THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH
“English is now a global language
that belongs to all those who
speak it.”
Nigel Newton, publisher
FACTS ABOUT ENGLISH IN
SPEAKING
• English has official or special status in at least 75
countries, with a total population of over two billion.
• English is spoken as the first language by around 320
to 372 million, and as the second language by around
235 to 370 million people in the world.
• A quarter of the world’s population, 1.2 billion to 1.5
billion, speak English to some level of competence. By
2050 this will have grown to 50%.
• 80% of internet users communicate in English.
Jon Naunton,
FOCUS OF DISCUSSION
• Attitudes
• Pronunciation
• Vocabulary Power
• Tips On Better Spoken English
• Conversation Gambits
ATTITUDES
WANT TO and WILL DO
Speaking English fluently is a very easy task,
if and only if, you put your mind to it.
Actually, it has a lot to do with psychology. If
you keep the notion in your mind that you will
not be able to know how to learn to speak
English fluently, you might face problems.
SPEAKING
Fluency is a matter of habit.
You need to build that habit.
PRONUNCIATION
In truth, there can be no objective
standard for correct pronunciation other
than the usage of thoughtful and, in
particular, educated speakers of English.
Among such speakers one hears much
variation in pronunciation.
POINT TO REMEMBER
Fluency in English is accuracy
with good pronunciation
- not speed.
VOCABULARY
• Choose about ten new words per day to practise.
• practise vocabulary a number of times until you are
word-perfect.
• incorporate them into conversations with as many
people as possible (at least six times each word or
construction, but more if possible).
• Make physical gestures or movement to connect to the
meaning of the new word or phrase. Repeat the action.
- teaching the body and mind to understand the word.
FIVE TIPS TO SPEAK ENGLISH
BETTER
• Learn phrases/sentences, not individual
words
• Do not study grammar rules
• Learn with ears , not with eyes
• Use, listen to, and answer many stories
• Use point-of-view mini stories to learn
English grammar.
TIP NO 1
• Learn phrases or sentences, not individual words
Phrase : a group of words
 write down the whole phrase/sentence from real
English broadcasts or story books.
 review or study the whole phrase.
Benefits:
- easier to remember the chosen word because it has
story and meaning.
- learn how to use the word in sentence without having to
apply the grammar rules.
TIP NO 2
• Learn English without studying the grammar
 need to answer immediately – no time to think
about grammar rules.
 practise saying a sentence naturally.
Benefit:
- to avoid thinking about the grammar rules when
creating sentences.
TIP NO 3
• Learn with ears , not with eyes
practice speaking out loud what is heard.
learn deeply by repeating what you learn.
Benefit:
- Able to speak faster and better grammar.
TIP NO 4
• Use, listen to, and answer many stories
 use real English materials preferably in audio, not
textbooks.
 use materials that you enjoy – listening is 80% of the
learning.
Benefits:
- help to speak quickly and automatically.
- teach to understand and respond quickly in English.
- learn to think in English and to speak spontaneously
through constantly answering questions.
TIP NO 5
• Use point-of-view mini stories to learn
English grammar
 change the time – present, past, future, etc.
 understand the meaning.
Benefit:
- Able to distinguish the different tenses using the
same story.
CONVERSATION GAMBITS
Gambit: a word or phrase which helps to
express what we are trying to say. It makes:
 your English sound more natural and confident.
 easier to talk to you and not be misunderstood.
EXPRESSING FEELINGS AND
OPINIONS
Useful expressions:
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Personally, I think / I feel / I believe …
In my opinion …
In my estimation …
It seems to me that …
As we see it …
In our view …
His point of view is that …
Why don’t we …
MAKING SUGGESTIONS
Suggested opening gambits:
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May I suggest …
Why don’t you…
Why not …
How about …
Perhaps you could …
Have you thought about …
I have an idea.
Let’s …
You could always …
If I were you, I would …
MANAGING A DISCUSSION
Suggested linking gambits:
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To start with…
And another thing …
What’s more …
Just a small point …
Perhaps I should mention …
Oh, I almost forgot …
And besides, …
Also, …
And another thing, …
“PRACTICE DOESN’T
MAKE PERFECT.
PERFECT PRACTICE
MAKES PERFECT”
Vince Lombardi