7 Best Tips to Improve Your English Conversation Skills
Learning a new language can be tough, but getting really good at talking in that language can be even scarier.
For lots of people learning English, being able to speak with confidence and fluency is the big dream.
Whether you’re learning English for your job, for trips, or just to get better, it’s super important to work on your conversation skills.
In this complete guide, we’ll look at seven awesome tips to help you get better at talking in English and become a more confident speaker.
Immerse Yourself in English
One of the most effective ways to improve your English conversation skills is to surround yourself with the language as much as possible.
Immersion is key to developing natural fluency and understanding of conversational nuances.
Here are some strategies to help you create an English-rich environment:
a) Watch English-language movies and TV shows:
Start by watching with subtitles in your native language, then progress to English subtitles, and finally, try watching without any subtitles.
This gradual approach will help you become accustomed to natural speech patterns, colloquialisms, and idiomatic expressions.
b) Listen to English podcasts and radio shows:
Choose topics that interest you to stay engaged while exposing yourself to different accents and speaking styles.
Podcasts are particularly useful because you can often find transcripts to follow along with as you listen.
c) Read English books, newspapers, and online articles:
Reading helps expand your vocabulary and familiarizes you with sentence structures commonly used in conversation.
Start with materials at your current level and gradually increase the difficulty.
d) Change your device settings to English:
Set your phone, computer, and other devices to English.
This small change can help you learn new vocabulary and phrases in context as you navigate your daily digital life.
e) Join English-language social media groups:
Follow English-speaking influencers, join discussion groups, or participate in online forums related to your interests.
This can provide opportunities for both passive learning and active engagement in written conversations.
By immersing yourself in English, you’ll naturally pick up new words, phrases, and expressions, making it easier to incorporate them into your own conversations.
Explore more topics:
- 19 Essential Email Etiquette Rules for Professional Communication
- What is Internal Networking? Building Professional Relationships
- Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
- Can English Help You Get That Promotion at Work?
- 10 Common Interview Questions and Answers in English
Practice Speaking Regularly
The old adage “practice makes perfect” holds true for language learning.
To improve your English conversation skills, you need to speak as often as possible.
Here are some ways to incorporate regular speaking practice into your routine:
a) Find a language exchange partner:
Connect with native English speakers who want to learn your language.
Websites and apps like Tandem, HelloTalk, or Conversation Exchange can help you find suitable partners.
Aim for regular video calls or in-person meetings where you spend equal time speaking each language.
b) Join conversation groups or clubs:
Look for English conversation groups in your area or online.
Many libraries, community centers, and language schools offer free or low-cost conversation clubs.
These groups provide a supportive environment to practice speaking with others at various proficiency levels.
c) Talk to yourself in English:
While it may feel strange at first, speaking to yourself can be an effective way to practice when you don’t have a conversation partner.
Describe your daily activities, rehearse potential conversations, or simply narrate what you see around you.
d) Use voice recording apps:
Record yourself speaking English and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Many language learning apps, like Duolingo or Babbel, have speaking exercises that use voice recognition technology to provide feedback on your pronunciation.
e) Participate in online language learning communities:
Websites like italki or Verbling offer opportunities to connect with professional tutors or community tutors for one-on-one conversation practice.
These platforms often allow you to choose tutors based on their specialties, such as business English or exam preparation.
f) Attend English-speaking events:
Look for local events, such as meetups, lectures, or workshops conducted in English.
These provide opportunities to practice listening and speaking in real-life contexts.
Remember, the key is consistency.
Even if you can only dedicate 15-30 minutes a day to speaking practice, doing so regularly will yield significant improvements over time.
Focus on Fluency, Not Perfection
Many English learners struggle with the fear of making mistakes, which can hinder their willingness to engage in conversations.
However, it’s essential to understand that fluency is more important than perfection, especially in everyday conversations.
Here’s how to shift your focus towards fluency:
a) Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities:
Instead of viewing errors as failures, see them as valuable feedback that helps you improve.
Native speakers are usually understanding and appreciate the effort you’re making to communicate in their language.
b) Prioritize communication over grammar:
While grammar is important, don’t let it paralyze you in conversation.
Focus on getting your message across, even if it’s not grammatically perfect.
As you become more comfortable speaking, your grammar will naturally improve.
c) Learn filler words and phrases:
English speakers use filler words and phrases like “um,” “well,” “you know,” or “let me think” to buy time while formulating their thoughts.
Learning to use these naturally can help you maintain the flow of conversation when you’re unsure of what to say next.
d) Practice circumlocution:
This is the skill of describing a word or concept when you don’t know or can’t remember the exact term
. For example, if you forget the word “umbrella,” you might say “the thing you use to stay dry when it rains.”
This skill helps you maintain fluency even when you encounter vocabulary gaps.
e) Use confidence-boosting techniques:
Practice power poses before speaking, use positive self-talk, and remind yourself that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process.
Confidence often leads to improved fluency.
f) Set realistic goals:
Instead of aiming for perfect speech, set achievable goals like “have a 5-minute conversation without long pauses” or “use three new vocabulary words in context.”
Celebrating these small victories will motivate you to keep practicing and improving.
By focusing on fluency rather than perfection, you’ll feel more comfortable engaging in conversations, which is crucial for rapid improvement.
Expand Your Vocabulary Strategically
A rich vocabulary is essential for expressing yourself clearly and understanding others in conversation.
However, memorizing long lists of words out of context is often ineffective.
Instead, try these strategies to expand your vocabulary in a way that enhances your conversation skills:
Instead of studying isolated words, focus on learning phrases, collocations, and idioms.
This approach helps you understand how words are used naturally in conversation.
b) Use a spaced repetition system (SRS):
Apps like Anki or Quizlet use SRS to help you review vocabulary at optimal intervals for long-term retention.
Create flashcards with example sentences to provide context.
c) Keep a vocabulary journal:
When you encounter new words or phrases in your immersion activities, write them down along with their definitions and example sentences.
Review your journal regularly and try to use new words in your conversations.
d) Focus on high-frequency words:
Start by mastering the most common 1000-2000 words in English, which cover about 80% of everyday conversation.
Then, gradually expand to more specialized vocabulary based on your interests or professional needs.
e) Learn word families:
Understanding how words are related (e.g., “communicate,” “communication,” “communicative”) can help you quickly expand your vocabulary and use words more flexibly in conversation.
f) Use mind maps or semantic networks:
Organize vocabulary by themes or topics, creating visual connections between related words.
This can help you recall words more easily during conversations about specific subjects.
g) Engage in word games and puzzles:
Crosswords, word searches, and apps like Words with Friends can make vocabulary learning more enjoyable and help reinforce your knowledge.
Remember, the goal is not just to know many words, but to be able to use them appropriately in conversation.
Always prioritize learning words and phrases that you’re likely to use in your everyday interactions.
Improve Your Listening Skills
Effective conversation is a two-way street, and good listening skills are crucial for understanding and responding appropriately.
Here are some strategies to enhance your English listening abilities:
Focus on understanding the main ideas and intent of the speaker, rather than trying to comprehend every single word.
Use context clues and non-verbal cues to fill in gaps in your understanding.
b) Work on distinguishing individual sounds:
English has some sounds that may not exist in your native language.
Use minimal pair exercises (words that differ by only one sound, like “ship” and “sheep”) to train your ear to recognize these distinctions.
c) Listen to a variety of accents:
English is spoken with many different accents around the world.
Expose yourself to various accents through movies, TV shows, and podcasts to improve your ability to understand different speakers.
d) Use dictation exercises:
Listen to short audio clips and try to transcribe them word for word.
This helps you focus on individual words and improves your ability to parse continuous speech.
e) Practice shadowing:
Listen to a native speaker and repeat what they say in real-time, mimicking their pronunciation and intonation.
This technique helps improve both listening and speaking skills simultaneously.
f) Utilize listening comprehension resources:
Websites like ESL Lab, BBC Learning English, and Voice of America’s Learning English provide audio clips with accompanying comprehension questions to help you practice focused listening.
g) Listen for specific features:
Train yourself to notice aspects of spoken English such as connected speech, reduced forms (e.g., “gonna” for “going to”), and intonation patterns.
Understanding these features will significantly improve your comprehension of natural conversation.
Improving your listening skills will not only help you understand others better but also contribute to your overall fluency by allowing you to pick up natural speech patterns and expressions.
Master Small Talk and Conversation Starters
Small talk is an essential part of English-speaking cultures and often serves as a gateway to more meaningful conversations.
Mastering the art of small talk can significantly boost your confidence in social situations. Here are some tips to improve your small talk skills:
a) Learn common small talk topics:
Familiarize yourself with typical subjects like weather, current events, sports, entertainment, and work.
Be prepared to discuss these topics casually.
b) Practice conversation starters:
Memorize and practice using phrases like “How’s your day going?”, “What do you think about [current event]?”, or “Have you seen [popular movie/TV show] yet?”
These can help you initiate conversations more easily.
c) Use open-ended questions:
Ask questions that encourage longer responses, rather than those that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”
For example, instead of “Did you have a good weekend?”, try “What did you get up to this weekend?”
d) Show interest and ask follow-up questions:
Demonstrate that you’re engaged in the conversation by asking for more details or sharing related experiences.
This helps keep the conversation flowing naturally.
e) Learn and use appropriate rejoinders:
Short responses like “I see,” “That’s interesting,” or “Oh, really?” show that you’re actively listening and encourage the other person to continue speaking.
f) Practice transitioning between topics:
Learn phrases that help you smoothly change the subject, such as “By the way,” “That reminds me,” or “Speaking of which…”
g) Develop cultural awareness:
Understanding cultural norms and taboos in English-speaking countries can help you navigate conversations more confidently and avoid potential misunderstandings.
h) Use humor appropriately:
Humor can be a great way to build rapport, but it can also be culturally specific.
Start with light, universally understood jokes and be mindful of cultural differences.
Remember, the goal of small talk is often to establish a connection rather than to have a deep, meaningful conversation.
As you become more comfortable with small talk, you’ll find it easier to engage in longer, more substantial discussions.
Reflect and Seek Feedback
Continuous improvement in your English conversation skills requires regular reflection and feedback.
Here are some strategies to help you assess your progress and identify areas for improvement:
a) Keep a language learning journal:
Regularly write about your experiences speaking English, noting challenges you faced, new words or phrases you learned, and situations where you felt particularly confident or struggled.
b) Record your conversations:
With permission, record some of your English conversations and listen back to them.
This can help you identify areas where you need improvement, such as pronunciation, grammar, or fluency.
When practicing with language partners or tutors, ask for feedback on specific aspects of your speech, such as your pronunciation, use of idiomatic expressions, or overall fluency.
d) Use language exchange apps with feedback features:
Some language exchange apps allow users to correct each other’s written messages or provide feedback on voice recordings.
Take advantage of these features to get input from native speakers.
e) Take periodic assessment tests:
Consider taking standardized English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL, or use online assessment tools to gauge your progress objectively.
f) Set SMART goals:
Create Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals for your English conversation skills.
For example, “Have a 10-minute conversation about current events without using a dictionary within the next month.”
g) Celebrate your achievements:
Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. Recognizing your improvements will motivate you to continue practicing and learning.
h) Be patient with yourself:
Remember that language learning is a journey, and progress may not always be linear.
Be kind to yourself and focus on long-term improvement rather than short-term perfection.
i) Seek opportunities for authentic feedback:
Engage in real-life situations where you need to use English, such as ordering at a restaurant, asking for directions, or participating in a work meeting.
These experiences provide authentic feedback on your communication skills.
By regularly reflecting on your progress and seeking constructive feedback, you can continually refine your approach to learning and make steady improvements in your English conversation skills.
Conclusion
Getting better at speaking English takes time and effort.
If you follow these seven tips – like using English a lot, practicing regularly, working on speaking smoothly, learning new words in a smart way, getting better at listening, being good at small talk, and thinking about how you’re doing – you’ll get better at speaking English.
Remember, everyone learns in their own way, so you might need to try different things to see what works best for you. And don’t forget to have fun while you’re learning!
Every time you talk to someone in English, you’re getting better.
Don’t be afraid of the hard parts, be proud of how far you’ve come, and keep working to get even better.
If you keep trying and use the right strategies, you’ll be speaking English like a pro before you know it.
