VOA · Ask a Teacher
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01Hello!
02This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Aaron Ali in Sudan about how to become a fluent speaker.
03Dear Teacher, I have been learning English since 2010, but I can't speak English fluently, even now.
04Could you tell me how to get my English fluent?
05Thank you for writing to us, Aaron Ali.
06I'm happy to answer this question.
07To help you reach your goal, consider the following two questions.
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09What is making it difficult for you to become fluent?
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11Are you getting the input and practice with English that you need?
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13Input means the language that you listen to and read.
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15Being fluent does not mean speaking a language without any mistakes.
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17Instead, fluency is the ability to speak without stopping too much.
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19It is also the ability to speak about a large number of issues.
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21Try to identify what is preventing you from being fluent.
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23Maybe you worry about making grammar mistakes.
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25Maybe pronunciation problems slow you down.
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27Perhaps you simply might not know enough words.
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29Or you might need more confidence or belief in yourself.
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31If that is the case, our VOA Learning English article linked here gives advice for gaining more confidence in your speaking.
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33People generally need two things to become fluent.
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35The first thing they need is to know a lot of words and expressions.
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37You should listen to and read English that you can mostly understand, but that also helps you learn a few new expressions at a time.
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39Remember, you can be fluent even if you make many grammar mistakes.
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41But you cannot speak fluently if you do not know enough words and expressions.
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43The second thing learners need is a lot of practice speaking in different kinds of situations.
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45Try to find an English-speaking partner and practice often.
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47Online sites can help you find a language partner.
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49You can have a conversation with this person over a mobile phone or computer.
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51And this VOA Learning English article gives advice for great language exchanges.
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53Practice speaking about particular topics.
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55For example, if you are interested in health and exercise, 17.
56Learn the words and expressions connected to that topic.
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58Next, try to write about it.
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60Writing can help you organize your ideas and remember vocabulary.
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62Last, practice speaking about the topic using the special vocabulary you have learned.
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64Storytelling is another way to practice.
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66It helps you learn expressions and grammatical forms.
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68Tell a story many times.
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70That will help you feel what it is like to speak fluently.
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72Reading out loud is another way to practice.
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74And the video and article linked here gives advice about doing that.
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76Finally, our How to Pronounce series shows you how to say common phrases quickly and easily.
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78For our readers and listeners, do you have a question about American English?
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80Send us an email at learningenglish at voanews.com.
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82And that's Ask a Teacher.
83I'm Andrew Smith.
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// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
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