Learning a brand new language can be an up hill battle, it isn’t an easy task.
However, with the right teacher and the right methods, it can become much easier.
One of the key characteristics of speaking a language, which will give the other person a full understanding of what is being communicated, is fluency.
If you have enough of a grasp of a language, that you can speak fluently, there will be fewer gaps and more appropriate vocabulary used in order to communicate the true meaning of what you want to say.
“Do you ever get it where you feel like you know what you want to say but when you actually go to say it you draw a blank?
Do you find it hard to find the right word? You know it in your native language but you can’t find the English equivalent?
This may have had happened to you in your social circles or even at work and it can really knock your confidence and self esteem and hold you back.
There is no hard and fast answer to this and it would be easy for me to say Practice, Practice. Practice which you do need to do , of course you do and it’s the age old motto of “practice makes perfect” but there are some other techniques and things you can do to try and help.
Find a substitute word; So if you can’t find the exact word you are looking for try and find an alternative, a different word even if it might be a less appropriate or not as eloquent.
For eg if you are struggling to say something like;
“The weather today is going to be awful, torrential rain is forecast.”
Instead you could say something like:
“Today, the weather is going to be bad, heavy rain all day.”
Another example:
“There are major disruptions with the trains today.”
Simply say:
“The trains are delayed.”
Even if you have to use the most basic, simplistic words to substitute that is fine, it will help you to gain confidence.
Remember that it is good to make mistakes. By making mistakes you can learn from them.
Repetition is also a great way whilst you are learning. Use a word that you are comfortable with over and over again. Keep saying that word.
Another great way to get more comfortable and confident and really push yourself with your learning is to immerse yourself with native English speakers.
Keep conversing with people. However, uncomfortable it makes you feel at first, the more you do it the more comfortable and confident you will become and this fear of struggling to find the right words will eventually dissolve. When you have nothing to fall back on you will perform better.
For more practical tips and ideas on how to speak better English don’t forget to subscribe to the SpeakEng Academy channel.
