Better Speaking Podcast 🗨️🗣️ How to improve your fluency

Summary

In this episode of 'Better Speaking,' teacher Richard Hallows offers valuable advice on improving English communication skills. The focus is on overcoming language barriers, emphasizing vocabulary flexibility and proper sentence stress. Using the example of Korean football manager Park Hang-seo, Richard highlights how speaking with limited vocabulary can still be effective. He stresses the importance of correct word stress and tips on memorizing it, while encouraging practice, even if it’s just a little at a time. The episode also explores how body language and explanations can aid communication, further enhancing fluency.

Takeaways

• 😀 Practicing English pronunciation regularly, even in small amounts, helps improve speaking skills.
• 😀 English is a global language, and it’s commonly used in various fields, such as sports, as shown by Korean football manager Park Hang-seo's use of English.
• 😀 Even if you don’t know the exact word in English, you can still communicate effectively by using alternative words or descriptions.
• 😀 Using context and familiar words to explain what you mean is a great strategy for non-native speakers when facing vocabulary gaps.
• 😀 Sentence stress, where certain words in a sentence are emphasized, is important for clear communication. Misplaced stress can change the meaning of a sentence.
• 😀 In English, it’s crucial to stress the correct syllable in words (e.g., 'football' should stress 'foot' rather than 'ball') to avoid misunderstandings.
• 😀 Different languages have different stress patterns, and non-native speakers should be aware of these differences to improve their English communication.
• 😀 A good dictionary can help learners identify the correct stress in new words, and marking the stress when writing them down aids in retention.
• 😀 When learning new words, it’s helpful to exaggerate the stress when practicing pronunciation to better remember it.
• 😀 If you forget a word while speaking, don't pause or stumble. Use descriptive language to explain what you mean instead of stopping.
• 😀 Body language, including gestures and facial expressions, can be a useful communication tool, especially for non-native speakers.
• 😀 Consistent and small practice of pronunciation is key to improving English speaking skills without overwhelming yourself.

Q & A

What advice does Richard Hallows give for improving speaking skills in English?

Richard advises practicing a little and often, not focusing too much on pronunciation practice but being aware and making gradual improvements.

What does Park Hang-seo's experience with speaking English reveal about communication in a second language?

Park Hang-seo demonstrates that even if you're not using perfect English, clear communication can still occur if you're using the words you know effectively, like in his example of using 'beer shop' instead of the correct term 'liquor store' or 'off license'.

How does sentence stress affect communication in English?

Sentence stress affects the meaning of a sentence. Emphasizing different words in a sentence can change what information is highlighted, such as stressing 'big' to emphasize the size of a cat, 'black' to emphasize the color, or 'cat' to clarify it's not a dog.

Why is it important to learn the stress pattern of a word when learning English?

Learning the stress pattern of a word is crucial because it helps with pronunciation and ensures that the word is understood correctly by others. Incorrect stress patterns can make words or sentences harder to comprehend.

What specific issue does Park Hang-seo face with English pronunciation?

Park Hang-seo struggles with sentence stress. He tends to stress every word evenly, which can make his speech difficult to understand, especially for listeners unfamiliar with his native language's stress patterns.

How can learners practice English sentence stress effectively?

Learners can practice sentence stress by exaggerating the stress on important words, repeating them to get used to the correct pattern, and listening to native speakers to notice the difference in stress placement.

What does Raphael from Spain do to communicate when he doesn't know the exact word in English?

Raphael explains that when he doesn't know the exact word, he tries to explain the concept by using other words or sentences. He also uses body language, like hand gestures, to help convey his meaning.

What role does body language play in speaking English, according to Raphael?

Raphael highlights that body language, including hand gestures and facial expressions, plays a significant role in communication. This is especially useful when trying to explain something for which you don’t know the exact word.

How can learners improve their English vocabulary according to Richard Hallows?

Learners should not only learn new words but also focus on their stress patterns. A good dictionary will mark the stress, and learners can practice by saying words out loud with exaggerated stress to help remember them.

What is the key takeaway from the 'Better Speaking' tips shared at the end of the programme?

The key takeaway is to be mindful of stress patterns when learning new words, practice explaining your way around unknown words, and use body language when necessary to enhance communication.