When you ask a language student what their goal is, almost everyone says, “I want to improve my speaking.”

Speaking is one of the most important skills when learning a new language. Whether you’re talking to your teacher, ordering food in a restaurant, or having a chat with a friend, being able to speak English confidently is essential.

Just like listening, writing, or reading, speaking can be improved with the right techniques.

Here are nine effective ways to practice and improve your spoken English.

Tips to to Improve Your Spoken English

1. Listen, Read and Write More

Before you can speak confidently, you need to expose yourself to as much English as possible. The more English you hear and read, the easier it will be to form sentences and express your thoughts naturally. Try these methods:

• Listen to English podcasts, audiobooks, or news. Focus on pronunciation, intonation, and sentence structure.
• Watch English movies or TV shows with subtitles. This helps with both understanding and picking up useful expressions.
• Read books, blogs, or news articles in English. Make a list of new words and phrases, and try to use them in conversation.
• Engage in active listening, meaning you don’t just hear the words but try to understand their meaning and how they are used in context.

2. Use the New Version of ELSA Speak

Technology has made it easier than ever to practice English. The latest version of ELSA Speak offers innovative tools that help learners improve their pronunciation, fluency, and confidence. Some key features include:

• Personalized learning paths designed to match your interests and goals.
• Bilingual tutoring, where AI explains difficult concepts in your native language.
• Role-play scenarios, allowing you to simulate real-world conversations like job interviews or casual chats.
• Accent selection, so you can practice different English accents.
• Instant feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and fluency, helping you correct mistakes immediately.

By incorporating ELSA Speak into your daily practice, you can fast-track your progress and gain confidence in speaking English.

3. Speak, Speak, Speak!

The best way to get better at speaking is to actually speak! Make it a goal to practice every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Here are some ways to increase your speaking opportunities:

• Join an English-speaking club or online language exchange.
• Speak with native speakers whenever you get the chance.
• Talk to yourself when alone to practice forming sentences.
• Describe what you see around you in English to build fluency.
• Use voice messaging instead of texting with friends who are also learning English.

The more you practice, the more natural your speech will become!

4. Record Your Voice and Listen to It

Many learners don’t realize how they sound until they listen to themselves. Recording your voice allows you to:

• Identify pronunciation mistakes and areas for improvement.
• Notice patterns in your speech, such as frequent pauses or unclear words.
• Compare your pronunciation to native speakers and adjust accordingly.
• Track progress over time and celebrate improvements!

For an even more effective learning experience, get feedback from a teacher or use ELSA Speak’s pronunciation analysis feature.

5. Learn Phrases, Not Just Words

Instead of memorizing individual words, focus on learning phrases and expressions. This helps you sound more fluent and natural in conversations. For example:

• Instead of just learning “Hello,” practice various greetings like “Hey, how’s it going?” or “Good to see you!”
• Instead of memorizing “goodbye,” try alternative ways to end a conversation like “Take care!” or “See you later!”
• Learn common sentence structures so you can build new sentences more easily.

Using complete phrases instead of single words makes speaking feel more effortless and natural.

6. Pick Up the Phone

Phone conversations are often more difficult than face-to-face conversations because you can’t rely on body language. To improve:

• Start by making small calls to friends and family.
• Order food, book appointments, or ask for information over the phone.
• Use ELSA Speak’s role-play feature to practice different phone scenarios.

With time, you’ll feel more comfortable speaking English over the phone.

7. Prepare Cheat Sheets

If certain situations make you nervous, prepare in advance. Make cheat sheets with key vocabulary, phrases, and questions. Examples:

• At the doctor’s office: “I have a headache and a sore throat.”
• At a restaurant: “Can I see the menu, please?”
• At a job interview: “I have experience working in marketing.”

Having a reference will help you feel more confident and prepared.

8. Reflect on Your Conversations

After speaking in English, take a moment to reflect:

• What went well?
• Were there any words or phrases you didn’t understand?
• What can you improve next time?

Writing down your observations will help you track progress and set new goals for improvement.

9. Have Fun with Learning

Learning a language should be enjoyable! Here are some ways to make speaking English fun:

• Sing along to English songs to practice pronunciation and rhythm.
• Try tongue twisters to improve articulation.
• Do one-minute speeches on random topics to boost fluency.
• Use ELSA Speak’s role-play scenarios to practice conversations in a fun way.

The more fun you have, the more motivated you’ll be to keep learning!

Improve your Spoken English Today

Improving your spoken English takes time and practice, but these tips will help you succeed. Speak as often as possible, use ELSA Speak for guidance, and make learning fun. The more effort you put in, the more confident and fluent you’ll become.

Start practicing today and enjoy the journey to mastering spoken English!

Keep on learning here.