How to learn to speak English fluently (and have fun at the same time!)

Do you want to learn to speak English fluently, but you are not sure where to start? Learning a new language can sometimes be frustrating, but it’s important not to give up! Read on to find out different ways to learn English, improve your fluency in both speaking and writing and still have fun!

While you can learn to speak English fluently at any age, studies show that it’s even better to start learning a new language as a child. Learning grammar in particular is easier for children and teenagers, whilst harder for adults to learn fluently. If your child wants to improve their English, then follow our tips below!

Find out what kind of learner you are

Finding out the best way that you learn is really important when you’re looking at ways to learn English. There are three different kinds of learner: auditory, visual and kinesthetic.  Auditory learners learn best by listening; if you like listening to music lyrics or love giving a presentation, then you might be an auditory learner. If you’re a visual learner, you might find it easier to take detailed notes or watch an educational video. Kinestheic learners learn by doing things with their hands; you might be a kinesthetic learner if you can memorize dance moves quickly or like doing role-play to demonstrate new skills or behaviours.

Most people learn through using a combination of different learning styles. Once you know which ways you like best, you will know how to learn speak English fluently.

Do little and often

The more you practice and study, the faster you will learn. Sitting down with your textbook and doing lots of studying in one go might seem like a good way to learn to speak English fluently, but you’re more likely to study too much and forget a lot of what you learned when you start your next topic.

Doing a little each day, even if it’s just fifteen minutes, is enough time to learn a new verb or a few new words and you’re more likely to remember them as they’ll be fresh in your mind. Spending a little time everyday also helps you to be more consistent in your study habits.

Read out loud

Reading out loud is one of the best ways to improve spoken English. When you read out loud you don’t have to think about what you’re going to say, so you can focus on improving your pronunciation and intonation. You can also repeat sentences and phrases to improve your fluency and you might even be introduced to new words that you can learn!  Reading out loud is also a great way to practice your spoken English if you don’t have anyone else to practice with.

Book a study holiday

Where is the best place to study English? England! England is known for it’s world-class schools and universities and has a rich cultural heritage, making it the perfect place to learn English. Not only does summer school give you the opportunity to meet new friends from all over the world, you can also use your English skills outside the classroom during excursions and activities, helping you to improve your grammar, fluency and pronunciation- and you might even pick one or two new phrases from native speakers! You will be surrounded by other students who want to learn English, providing a positive learning environment.

Listen to spoken English

Listening to English-speaking podcasts is a great way to improve your everyday English. Listening to a variety of different podcasts can make you more familiar with different accents and styles of speech, whilst also helping you to build your vocabulary with the everyday English that native speakers use. Another benefit of listening to podcasts is that there are lots to choose from and you can listen to them on your laptop or phone- so you can listen to anything you want, anywhere you want!

Keep a language journal

Keeping track of what you have learnt is a good way to learn to speak English fluently. Keeping a language journal helps you to practice your written English and you can set yourself achievable goals, helping you to stay committed to your language-learning. You can keep track of any new words or grammar structures you have learned and also note down any mistakes. It can also help you to track your progress and see how far you’ve come!

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!

Nobody likes to make mistakes, but when learning a new language, it’s impossible not to! Understanding when we have made a mistake is a great way to learn something new. Making mistakes means that we receive feedback on what we have learned and helps to build your confidence when using your new language.  And don’t forget, even native English speakers make mistakes occasionally!