There are approximately 378 million native English speakers and 743 million non-native English speakers across the world. English is undoubtedly a global language. You can see English billboards, English literature, English songs, different English accents, books written in English, and, most importantly, Google – the search engine, which is quite literally an information powerhouse, is dominated by English.
As we move forward, English is becoming the medium of language and has played a significant role in breaking language barriers. So in this day and age, being fluent in English opens the door to countless opportunities for an individual.
And I understand why you are reading this article.
You want to understand, comprehend, speak, write, and read in English as a native speaker. You want to be natural in it. You want to think in English.
You want to reach a level of fluency where you don’t have to translate the language from your mother tongue, where you can read and understand complex materials, and where you can speak fluently without the use of filler words.
Now that we have understood the problem and the outcome you would want to achieve, let’s get into the solutions for it.
So, here are 9 simple and proven ways to learn fluent English:
#1 READ
I am assuming that you can read and understand basic English, and now you want to advance your levels. So reading is the most important part of learning English, and any language for that matter.
Start by reading short stories and small blogs in the areas that interest you. Follow that by reading novels, non-fiction, or long-form articles which will help improve your comprehension levels, vocabulary, and the way to express different phrases most efficiently.
Even in reading, there are two modes – passive and active. In the passive form, you read blogs, stories, or Instagram posts or material that you come across without intention. Active Reading is the one where you make notes or annotate while reading. This is the most effective way to read as you are doing it with an intention. However, create a balance for yourself and engage both in active and passive reading to get the most out of it.
Form a habit of reading daily, even if it is for 20 minutes. Gradually, you can increase that as well, and you will see a significant improvement in your way of thinking as well as your fluency.
#2 Consume as much Content as Possible
You are what you consume, and this quote also applies to learning English as a second language. Language learning is a process, and consuming content is one aspect of language learning that most people get wrong. Everything is content: the article that I am writing, YouTube videos, Instagram posts, and whatnot. However, in this pool of content, you have to choose wisely.
Videos are one of the best kinds of content. Watching TedX talks or any speech, for that matter, not only helps you catch the language but also the body language that is being used. Watch English interview videos and talks and discussions, which will not only help you in your English fluency but will also make you a better communicator.
Another kind of content is podcasts. Listen to various podcasts which will help you with your listening skills as well as understanding different accents.
#3 Have Fun!
And if you are thinking, “oh, that is too much work,” then don’t worry! Apart from the above-mentioned types of content, there are movies that you can watch in English, or series, and you can listen to songs as well. So from now onwards, you don’t have to feel guilty about watching movies and shows. Have fun while also learning.
#4 Word Power Made Easy – Vocabulary
Vocabulary plays an important role in determining your level of speaking. The words that you use reflect your intellectual prowess. One of the best resources from which you can start learning vocabulary in a very systematic and fun way is the book “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis. This is a straightforward book and easy to understand, which will break all your stereotypes on learning vocabulary. So give it a try and see for yourself the change in your vocabulary.
#5 Journaling
When you journal, you write about your day, your emotions, descriptions, etc. There is nothing much better than journaling for improving your English writing skills. You will notice that you tend to repeat some words very often. You can find synonyms for those words and start using them instead of the previous one. In this way, you will observe your writing improve day by day.
#6 Record your Voice and listen
While we speak, we tend to make a lot of grammatical mistakes and use a lot of filler words in between. Recording yourself while speaking and listening to it later will help you catch your mistakes and nuances in your speech which will improve your speaking skills gradually.
#7 Take Feedback
Feedback is like that important subject in your exam which you conveniently ignore because you either think it is too easy or too difficult to study. However, it is very important to take feedback from time to time. You can ask your teacher, your friends, your siblings, your parents, or online friends for that matter.
#8 Let go of your Fear
We fear judgment, and we are embarrassed about the way we speak. However, one must understand that to learn a language fluently, you will have to practice. And to practice, you need to speak. You can do that only if you let go of all your fears and just do it!
#9 Practice, Practice, and Practice!
And last but not least – Practice. There is no substitute for Practice. Practice Reading, writing, listening, and speaking. And you will be fluent in English in a matter of time.
All the Best! 🙂