Improve Your English Speaking and English Pronunciation Skills:

We are all English lovers and professionals, right? And also we are professional translator covering all areas of English-Chinese translation. There is no doubt that the more we translate, the more professional we become. But here is a limit, only in written

English. I have to say we speak too little these days, and this is quite embarrassing. We are just improving our typing and searching skills. However, the symbol of acquiring a language very well is speaking in that language fluently.

The purpose of my writing this article is to tell you that we have to improve our writing skill and speaking skill in the same time. Otherwise, that world front us would be very limited. My principle is quite simple: Use it in all ways.

Here, I’d like to give you some advice on getting too hung up on trying to sound like a native speaker. Would you start learning the piano in an attempt to sound like Mozart?

The first rule of speaking English is to learn to speak clearly and concisely and remember you won’t just be speaking to native speakers: There are roughly 380 million native speakers out there, but as many as a billion people speak English as a second language, you do the math.

Read Also: On Speaking English (Two)

Try to avoid using idioms and slang (I always say learn it, but don’t use it). It might sound clever to say “You’re barking up the wrong tree,” but if you use it in the wrong situation, or if the other person simply doesn’t understand you, you’ll only look silly when you try to explain what you meant to say, or what it actually means.

There’s also a saying in English “Have you swallowed a dictionary?” It is applicable to anyone who uses long, complicated words when a shorter word will do. Short sentences are just as good (if not better) than long rambling explanations.

The value in what you have to say is what you say, not how clever you look or sound when you say it. So it’s a good idea to try to use simple, clear vocabulary, KISS – keep it short and simple.

English speaking tips:

Get over any fear you might have of making mistakes. You will make mistakes.

Be patient with yourself. Learning any language can be frustrating, but frustration won’t help you, so let it go.

Grasp every opportunity you have to speak with people in English.

Talk to friends who are also learning English. Go out together for coffee and only speak English to each other!

Read short stories out loud and try to see, say and hear the words to reinforce your memory. Record yourself and play it back later, how does it sound?

To be continued…

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