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EnglishClub : Learn English : Speaking : Speaking Skills Guide

Speaking Skills Guide

Do you want to improve your speaking skills?

Most English learners say they want to be able to
speak more than anything else.

In this guide you will learn about:

formal and informal speaking

types of speaking practice

skills to practise

how to practise speaking online

tips and strategies for speaking practice

how to be a good speaker

conversation topics

types of questions in speaking exams

You can also consult the speaking glossary for any

words about speaking that you don’t understand,
or try our Speaking Terms Quiz. It’s also important
that you learn about pronunciation, a sub-skill of
speaking.

EnglishClub Tip

Speaking is the second of the four language

skills. It is called a "productive" skill because
when we speak we produce language going
out:

1. listening (← in)

2. speaking (out →)

3. reading (← in)

4. writing (out →)

Formal versus informal speaking

Just like in your own language, the way you speak
depends on who you are speaking to or with.
Informal speaking situations include speaking with
close friends, family workers and probably co-
workers. Slang, idiom and relaxed pronunciation
are more common in these situations. Small
talk becomes less necessary when you are
speaking with friends, but is considered polite in
an informal situation with acquaintances.
Sometimes your pace and volume shifts when you
feel more comfortable. Formal situations require a
different kind of language. Your speaking may
even be rehearsed in some situations. You may
feel nervous about saying everything properly. You
must also consider manners and body language.

10 Speaking tips
1. Listen first. Try not to think about what you
are going to say as you’re listening. Focus on
listening, then focus on responding.

2. Make eye contact. It’s important to make

eye contact when you’re listening and
speaking. Even if you’re nervous, try not to
look at the ground. If you’re doing a
presentation, practise enough so that you
don’t have to read every word from your
notes. Visuals can help you in a presentation.

3. Learn transitional phrases and useful

expressions. You will keep your listeners’
attention if you know some key expressions
that will make the conversation flow.

4. Use gestures appropriately. If you’re in a

foreign country, take time to learn about body
language. Some gestures in your country
may mean something different in another
country.

5. Relax. You don’t have to speak perfectly.

Many native English speakers are also
nervous when they have to speak out loud in
a group or with people that they don’t know.
Try not to show that you are nervous.

6. Don’t say sorry. If you apologize for your

English, people will expect it to be poor.
Believe that you are a strong English speaker,
and your listeners will believe it too. If you
make a mistake, simply keep talking or
correct yourself.

7. Be yourself. Let your personality out! People

will enjoy speaking with you because of who
you are, not because of the language you
speak.

8. Keep it simple. As with writing it is important

to speak in the simplest way you can. Don’t
try to impress people with your large
vocabulary. Use words and expressions that
you are confident using.

9. Pause and pace. Try not to speak too

quickly, which may make it difficult for people
to understand you. Listen to English speakers
often to hear where natural pauses occur.

10. Practise pronunciation, including word

stress. One of the most important aspects of
understanding each other’s spoken English is
through the natural rhythm of our words and
sentences. Native English speakers don’t
think about word stress. They just speak.
People who learn English as an additional
language need to listen to English often in
order to be able to use natural word stress.

Speaking skills to practise

Conversation

small talk to "break the ice"

20 topics for conversation practice

weekly news (see discussion topics at end)

Functional language

In speaking we typically perform routine

“functions” such as giving advice or apologizing.
The vocabulary of this functional language
involves various fixed expressions for each
function–for example “if I were you” or “my
suggestion is” in giving advice, and “it was my
fault” or “please forgive me” in apologizing. It’s
worth spending time to learn and remember these
expressions so that you can use functional
language appropriately when speaking. Here are
some more typical functions for you to learn and
practise:

agreeing and disagreeing

expressing condolences

expressing opinions

giving directions

greetings and farewells

saying thank you

More speaking skills to practise

negotiating

presenting

reporting

small talk

talking on the phone

telling jokes

How to practise speaking

Finding people to talk to and practise English with
used to be a lot more difficult. These days, if you
have Internet an English partner or group is just a
click away. You do not need to be face to face
with anyone to practise speaking, but if you can
join a club, attend a class or afford a tutor, you
may find practice more enjoyable.

Talk to yourself

Read aloud

Find a conversation partner

Take an English class

Find a tutor or private lessons

Video chat with other learners or teachers

Voice chat with other learners or teachers

Record your voice and upload it to

MyEnglishClub

Sing along to English songs (podcasts with

lyrics or videos with subtitles)

Call a friend on the phone

Call businesses and ask questions

Strike up a conversation with a stranger at

the bus stop, on an airplane, in a cafe

Use role-play cards with friends

Try some tongue-twisters

Travel

When people don’t understand you

Recognize why people don’t understand you. First
figure out which barriers are preventing other
people from understanding you. Next, reduce or
eliminate the barriers that you have control over.
For example:

You spoke too fast.

You spoke in a monotone voice (boring).

You used vocabulary or idioms incorrectly.

You assumed people had previous

knowledge of your subject.

Your accent is very strong.

Your recording is of poor quality (not loud

enough or too much background noise).

Your audience is not interested in the topic.

You are worried because the people you are

talking to have a higher level of English.

You are nervous because of a test or

interview situation.

You are afraid of making mistakes.

You are tired.

You are hungry.

Speaking tests
Many standardized tests now have a speaking
component. Make sure that you know exactly
what type of questions you will be asked to
complete before you take a test. Take plenty of
practice tests before test day.

Types of speaking questions

Reading aloud: You are given a paragraph and

asked to read it out loud for the examiner.

Describing a photo: You look at a photograph

and describe it with details.

Responding to questions: You are provided with

information or a scenario and you have to respond
to show your comprehension.

Proposing a solution: You are given a problem

(via text or audio) and you have to suggest a
solution.

Expressing an opinion: You are asked to state

your opinion about an issue that people tend to
feel strongly about.

Talking about familiar topics: You are asked to

speak logically about a familiar topic. No in-depth
knowledge is required.

Comparing and contrasting two readings or

recordings: You are asked to read or listen to two
different pieces. Then you have to compare and
contrast these items using appropriate language.

Reporting on someone’s opinion: You listen to or

read someone else’s opinion and report on it in
your own words.

Paraphrasing what you’ve heard: You repeat

what you have heard or read using your own
words. An understanding of how to use reported
speech is necessary.

TOEFL speaking practice

TOEIC speaking practice

Speaking terms

A glossary of words and terms that we

use to talk about speaking

accent (noun): a mode of pronunciation that is

common in a certain region
apologize (verb): to say sorry for something you
have done
barrier (noun): something that blocks or hinders
condolences (noun): an expression of
compassion to someone who is experiencing grief
contrast (verb): to describe things that are
opposite or different
dialogue (noun): a conversation between two
people
farewells (noun): goodbyes
gesture (noun): a body movement that expresses
something specific
greeting (noun): an expression that you say when
you first see someone
interrupt (verb): to stop someone who is speaking
so that you can say something
karaoke (verb): to practise singing someone else’s
song; the lyrics and music are provided
monologue (noun): a long speech or spoken part
delivered by a solo speaker
monotone (noun): one sound; no intonation
negotiate (verb): to try to come up with a fair
business decision that will make two different
sides or people happy
nervous (adjective): a worried or fearful feeling
that things will not go well
pace (noun): the timing in one’s speech; how fast
or slow one speaks
paraphrase (verb): to repeat something you have
read or heard in your own words
persuade (verb): to convince someone of
something
recite (verb): to say something with the text
provided (eg. poetry)
small talk (noun): a casual conversation about
everyday things like weather, the family, or a
vacation
standardized test (noun): a test with a set format
that people take in order to prove proficiency in a
skill such as language
transitional phrase (noun): a group of words that
connects thoughts; used in writing and speaking
(for example: on the other hand)
word stress (noun): emphasis on a specific word
in a sentence; helps the listener understand the
meaning of a sentence

Speaking Terms Quiz

EnglishClub : Learn English : Speaking : Speaking Skills Guide

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