How to learn to speak English fluently?

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17 March 2025

English-learners

Oleksandra Kulish

Book expert

You can know the rules by heart, use the 12 tenses of English, translate texts correctly, and understand people with any accent, but you still can't learn to speak. For those who are not used to speaking English, it is very easy to get confused when it comes time to express their thoughts orally. English grammar is important, but speaking is still the main way people communicate.

Everyone can speak quickly, confidently and competently. The main thing is to set a goal and choose the most effective methods to achieve it. For example, you can sign up for online English conversation courses with a native speaker, practice more often, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

When is the best time to start learning spoken English?

You can start learning at any time, at any level of knowledge. Students who have a B1 or higher language level should try classes with a native speaker. The experience will be very useful. It will boost your confidence.

At first, memorize the simplest words and phrases for greetings and introductions. After that, you should gradually introduce new words and more complex grammatical structures. You need to practice them all.

How can I improve my spoken English skills?

If you are a beginner in English, be sure to sign up for a course where a teacher will teach you how to pronounce words correctly. Classes with American or British teachers will help you get the accent you want. Spoken English lessons begin with:

learning the alphabet, sounds;
basic grammar, sentence construction;
development of writing skills;
listening skills;
Conversational practice.

Regular classes with a teacher and active speaking practice will help you overcome the language barrier faster and communicate confidently in English.

Effective ways to practice spoken English

For those who do not communicate in an English-speaking environment, the best practice is to visit a conversation club or enroll in special courses.

Speaking club. Not only the best, but also the most effective way to learn to speak English. Students of all levels can participate in language clubs. These clubs usually meet on weekends, so you can prepare in advance by choosing a topic that interests you.
Conversational English courses. Pay attention to general English courses, which are conducted according to the communicative methodology, when students speak 80% of the time in class.

Even without full immersion in the English-speaking environment, you can effectively develop your speaking skills.

How to turn passive knowledge into active skills?

To improve your spoken English, you need to study it systematically, i.e. practice it more. What is the difference between active and passive knowledge? When we are good at riding a bicycle, we can talk or listen to music at the same time without thinking about how to place our feet correctly. Such knowledge is active. Our passive knowledge is all the new things we learn but don't practice often enough.

It is important to learn how to communicate in English in order to fully immerse yourself in the conversation, rather than thinking about rules and structures. Only regular practice will help with this.

Ways to improve your spoken English

Learning a foreign language is a difficult job that requires a lot of time and effort. But what if the latter is always lacking? Consistency and frequency are crucial for language practice. There are 4 ways to help improve your spoken English.

Listen. When we listen to a live English conversation, our brain unconsciously begins to memorize words.
Practice speaking at home. Repeat phrases you hear in movies, podcasts, sing in English, talk out loud on different topics and describe things.
Read. Fiction in English shows dialogues with idioms and constructions from everyday life.
Write in English. You need to learn a foreign language comprehensively. Even if your priority is only spoken English, you should not underestimate the role of reading and writing in the learning process. Do you want to avoid grammatical errors? Learn how to do a written translation. Keep a social media blog, a diary, a to-do list, just write down your thoughts, etc.

Through a variety of methods, such as listening, reading, writing, and language practice at home, you can improve your skills on your own and gain not only theoretical knowledge but also experience.

How do you know when you are fluent?

There are several ways to tell if you've become fluent in English:

Your English-speaking friends no longer start speaking more slowly.
You notice that you can overhear foreigners' conversations in public transportation, shops or cafes.
You find English jokes funny.
You read a book or listen to something and realize after the fact that the book or video is in English.
You know how and when to use certain vocabulary.
You can catch yourself making speech errors.

If you notice these signs in your English communication, this is a great signal that you have already reached a high level of proficiency. Fluency, understanding of jargon, and the ability to understand language in different contexts are all signs that your English has become natural and confident.