Easy hacks for mastering spoken English

Speaking English fluently is a valuable skill that opens countless opportunities in today's world. Yet, for many, the journey to fluency feels daunting. The good thing is that mastering spoken English doesn't require perfection or hours of rigorous study; it thrives on practice and consistency in daily life.

English is not a hard nut to crack. All it takes is determination and the willingness to start talking right away, shaking off your shyness and fear. Just take that first step, and soon you will find yourself becoming fluent in spoken English. Fluency is not something that happens overnight, but it will come naturally with consistent effort. You won't even notice how or when you've become fluent, much like how one falls asleep without realising the exact moment they drift off. Can anyone pinpoint the exact hour, minute, or second they started sleeping? Of course not! Yet, when we wake up, we feel refreshed and know that we had been sleeping. Similarly, don't worry about the timeline or measure your progress every day. Instead, focus on starting your journey right now.

The first requirement for any task is desire. Without it, nothing begins. While we may focus on practical things like tools or materials, it's the inner drive that fuels every action. Desire sparks progress and motivates us to take the necessary steps, whether it's creating something or learning a new skill. Are you too much worried about grammar? Why is that? Let me ask you something-what came first, language or grammar? Of course, it was language. Long before grammar existed, people came up with sounds to communicate with each other. These sounds turned into words, and eventually, languages were born. Since every group of people had their own way of speaking, that's why there are so many languages in the world today.Grammar came much later. When people wanted to teach their language to others, they created rules to make it easier to learn. These rules are what we call grammar. But remember, grammar was made to help understand a language, not to create it. So, don't let grammar stop you from speaking. You don't need to be perfect to talk in English. If your listener understands what you mean, that's enough.

For example, if you need water, just saying "Water!" works perfectly. The most important thing is to start speaking. Don't worry about mistakes-it's not an exam. Spoken English is about sharing your thoughts and being understood. So, relax, forget about grammar in the initial days, and just start talking and expressing in English! With practice, you'll get better and better.

I know you're concerned about vocabulary-wondering how to express yourself without knowing every word. But think about it: you don't know every word in Bangla, yet you still communicate. It's the same in English. Be flexible, think of alternatives, and focus on making your listener understand your message. That's what matters!

Have you ever noticed how your mind constantly jumps from one thought to another, never sticking to one topic for long? It's easy to get lost in unrelated ideas. While reading this, your mind is probably scattered, right? Try to focus and translate your thoughts into English. Wondering how? It's simpler than it sounds. You can follow a simple process to train your mind to think in English. As you get better, take it a step further. Start imagining entire conversations in English. You can even create stories in your head, narrating them in English.Start small by thinking with individual English words. For example, instead of silently saying "bhat," say "rice" in your mind. Once you're comfortable with this, move on to forming simple sentences in English. For instance, if you're feeling hungry, think, "I am hungry," or if you see rain, think "It's raining". Slowly, this practice will become a habit.

This way, you're not only practicing English but also training your mind to stay focused on a single thought for longer. Additionally, try to think about your daily activities-like what to eat, wear, or do-in English. Over time, this habit will enhance your vocabulary and boost your confidence. With time and practice, you'll notice a big difference. Thinking in English will feel natural, and your wandering thoughts will become more disciplined and purposeful.

Make English a part of your daily life as much as possible. How? Start by reading and listening to English news on topics that interest you-whether it's current events, sports, entertainment, or technology. Watching videos, like tutorials or movies, on subjects you enjoy is also helpful. When you're engaged and having fun, learning becomes natural and stress-free. By consistently surrounding yourself with English, you'll make steady progress. The more you integrate it into your life, the more confident and fluent you'll become.

Worried about not having a partner to practice speaking English? No problem! You can practice talking to yourself. It's a great way to build fluency and boost confidence-no pressure to be perfect, and no one to hear your mistakes. Imagine someone asking you a question, then answer it out loud. Yes, it may feel a bit silly, but you can do it in private. Talking to yourself is a fantastic way to use your English without waiting for the "perfect" partner. Start today and make it a habit-you'll be amazed at your progress!

Last but not least, never give up and don't stop learning or speaking English. Progress may seem slow at times, but remember, you don't need to be a genius to become fluent. All you need is dedication and consistent practice. Keep reminding yourself of your goal and stay motivated. Even small steps, taken regularly, will bring you closer to success. Make English a part of your daily routine, and don't be afraid to make mistakes-they are simply part of the learning process. Surround yourself with English by reading books, watching movies, or even changing your phone settings to English. Celebrate small achievements, like learning new words or holding short conversations, to boost your confidence. If you stay committed and practice consistently, you will achieve your dream of speaking English fluently. So, keep going, stay positive, and trust the process. With patience and effort, fluency is well within your reach!

Maj Md Akther Hossan, psc, AEC can be reached at

aktherdu@yahoo.com