13 Methods to Improve English Speaking Skills

English is the most widely spoken language in the world today. It has become necessary to master this language, since its use is becoming so common nowadays. Speaking good English will help you to communicate more easily and effectively. Practice the following points in order to become a confident English speaker:

1. Practice makes perfect: Any practice is good – whether you speak to someone who is a native English speaker or not.

2. Respond in English to what people say to you. Try to reply to others in English. You can get clues to what people think by looking at their body language too. 

3. Relax while you speak: Speak slowly and clearly when you are speaking. 

4. Write your own English language blog/diary: One way to make sure you write every day in English is to write an English diary or journal or a blog.  

5. Sign up for English teaching websites: Many websites also offer weekly or daily short English lesson sent to your email account.  

6. Listen to English music. Listening to music while doing something else can help getting used to the tone of English speech. 

7. Only search in English. Switch your search engine to the English language version of MSN, Yahoo, and Google etc. This will improve your reading skills tremendously.

8. Read English language magazines. Try to read books and magazines in English on a regular basis. 

9. Check on your English speaking abilities: Check your level with a level check test on the internet by taking an English language test like CAE, IELTS, TOEIC, TOEFL etc. or by taking a level check test in a language school. This will help you in assessing yourself and choosing suitable self-study materials. 

10. Watch English children's films or TV programmes: Since children’s programmes have much simplified English it is easier and motivating to watch. The language and vocabulary is often repeated to make it memorable.   

11. Keep a vocabulary list: Try to find time to go though your vocabulary list on a daily basis and keep on building it up.

12. Talk to or e-mail your friends in English: Since this is the age of Internet technology try to use the Internet and its services to the maximum to brush up your English speaking skills.

13. Switch all operating systems to English: Change the operating language of your mobile phone, video recorder etc. to English so that you can use the language everyday.