To better answer this question, you should know that language learning consists of two things: Input and Output.

Input is all the listening and reading — everything about the English language that you absorb. Output is all the writing and speaking. People tend to have a harder time dealing with output.

When the time comes to speak. there’s a mental block that slows conversations down. You have a simple sentence in your mind, but somehow it’s as difficult to say as a tongue twister.

You’re not getting enough real-world input.

When you’re studying English from a place where English isn’t spoken much, it can be hard to get enough real-world English input.
 
Textbooks — along with any other learning materials made specifically for non-native learners — make conversation sound clearer and simpler. The slang words, idioms, accents, fast speed and improper grammar are all left out, to make understanding English easier for you.

Before you even start speaking practice, you’ll need to practice understanding what real-world English sounds like.

Speaking is the least practiced skill.

Maybe you practice speaking less because you prefer to hold back and listen during a conversation. Maybe it’s because you just don’t feel confident enough in your speaking ability. Or, maybe it’s because you study at home or in a classroom, and most of your learning time is spent reading, writing and listening. Unless you have a good conversation partner or live in an English speaking country, getting plenty of English speaking practice can be a challenge.

1. Use your favorite technology

Technology has made our lives so much easier. It makes doing anything much more efficient, including learning English. Sure, you can practice any of the four aspects of language (reading, writing, speaking and listening) without any technology, but our computers, smartphones, televisions and tablets help us to accelerate our learning practice and do things more quickly and effectively.

So, how do you use technology to practice speaking English?

When you use Google, use the “speaking” option. If you have a device with a microphone, like a smartphone or computer, you can do this easily. See if Google understands what you’ve said and puts the correct words into text.

Find an online conversation exchange partner to practice with on a website like My Language Exchange.

Make Skype dates with friends and family members who speak English.

Chat with friends using messenger services like WhatsApp, and record little English language voice messages for people.

2. Try the Verbling Community website

Basically, the Verbling Community is a bunch of chat groups that vary in siz​e. The siz​e of the group depends on how many users the group creator allows. The creator can also select a desired ability level. This means that people are creating groups to suit their own personal language needs. They can choose if they want to speak with two advanced learners or 4 beginners.

Essentially, you can use this website to talk to native speakers and other English language learners for free. People are always willing to help with mistakes and there’s no judgement for making mistakes. Everyone there is another language learner, so they understand!

Conversations can be totally open and free-flowing, covering any topic your conversation partners feel like talking about. Alternatively, the topic of conversation can be selected by the group creator.

Usually, everyone begins with greetings of “hello” and “how are you,” so those aspects of conversation will soon become very easy for you. Greeting people in English will be like second nature!

As you gradually converse more and more (without being embarrassed of mistakes) you’ll find that you’re making great improvements in speaking English. An improved speaking ability means that you’re ready to move on up to the next level of more advanced conversation.

3. Go on HelloTalk

HelloTalk is a text-based app that teaches conversation using a messenger type format. It pairs you with real native speakers with whom you can have conversations that vary depending on skill level.

Any language can be chosen. Luckily, most people are there to practice their English just like you, so there are plenty of people you can practice with. But you want to practice speaking in particular, how can this app help you with that?

Well, there’s an awesome option on the keyboard that allows you to send voice messages to your partner. They can in turn respond with a voice message of their own. However, if your partner responds with just text, there’s an option to have the message read to you by the app. This can be extremely helpful with pronunciation as the app does a good job of speaking clearly.

4. Narrate your day like a reality TV show

Sometimes, we want to get away from all the technology in our daily lives.

Don’t worry—there are lots of fun and creative ways to practice speaking without technology.

For example, have you ever wondered what your life would look like as a reality television show?

Go about your day. As things happen, practice your English speaking by discussing the things you do, as well as the people, things and sometimes problems you encounter. Talk about everything as if you had a million viewers out in the audience, interested in your life. If something was difficult about a particular part of the day, talk about how that obstacle was easy or hard for you to overcome.


Perhaps while cooking you can tell the audience what it is you’re making and how to make it. Go through the recipe step by step and talking about why you love it so much. While watching a sports game, try to narrate everything going on like an actual newscaster.

You’ll find this speaking practice to be fun and effective, and it can be applied to tons of basic things that you do throughout the day. You’ll see how many words you can remember when you need them. You’ll realize where you get confused and which grammar points are hard for you to figure out while speaking.


When you have to pause because you can’t remember a particular word or phrase, keep talking using other words to describe what you mean. This will help you leave to be more creative. If you happen to have a way to take notes at the moment, make a note of which words and phrases you forgot. Then, you can look them up and study them for future use in conversation.

So, just have fun with it and you’ll see your speaking ability improve greatly without realizing it.

5. Translate everything, on the go

This is an exercise that can be worked into many different parts of your life, just like the reality TV show. Often, when done frequently enough, it almost becomes a habit. Pretty great habit to have, right? To give an example: you’re driving on the road and see a billboard with a funny phrase on it. See if you can translate it and speak your English translation out loud with excellent pronunciation.

Don’t forget to use the awesome apps listed above if you need some help!