Don't Study Grammar Too Much: Rules That Will Help Speaking English Fluently

Rules that will Help Speaking English Fluently
1. Don't study grammar too much
This rule might sound strange to many ESL students, but it is one of
the most important rules. If you want to pass examinations, then study
grammar. However, if you want to become fluent in English, then you
should try to learn English without studying the grammar.
Studying grammar will only slow you down and confuse you. You
will think about the rules when creating sentences instead of naturally
saying a sentence like a native. Remember that only a small fraction of
English speakers know more than 20% of all the grammar rules. Many
ESL students know more grammar than native speakers. I can
confidently say this with experience. I am a native English speaker,
majored in English Literature, and have been teaching English for more
than 10 years. However, many of my students know more details about
English grammar than I do. I can easily look up the definition and apply
it, but I don't know it off the top of my head.
2. Learn and study phrases
Many students learn vocabulary and try to put many words together
to create a proper sentence. It amazes me how many words some of my
students know, but they cannot create a proper sentence. The reason is
because they didn't study phrases. When children learn a language,

they learn both words and phrases together. Likewise, you need to
study and learn phrases.
If you know 1000 words, you might not be able to say one correct
sentence. But if you know 1 phrase, you can make hundreds of correct
sentences. If you know 100 phrases, you will be surprised at how many
correct sentences you will be able to say. Finally, when you know only a
1000 phrases, you will be almost a fluent English speaker.
The English Speaking Basics section is a great example of making
numerous sentences with a single phrase. So don't spend hours and
hours learning many different words. Use that time to study phrases
instead and you will be closer to English fluency.
Don't translate
When you want to create an English sentence, do not translate the
words from your Mother tongue. The order of words is probably
completely different and you will be both slow and incorrect by doing
this. Instead, learn phrases and sentences so you don't have to think
about the words you are saying. It should be automatic.
Another problem with translating is that you will be trying to
incorporate grammar rules that you have learned. Translating and
thinking about the grammar to create English sentences is incorrect and
should be avoided.
3. Reading and Listening is NOT enough. Practice Speaking what you

hear!
Reading, listening, and speaking are the most important aspects of any
language. The same is true for English. However, speaking is the only
requirement to be fluent. It is normal for babies and children to learn
speaking first, become fluent, then start reading, then writing. So the
natural order is listening, speaking, reading, then writing.
First Problem
Isn't it strange that schools across the world teach reading first, then
writing, then listening, and finally speaking? Although it is different, the
main reason is because when you learn a second language, you need to
read material to understand and learn it. So even though the natural
order is listening, speaking, reading, then writing, the order for ESL
students is reading, listening, speaking, then writing.
Second Problem
The reason many people can read and listen is because that's all they
practice. But in order to speak English fluently, you need to practice
speaking. Don't stop at the listening portion, and when you study, don't
just listen. Speak out loud the material you are listening to and practice
what you hear. Practice speaking out loud until your mouth and brain
can do it without any effort. By doing so, you will be able to speak
English fluently.
4. Submerge yourself
Being able to speak a language is not related to how smart you are.
Anyone can learn how to speak any language. This is a proven fact by
everyone in the world. Everyone can speak at least one language.
Whether you are intelligent, or lacking some brain power, you are able
to speak one language.
This was achieved by being around that language at all times. In
your country, you hear and speak your language constantly.
You don't have to go anywhere to become a fluent English speaker.
You only need to surround yourself with English. You can do this by
making rules with your existing friends that you will only speak English.
You can also carry around an iPod and constantly listen to English
sentences. As you can see, you can achieve results by changing what
your surroundings are. Submerge yourself in English and you will learn
several times faster.
5. Study correct material
A common phrase that is incorrect is, "Practice makes perfect." This
is far from the truth. Practice only makes what you are practicing
permanent. If you practice the incorrect sentence, you will have
perfected saying the sentence incorrectly. Therefore, it is important that
you study material that is commonly used by most people.
Another problem I see is that many students study the news.
However, the language they speak is more formal and the content they
use is more political and not used in regular life. It is important to
understand what they are saying, but this is more of an advanced lesson
that should be studied after learning the fundamental basics of English.
Studying English with a friend who is not a native English speaker is
both good and bad. You should be aware of the pros and cons of
speaking with a non native speaking friend. Practicing with a non native
person will give you practice. You can also motivate each other and
point out basic mistakes. But you might pick up bad habits from one
another if you are not sure about what are correct and incorrect
sentences. So use these practice times as a time period to practice the
correct material you studied. Not to learn how to say a sentence.
In short, study English material that you can trust, that is commonly
used, and that is correct.
So...
These are the rules that will help you achieve your goal of speaking
English fluently. All the teachings and lessons on TalkEnglish.com follow
this method so you have the tools you need to achieve your goal right
here on TalkEnglish.co

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What are some tips for learning English grammar?

What are some tips for learning English grammar?

Why is it important to learn phrases?

Why is it important to learn phrases?

Rules that will Help Speaking English Fluently

1. Don't study grammar too much

grammar. However, if you want to become fluent in English, then you

should try to learn English without studying the grammar.

saying a sentence like a native. Remember that only a small fraction of

ESL students know more grammar than native speakers. I can

confidently say this with experience. I am a native English speaker,

than 10 years. However, many of my students know more details about

it, but I don't know it off the top of my head.

2. Learn and study phrases

to create a proper sentence. It amazes me how many words some of my

because they didn't study phrases. When children learn a language,

study and learn phrases.

1000 phrases, you will be almost a fluent English speaker.

The English Speaking Basics section is a great example of making

numerous sentences with a single phrase. So don't spend hours and

instead and you will be closer to English fluency.

When you want to create an English sentence, do not translate the

words from your Mother tongue. The order of words is probably

about the words you are saying. It should be automatic.

Another problem with translating is that you will be trying to

incorporate grammar rules that you have learned. Translating and

thinking about the grammar to create English sentences is incorrect and

3. Reading and Listening is NOT enough. Practice Speaking what you

requirement to be fluent. It is normal for babies and children to learn

natural order is listening, speaking, reading, then writing.

writing, then listening, and finally speaking? Although it is different, the

students is reading, listening, speaking, then writing.

practice. But in order to speak English fluently, you need to practice

everyone in the world. Everyone can speak at least one language.

to speak one language.

This was achieved by being around that language at all times. In

your country, you hear and speak your language constantly.

You don't have to go anywhere to become a fluent English speaker.

several times faster.

5. Study correct material

A common phrase that is incorrect is, "Practice makes perfect." This

permanent. If you practice the incorrect sentence, you will have

perfected saying the sentence incorrectly. Therefore, it is important that

you study material that is commonly used by most people.

Another problem I see is that many students study the news.

that should be studied after learning the fundamental basics of English.

Studying English with a friend who is not a native English speaker is

sentences. So use these practice times as a time period to practice the

correct material you studied. Not to learn how to say a sentence.

used, and that is correct.

English fluently. All the teachings and lessons on TalkEnglish.com follow

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