as if I’m clarifying that I understand them, using a more direct approach when necessary. I would articulate words carefully and patiently. I would be attentive to their learning style and adapt to it accordingly. As teachers, we have to figure our creative ways to teach grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation in a conversational setting. Otherwise, student will not remember what they learn!

Greg, English Language Teacher

Tip #3

There is a lot of useless, expensive methods in the English language learning industry. Underhill’s approach, Callan method, Pimsleur Method  etc etc. The reality is these are all helpful only to beginner level English students. If you want to go to an upper intermediate or advanced level proficiency, you have to start speaking with real Native English teachers. That’s the only way to speak English fluently and naturally.

Sarah, Manager-Enrollment, spoken english practice.com

Tip #2

As a student from China, my main goal was to get opportunities to engage in authentic exchanges of conversation in the English language with a native teacher. Since mandarin is my native language, I needed to focus on proper stress and intonation, as well as pronunciation of some hard sounds as well as vowel sounds. After my first few classes, I learned that my goal should be to improve my overall English speaking, not just some parts. I’m very happy with my results in 2015!

Kenny (Wei), Student from China

Tip #1

The fastest way to learn English is to think like a child. Children absorb English so fast and they speak with perfect pronunciation and accent. They do this because they learn through real conversations and practice and not memorization. You can use this same method as an adult. You just have to be ready to think like a child!

Brian, Program Director, www.SpokenEnglishPractice.com

Wishing you all a fantastic end to 2018 ! May the force be with you in your English learning journey.