Language of the Day: Fluency
One of the most common questions we get as English teachers is “How do I become fluent?”
Unfortunately, the only answer is KEEP SPEAKING!
Understandably, students can get impatient with the time it takes to perfect second-language skills, and we don’t always have access to speaking opportunities in English, so here’s a list of quick tips you might find useful if YOU want to work on your fluency:
1. Start speaking English as much as possible
If you have a friend, roommate, or boyfriend/girlfriend to talk to in English, excellent! But if not, find somewhere else you can practice. Did you know MOSAIC engage has free conversation meetups every Wednesday at 5pm? We also have new speaking classes starting this summer in the afternoon! Learn more here.
2. Get a personal tutor
Finding a tutor that can correct your errors and give you encouragement will go a long way. Keep your eyes open for posters around town advertising tutoring services, or ask a local organization if they can help.
3. Expose yourself to English every single day
This means reading, listening, speaking, and writing!
Check facebook, read a magazine, listen to a podcast or a song, talk to a cashier, write yourself a diary entry. Keep the English flowing!
4. Make the most of technology
There are so many resources online to practice using English. Try Spotify, YouTube, and Duolingo to get started!
5. Learn whole phrases, not words
When you learn new vocabulary, learn it in chunks that make sense. These phrases are often useful collocations that native speakers are familiar with. This will help you sound more fluent by meeting listeners expectations.
Summary: Conversation practice is the key to fluency
Fluency is not a one-time destination, but a continuous process of learning. Once you have achieved fluency, it will still take practice to keep your English language skills sharp.
Luckily, MOSAIC engage is here to help with that. Check out all of our English course offerings at https://mosaicengage.corsizio.com/ and join us for the next class!