Five Different Strategies that Work
It’s no surprise that a significant percentage of people feel that speaking is the hardest part of learning a new language. For starters, it can be hard to find someone to speak with. Furthermore, interacting with native speakers is often an incredibly nerve-racking experience. With that being said, there is good news: developing conversational confidence and fluency is not as complicated as it seems. You can do it, and after reading this blog post you will know how.
For personalized and unbiased advice on which of the strategies below would be best for you, book a free consultation or contact us.
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Option 1: Self-Talk
In simple terms, self-talk means talking to yourself out loud in the target language. You can say the names of the objects around you, introduce yourself, practice the alphabet, talk about your plans for day…it’s completely up to you!
Pros: It’s free, it can be done anytime, there is no pressure to speak perfectly, and it is effective for all levels of proficiency. Self-talk is a valid method to boost your confidence and fluency.
Cons: No external feedback, you may end up with cemented errors, and it is not a perfect substitute to having real-life conversations with another person.
Option 2: Language Exchanges
This is a way for you to help someone learn your first language and, in exchange, they will help you learn their first language. For example, a native English speaker trying to learn Spanish may connect with someone from Mexico to swap languages. The result is that both parties improve their fluency in their respective target languages. Two popular apps that facilitate such language exchanges are HelloTalk and Tandem.
Pros: It’s free, you can make international friends, and practice with a large number of people at almost anytime in the day.
Cons: Finding topics to talk about can be difficult, language exchange partners are often flaky, you sometimes end up speaking more in one language than the other, language exchange partners may not be able to answer grammar-related questions, and some people use language exchange apps for dating purposes instead of conversation practice.
Option 3: Hire a Tutor
Hiring a tutor for conversational lessons either in a 1-1 or very small group environment (2-3 people) is the most foolproof strategy one can implement to improve spoken fluency and confidence. This is why the primary service we offer at the Calgary Language Nerds is private and semi-private lessons. Learn more here.
Pros: Interact with another person, learn in a low-pressure and friendly environment, have peace of mind that you will have a reliable person to practice with, be held accountable, and have lessons tailored to your level and needs.
Cons: It costs money.
Option 4: Language Practice Events
Attending online and/or in-person conversation practice events is an effective way to progress. Two popular websites with such events are https://meetup.com and https://events.duolingo.com
Pros: Events are free or low-cost, you can interact with plenty of other learners, and the events are both fun and educational.
Cons: You may end up interacting more with other learners than native or advanced speakers, groups tend to be quite large meaning you don’t get to speak as much as you would like, and the events can be intimidating for those who feel nervous about speaking.
Option 5: Spend Time Abroad
This is the most immersive way to develop one’s speaking ability, especially for extraverts and/or those who enrol in intensive lessons in a country where the target language is spoken.
Pros: Highly immersive and tends to result in rapid progress.
Cons: A large time and financial commitment is required. It can also be overwhelming for very introverted people who therefore end up avoiding leaving their lodging due to anxiety, thus defeating the purpose of being abroad.
How to Find the Best Method for You
Book a free consultation with us! We’ll provide you with unbiased advice and help you find the most appropriate strategy for you. Your learning needs, budget, availability, and learning style will be considered.
Or contact us