English Coaching – Blogging to Connect

It’s probably the most common question my clients have, but they never really ask it. I suppose it is because they expect help with accuracy and that fluency is a magical experience that only happens to some people.

5  Important Ideas for much more Speaking Fluency

1. Prepare what you are going to say.

Even if it is the 2 seconds while you say, “soooooooo, i mean…”. If you have time, make a picture in your mind – or a list, or a chart. Prepare a mini Powerpoint presentation in you mind.

2. Go slow. (or should I say, “slowly”

Think fast, but speak slowly. Give yourself time to find the words. Use filler words such as, “So, OK, anyhow, well, let’s see, I mean…”

3. Simplify your idea and use the language you have to express it.

You can´t use what you don´t have, so don´t try. If you can´t remember the word… find a simpler one – or a wrong one that will work. later you can change it.

4. Stay in the language.

This means, DON’T TRANSLATE. DON’T EVEN BEGIN TO TRANSLATE. IF YOU FIND YOURSELF TRANSLATING. STOP. TRY AGAIN.   just think in english. i realize it is easier for me to say, but this is what i do in spanish, catalan, french and 20 years ago, in german

5. Enjoy the experience – even LOVE the experience of speaking in a different language.

Speaking another language is a deeply enjoyable experience, but as adults, we can easily turn it into a stressful and discouraging experience. It’s also easy to feel stupid or even childish if we can’t express ourselves as we can in our native language. Sometimes we can get so nervous it feels like a life or death experience. It’s not. It’s really just a game.

Look at language learning from the perspective of a kid. They play with each language they speak. They learn constantly. They find ways to communicate when we don’t understand them.

So, let me ask you, “How can you become fluent in English?”

Let me suggest this. Try playing with English for 5 minutes a day. Speak or write for at least 5 minutes. Find a way to enjoy the experience. Don’t worry about accuracy – all the grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation… just focus on the idea and enjoy it.

Then write me what your comments, feedback and ideas on this.

info@barcelona-ingles.com