Chapter I. How to improve speaking skills

1.3. The most effective methods of speaking English
English pronunciation can be taught to kindergarten and school children by singing. This method is one of the most effective methods. Because most children of this age like to sing and sing. Teachers can play a song related to the topic in the lesson. In step 1, students first listen to the song, and in step 2, they sing the song together with the help of their teachers. In step 3, students sing the song independently.
The fact that a person who is learning a language always communicates in the language he is learning helps him to learn this language faster. It is very effective to talk to strangers.
Learn to sing
By learning to sing, you’ll pick up a range of skills that can also be applied to more everyday conversation and speech. You’ll know when and how to project your voice, become more aware of what’s going on physiologically, and get the confidence that comes with performing in front of people. The relationship between singing and reading is explored by Mark Sweetnam, of Trinity College Dublin, in this video. It’s part of the university’s course on the History of the Book in the Early Modern Period, that is, between 1450 and 1800. We’ve also got a range of music courses to check out.
Learn to act
In a similar vein, learning to act can confer many benefits, even if it’s simply landing a supporting role in an amateur-dramatics society production. In addition, acting can help you to confront aspects of the language that you might not yet be familiar with. If you spend most of your time working with dry, technical concepts, then getting creative with the language might be more than worthwhile. Lulea University of Technology’s Introduction to Acting provides a sound starting point for would-be thespians. You might also find a local am-dram group and see if you can get involved. Doing so will also help you to meet and talk to strangers – which, as we’ll see, is also tremendously helpful.
Speak to strangers
Speaking effectively means taking into account the person with whom you’re in conversation. If you’re going to improve, you’ll want to talk to as broad and diverse a range of people as possible. That means talking to strangers whenever the opportunity arises. It might be that opportunities for speaking with many different people will occur quite frequently if you’re open to them. If you’re interested in getting your message across to a broad audience, then the University of Surrey’s four-week course on Communicating with Diverse Audiences may prove invaluable.
Practice public speaking
In many ways, getting up and delivering a monologue in front of an informed audience is the ultimate test of your communication mettle. If you can do this, then you should be able to cope with most speaking challenges. We’ve covered the various challenges of speaking publicly in our blog on mastering the art of public speaking. The words we present to an audience constitute a tiny fraction of the words we speak in our lives – even if you’re a prolific public speaker. But becoming good at public speaking will boost your confidence, resilience under pressure, and your ability to string an articulate sentence together whatever the circumstances. If you’re interested in this, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich runs a three-week course on public speaking. It’ll equip you to inject a little bit of flair into your speeches, and help you develop confidence. If you’d like a taster, be sure to check out our pointers on how to make your presentation accessible, audience interaction, and what to do when things go wrong. From the same course, we’ve also got a few top tips to get you on the right track. It might also be worth looking at the University of Leeds’ course on Presenting Your Work with Impact, which provides a more rounded look at presentations in general. Final thoughts
Communication is one of a handful of core soft skills that can make a significant difference in just about every aspect of life. You can read about the importance of soft skills here. For many of us, effective speaking skills don’t always come easily. For some, they require work, patience, and determination. You can’t expect to turn into an amazing orator overnight. Developing eloquence may take sustained effort, regular practice, and reinforcing helpful habits over years or even decades. If this sounds disheartening, remember to focus on why you’re doing this. By improving your speaking skills, you’ll enjoy many benefits professionally and personally. Develop at your own pace and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from expressing yourself well and participating in rewarding conversations.¹³