Fluency is difficult to define, because it means different things to different people. But there are some things that show you when you’re becoming more fluent in English.
Here are five signs that your spoken English is improving. If they’re true for you, then you know that you’re definitely getting more fluent!
1. Speaking English is more automatic
You don’t have to search for words or phrases, and replying to people is more automatic because you know what to say. This is partly because you have enough vocabulary and grammar to make sentences, but also because you’ve had enough practice in conversations.
You also know and use more “fluency phrases”: the standard, automatic phrases that we use as the basis of our conversations. Phrases like “Can I have…” to make a request, or “make a mistake” (rather than “do a mistake”), or “You’re welcome” (after someone says “thank you”).
In fact, fluency phases are so important to getting fluent and confident quickly, that I make them the centre of my programs in the English Fluency Club!
2. You aren’t translating so often
When you can have a conversation in English without translating, your fluency improves. You don’t have to translate from English into your language and then back again, so conversations don’t feel so slow. You don’t pause or hesitate so often, and you know enough words and grammar – again, because you’ve had practice in conversations.
You’ll probably still feel tired after speaking English because you’re concentrating, but your English flows much more easily. You also feel more relaxed about speaking in English.
3. You speak English faster
Because you’re more confident of the pronunciation of words and phrases, you don’t speak as slowly or with as much hesitation. This is a direct result of practice as well. You’ve heard other people use the words, and you know how they should sound.
As a result, you can concentrate more on communicating your ideas, and you worry less about the pronunciation.
4. You can talk for longer
Your sentences are longer and you can express more ideas. You’ve progressed from a five-word sentence to a ten-word sentence!
You might still repeat yourself, but you can also extend the conversation and even introduce new ideas of your own. When you do this, you are managing and developing the conversation without worrying about making mistakes.
5. You’re more confident in conversations
Conversations don’t always follow a predictable pattern. Unlike the conversations in your English textbook, they don’t always feel like a tennis match, where one person “serves” and the other person responds. Instead, in a conversation you might have interruptions, unexpected replies, a change in subject, or even a return to the original subject.
Basically, conversations are unpredictable and can be difficult to follow. It’s even more complicated when there are several people speaking, or you’re in a noisy place.
So when you find yourself following these types of conversations – and even taking part in them – then you’ll know that your fluency and conversation skills have really improved. It takes confidence to do this, and to accept that you might not understand everything in the conversation. Again, it also takes practice. If you’ve “survived” one of these challenging types of conversations before, you know you can do it again! In fact, it’s the only way you will continue to improve your fluency and conversation skills.
Get The ‘Shortcuts’ To English Fluency
You can get fluent in English in less time than you think. The quick way is to use “fluency phrases” (the automatic phrases we use to build sentences) and to feel familiar with enough grammar and vocabulary so that you don’t need to think or translate.
You get all these things in my two fluency programs, which are inside the English Fluency Club. You also get a personal lesson with me, and the opportunity to have regular group lessons.
Join us NOW and start getting fluent in English quickly!