How to learn to speak English fluently?

997

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 and are looking for how to learn to speak English, the best practice is to visit a speaking club or enroll in specialized 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.

No one can tell you exactly 100% how long you need to study English in order to speak fluently, specifically for you, because this is a very individual matter. It is important to learn to communicate in English in such a way that you fully immerse yourself in the conversation, rather than think about rules and structures. Regular practice will help with this. And you will not notice how you start speaking English on your own.

Ways to improve your spoken English

Learning a foreign language is hard work that requires a lot of time and effort if you are looking for a way to speak English easily. But what should you do if the latter is always lacking? Consistency and frequency are crucial for language practice. There are 4 ways that will help improve 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 to start speaking English fluently: exercises that really work

If you are learning English and want to truly feel progress in speaking practice, it is important not only to know and do exercises, but also to understand why they work. Among the most effective techniques aimed at how to start speaking English fluently and which exercises really give results, several key approaches can be highlighted.

Shadowing

The first is shadowing, or shadow repetition. This is an exercise where you speak simultaneously with a native speaker, copying their intonation, rhythm, and pace. This method helps you tune your ear to real English faster and gradually adopt a natural manner of speech.

10 Sentence Rule

The second effective tool is the 10 sentence rule. Its essence is to formulate statements on any topic every day, but limit yourself to ten sentences. This disciplines you, makes practice regular, and helps you learn to express thoughts concisely and logically.

Self-talk

No less useful is the self-talk exercise, that is, an internal or external monologue in English. You describe your actions, thoughts, or plans in real time. Thanks to this, English begins to “switch on” automatically, and the fear barrier gradually disappears.

Speaking-timer

To train spontaneity, you can also use a speaking-timer — you set a timer (for example, for one or two minutes) and speak on a given topic without stopping. Such an exercise perfectly warms up speech and teaches you to think quickly.

Ultimately, it is important to be able to notice the signs that you have started speaking more fluently. Among them are: fewer pauses and hesitations, an increase in speaking speed, the ability to maintain a conversation without preparation, as well as the fact that you think in English more often and translate in your head less often.

What prevents you from starting to speak English

To structure what you need to know in order to speak English fluently and what prevents you from doing so, we have compiled a convenient table.

Problem	Why it occurs	How to solve it
I know grammar, but I cannot speak	Lack of automation, fear of mistakes	Shadowing, speaking clubs, the “10 sentences” exercise
I understand, but cannot respond quickly	Passive vocabulary	Daily self-talk + topics for 2 minutes
I am afraid of making mistakes and sounding funny	Lack of live communication experience	Lessons with a teacher + speaking clubs
I poorly understand native speakers	Lack of training in perceiving live speech	Videos and podcasts for 5–10 minutes daily
I quickly forget new words	Learning without practical application	Using words in sentences and dialogues

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 have noticed these signs in your communication in English, this is an excellent signal that you have already reached a high level of language proficiency. Free communication, understanding of slang, and the ability to perceive the language in different contexts are all signs that your English has become natural and confident. There are no specific words you need to know in order to speak English fluently — everything must be learned comprehensively, and only then will the result come.

FAQ

Why is it important to study with a native speaker?

A native speaker provides lively, natural language that is not found in most textbooks: up-to-date vocabulary, real phrases, natural pronunciation, and intonation. You learn to speak as people do in real life, rather than using artificial textbook constructions. In addition, communicating with a native speaker develops your linguistic intuition and helps you quickly notice and correct mistakes.

Why are people afraid to speak English, and how can they overcome this fear?

This fear consists of two factors: starting something new and a lack of confidence in one's own knowledge.
The first factor — anxiety about the unknown — gradually disappears with practice in a safe environment. When you communicate regularly with a native speaker, your brain stops perceiving English as a source of stress. Constant small successes and the absence of judgment reduce tension, and over time, your speech level improves, and with it, the second factor of fear — uncertainty — disappears.

How long does it take to overcome the language barrier?

On average, 2-4 months of regular practice (3-4 times a week). It all depends on your starting level and how often you practice. The main thing is consistency and lively communication.

Is it possible to learn to speak knowing only basic grammar?

Yes. Spoken English is based on simple structures, and the basics are enough to start speaking. Grammar is perfected in the process of conversation: you hear how a native speaker speaks and automatically begin to copy the correct patterns.