The 3 BEST exercises to improve speaking

If I could list the top 5 questions I have been asked as a teacher throughout my career as one, ‘ English speaking’ would be at the top. I have had countless people ask me how to develop, improve, and polish their English speaking skills. There are number of reasons to improve English speaking skills such as interactions with foreign clients and colleagues, brushing up on IELTS, taking English exams, teaching English, public speaking, overall personal development, and confidence. Whatever the reason, non-English speakers find that when they are able to speak in public with aplomb.

So, what must you do in order to build on your language skills and progress forward? Below, I give you 3 tried and tested speaking exercises that are sure to up your language ability. The great news? All of them can be practiced at home.

Speaking exercises:

1. 
   Impromptu speaking
   

An Impromptu speech is a talk that you give on the spot with no preparation. While it might feel like torture even to the most fluent of speakers, English speaking extemporaneously is the mark of an excellent communicator. The best way to polish this skill is to let your words flow out of your mouth

How to practice impromptu speaking

• Pick any video, picture, article, written or visual piece, etc.
• Understand the material that you have selected
• Give yourself 20 seconds to prepare
• Explain it in your own words and give an impromptu speech
• Record yourself and try to reflect on your speech from a listener’s perspective

Impromptu speaking is all about how you are able to use YOUR ideas and YOUR words to describe a situation. By improvising as you go along, you are training yourself to handle circumstances in which you would need to both speak well and avoid making mistakes simultaneously. This technique not only helps you choose and get used to using diverse and complex vocabulary words but also enables you to identify your own mistakes and weaknesses in speech.

2. 
   Guided speaking
   

This is one of my favorite exercises, as it aids in structuring and organizing your English speaking and is especially useful if PowerPoint presentations fill you with an overwhelming sense of dread.

How to practice guided speaking

• Select any topic you want to present on
• Write down a list of main/key ideas that you will be discussing
• Prepare your talk based on the main ideas and be sure to record
• Play back your recording, this time checking whether you have been able to fully explain your main ideas in full and detail

Guided speaking is best done in a class or with a partner since you require feedback on the quality of your explanation. However, recording yourself and then listening to the recording will give you some understanding of your level. This technique teaches you how to give an organized talk in a way that makes others understand your ideas. Repeating this exercise will train you in adopting certain strategies to polish your speech skills.

3. 
   Timed speaking
   

This one is best if you plan to take IELTS or any other English exam in the future in which you will need to speak on a given prompt. How are native and advanced English speakers able to convey their thoughts in just a few words, less time, and smoothly? They have mastered the art of using precise vocabulary and organization of ideas.

How to practice timed speaking

• Select any topic or any question to answer
• Give yourself no more than 3 minutes to answer
• Do NOT write down any notes. Simply speak
• Record yourself and reflect whether your ideas transition smoothly onto the next and the quality of your explanation

Timed speaking exercise develops and improves your vocabulary, as you would need specific words and phrases instead of long explanation. Repeated practice will ensure you have adopted helpful strategies to know what you are going to be talking about and how.

Remember to be consistent. Language is a continuous process and you will need to invest some time and energy into these exercises. Before you can begin to see results and once you do, you are sure to feel way more confident and at ease with English than you are at this moment.

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