Becoming fluent in English is one thing. Speaking English like a native speaker is completely different. If you are still in the learning phase and just want to improve your English, you should not feel intimidated by other people who can speak English at a “native speaker level”. Learning a language takes courage. Nothing prevents you from really learning a language more than the fear of making a mistake. This article is for the language nerds who want to take their skills to the next level.
Communicate regularly with native speakers in English
If you want to improve your English long-term and as quickly as possible, you have to do something about it. Communicating regularly with a native speaker rubs off your win pronunciation and vocabulary. Not everyone who has set out to improve their English knows native speakers who want to chat with you. Going to a language course in your city can bring you a lot. However, 10 minutes of talking a day more than once a week take a full hour to learn.
Ideally, the learning is divided into small bites: Talking three to four times with a native speaker for a full 30 minutes is very beneficial.
- For tandem partner: About tandempartners.org you can free find a tandem partner who would like to learn German. In return, he will teach you English.
- Find private language teachers: Private language teachers offer lessons via Skype on the Fiverr * platform. The great thing about it is that the language teacher depends entirely on your needs. Do you have an interview in English? Go through the questions with the language teacher. They can give you feedback on your skills right away. The language teachers are assessed by the students and the lessons are prepaid and write my essay. So if a language teacher doesn’t promise you the success you want, you can just try another one. (display)
- Finding a pen pal or chat friend: Building real friendships with someone in an English-speaking country can be pretty cool. The Hello Talk app connects people who want to learn a language. For those who like it more classic: IPF world, Pen pal World, or intervals are some of the numerous platforms that are available on the topic.
Master the right accent
The accent is also learned while learning a language. So if you had English with an English teacher who has never been to an English-speaking country yourself, this can affect your accent. What most do not know: You can work your way out of an accent.
Most language learners focus on vocabulary and grammar. While these two aspects are super important, almost little attention is paid to pronunciation.
Anyone who makes their way abroad with their English is usually immediately recognized as a foreigner. If the pronunciation does not match the national language, you will be noticed immediately.
It is often not a bad “German accent” but also not a uniform one. In most schools, accents and all kinds of English variations are mixed up.
- Define an accent: whether British, American, Australian, Irish, or New Zealand English. Decide on a variant.
- Listening to the accent: series, films, or simply the radio can help here.
- Professional language training: You don’t have to pay a lot for this. With the “Get Rid of your Accent *” audiobook you can learn how to get rid of your accent and practice your British pronunciation at the same time. “American Accent Training *” is the American variant. New Audible customers currently receive a free audiobook. After that, the Audible subscription costs EUR 9.95 / month and you get a new audiobook every month. You can cancel this at any time. (display)
Surround yourself subconsciously with language
Not everyone can afford an expensive language course abroad. However, the Internet makes it possible for us to feel as if we are right there in our dream country. How does it work?
- Listen to the radio station of your favorite place: Just click on “Listen Live” and feel like you are in Los Angeles, New York, or London.
- Reading local newspapers and magazines: Reading the latest news or a specific magazine that interests you can be a huge help in expanding your vocabulary.
- Follow a series or a YouTuber: The good thing about learning on TV is that you can hear what is being said as it is being spoken in real life. Gestures and body language make this easier to remember along with what is spoken.
Know these native English phrases
English is learned at school and this makes the vocabulary very formal. Friends don’t use greetings like “Good Afternoon”. However, if you enter an office or ask at a reception, you are formally welcomed.
So if you want to sound like a native speaker, you have to be able to distinguish between formal expressions, slang, and native speaker idioms.
