7 Tips to Improve Everyday English Conversation Skills

Mastering everyday English conversation skills is crucial for feeling confident and at ease in various social situations. Whether you’re traveling, working, or just making new friends, being able to communicate effectively in English opens up a world of opportunities. In this blog, we’ll share seven practical tips to help you improve your conversational English. From expanding your vocabulary to enhancing your listening skills, these strategies are designed to make your interactions smoother and more enjoyable. Let’s dive in and start your journey towards becoming a more fluent and confident English speaker!

Improve Your Everyday English Conversational Skills with Our Tips

1. Listen to Spoken English.

You need to listen to everyday English to improve your everyday English conversation skills. You may wonder why listening is recommended to improve speaking. Well, much evidence supports that by repeatedly hearing how native speakers put sentences together, you develop an instinct for correct grammar and sentence flow. This way, you will hear native speakers using English and ‘absorb’ the language naturally, similar to how children learn their first language. This goes beyond just memorizing grammar rules. Several studies have found that students who participate in extensive listening do better on speaking tests and general fluency. The best thing to listen to is a podcast, such as ‘The English We Speak’ by BBC or ‘6 Minute English’ by BBC, as you will only focus on the audio rather than with a video where you can observe body language or read subtitles.  Most podcasts are in interviews or sometimes just a casual chat about various topics. They are easy to listen to on your daily commute while taking a walk or cleaning your house. Find an English podcast that interests you and start listening!

2. Set a Daily Vocabulary Goal.

Just as you set goals for your physical health, consider doing the same for your English. To improve your everyday English conversation skills, it’s beneficial to set a daily goal for learning new words and record them in a notebook or using a flashcard maker like Anki or Quizlet. Ensure your goal is specific, measurable, achievable, and time-bound. If you want to practice using the new vocabulary and enhance your everyday English conversation skills, consider using your phone to record yourself for future reference or using the Google Docs text-to-speech feature to identify pronunciation mistakes. If you’re not comfortable recording yourself, try writing a daily diary and imagine you’re recounting your day to someone, incorporating your new vocabulary.

3. Learn Lexis in Chunks.

Learning vocabulary in chunks rather than just words to take step two one step further. For example, instead of learning ‘encourage’, you would learn ‘encourage + someone + to + inf’. This means learning words in the context of how they are commonly used in sentences.  Neuroscience has shown us that the brain wasn’t developed for learning individual words but instead for learning chunks of language. The great thing about chunking (learning in chunks) is that since your brain finds this easier, it will be easier for you to remember. Therefore, in an everyday English conversation, your speech will be more fluent since you won’t get stuck after the individual word racking your brain for what to use afterwards.

4. Spice up your Speech with Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

Idioms and phrases are commonly used in English conversations to take your skills to the next level, making you sound more fluent. Idioms are very common in English conversation. A quick Google search will inform you of the most common ones used. Phrasal verbs change the meaning of a verb; some have a literal meaning, and others create whole new phrases and meanings! It’s worth learning phrasal verbs and looking out for them when you are having an English conversation to familiarise yourself. Some common phrasal verbs to start with are ‘take off ‘, ‘put up with ‘, and ‘get along with ‘. Phrasal verbs might look confusing initially, but when you learn the basics, they’re logical. They’re very common in spoken English, so get a list and start learning them.

5. Exaggerate!

A surprising number of learners neglect this in their English conversations, and it sometimes stops them from sounding like native speakers. Simply modifiers (e.g. extremely, very, so, really) for adjectives and adverbs with a little bit of emphasis can change a sentence and create a more engaging English Conversation. You’ve heard native English conversations with intonation that create interest and better interaction. We tend to exaggerate facts (e.g. somebody who is pretty will often be described as pretty).

6. Use Common Responses

One of the key principles of small talk is to always respond to statements to show that you’re actively engaged in the conversation. Repeating ‘okay’ and ‘hmm’ throughout the conversation can make you sound disinterested. You want the other person to feel that you’re listening. One way to achieve this is by using a list of common responses. These responses are not just words but tools that can help you navigate an English conversation easily and confidently.

Here’s a List of Common Responses to Get you Started:

• That’s fantastic!
• I’m so pleased for you.
• I’m glad to hear that.
• Lucky you!
• I’m glad to hear that.
• That’s so true!
• Have a good time.
• Good luck.
• Congratulations!
• Oh no!
• I’m always here for you!
• Oh dear!
• You’ll be fine.
• Cheer up.
• I’m sorry to hear that.
• Just do your best,.
• No way!
• Are you serious?
• I know right!, I can’t believe it.

7. Practice, practice and practice!

To learn, you need to practice. You can start by speaking to yourself in the mirror, then move on to recording yourself, and finally, practice with a human! You can find others who are also learning like you, make friends with expats, join a language course, or find a private teacher. Having a teacher will take your English to the next level as they will ensure that your English conversation skills are accurate as they correct you.
Do you feel more confident about having everyday English conversations?

Ready to Take your English Conversation Skills to the Next Level?

Join us for a study trip in Malta or Gozo and immerse yourself in a full-time English-speaking environment. At BELS Malta, you’ll enhance your language abilities, make lasting friendships, experience diverse cultures, and enjoy the stunning beauty of our two islands. Our study trips combine intensive learning with fun activities, ensuring you gain confidence and fluency in English while creating unforgettable memories. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and explore – write to us at [email protected] to book your study trip with BELS today and embark on an exciting journey towards mastering everyday English conversation skills.