Sunday, December 14, 2008

HOW TO DEAL WITH HESITATION IN SPOKEN ENGLISH

It is a common problem for every student of English. You know lot of words but you are unable to speak. Isn't it strange?
The reasons are many. English is not your mother tongue or you are hesitant because of your nature (and personality), as you may not be too confident and think a lot before you speak. This makes it doubly difficult.
So the key is to start speaking is to initiate and condition your mind to speak English. For that, you need to begin with words, small phrases and sentences. You may have noticed how people try to intersperse their speech with English words. It may not sound too good but it's definitely a good way to build a rhythm.
Just your like brain, your mouth must also get used to speaking. So do speak words. The basic words like:
1. The basic step is to speak words like :Sure, Certainly, Well, Possibly, Great, Really....when you are talking in your mother tongue.
2. Now to carry on conversation, you don't always need to speak longish sentences. Small phrases and 'two-three words' can do that:
Is it?
Brilliant idea
Seems good
Not bad
Call me
Are you sure?
Are you sane?
I don't believe!
Just do it
It really hurts
These small sentences will work as a foundation for your future fluency. Talking to a person, you don't need to speak longer. By just speaking a few words and letting the other person speak, you will be liked for being a good listener and the other guy will enjoy the conversation.
3. Subsequently you will graduate to bigger sentences:
That sounds interesting!
I'll give you a call
Feel free to ask me
What's your plan?
Can you do me a favour
Am I disturbing you?
You can take that
May I take the liberty to...
Shall I go out for a whileThe idea seem interesting
Can you lend me this book...
Sure I have no objection
Do I mind if I take this
I hope you won't be angry...
One these 'strings of words' start coming naturally. It will not be too long before you start speaking longer sentences as your brain-lip coordination will get better and English will become your own language.
This may sound a simple technique. But, once you start practising, be sure that you will effortlessly speak English in future. There will not be any hesitation or hitch and you will be able to express yourself like a native speaker.
The above mentioned words and 'word strings' are just a few examples. You can yourself collect them. If you are really interesting in the language and have a passion for it, you will gather them. Of course, this blog will also help you. Do tell us about what you expect from us.

HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH EFFECTIVELY &COMMUNICATE FLUENTLY

1. It is not necessary for you to always speak the full sentence all the time, which non-native learners often try to do. You can continue the conversation with words like 'okay', 'ya, 'sure', hmm', 'I see', 'is it' 'that's surprising', carry on' et al.
2. If you can't recall a particular word or you are unsure about the sentence formation, phrase and don't know how to say a thing, there are several ways to get out of the situation. You can always say a thing in many different ways.Like you don't remember what to say when your vehicle 'breaks down'. And somebody asks you what has happened? Surely you can answer him:
*My bike's engine has developed a fault or
*Something seems wrong with my bike or
*The engine doesn't workor*I will have to show my bike to the mechanic.
So you just need to be a little more imaginative. And you can escape any such difficult situation easily. Meanwhile, keep working on your vocabulary and you will surely succeed.
3. Gestures are also important. If you are attentive and that is evident from your face and eyes, the person won't feel that you are not communicating enough. Not all people are talkative and generally people like listeners. So be more of a listener.
4. Don't talk 'Wren and Martin', I mean, grammar is surely okay but just don't concentrate so much that you lose your basic aim--speaking English.
5. If somebody told you to read English newspapers and watch news for learning the skills of English conversation, just don't believe him. Bookish English is different from the English you wish to learn. The better option is to watch English serials, interviews, soap operas or movies (for starters those regional movies with English-subtitles) and of course, listening to the Radio.
6. Learners often make this mistake. They want to talk like an Express train, falter and as a result get frustrated. But it is not necessary. Take your time. You don't need to talk fast. Be steady and to the point.
7. Pauses can be used effectively. Ah...ummm.....can be used with perfection when you are thinking of a proper word. Even English speakers use them. Not everybody can recall anyword anytime. So just relax. These hmmmz and ummmz are there to help you.For learners, the non-native ones who live in Asia, Africa, China, Japan, Gulf and other countries, we will keep bringing to you such tips and ways to communicate and speak English. Don't hesitate in asking us and keep sending your valuable feedback.

HOW TO BETTER SPEAKING SKILLS

Improving your English speaking skills will help you communicate more easily and effectively. But how do you become a more confident English speaker?
Practise where you can, when you can. Any practice is good - whether you speak to someone who is a native English speaker or not.

It's important to build your confidence. If possible, use simple English sentence structure that you know is correct, so that you can concentrate on getting your message across.

Try to experiment with the English you know. Use words and phrases you know in new situations. Native English speakers are more likely to correct you if you use the wrong word than if you use the wrong grammar. Experimenting with vocabulary is a really good way of getting feedback.

Try to respond to what people say to you. You can often get clues to what people think by looking at their body language. Respond to them in a natural way.

Try NOT to translate into and from your own language. This takes too much time and will make you more hesitant.

If you forget a word, do what native English speakers do all the time, and say things that 'fill' the conversation. This is better than keeping completely silent. Try using um, or er, if you forget the word.

Don't speak too fast! It's important to use a natural rhythm when speaking English, but if you speak too fast it will be difficult for people to understand you.

Try to relax when you speak - you'll find your mouth does most of the pronunciation work for you. When you speak English at normal speed, you'll discover that many of the pronunciation skills, such as linking between words, will happen automatically.
Remember, when speaking English…

Try to become less hesitant and more confident.
Don't be shy to speak - the more you do it, the more confident you'll become.
Remember to be polite - use "please" and "thank you" if you ask someone to do something for you.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

AGREEING & DISAGREEING IN ENGLISH

Agreeing in English
In English conversations, people often say that they agree or disagree with each other. There are many ways of agreeing or disagreeing and the one you use depends on how strongly you agree or disagree. Here's a list of some common expressions.

Agreeing in English
"I think you're right."
"I agree with you."

Strong agreement
"I couldn't agree with you more."
"You're absolutely right."
"I agree entirely."
"I totally agree."

Partly agreeing
"I agree with you up to a point, but…"
"That's quite true, but…"
"I agree with you in principle, but…"

Disagreeing
"I'm not sure I agree with you."
"(I'm afraid) I don't agree."
"(I'm afraid) I disagree."
"(I'm afraid) I can't agree with you."
"(I'm afraid) I don't share your opinion."
Note
When you disagree with someone in English, you can often sound more polite by using a phrase such as "I'm afraid…"

Disagreeing strongly
"I don't agree at all."
"I totally disagree."
"I couldn't agree with you less."

BEING FRIENDLY IN SPOKEN ENGLISH

Having good social skills is important if you want to make a good impression on the people you meet. Here's some advice on what is considered polite or impolite in English-speaking cultures.

1. Please, thank you, excuse me and I'm sorry

These polite expressions are used a lot in spoken English, and not using them can make you appear rude. As politeness is considered perhaps the most important quality in relationships, make sure you use them! Don't worry if you think you use them too frequently: the worst that people will think of you is that you are sweet and charming:))

Please = use whenever you want someone to do something for you, or if you want something from another person
Can you tell me where the post office is, please?Can you pass me that newspaper please?
Never use imperative forms unless you are giving someone directions. So although you can say to someone "Take the 130 bus to Croydon and get off at Asda supermarket", you can't say to someone "Pass me that newspaper".

Thank you = use whenever someone does something for you, or gives you something.

Excuse me = use when you want to introduce a request to someone, or if you want to get past someone
Excuse me, can you tell me where the post office is, please?Excuse me, is this the right platform for the London train?

I'm sorry = use any time that you inconvenience someone, tread on someone's toes in a crowded train, or if someone asks you something that you can't do.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Is the post office on the left or the right?
Is Mr Jones in the office?I'm sorry, he's out this morning.

2. Ask permission before doing something that may inconvenience others
Do you mind if I open the window?Can I take this chair?

3. Avoid controversial topics when you meet someone new
Some topics of conversation can lead to arguments, so unless you know someone well, it's best to avoid them. These topics are politics, religion and financial information such as how much money you earn. If you are in doubt about what to talk about, let the other person take the lead, and respond to them. This leads on to the next point:

4. Keep the conversation going
If someone asks you a question, respond to it. Avoid one-word answers, and try to say at least a few words. Then you can return the question.
For example, if someone says "Terrible weather, isn't it", avoid just saying "yes". Instead you can say "Yes, I wish it would stop raining" or "Yes, it wasn't like this last summer, was it?"

HOW TO KEEP CONVERSATION GOING ON

What can you say when you want to encourage people to keep talking to you?Try making a comment or asking a question - it shows the other person you're interested in what they are saying.

Here are some examples of what you can say:

Making comments
"No!" - to show surprise.
"I don't believe it!" - to show surprise.
"Wow!" - to show admiration or surprise.
"That's incredible / amazing / unbelievable" - to show great interest in the subject of onversation.
"How awful / terrible" - to show sympathy with someone else's bad news.
Asking questions
"Really?" - to show surprise.
"And you?" - when someone asks you how you are.
"Did you?" - can be used to encourage someone to tell their story.
For example, "I saw her last night", "Did you?" "Yes, she was with one of her friends, and she…."

HOW TO START ENGLISH CONVERSATION-2

Most Useful English Expressions to Start a Conversation
Conversations can open up a whole new universe of opportunities...for relationships, for business, for anything and everything. Unfortunately, for some people, starting a conversation is a little difficult, especially when the conversation should be in English and one is not a native speaker of the said language. Hopefully, the suggested expressions below will help them easily begin a conversation in English.

Anytime, anywhere with anyone:
· Hi!/Hello!
· Good morning/afternoon/night/day!


With strangers:
· Nice weather we have today; don't you think so?
· So, do you come here often?
· Excuse me. You look very familiar. Have we met somewhere before?
· Excuse me. Can you tell me what time it is?


With acquaintances/friends:
· Hey! It's been quite some time.
· How are you? (or similar expressions)
· Looking good!/You look great!
· What a pleasant surprise! I didn't expect to see you here.
Of course, the expressions mentioned are only the most commonly used. You may revise them depending on the situation you are in. Just add whatever details you think may be helpful.

HOW TO START ENGLISH CONVERSATION

HOW TO START A CONVERSATION -
Conversation Starters

General greetings and inquiries
How's it going?
How's everything?
How's life? (This means "How are you?" not "Where are you going?")

Asking about present activities

What's up?
What's happening? (What are you doing now?)

Asking and telling about recent events

What's new? Guess what? (What interesting has happened since I last saw you?)
(I want to tell you something. Ask me about it.)(The appropriate response to this is "What?") A: Guess what? A: I just got a new job. B: What? B: Congratulations!

Bringing up a serious topic
Can I talk to you for a minute?
Do you have a minute?