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Skills To Speaking English Well

Suja

Many students want to speak English fluently, but they’re not sure how to get better. It’s not just about learning more words or grammar — speaking is a mix of different skills that work together. Let’s break it down simply:


1. Clear Pronunciation

You don’t need a perfect accent, but you should be understood.
Focus on:

  • Saying sounds correctly (like th, v, or r)
  • Stressing the right syllables: phoTOGraphy (not photoGRAphy)
  • Linking sounds together when speaking fast

Tip: Listen to how native speakers talk in movies, and copy their rhythm and stress.


 2. Vocabulary for Everyday Topics

You need enough words to talk about daily life — work, hobbies, feelings, travel, and more. But don’t just memorize words. Learn how they’re used in real sentences.

Example:
Instead of just knowing the word “tired,” learn phrases like:

  • I’m worn out.
  • I could use a break.

3. Basic Grammar You Can Use While Speaking

You don’t have to speak perfectly, but it helps to know:

  • Present, past, and future tense
  • How to ask and answer questions
  • How to make negative sentences

Practice speaking using full sentences, not just short answers.


4. Thinking in English

This is a big one! Try to stop translating from your native language. It slows you down and causes mistakes.

Practice idea:
Look around your room and describe what you see — in English. Do it every day.


5. Listening Carefully

Good speakers are also good listeners. You need to understand others to reply naturally.

Try this: Watch short English videos and repeat what you hear. Notice how people start and end sentences, or how they show emotions.


6. Confidence and Practice with a Real Person

You might know the words, but feel nervous to speak. That’s normal. Confidence comes from real practice.

Speaking with someone helps because:

  • You get corrected in a helpful way
  • You build better habits
  • You can talk about many topics in a safe space

Final Message

If you want to speak English well, work on these 6 skills:
Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Grammar, Thinking in English, Listening, and Confidence.

Don’t try to be perfect. Try to be clear, natural, and confident — and that takes time and real conversation!

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This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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Language Fluency

English   Native
Malay   Proficient
Tamil   Daily conversation
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