Are you a Hong Kong student getting ready to take an English exam and looking to enhance your English speaking & listening skills?
In today's competitive world, having strong English communication abilities is crucial, opening up a world of opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Whether you are preparing for HKDSE or simply aiming to become more fluent in English, this comprehensive guide will provide you with practical tips and strategies to help you improve your English speaking skills.
1. Focus on syllable stress and Intonation RATHER THAN exact pronunciation and correct accent
When it comes to improving your spoken English, it is crucial to focus on syllable stress and intonation rather than getting bogged down by exact pronunciation.
Syllable stress refers to the emphasis placed on certain syllables within a word, which can completely change the meaning or tone of a sentence.
Intonation, on the other hand, involves the rise and fall of your voice as you speak, conveying emotions, questions, or statements.
By prioritizing syllable stress and intonation, you can enhance your overall fluency and communication skills. Remember, it's not always about saying every word PERFECTLY, but rather about conveying your message clearly and effectively. Practice stressing the right syllables and using appropriate intonation patterns to sound more natural and engaging in your conversations.
Keep in mind that language is a dynamic and living entity, so don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get the pronunciation exactly right every time. Especially for Hong Kong students, we are constantly exposed to British words from textbooks as well as American words from dramas and movies (plus some Cantonese accent). It's pointless to overemphasize imitating native speakers of a certain country.
Focus on the bigger picture of effective communication and clarity through mastering syllable stress and intonation.
And this is one of my favorite teachers, Hadar, who is a non-native speaker and a fluency coach. Feel free to dive into her numerous popular videos about fluency tips and mindsets.
2. Practice Regularly
The key to improving any skill is CONSISTENT practice. Make it a HABIT to speak in English every day, even if it's just for FIVE minutes.
What I did back in school days (and what I am doing even NOW):
talk to myself in front of the mirror
talk to AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, see my YouTube video below)
'force' myself to summarize the English text I just read (or the YouTube video I just watched), as if I am to explain to a group of small children
join some online English conversation groups to practise dialogues with people from all over the world (or with students from other schools)
The more you practice, the more confident and fluent you will become.
If your focus is to improve group discussions, don't forget to check out another blog essay of mine. (CLICK 【DSE 英文小組討論 Group Discussion 常見實戰問題】)
3. Watch English Movies and TV Shows
Watching English movies and TV shows is a fun and effective way to improve your English listening and speaking skills. Pay attention to how native speakers pronounce words, their intonation and use of expressions. This will not only help you improve your vocabulary but also enhance your listening skills, which are essential for effective communication.
TV sitcoms I highly recommend for English learners, with each episode consisting of only 20-30 mins, short but super fun:
The Big Bang Theory
How I Met Your Mother
The Good Place
Another tip (if you have a Netflix account) is to watch some non-English shows but change the language to English as you watch. Most English dubbing is accent-light, easy to understand, and involves much less connected speech*. That's exactly what I did when I was watching DARK (a German science fiction thriller series, my personal favorite).
*For example: “single ladies” turns into “single-adies” or “social life” turns into “social-ife”
*Connected speech always poses a significant challenge for students when attempting to comprehend fast speech. Explore this blog post for additional tips 【DSE 卷三不能靠温書 ... 高效改善英文聽力！附絕世好Source！】 on improving English listening skills and accessing online learning materials.
4. Listen to English Podcasts
Listening to English podcasts on various topics can expose you to different accents, vocabulary and conversational styles. Podcasts are a great way to improve your listening comprehension and pick up on colloquial language that is commonly used in everyday conversations. Thanks to the aid of technology, you can easily find podcasts on whatever topics you are interested in!
5. Engage in Language Exchange Programs
Joining language exchange programs where you can interact with native English speakers will allow you to practice speaking in a real-life context. These programs provide a platform for you to improve your pronunciation, fluency and confidence in speaking English.
The only downside to such programs is that they can get EXPENSIVE, but I know some local secondary schools actually offer such programs at subsidized costs, so don't forget to ask for and apply for one. Each year, I have a handful of my students joining summer exchange programs after getting a referral from their principal.
6. Use Language Learning Apps
There are numerous language learning apps available that focus on improving English speaking skills. These apps offer interactive lessons, pronunciation practice and opportunities to engage with other learners worldwide. Incorporating these apps into your daily routine can help you enhance your English speaking abilities.
Apps that I've tried and found nice:
ELSA Speak
Speak
Duolingo
7. Record Yourself Speaking
Recording yourself speaking in English can be a valuable tool for self-assessment. Listen to your recordings to identify areas where you can improve, such as pronunciation or fluency.
Feel free to send me WhatsApp audio (of your spoken English) for feedback on how you can improve, my students.
Now, armed with these practical tips, take the initiative to enhance your English skills and excel in your English exams and beyond!
Pick a few strategies from this guide and start applying them today. Practice regularly, immerse yourself in the language, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning and mastering English!
Start today and see the difference tomorrow!
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