How to improve your English speaking skills (by yourself)

Summary

This video script introduces a unique technique for improving English speaking skills without a speaking partner: self-imitation. It suggests listening to conversations or speeches and then rephrasing them in one's own words. The method can be applied in various ways, from imitating short phrases to delivering entire speeches. The 'easy-to-hard' imitation approach is recommended, starting with simple phrases and progressing to more complex structures. This technique not only helps with sentence formation and vocabulary but also implicitly teaches grammar, akin to how children learn their first language. The video concludes with an offer for a step-by-step tutorial on this effective learning method.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Practice speaking English is essential for improving speaking skills, not just studying grammar or listening alone.
• 👤 You can practice English speaking by yourself without needing a conversation partner.
• 🎭 The technique of learning to speak English through imitation is introduced as an effective method for self-study.
• 🔄 Imitation involves listening to a speech and then delivering it in your own words, not just repeating pronunciation.
• 👶 This method helps improve sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to express thoughts effectively.
• 📚 Imitating small portions of speech like phrases and sentences is one way to start practicing.
• 📑 Another approach is to imitate larger portions of speech, waiting for the speaker to complete an idea before you rephrase it.
• 🎬 You can also listen to an entire speech and then try to deliver it yourself to practice comprehensively.
• 🔝 The 'easy-to-hard' imitation approach is recommended, starting with simple phrases and gradually increasing the complexity.
• 🧠 This technique facilitates implicit learning of grammar, similar to how children learn their first language naturally.
• 📈 Studies have shown that progressive training, like the 'easy-to-hard' approach, is very effective for language learning.
• 🔗 A step-by-step tutorial on this technique is available for those interested in applying it to their English learning.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script regarding improving English speaking skills?

The main focus of the video script is on practicing speaking English through a technique called imitation, which does not require a speaking partner.

Why does the script suggest that studying grammar alone won't improve one's speaking skills?

Studying grammar alone won't improve speaking skills because it lacks the practical application and interaction that comes with actual speaking.

What is the technique introduced in the script to practice English speaking without a partner?

The technique introduced is imitation, where one listens to a conversation or speech and then tries to deliver it in their own words.

How does the script differentiate between simple imitation and the advanced technique it recommends?

The script differentiates by stating that the advanced technique involves not just repeating words for pronunciation, but delivering the speech in one's own words after listening.

What are the various ways to apply the imitation technique as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions imitating small portions of speech like phrases and short sentences, imitating larger portions like long sentences or groups of sentences, and delivering the entire speech after listening to it.

What is the term used in the script for the approach that combines different ways of imitating speech?

The term used is 'easy-to-hard imitation,' which is based on the concept of progressive training, starting with easier tasks and increasing difficulty.

How does the script describe the process of learning grammar through imitation?

The script describes it as 'implicit learning,' where grammar is learned unconsciously through the process of communication and expressing ideas.

What benefits does the script claim the imitation technique offers for learning English?

The benefits include learning to form sentences properly, acquiring idioms, expressions, and speaking patterns, and learning grammar through implicit learning.

According to the script, how does the imitation technique help in learning grammar without being explicitly aware of it?

The script explains that when imitating, one focuses on communication and expressing ideas rather than consciously trying to understand grammar rules, similar to how children learn their first language.

What additional resource does the script offer to help viewers get started with the imitation technique?

The script offers a step-by-step tutorial on the imitation technique for those interested in learning more and applying the method.

How does the script suggest combining different imitation methods for effective learning?

The script recommends starting with small portions of speech and gradually moving to larger portions and full speeches, following the easy-to-hard imitation approach.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ English Speaking Skills Improvement Through Imitation

This paragraph introduces the concept of improving English speaking skills without a conversation partner. It emphasizes the importance of speaking over studying grammar or listening alone. The technique of learning to speak English through imitation is presented as a solution, which can enhance sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to express thoughts effectively. The method involves listening to a speech or conversation and then delivering it in one's own words, with examples provided to illustrate the process. It also suggests different levels of imitation, from small phrases to entire speeches, and introduces the 'easy-to-hard' imitation approach, which is based on progressive training and has been found to be effective.

Keywords

💡Practice

Practice refers to the act of repeatedly performing an activity or skill to improve proficiency. In the context of the video, it emphasizes the necessity of speaking English actively to enhance speaking skills. The script mentions that 'You have to actually speak,' illustrating the importance of practice in language acquisition.

💡Imitation

Imitation is the act of copying or mimicking the behavior or actions of others. The video introduces a technique of learning to speak English through imitation, which involves listening to a conversation or speech and then delivering it in one's own words. This method is highlighted as a way to improve sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary.

💡Sentence Structure

Sentence structure refers to the arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence to convey meaning effectively. The video suggests that imitating English speech can help improve one's sentence structure, as it involves learning how to organize thoughts into coherent sentences, as seen in the script's example of rephrasing a story about Santa Claus.

💡Grammar

Grammar is the set of structural rules governing the composition of sentences, phrases, and words in a language. The script argues that while studying grammar alone won't improve speaking skills, imitating speech can lead to implicit learning of grammar, where the rules are absorbed naturally through communication rather than explicit study.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary encompasses the entire set of words used in a particular language. The video script mentions that imitating English can expand one's vocabulary, as learners are exposed to new words and phrases while trying to express ideas in their own words.

💡Expressing Thoughts

Expressing thoughts is the ability to articulate one's ideas and concepts clearly. The video emphasizes the importance of being able to express thoughts effectively in English, which is one of the benefits of the imitation technique, as it allows learners to practice conveying their ideas in a natural and fluent manner.

💡Easy-to-Hard Imitation

Easy-to-Hard Imitation is a progressive training approach introduced in the video. It suggests starting with simpler speech portions, like phrases and short sentences, and gradually moving to more complex ones, such as long sentences or entire speeches. This method is based on the concept of increasing difficulty to enhance learning, as exemplified by the script's recommendation to 'start by imitating small portions of speech first, then move on to imitating larger portions of speech.'

💡Implicit Learning

Implicit learning is a process where knowledge is acquired without conscious awareness. The video describes how imitating English can lead to implicit learning of grammar, where learners pick up the language's rules subconsciously through the act of communication rather than through deliberate study, as illustrated by the script's comparison to how children learn their first language.

💡Idioms and Expressions

Idioms and expressions are fixed phrases that have a figurative meaning, which may not be deduced from the individual words. The video script mentions that imitating English can help learners acquire idioms and expressions, which are essential for understanding and participating in day-to-day conversations.

💡Tutorial

A tutorial is a set of instructions or an educational program that provides guidance on a particular subject or skill. The video script offers a step-by-step tutorial on the imitation technique for those interested in learning more about how to apply this method to improve their English speaking skills.

Highlights

Practicing speaking is essential for improving English speaking skills.

Studying grammar alone will not improve speaking abilities.

Listening to English alone is insufficient for speaking improvement.

A technique for self-practice of English speaking without a partner is introduced.

This technique can enhance sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, and expression of thoughts.

The technique involves learning to speak English through imitation.

Imitation here refers to delivering a speech in your own words after listening, not just repeating pronunciation.

The method is demonstrated with examples of imitating childhood Christmas stories.

There are various ways to imitate speech, including phrases, short sentences, and larger portions.

One approach is to imitate after the speaker completes a thought or idea.

Another approach is to listen to the entire speech and then deliver it yourself.

The recommended method is 'easy-to-hard' imitation, starting with simple tasks and increasing difficulty.

This progressive training method has been found to be very effective.

Start by imitating small speech portions, then move to larger ones, and finally the entire speech.

Imitation helps in learning correct sentence formation, idioms, expressions, and grammar implicitly.

Learning grammar through imitation is similar to how children learn their first language.

Imitation focuses on communication rather than consciously understanding grammar rules.

A step-by-step tutorial on this imitation technique is available for those interested.

Transcripts

I think you already know that if you want to improve your English speaking skills, you

have to practice, right?

You have to speak.

Studying grammar will never improve your speaking.

Listening to English alone will never improve your speaking.

You have to actually speak.

But what if you don't have someone to talk to in English?

How can you practice then?

Well, there's a technique that allows you to learn to speak English by yourself.

No speaking partner is required.

This technique can help improve many aspects of your spoken English: your sentence structure,

your grammar, your vocabulary, and most importantly, your ability to express your thoughts and

ideas effectively.

So what is this technique?

Well, here's what it is...

Learning to speak English through imitation.

When I say imitation, I'm not talking about repeating after native speakers using the

exact same words to improve your pronunciation.

I'm talking about something a little more advanced than that.

Here's how it works: you listen to a conversation, a story, or some kind of speech, and then

try to deliver that speech in your own words.

Let's see this technique in action:

When I was a child

When he was a child

my parents liked to pretend, like many other parents

his parents liked to pretend, like many other parents

that Santa Claus would bring us presents at Christmas.

His parents liked to pretend that Santa Claus would bring them presents at Christmas.

So when my siblings and I would wake up on Christmas morning

So when he and his siblings would wake up on Christmas morning

there'd be a bunch of presents, from supposedly Santa Claus, sitting in front of the fireplace.

there'd be a bunch of presents, from supposedly Santa Claus, sitting in front of the fireplace.

So that's how it works.

But that's just one way to do it.

There're other ways too.

For example, instead of imitating small portions of speech like phrases and short sentences,

you can imitate larger portions of speech.

So in this case, you wait until the speaker completes a thought or an idea, then pause

and try to express that idea yourself.

Another approach is to simply listen to the whole speech and then try to deliver that

entire speech yourself.

So there are several ways to go about it, but what I recommend is to combine them all

together, and I call this approach easy-to-hard imitation.

Easy-to-hard imitation is based on the concept of progressive training.

The idea is that you start with something easy and then increase the difficulty of the

activity, forcing yourself to get better.

A number of studies have found this kind of training to be very effective.

Here's how you can apply this concept: start by imitating small portions of speech first

like phrases and short sentences, then move on to imitating larger portions of speech

like long sentences or even groups of sentences, and finally, try to deliver the entire speech

on your own.

This technique offers many benefits.

You get to listen and imitate correct English, which helps you learn to form sentences properly.

You get to learn idioms, expressions, and other speaking patterns that are used in day-to-day

conversations.

you get to learn grammar.

When you imitate other people, you're learning grammar through a process called implicit

learning.

This is the process where the learning happens without your awareness.

This is how babies and children learn the grammar rules of their first language.

When you imitate, you don't think about grammar.

You're not trying to understand why the present perfect tense is used in this situation or

in that situation.

Instead, you're focused on communication — on understanding and expressing ideas.

You're still learning grammar but you're not aware that it's happening.

This is one of the proper ways to learn grammar.

OK, that concludes this video.

To help you get started, I've put together a step-by-step tutorial on this technique.

If you're interested, click here to go to that tutorial.