English Fluency Tips for Study Abroad Aspirants

English! Why are you so confusing, weird, funny and yet so impactful? Do you also feel that English is a bit of confusing language? Somewhere, the same word can have different meanings and sometimes the pronunciation collides to make things funny. Similarly, there are tons of confusing words like “then” or “than”. If you don’t know the meaning of them, there is a high chance you are going to use them incorrectly. As you are a study abroad aspirant who is all set to take the English proficiency exam, it is crucial for you to know what the exact meaning of each word is, along with enhancing your vocabulary.
Now, we understand that the English learning process can be overwhelming, but rest assured, it is not at all tough. If you have a great tutor by your side or even the list of correct techniques, you are easily going to be fluent in English along with cracking any of your language tests for overseas education. Hence, without further ado, let’s get you English-ready!

English Over the Centuries

People usually stress around speaking English and if someone is unable to speak fluent English, they are treated differently. Well, there is a difference between not willingly speaking English and not knowing how to converse in English. But in both ways, we must understand that it is just a language, and with time and practice anyone can ace it. As English is needed almost in every sector out there, it is normal to be concerned about your English-speaking skills, let’s take you back to the 16th century and give you a glimpse of how the English language has developed over the years.
It was the 16th century when Geoffery Chaucer, the famous British poet, started his writing journey with poetry. Even though he belonged to the land of English originators, his English writing was way too tough to understand as he created his own words. Yet, his uniqueness led him to be one of the best poets of his time. In the same era but in later years came the world’s most renowned writer, William Shakespeare, who gave English a new way by presenting tragic comedy drama. However, even in his writing the words were used like thou, thy, and so on. Just because he had a different way of writing, it didn’t lead people to make fun of him but made them respect him even more.
Hence, just because you are a different English speaker, there is no need for you to be compared with those who are better than you. You can be perfect in your own way However, when it comes to any English proficiency exam, you need be a fluent English speaker and understand the basic of the English language. With time, the English language has changed over the centuries, you should consider yourself lucky that technology is right there to help you. Today, let’s learn some quick ways in which you can easily become a fluent English speaker.

Quick Tips to Learn Speaking Fluent English

It doesn’t matter if you are a study abroad aspirant who is going to take the IELTS exam in a couple of months or a job aspirant who wishes to get their dream job, speaking fluent English has become essential in today’s era. So, if you are willing to learn to speak English perfectly and wish to have fluent conversations, here’s what you must do daily to become a better and fluent English speaker. Before we start with the tips, do remember that practice makes a person perfect. So, let’s walk towards attaining the perfection with these quick tips.

Read English Newspapers, Articles, or Novels

When it comes to learning fluent English, reading plays a crucial role. The habit of mentally forming fluent sentences leads you to be able to converse fluently in English with people. To help you become fluent in English, you can begin with reading newspapers and online articles, eventually progressing to fictional novels. The process of reading will not only help you expand your knowledge and vocabulary but will also increase your reading speed. As there will be a reading section in your TOEFL exam, it becomes crucial for you to finish reading passages within the given time. Another thing you must keep in mind while reading is not to limit your material to news and non-fiction only or to think of reading as a task. Once you start reading fictional books, it will also help you enhance your imagination.

Converse in English

The next step in the process of learning to speak fluent English is to converse. Some people can easily understand English but for some reason, they lag in reciprocating in the same language. To ensure this is not the case with you, start by having a conversation with yourself in the mirror every morning when you are getting ready. Try to speak out loud so that you hear what you are saying, in this manner your habit of stammering or using verbose or fillers while speaking will reduce. It may sound very unprofessional to use filler words while conversing as it breaks the flow of a sentence. Hence, when you are preparing for your TOEFL exam and know that the speaking section of the test is crucial, you better practice conversing with your friends, family, tutors, or even with yourself in English.

Work on Your Pronunciation

One of the biggest fears we have while conversing in English is the possibility of spelling a word incorrectly. The idea of being mocked for our way of speaking scares us and, to some extent, holds us back from trying. However, always remember one thing that no one is perfect, but with continuous practice, one may achieve the end goal. As you are on your journey of improving your English-speaking skills, you must work on pronouncing words correctly. There are several words that contain letters that are not pronounced, yet they are there. For your ease, before you use a word in your conversation, try to learn how it is spelt slowly, and once you have learnt it, repeat it out loud to ensure you are pronouncing it correctly. As you are also preparing for your study abroad English proficiency exam, there is a speaking section where you will be asked to talk for two minutes, making it crucial for you to speak correctly.

Use Idioms and Phrases

The next step in the journey of improving your English skills for your PTE exam or in general in life is to use idioms and phrases while conversing. Now, what exactly is an idiom? An idiom is a phrase that paints a picture in fewer words without implying the literal meaning of it. For instance, if you are taking an English proficiency exam and someone says you ‘break a leg’ that doesn’t mean they are implying you to break your or someone else’s leg, but it is a way of wishing you good luck. Now, there are thousands of idioms people use in everyday life to convey their words without using them. Understand it with another example, if someone comes to you and says, ‘The cat is out of the bag’ they aren’t implying that there is a cat who ran out of a bag, but it means someone’s secret is out in public. The use of idioms surely makes your conversations intellectual; however, one thing you must keep in mind is to use correct idioms at the right time in your conversations.

Watch English Shows and Movies (English songs)

One of the best practices to speak fluent English is by observing someone else, and what great would be than watching an English show or movie? In case you are practicing for your Duolingo English test, there surely will be a listening section, and if you are not prepared to deal with accented English, you might lose some crucial grades. So, to enhance your English skills, start watching English shows and movies. You can even listen to English songs. On the one hand, the songs will help you memorise a word or sentence; on the other hand, a show or movie will teach you how to converse in English. Watching movies will also help in enhancing your vocabulary and learning new words. In the initial stage you can start by watching a movie with subtitles where you focus on both. However, with time as you start improving, you can move on to watching movies and shows without subtitles.

Practice Tests are your Go-to Guide

When you are a study abroad aspirant planning to clear the IELTS exam or another language proficiency test, it is crucial to practice test papers, especially for reading and writing. Many students ask about the types of IELTS exams available and what the important sections are. The main sections of any English proficiency test typically include reading, writing, listening, and speaking. As you aim to clear this test for admission to your dream university, you should take as many practice tests as possible.
While looking at a practice proficiency exam directly can be intimidating, but by following the tips for becoming a better English speaker, you can confidently tackle the IELTS or any other language proficiency exams with a little help from an expert.

Develop English Skills with MetaApply

We understand how crucial it is for you to master fluent English, given today’s competitive environment and the requirements of your English proficiency exams. Amidst the competition, let MetaApply be your helping hand. No matter how complex English skills may seem, our personalised learning sessions will help you tackle them with ease. With MetaApply’s TestPrep unit, you’ll be exam-ready in no time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by whether to focus on grammar, vocabulary, or sentences, our expert guidance will show you how to easily clear your English proficiency exams. So, if you’re ready to ace your IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, or any other English proficiency test, start with the tips mentioned above to develop better English skills. Rest assured, MetaApply is always here to guide you.