Samespeak: Practice Spoken English Live

Pace

We speak very fast when we naturally converse. To a learner, it can sound like noise, a machine gun, a rumbling train or a squeaky wheelbarrow. Slow down the pace.

Tone

Be careful not to sound like you are teaching them A-B-C with a tone that sounds like you are speaking to a two year old. Nothing turns a learner off more than being treated like a small child. Maintain a natural, friendly tone.

Grammar

We use a lot of incomplete sentences that are grammatically incorrect but sound natural. Please don’t worry can become no worries. We break grammar rules when speaking. It ain’t my fault rather than, It is not my fault. Second language learners can only learn this through speaking and listening to native speakers. Speak as though you were conversing with a first language speaker of english.

Elision

We omit sounds such as a vowel, consonant or whole syllables. I have got to go now becomes – I gotta go now. We do this because it is easier to say but it is more difficult for a language learner to hear and understand. They will only learn this through practice. Model natural English as much as possible.

Idioms

We put words together that don’t make literal sense. They are difficult for a learner to understand or translate. What’s up will make a learner look up. Don’t try and explain what idioms mean. Second language learners will learn through repetition of the context and situation. Don’t try and explain or translate idioms.

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