SPEAKING TIPS

&

STRATEGIES

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

7 English Speaking Tips You Must Know

Visiting a new place can be a scary experience for a lot of people, not only because it
could entail speaking in a language that most people are not comfortable with English.
If you are born a native English speaker, then you will have no problem speaking
English naturally. But for those people whose mother tongue is not English, this can be
a problem. So how can you avoid this kind of situation? Learn how to speak English
fluently. Most people think that this is easier said than done, but in reality, it is actually
easy to speak fluent English. English is the universal language, and this universal
concept makes it one of the easiest languages to master. Here are 7 speaking tips you
must know to become a more confident English speaker.
1. Listen first
One of the best English speaking tips is to listen carefully to understandable English
EVERY DAY. Most people turn to textbooks to study English grammar rules, but you
cannot learn the correct English pronunciation of the words by just mere reading them.
Instead, listen to how native English speakers enunciate their words and observe their
mouth movements. Try to imitate the intonation and rhythm of their speech. Also watch
English shows and movies to build on your English accent and improve your
vocabulary.
2. Do not be too conscious on the grammar
Yes, it is important to learn the basic grammar rules in English. However, you do not
need to learn grammar in detail because this can distract you from speaking English
fluently. Most people tend to concentrate more on not committing any grammatical
errors while talking, so oftentimes, their accents become stilted. Grammar rules make
you think about English when what you want to do is to speak better English naturally
without sounding too forced.
3. Practice makes perfect
The cardinal rule in English speaking practice, practice, practice! Studies show that
youll probably spend three months of practice every day in order to have strong mouth
muscles and get the hang of in speaking a new language. Read aloud in English for 15
to 20 minutes a day in front of the mirror. Try the articulation exercises which help in
accent reduction or neutralization in order for you to improve your English
communication skills.
Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier
A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

Also, practice with your friends and family. Talking with a good English speaker can
help improvise your usage of words and formation of sentences.
4. Think in English
One of the most effective English speaking tips is to think in English. What most
English learners do in the early stages of learning is that they think of what they have to
say in their native language, translate and then tell it in English. This can be mentally
exhausting and time consuming. And oftentimes, the English sentences that are
constructed are flawed.
If your goal is to speak English fluently, you need to learn thinking in English.
Construct the sentences in English as you think about them before saying them. With
practice, you will be able to respond automatically in English.
5. Be more confident
All these speaking tips will be in vain if you are not that confident on your English
speaking skills. It is quite natural to commit errors when learning a new language. Even
native English speakers commit grammatical errors every now and then. Do not be too
hesitant when speaking because this can make you stammer or make the conversation
sound stilted and too forced. But, dont also speak too fast because it will be difficult for
people to understand you.
Try to relax if youre speaking in English. When you speak at a normal speed, youll
discover that you will be able to pronounce the words correctly and automatically. And
if ever you did make a mistake, do not dwell on it so much. Most of the time, the person
you are talking to is not even aware of your errors.
6. Find English lessons online
Some people like to invest their money in tutorials and other English courses, but you
can learn how to speak English fluently from the comforts of your own home! Learn
English online by signing up with schools that offer online tutorials or just download
English books for self-study purposes. Online English lessons will allow you to learn
English at your own pace. Plus, the prices are generally far lower than an in-person
course.
One of online English lessons is Effortless English (Power English Lesson) which
is a digital information product for learning English speaking. Effortless English
actually provides audio materials and guide hand outs which will help you in learning
American English or help you improve English speaking skills.
7. Be patient
Just remember to be patient. Learning English does not happen overnight. It takes a lot
of time, effort and practice. Dont get too frustrated and never give up. Follow these
English speaking tips and practice daily. Soon, you would learn to speak English
fluently as if it is your own dialect.

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

Expressions for Agreeing & Disagreeing

In my opinion... / In my eyes. / To my mind

The way I see it...
If you want my honest opinion....
According to...
As far as I'm concerned...
If you ask me...
Speaking personally,
From my point of view,
As for me / As to me, .
I hold the view / the opinion that
I would say that
It seems to me that
I am of the opinion that
My impression is that / Its my impression
that
I am under the impression that
I have no doubt that
I am sure that / I am certain that
I dare say that
I guess that / I gather that/ I feel that
I bet that
As I see it
I think

Asking for an opinion

What's your idea?

What are your thoughts on all of this?
How do you feel about that?
Do you have anything to say about this?
What do you think / feel about?
Do you agree?
Wouldn't you say?
Do you think that?
Are you sure that?
Anything to add?

Expressing agreement

I agree with you / I agree on that.

I couldn't agree with you more.

Expressing an opinion

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

Expressing
disagreement

That's so true.
That's for sure.
(slang) Tell me about it!
You're absolutely right.
Thats right.
Absolutely / Definitely.
That's exactly how I feel.
Exactly / Certainly.
I'm afraid I agree with James.
I have to side with Dad on this one.
No doubt about it.
(agree with negative statement) Me neither.
(weak) I suppose so / I guess so.
You have a point there / I see your point.
I was just going to say that.
I share your view.
I think so / I really think so.
Im with you on that.
I share your opinion.
I have no objection.
I approve of it.
Im for it, too.
I have come to the same conclusion.
I hold the same opinion.
Youve taken the words right out of my mouth.
Youve read my mind.
Yes, of course.
Quite so! / Indeed.
Thats just it! / Fair enough.

I don't think so.

(strong) No way / Really?
I'm afraid I disagree.
(strong) I totally disagree.
I beg to differ.
(strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
Not necessarily.
That's not always true.
That's not always the case.
No, I'm not so sure about that.
I dont agree / I dont think so.
You are wrong.
I think otherwise.
I dont think thats quite right.
I dont agree with you.
I dont agree with what you say.
Im afraid that is not quite true.
I take a different view.
I dont share your opinion.

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

Expressing indecision

Interruptions

Do you mean that? / Are you sure?

Surely not / Come off it!
Im against that.
Im afraid I dont.
I object.
You must be off your head.
You must be joking / kidding.
Nonsense / Rubbish
You cant be serious
I hear what youre saying.

Im in tow minds.
That depends.
Up to a point.
To a certain extent.
I wouldnt say that.
Not quite.

Can I add something here?

Is it okay if I jump in for a second?
If I might add something...
Can I throw my two cents in?
Sorry to interrupt, but...
(after accidentally interrupting someone) Sorry,
go ahead. OR Sorry, you were saying...
(after being interrupted) You didn't let me
finish.

Let's just move on, shall we?

Let's drop it.
I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.
(sarcastic) Whatever you say./If you say so.

I think is right because

Thats why I feel that
and so I think that

Why?
Why do you think that?
What makes you feel that..?
I dont quite see why?

Defending ones
opinion

Yes, but what I really mean is

What Im trying to say is
On the contrary, I

Asking for & giving

Is that what you mean?

Settling an argument

Giving reasons

Asking for reasons

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

confirmation

Agreeing partly

Giving in

Expressing doubt

Interrupting

Do you want to say?

Did you say that?
You mean that.., dont you?
You said, didnt you?

I agree up to a point, but

I see what you mean, but
Thats true in a way, but
Most of what you say is true, but

All right, then.

OK, you are right.
I take that back.
Perhaps I was a bit too

I cant say if
I have my doubts about that.
Do you think that? I doubt it.
Its very doubtful whether
You havent convinced me yet.
You may have a point there, but
Im still not sure

Just a minute.
Can I butt in here?
Could you stop for a moment?
Could I question your last point?
Before you go on, let me

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

EXPRESSIONS USED IN CONVERSATION

English

Spanish

According to

Segn

Alive and kicking

Vivito y coleando

A jack of all trades

Persona que arregla todo

A lame duck

Incapaz, nulidad

All and sundry

Todos sin excepcin

All day long

Durante todo el da

All of a sudden

Repentinamente, de repente

Around-the-clock

Da y noche, las 24 horas del da

As a matter of course

Como cosa corriente y normal

As regards

Por lo que se refiere a

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

As yet

Hasta ahora

At any rate

Como sea, a cualquier precio

At heart

En el fondo, en realidad

At loggerheads

En desacuerdo

To be green

No tener experiencia

To be left holding the baby

Dejar a alguien colgado con la responsabilidad

de algo

To be a pain in the neck

Causar irritacin, molestias

To be within an ace of doing

something

Estar a un paso de conseguir algo

To bury the hatchet

Hacer las paces

By all means

Como sea, por cualquier medio

By and by

Ms tarde, luego

By hook or by crook

Por las buenas o por las malas

By no means

De ninguna manera

By that time

Para entonces

By the way

A propsito, por cierto

By way of

A modo de, pasando por

To change ones mind

Cambiar de opinin

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

Common ground

Ideas comunes

To cross swords with

Pelearse con

To dot every i and cross every t

Cuidar hasta el ltimo detalle

The eleventh hour changes

Cambios de ltima hora

Far and wide

Por todas partes

Few and far between

Poco frecuentes, escasos

First and foremost

En primer lugar y ante todo

For all that

A pesar de todo, por todo ello

For the fun of it

Por el placer de hacerlo

For the sake of it

En atencin a

For the time being

Por ahora

Friend at court

Amigo influyente

From rags to riches

De la pobreza a la riqueza

Good-for-nothing

Intil

To have it at ones fingertips

Sabrselo al dedillo

To hit the nail on the head

Dar en el clavo

In a little while

Dentro de un rato

In a nutshell

En pocas palabras

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

In addition

Adems

In black and white

Por escrito

In due course

A su debido tiempo

In full swing

En plena actividad

In plain English

Dicho claramente

In the same boat

En las mismas circunstancias

To keep an eye on

No perder de visa

To keep tabs on

Controlar

To know by heart

Saberse de memoria

To lead a dogs life

Llevar una vida de perros

Let alone

Sin mencionar

Like a bull in a china shop

Torpe, sin tacto

To make no bones about

something

No andarse con rodeos

To make up ones mind

Decidirse a algo

Much as

Por mucho que

Once in a blue moon

Una vez cada 100 aos

On call/duty

De servicio

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

On no account

De ningn modo

On pain of death

So pena de muerte

On strike

De huelga

On the beat

De servicio

On the cheap

De oferta

On the dole

En paro

On the house

Por cuenta de la casa

On the other hand

Por otra parte

On the sly

A hurtadillas

To pull ones leg

Burlarse de uno

To pull oneself together

Serenarse, tranquilizarse

To put ones foot in it

Meter la mata

To rain cats and dogs

Llover a cntaros

Redeeming feature

Cualidad que compensa los defectos

To send someone to Coventry

Condenar al ostracismo

To show the white feather

Mostrar signos de cobarda

To sit on the fence

Evitar tomar partido por uno o por otro

Sleeping partner

Socio capitalista

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--

To some extent

Hasta cierto punto

Spare time

Tiempo libre

Strike while the iron is hot

Actuar sin demora, tardanza

The apple of ones eye

La nia de los ojos

The haves and the have-nots

Los ricos y los pobres

The heart of the matter

El fondo del asunto

The odd man out

Alguien que es distinto de otros del grupo

To take ones Word for it

Fiarse de la palabra de uno

To take sides

Tomar partido

To take the French leave

Marcharse sin permiso

To throw up the sponge

Tirar la toalla

To turn ones coat

Cambiar de chaqueta

Centro Universitario de la Defensa de San Javier

A.D. Juan Rubio & I.M. Garca Conesa

English Language I
Industrial Organization Engineering Degree
--