Becoming Comfortable with English
Take a class. If you are just beginning to learn English, it is best to begin by taking a class. A qualified teacher can guide you through the basics of English and help you understand the way the language system works. If you cannot take a class, try to find an online language acquisition program.
Get a translation dictionary. Find a dictionary or online app that offers translations of words from your native language to English and from English to your native language. This can help you in the early stages of learning English as you master your vocabulary acquisition.
Expand your vocabulary. Once you have a basic understanding of the way that English works, spend some time expanding your vocabulary. You may want to find English flashcards in your language. If you feel that you have a mastery of everyday vocabulary words but wish to learn more, try finding some advanced vocabulary flashcards, such as those used by American students studying for the GRE, an exam required for entrance into graduate school. Reading in English and circling words that you’re unfamiliar with, then looking up the words and making an effort incorporate them into your vocabulary is a great way to increase your vocabulary.
Check your local library for books or classes. Many public libraries offer resources for English Language Learners. They may even host free classes for community members who wish to improve their language fluency. This is more common in areas with a large community of language learners. The library also may have books or audio books that you can check out for free.
Find an IPA dictionary. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can help you learn how to pronounce words that you see in writing but don’t know how to say. The book should provide a guide to interpreting the IPA symbols, but you can also find videos online that tell you how to say each of the IPA letter sounds.
Read different types of English writing. Try to find a mix of more and less formal writing, so you can get a sense of both formal and conversational English. If there is an English newspaper available in your area, pick one up every day and read through it. This will give you a source for learning new words and common sentence structures on a daily basis. Also try reading novels in English. If you find that novels are challenging, try finding books meant for children or young adults, then build up to more complex works. Circle words that are unfamiliar, look them up, and write the definition in the margins of the paper or book. Then try to use a few of the new words in English conversation.
Watch a diverse array of English programming. English news reports are a great way to begin exposing yourself to English because reporters frequently speak clearly without any significant accent. However, diversifying the types of English videos you watch can help you develop fluency in conversational English so that you do not sound overly formal or stiff in your speech. Watch movies. Movies that are directed towards children or teens may have less complex vocabulary and sentence structures and may be easier if you are just developing proficiency. TV shows may be a good option as well because they are shorter than movies and can give you a sense of comic timing and humor, which can be part of fluency as well. Turn on subtitles for anything you watch if they are available. Watching the words while you hear them can improve your pronunciation and vocabulary.
View videos online. YouTube and other video streaming sites have a nearly endless supply of videos in English. If you wish to improve your work-related English fluency, be sure to watch videos in your specific field so that you can master the vocabulary and details unique to your professional needs.
Find an English learning buddy. You need to practice speaking English to build fluency, so having a friend who is also learning English will give you both the opportunity to learn and practice together. Alternatively, you could try to find a native English speaker who wishes to learn your native language and work out an exchange deal (see below).
Get a quality English Dictionary. Having access to a dictionary that offers clear definitions of unfamiliar words can help you understand words and figure out how to use them in the appropriate context. Most dictionaries will provide the word, a pronunciation guide, a definition, and the plural form of the word, which can usually be made by adding an –s, but can also take on unusual form such as –es, -en, or changing the vowel from –us to –a, depending upon the origin of the word.
Practicing Fluency
Speak in English. Developing fluency requires constant and consistent practice speaking aloud. It is best if you can speak with native English speakers, but if you cannot, speak with whoever is available to you. You can even talk to yourself aloud in English. Immersing yourself fully in English is the best way to become fluent.
Repeat what you hear native speakers say. Repeat sentences of native speakers, focusing on pronunciation, cadence, and rhythm. Record yourself speaking and play it back to give yourself the opportunity to evaluate whether your repetition sounds the same as the original. Remember to think about both what words the native speaker chooses and how they use the language.
Use a conversation exchange website. A conversation exchange website is like a matchmaking service for language learners. The website will match you with a native English speaker who is seeking to learn your native language. Through video or audio chats, you can have conversations in each language and give each other immediate feedback and tips. This type of exchange is best when done on a regular schedule, as frequently as possible. Find someone who has a similar schedule to yours and who is similarly committed to developing fluency.
Listen to other people speaking English. Particularly if you are living in an area with English speakers, listening to other people’s public conversations can frequently be a good way to practice your English comprehension and fluency. Notice things such as the rhythm of their speech, cues for when one speaker is finished talking and the other begins, and how questions and answers are posed.
Think in English. This may be tricky, but practicing forming thoughts in English can help you almost as much as speaking in English. Try narrating your day in English. For example, you may think to yourself, “I am walking out of my door. I see a stray cat on the street. I need to get on the correct bus and go to work now” in English rather than your native language.
Developing Fluency through Immersion
Travel to an English speaking area. While a country whose primary language is English is ideal, there are English-speaking communities in other countries as well. Find such a community or country and stay there for an extended period of time; the longer you stay, the more proficient your language fluency will become.
Speak only English. Even when you are unsure of exactly what to say all of the time, find a way to communicate only in English. Not giving yourself the option to “fall back” on your native language will help you become proficient in English more quickly and understand the system of the language more fully.
Ask people to refrain from speaking other languages. If you are attempting an English immersion in a country that is not primarily English speaking, ask those around you to speak to you in English whenever possible. This can be tricky if you are attempting language immersion at home, but your family may benefit from the immersion experience as well; try to make it a fun learning experience for everyone!
Be confident. If you let go of your fear of “messing up” the language and focus instead on just communicating and getting to know people, you’re more likely to be successful.
Avoiding Common Mistakes in English
Use the correct article. There are two types of articles in the English language: definite and indefinite. "The" is a definite article and refers to one specific thing. "A" and "an" are indefinite articles and refer to a general noun. If you are referring to any dog at all, say "a dog." If you are referring to one particular dog, say "the dog." Use "an" instead of "a" if the noun that follows begins with a vowel sound, as with "I would like an apple" or "I will be there in an hour."
Pay attention to prepositions. One mark of a non-native speaker is the incorrect use of prepositions (words such as on, to, in, among, and around). If you wish to speak as fluently as a native speaker, pay careful attention to how these short words are used by native speakers. Unfortunately, the rules about when to use a particular preposition are inconsistent. For example, it is common to say either “I’m waiting for the train” or “I’m waiting on the train,” but you cannot always exchange “on” and “for,” as with “I have a meeting on Monday.”
Choose the correct adjective order. Not all adjectives are treated equally in English, and native speakers tend to place adjectives in a certain order before the noun they modify. The typical arrangement is: article, judgement, size, shape, age, color, nationality, material. (However, it is best to limit the number of adjectives for a single noun to 2-3). For example, you would say "I have an old brown dog" or "I drive a rusty, box-shaped, 20-year-old American truck."
Resist the thesaurus. A thesaurus can be tempting if you feel that your vocabulary is limited, but often synonyms listed in a thesaurus may relate to an alternative form of the word you are replacing. If you must use a thesaurus, be sure to look up the word you select in a quality dictionary to be sure that it is an acceptable substitute for your original word.
Memorize irregular verbs. In English, the regular verbs are relatively easy to master, but the irregular verb forms are much more difficult. It is best to simply memorize these verb conjugations. Searching for lists of common irregular verbs and making lists or flashcards for yourself may help you master their forms.
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