You might have studied a language for years but you still don’t feel fluent enough. Today, I will share 4 tips to become more fluent.
Tip # 1: Start using the shadowing technique
This technique is simple and it will help you loads to become more fluent in a short period of time:
You should listen to someone speaking the language you want to improve and you should repeat in real-time. You can use an audio track from any English or Spanish book you are using to learn and while you listen to the audio, you read the script out loud. This simple technique helps you imitate both the accent and the rhythm without even being aware of it.
You will notice that at the beginning you need to stop the audio and listen to it again to be able to imitate it and follow the pace but little by little you will get faster. Your pronunciation will improve as well as your vocabulary and listening skills.
Let’s start now! This work regardless of your level and it’s a great opportunity to practice your speaking skill if you don’t have a real buddy speak with.
Tip # 2: Watch films with subtitles in your mother tongue
Becoming more fluent does not mean watching a film in its original version with subtitles in English (if you’re learning English) or Spanish (if you’re learning Spanish). In fact, you will become more fluent if you watch the film in its original version with subtitles in your own language.
Why?
Because you will become more aware of the structures native speakers use to say certain expressions in your mother tongue. It is a helpful way of learning lots of expressions without translating them. For instance, translating proverbs, idioms and other expressions is a terrible idea as they are usually different in the other language.
Watch films with subtitles in your own language and learn those expressions you always wanted to know!
Tip # 3: Listen to music and sing along
You can become more fluent by singing along without being a professional singer!
I love music, you love music, we all love music! Why not learn while joining in the chorus of our favourite songs?
There’s a really good website you can use to do this in a much more entertaining way than playing the song and singing along:
You can choose your favourite bands, singers or songs and work various skills while listening to a song:
Improve your writing skills
You will have to listen to the song and type the word you hear. Great chance to enhance your spelling!
Improve your listening skills
In order to type the words, as explained above, you will have to listen carefully. Don’t you worry, you can listen to the same part of the song several times until you get the word or phrase.
Improve your speaking
Since you are shown the lyrics while you listen to the song, sing along! This is your chance to enjoy while you learn and you will be imitating the singer – this is very similar to the shadowing technique mentioned in Tip # 1.
I always recommend starting with bands or singers you are familiar with and then choose others you don’t know well to challenge yourself.
Tip # 4: Find someone to practice with
If you want to become more fluent you will need some guidance and feedback. You can choose to do language exchanges with people you know, in your city or even online, and you can also look for professional help.
Make sure either your language exchange buddy or your teacher gives you feedback on a regular basis. If you want to become more fluent you don’t need to talk about random topics for the sake of talking. It would be wise to set specific goals and work towards them.
Let’s take a look at the following example:
Big picture: I want to become more fluent
More specifically: I want to become more fluent at work
Even more specifically: I want to become more fluent when I interact in English with native and non-native speakers at work.
The more specific you are, the more help your language buddy or teacher could provide you with and the easier you will realise whether or not you’re becoming more fluent.
If you need guidance to become more fluent in English or Spanish, I will be glad to help you. Book your free Let’s Talk session and discuss your language goals with me!
