conspicuously

Hi, everyone here can tell me some materials regarding improving spoken english? I am international student in US and now I found out that I encountered some obstacles on spoken english, I don't know how to make progress on my spoken english. it was stressful and frastruated for me to speak english.

So here, can tell me the approach with respect to better my spoken english? Any comments and suggestions are most welcome. Thanks!

S33D

Watch american television shows.

lje62

^^^^ exactly how my husband learned to speak English

Also, immersion. I work side by side with summer J-1 workers, usually from Russia and other Eastern European countries. In June, they are awkward , by August they are semi-fluent as long as they make the effort to communicate with Americans and not just huddle around others from their country

Kowloon

READ Harry Potter. Seriously, read it in your native language, and then read it in English. HP isnt a hard book, and it really helps improving your language. Also, practice reading the actual book every now and then, to improve your accent.

loathed

speak it!!!

boho_girl

Practice reading to improve accent...?

peacefu

I also want to know!

happymomof1

"Practice reading to improve accent...."

Yup, this can work. Reading aloud can improve your comfort with the language because you aren't having to compose the sentences in your head. You also internalize grammar patterns because you aren't having to think about them so much. As the reading becomes more automatic for you, you will be able to concentrate a bit on your pronunciation. Read new things, and re-read old things. If you feel shy about it, shut the door and read to the pictures on your wall.

And yes, Harry Potter is great for improving your English. You can do the same thing with any story/book that you know well.

loathed

dont think you can actually "improve" your accent. improve your spoken english, yes. but improve your accent? i dont think so

boho_girl

^^ Agreed.


To improve an accent, you have to have an audio component, too.
Which leads me to believe you can improve your accent by repeating something you heard on TV, a movie or a song?

happymomof1

The human brain is pre-programmed to learn language. Your accent (and vocabulary and grammar in general) will improve with time and exposure to English as you live in this environment because your brain, all on its own, will do its best to "tune in" your English to more closely resemble the English spoken around you. Be aware that this acquisition of language skills is something over which you have limited conscious control. You need to provide yourself with opportunities to receive a lot of language input, you have to do your best to use the language (what is called language "output"), and then you have to let the unconscious grammar-construction apparatus of your brain do the work.

There do appear to be some limits on how closely L2 pronunciation can approach that of an L1 speaker without specific accent training. And these limits depend on multiple factors: the two (or more) languages involved; the learner's age; the learner's personality; etc. If you really want to work on your accent, you can find an accent reduction class or tutor in the US or in your home country. The work will not be easy, or quick, but it can be done. Think of all the now-famous Hollywood actors who can talk like us gringos, but who sure weren't born here!

For more fun reading on language learning and language acquisition, visit the website of Steven Krashen at:

Books and Articles by Stephen D Krashen

For some fun reading on why we all struggle with perfecting our accents in that second (or third or whatever higher number) language, read just about anything by Patricia Kuhl who is on the faculty at the University of Washington. I'd suggest starting with "A perceptual interference account of acquisition difficulties for non-native phonemes." published in the journal Cognition, vol. 87 in 2003.

Wishing all of you all the best as you confront the peculiarities of American English!

vicente

Rule #1:
Don't only hang out with friends from your home country. If you only speak English when you have to, your English will always suck. You have to be openminded and make friends with Americans.