How to advance English speaking skills at home?

“In this article, discover 5 easy tips and 6 helpful apps for enhancing your English speaking skills.”

“If you’re seeking ways to enhance your English speaking skills, you’re in the right spot. Figuring out how to utilize your time effectively and identify opportunities for practice can be a challenge.

To simplify things, we’ve compiled six straightforward tips and recommended some top English learning apps for you. Consider this article your handy guide to improving your English speaking skills, all while staying comfortably in your pajamas (you’re welcome!).”

How to improve your English speaking skills

1. Practice with a partner

“When aiming to enhance your English speaking abilities, there’s no alternative to real conversation practice. Engaging in discussions requires not only remembering English vocabulary and applying grammar principles but also interpreting the non-verbal cues such as body language. All of these skills require practice.

If you don’t have a friend who speaks English and is willing to practice with you, you might want to explore options such as hiring an English tutor, connecting with a language exchange partner online, or investing in corporate English training.”

2. Practice by yourself

“Before attempting this, make sure to inform the people you live with, but it can be beneficial to engage in self-conversations in English.

This way, you can simultaneously improve your writing skills and create flashcards for practicing phrases or sentences. If you’re uncertain about how to pronounce a word, you can consult the Cambridge dictionary online to listen to both the US and UK English pronunciations.

If there are specific English sounds that you struggle with, it’s advisable to practice them in isolation as well. Not sure where to begin? Give these English tongue twisters a try.”

3. Record yourself speaking and listen back

“You’ve acquired a sufficient level of English proficiency to read this article, so you likely have a sense of how English words should be pronounced. This means you can take on the role of your own pronunciation instructor.

If you’re encountering difficulties with accurate pronunciation, YouTube can be a valuable resource. Search for videos like “[Your native language] native speaker English pronunciation mistakes.” When you come across new words or sounds that feel awkward to pronounce, chances are others have faced the same challenges and may have devised exercises to facilitate their pronunciation.”

4. Focus on listening

“If you’re looking to enhance your English speaking skills, it’s crucial to recognize that effective listening is a significant component of engaging in conversations. Therefore, one of the simplest methods to improve your conversational skills when you don’t have a partner is to focus on honing your listening abilities.

You can benefit from watching films or TV series, tuning into English podcasts, and enjoying English-language music.”

5. Learn idioms

“Similar to any language, spoken English deviates considerably from the English found in textbooks. To prevent confusion, a valuable approach is to acquire expressions and idioms that pertain to your personal interests, profession, or geographical location.

For instance, if you’re studying English to relocate to sunny Australia, explore this list of 50 Australian slang words, terms, and phrases. If you’re focusing on improving your professional language skills, consider mastering these 30 Business English phrases. And if your motivation is purely social, here are some charming phrases for flirting in English.”

How to improve your English speaking skills: Six top app

“Among all the language skills, speaking is likely the most challenging to practice using an app. Typically, apps excel in aiding the learning of English grammar and expanding vocabulary, while meaningful progress often necessitates a conversational partner.

However, a handful of apps have found effective solutions to this challenge, either by linking users with tutors or incorporating voice recognition software. Here are our recommended choices:”

1.Tandem

“Tandem stands as one of the most widely-used language exchange apps in English-speaking regions. The concept is straightforward: it offers a free platform for connecting individuals seeking to learn English with native English speakers looking to acquire a different second language.

The premise involves a language skill exchange: you allocate half your conversation time to your native language and the other half to English, ensuring both parties benefit from free practice. Organizing language exchanges can pose initial challenges, as it can be tricky to strike a balance between seeking English practice with your new friend and practicing your own native language with them.”

2. Elsa

“If your goal is to enhance your American English pronunciation, Elsa is among the top apps for accent improvement. Like many apps here, Elsa employs voice recognition technology. It excels by pinpointing precise pronunciation mistakes and providing guidance on adjusting tongue or lip movements.

A noteworthy feature is the app’s initial assessment, which tailors practice to each user’s current proficiency level. Elsa is more pronunciation-centric and is best suited for individuals with already advanced English skills.”

3. Andy 

“Regardless of your English-speaking friend’s patience, there will likely be occasions when they may not be available or willing to engage in a conversation. For such situations, Andy proves to be a valuable app.

Andy is a chatbot, essentially a robotic friend who’s always available for English practice, never experiencing boredom or the need for rest. The app also offers vocabulary and grammar exercises, but its automated chat function stands out as the most intriguing feature. We find it particularly useful for rehearsing conversations before feeling confident enough to engage in real-life dialogues.”

4.Mondly 

“Mondly is a relatively recent addition to the world of language learning apps but is swiftly gaining popularity. It employs state-of-the-art speech-recognition technology to offer immediate feedback on your spoken English.

The app features audio clips of native speakers posing questions, presenting you with a selection of possible responses. You speak your part of the conversation into your phone and receive a grade for your answer. While the conversations on Mondly may be considered too elementary for advanced English speakers, it proves highly beneficial for those at English levels A1-B2.”

5.English Conversation Practice

“English Conversation Practice involves recorded questions from a native speaker, to which you can record your responses. It offers a collection of over 200 lessons, complete with quizzes to aid in retaining newly learned words.

While it may not have the same level of sophistication as more recent chatbot apps like Andy, it remains a worthwhile choice. Moreover, with a premium subscription, this app can be used offline.”

6. Learn to Speak English

“Learn to Speak English serves as an excellent and cost-effective resource for rapidly acquiring the ability to articulate various fundamental English sentences.

This app comprises a library of over 8,000 recorded sentences, each of which you can click to listen to, spoken by a native speaker. Additionally, there is a self-record feature that permits you to compare your voice with the provided audio file. It’s a straightforward yet highly effective tool for enhancing your pronunciation.”

Conclusion: Practice makes perfect

“Now that you know how to improve your English speaking skills, the key is to practice. Speaking is a vital language skill but can be challenging to perfect. By using voice recognition apps, individual practice, and engaging with native speakers, you can get the practice you need.

For those seeking rapid progress, 1-on-1 English lessons with a tutor, like those on Preply, are the most effective approach. Tutors create personalized plans to enhance your conversational skills and confidence, leading you to English fluency faster.”