如何三个月内学好英语-3

Everything we have covered until this point is preparation for this final step: Speaking English, and speaking it well. It is the most important and possibly the most difficult step in developing English language fluency.

SPEAKING and ARTICULATION

People judge you by the way you speak.

We speak to communicate. To be understood we must choose our words carefully, organize them logically, pronounce them correctly, and speak in a clear, measured, manner.

To speak a language well, you must first love the language. We all love good music. English that is well-spoken IS like music. Learn to like it the way you would like good music.

Be sincere. Unless you believe in what you say, you cannot speak with conviction. You will not speak well.

This should not surprise you: To speak well, one must first master the art of listening. But just reading and listening is not enough. You must also practice speaking what you hear.

Learn to speak well by practicing with a good native English-language speaker. Unfortunately, most English learners do not have native English speakers around them who will always correct them when they go wrong. Therefore you have to take the initiative. Seek out and chat with those who speak excellent English.

Most Americans don’t speak clearly. They also tend to speak too quickly, so instead try listening to trained English-language speakers such as the BBC or CNN.

Learn to listen not for the content, but for the sounds, the pauses, and the tones.

Everyone can speak like a pro. It just takes practice.

So, here’s the drill:

1. When you hear it spoken (see LISTENING in part 2), repeat to yourself what you just heard.

2. Speak ONLY English, even among friends. (Yes, some will laugh at you and sneer at you. Just ignore them.)

3. If people correct you, or ask you to repeat (because they don’t understand) don’t be offended or embarrassed.

4. If you don’t hear or don’t understand what is said, ask the speaker to repeat it slowly.

5. When you say something, try to think of other ways of saying the same thing.

6. Use at least two sentences each time you speak.

REASONING and THINKING

1. Imagine, in detail and in English, how you would do the following

            Ordering a meal at a restaurant and paying for it

            Buying a dress and returning a purchase to the store for refund

            Speaking to your 5-year-old about his/her day in school

Calling your boss to explain why you’ll be late for work today

Traveling from Chicago to New York

2. Pick a current topic (see below for some suggestions). Write a short essay in English (200 words) on that topic. Touch on BOTH the positive and negative aspects of that issue.

            Why people smoke

            American citizenship

            Drinking and driving

            Speaking on the cell phone while driving

            Death penalty

Try to imagine other situations yourself which require you to think or write in English.

By now you will have learnt all the important techniques needed to master the English language. If you keep at it faithfully I am sure you will see dramatic results in just three short months.

Related links:

如何三个月内学好英语？(英文版-2)

如何三个月内学好英语？(英文版-1)