Specific methods to achieve fluent, accurate, and appropriate spoken language

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1. We study spoken English in order to engage in oral communication; therefore, the order of importance for learning spoken English should be: fluency, accuracy, and appropriateness. In other words, we need to pay more attention to practical communication skills rather than focusing solely on grammatical correctness. The purpose of learning spoken English is to communicate with others, so the key elements in spoken English should be ranked as follows: fluency – accuracy – appropriateness. 2. Try to find some partners to practice spoken English with; the English corner is a good place where we can exchange experiences in learning English, broaden our horizons, and increase our interest in the language. Make an effort to find study partners to practice spoken English together. The English Corner is a great place; there we can not only practice speaking, but also exchange experiences in learning English, broaden our horizons, and increase our interest in learning the language. 3. If it’s not easy to find English-speaking partners, then we have to create an English environment on our own by speaking English to ourselves. If there are no opportunities to find study partners or join English conversation groups, then we need to create an English environment by speaking English to ourselves. For example, describing to oneself the scenery seen, or verbally stating in English what one is doing. 4. This method is very effective and easy to practice—interpreting Chinese-English novels or books. First, we read the Chinese portions, then try to translate them into English, and afterward compare our translation with the original versions in the novels or books so that we can identify the mistakes, shortcomings, and improvements in our interpretation. This approach is highly effective and easy to sustain—practicing oral interpretation of novels or other texts in Chinese-English (or English-Chinese) format. First, we read the Chinese part, then translate it orally into English sentence by sentence. After completing a short passage, we compare our oral translation with the corresponding English version in the book, allowing us to immediately identify our mistakes, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Please note: Start by choosing simpler reading materials. The advantages of doing this are: 1) One can practice speaking on their own, for as long as they want. 2) There is always a senior teacher who points out your shortcomings and mistakes — original English text. 3) The range of topics is extremely wide, allowing us to break free from the limitations of our own thinking. For example, we tend to talk about topics that we are familiar with, which means we keep using the same language; as a result, progress is slow. 4) Choose novels, humorous stories, or good short essays to read, so as to maintain sufficient interest to keep going. 5) There are some authentic English expressions that we normally overlook when studying English texts directly, which are uncovered through this method. 6) Deeply impressed by what was learned and the mistakes made. This is equivalent to us constantly practicing Chinese-to-English translation*. Many English translations are the result of great effort on our part, so they leave a deep impression on us – much deeper than that of learning English texts directly. 5. Interpreting what you hear—Role switching: Three people form a group; one speaks Chinese, one speaks English acting as the foreigner, and one acts as the interpreter. Then the roles are switched. This is an effective method for training in interpretation, as it allows individuals to learn from one another. It can also improve students’ ability to respond quickly. The advanced form of this method is simultaneous interpretation. Interpretation practice—role switching: A group of three people simulates actual translation scenarios. One person speaks Chinese, one speaks English to play the foreigner role, and one acts as the translator. After practicing for a while, switch roles. This is a very good method for translation training, as well as an excellent way to learn from one another and complement each other’s strengths. It can also **improve reaction speed and ability. The advanced stage of this method is simultaneous interpretation, which allows us to translate what we hear into English while listening to the radio, watching TV, or attending meetings. 6. Oral composition and 3-minute training method: This method is suitable for intensive training. First, write an oral composition on a certain topic within one minute and record it on tape at the same time. Then listen to the composition to identify areas for improvement. Next, write the same composition for two minutes a second time and record it as well. Finally, repeat the process for three minutes. Oral composition and 3-minute training method: This approach is appropriate for intensive training. Choose a topic for a one-minute spoken composition and record it at the same time. Listen to the recording, identify the shortcomings and mistakes, and then deliver a two-minute spoken composition on the same topic. Listen to the recording again, note the improvements as well as the remaining issues, and then deliver another three-minute spoken composition. This is advanced spoken language training, and it’s quite effective. 7. Retelling exercise: Retell some articles or English stories in our own words. Repetition exercise*: Retell the English stories or articles we heard in our own words orally. 8. If possible, we may read some English tongue twisters loudly and quickly with one or two pieces of candy in our mouth (just as Chinese cross-talk actors do) to train our oral cavity muscles and tongues for English pronunciation. If possible, we can also read English tongue twisters aloud and quickly (just as cross-talk performers do to train their speech skills), and we can hold a piece of candy in our mouth at the same time to enhance the intensity of the training. In this way, we can strengthen our oral muscles to adapt quickly to English pronunciation, enabling us to speak fluently and clearly, with confidence as well. For example: ☆ A big black bug bit the back of a big black bear. The big black bear bit back the big black bug. ☆ This fish has a thin fin; That fish has a fat fin; ☆ This fish is a fish that has a thinner fin than that fish. 9. One major shortcoming of Chinglish, especially in spoken Chinese, is the tendency of Chinese speakers to use long words in their speech; whereas natural spoken English is characterized by short, lively, and vivid phrases – phrases that are usually composed of simple words. Paying special attention to the use of phrases and simple words is important, as it’s a significant flaw in Chinglish, particularly in spoken form. Chinese speakers tend to use complex words, while authentic spoken English is full of short, dynamic, and expressive phrases. And most of these phrases are composed of small words. 10. Oral English has its own characteristics, but it is closely connected to other aspects of English; for example, writing can make oral English more precise and accurate. Oral English has its own features, yet it is tightly linked to other elements of the language. For example, one may practice writing frequently, but have precise and accurate spoken language.