After listening to the stories of members who have achieved fluency in a new language, we’ve decided to share their secrets with you!
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s get one thing straight: fluency isn’t about sounding like a walking thesaurus or delivering Shakespearean soliloquies. It’s about expressing yourself effortlessly, like a maestro wielding words with the finesse of a ninja.
Fluency is the ability to communicate ideas smoothly, connect thoughts seamlessly, and banish those awkward silences to the language underworld.
So, fluency doesn’t mean having a native-like accent or speaking fast. Got it?
Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and explore some unconventional yet effective methods to transform your speaking skills from “meh” to “mind-blowing.”
Talk to yourself (no, seriously!)
The first rule of speaking clubs: don’t be afraid to talk to the most interesting person you know – yourself! Engage in monologues, debates, or even rehearse the conversation you plan to have with your crush.
This isn’t madness: it’s your secret weapon for honing pronunciation, gaining confidence, and unleashing your inner chatterbox!
Picture this: you’re standing in front of the bathroom mirror, passionately discussing the merits of pizza toppings. Not only are you refining your spoken skills, but you’re also creating a safe space to experiment with new vocabulary without judgment. Plus, you might discover your hidden talent for motivational speeches!
What to talk about? Turn your mundane daily routine into a linguistic masterpiece. Narrate your day in the language you’re learning, describing everything from your morning coffee routine to the epic battle between you and the snooze button.
It’s a cool idea to record that in video, as if you were in a “live” on Youtube.
This exercise not only enhances your vocabulary but also transforms routine activities into engaging language drills.
Dave, from England, didn’t feel at ease doing that in front of a mirror, but spent countless hours talking to himself, chilling on his favorite chair. By weaving language into his everyday life, he found himself effortlessly incorporating new words and phrases in Portuguese. Plus, the sheer absurdity of describing his cat’s disdain for Mondays in a that foreign language was a recipe for linguistic hilarity!
At first, he felt a bit crazy, but guess what? When it came time to chat with native speakers, he aced it! Those solo conversations were the secret to making him sound like a pro in the real deal (his native partners never knew that!).
Embrace the awkwardness
Let’s be real – fluency doesn’t emerge from a vacuum of awkwardness. It’s birthed in the crucible of stammered words, grammatical hiccups, and linguistic acrobatics gone wrong. Embrace the cringe-worthy moments, for they are the stepping stones to fluency greatness.
Brazilian Larissa had us cracking up, when describing the mistakes she made at first talking in Italian, on the Speaky app! When she started, her grammar and pronunciation were far from perfection. Did she get discouraged? Nope. Larissa insisted on pushing through the fumbles and blunders.
Fast forward to today, and you won’t believe it—she’s got this language down pat! Turns out, persistence pays off, even if you trip on a few words along the way. And at this point, who cares about the mistakes she made?! Nobody even remembers them!
Strike up conversations with native speakers, and don’t shy away from making mistakes. Remember, it’s not about avoiding slip-ups but about learning from them.
Dive into the deep end: immersion is key
Imagine learning to swim by reading a book about it. Sounds absurd, right? Speaking a language is no different. To achieve fluency, you’ve got to dive headfirst into the linguistic deep end. Immerse yourself in the language by watching movies, listening to podcasts, and reading books or articles in your chosen tongue.
Immersive experiences force your brain to adapt, absorbing new words and phrases effortlessly. Swap out your native language settings for the language you’re learning on your devices. Soon enough, you’ll be navigating the linguistic waters with the finesse of a polyglot dolphin.
It’s the way Peter chose to conquer fluency: he told us that it was not difficult at all. He took advantage of all the online resources, from online courses and podcasts to chatting in language forums.
Peter immersed himself in real-life contexts and today he’s chatting like a local in no time, all thanks to the virtual language adventure he embarked on.
The internet is there for you!
Karaoke your way to fluency
The case of Mark seemed so interesting! This cool dude from Russia decided to be fluent in English as soon as possible. Now, instead of textbooks, Mark took the karaoke route.
Almost every day, he’d hit up a karaoke channel in English – Mark belted out lyrics like there’s no tomorrow, and guess what? Slowly but surely, his English game leveled up. He turned learning into a party, and it worked!
Cheers to Mark, the singing language pro!
Who said karaoke is just for belting out cheesy love ballads? Turn your karaoke night into a language boot camp. Pick songs in the language you’re learning, print out the lyrics, and let the linguistic magic unfold.
Singing along helps with pronunciation, rhythm, and even builds your vocabulary. Just imagine the look on your friends’ faces when you flawlessly rap in a language they didn’t even know you were learning. Bonus points if you can drop the mic afterward without causing an international incident.
You should give it a shot!
Shadowing: become a language copycat
Ever watched a movie and found yourself mimicking the actor’s lines? Well, that’s the essence of shadowing.
Pick a movie, TV show, or podcast in the language you’re learning and mimic the intonation, rhythm, and even the accent.
Shadowing not only improves your pronunciation but also helps you internalize the natural flow of the language. Soon, you’ll find yourself adopting the linguistic nuances of native speakers, making you sound less like a tourist and more like a seasoned local.
Lethabo contacted us from South Africa to tell us about his mission to practice speaking Japanese. His secret is shadowing movies and TV shows from Japan!
Lethabo mimics the characters, shadows their lines, and boom – he’s leveling up his speaking game. It’s like a language workout, but with popcorn!
Who said practicing speaking a language can’t be entertaining?
Language dating: swipe right on conversation
No, we’re not suggesting you date your dictionary!
Instead, engage in language exchanges with native speakers. Platforms like Tandem, HelloTalk, and Speaky can be your linguistic Tinder. Swipe right on conversations that challenge you and ignite your passion for the language.
This is the technique that Iara, from Paraguay, uses to practice speaking Mandarin. She’s been using the Speaky app for that.
It works this way: Iara’s chilling with her phone, firing up the app, and connecting with native Mandarin speakers. They chat about everything – from daily life to favorite foods. It’s a language exchange, but on turbo mode.
Paraguayan Iara is smashing those language barriers, one virtual chat at a time. The Speak app turns learning Mandarin into a cool conversation, making it feel more like a hangout session than a study session. Big shoutout to Iara, turning her phone into a language dojo!
You can do the same after reading this article – connecting with native speakers not only gives you real-world practice but also exposes you to colloquialisms, slang, and cultural nuances that textbooks often miss.
Besides, who wouldn’t want to impress someone with their charming foreign banter?
Create your own language boot camp
Channel your inner drill sergeant and design your language boot camp. Set aside dedicated time every day for focused language practice. Find some resources that can give you a boost in that, like flashcards for vocabulary, videos for pronunciation, and engage in timed speaking exercises.
Masab talked to us from Lebanon – he was dead set on learning Hungarian. He told us that every single day, without fail, he’d be chatting away in Hungarian on the Speaky app.
Consistency was his middle name…
Today Masab is a Hungarian rockstar and went on a trip to Hungary – people were mind-blown, especially when they found out he’s from Lebanon.
The key is consistency. Treat language learning like a daily workout, sculpting your linguistic muscles until fluency becomes second nature. Before you know it, you’ll be flexing your verbal biceps in casual conversations like a polyglot powerhouse.
Celebrate the small wins
Achieving fluency is a process, first of all. Celebrate the small victories along the way – taking part in a meeting with other learners of a higher language master, nailing a tricky pronunciation (tongue twisters are good for that!), or even giving an informal speech about a subject that you like to your partner on the Speaky app.
Before we finish, you gotta hear about Evelyn from Canada – she decided to tackle Arabic, and boy, did she own it!
And she celebrated her progress so much! Arabic-themed parties, with Arabic music blasting from her speakers, Arabic dishes (Falafels, hummus, mmmm!)…
Remember, every stumble is a step forward, and each awkward encounter is a badge of honor.
4 approaches that won’t make you fluent
We’ve also been hearing about people who try hard to achieve fluency in speaking a language but are never successful. Their mistakes are these:
- Relying just on reading
Working on your reading skills can make you better at speaking in a foreign language. That’s because when you read, you slow down and look at the words. You notice the grammar. And you even focus on the pronunciation. In turn, you get more familiar with the language.
That helps in conversation, no doubt, and we encourage you to read a lot! But the slow pace that reading allows is far from real fluent conversation. So go on reading but add the suggestions we gave above.
- Being swamped in a sea of new words
Amassing an extensive vocabulary is a commendable goal, having quantity over quality can lead to a linguistic shipwreck. Focus on quality over quantity – it’s not about how many words you know but how effectively you can use them in conversation. Too much vocabulary can be overwhelming and counterproductive.
See how kids are fluent in their native languages despite not having not much vocabulary!
- Ignoring pronunciation practice
Clear pronunciation is the key to being understood, yet some learners neglect this crucial aspect of language learning.
Would it be shyness?
Or they simply think it’s not important?
We are sorry for them: pronunciation practice can not only teach the right way to pronounce a word, but also the right intonation!
Don’t be afraid to tackle those tricky sounds head-on; your future fluent self will thank you.
- Passive consumption of media
Binge-watching English movies or TV shows might seem like an enjoyable way to learn the language, but passive consumption has its pitfalls.
Crowds all over the world sit on the couch, subtitles on, every weekend, with a bowl of popcorn in hand and watch foreign language movies. Do they become fluent by doing that?
No!
Why not?
It’s just entertainment, it doesn’t actively engage your brain in language acquisition. And if you don’t need to speak, you’ll never become fluent in that language!
Without active participation, the learning process becomes more of a spectator sport.
Why does it all matter?
Well, the art of effective verbal communication is the cornerstone of personal and professional success!
As you delve into the importance of practicing your speaking skills, it becomes evident that this is not merely a skill but a gateway to unlocking opportunities, fostering meaningful connections, and realizing our full potential.
So, it matters, because in a world where communication is key, mastering the ability to articulate thoughts and ideas empowers us to navigate the complexities of life with confidence.
Now, armed with the knowledge of its significance, let’s embark on a journey to not just speak, but be fluent – go ahead, find a partner on the Speaky app!