Q&A for How to Become an Advanced English Speaker

This is normal, you're just nervous speaking with other people. Start by speaking English with close friends or family members on a regular basis. With other people, try using it slowly, and if you feel uncomfortable, then try it a different time. The key is persistence. Languages can be extremely difficult to learn sometimes, but practicing speaking with someone you are comfortable with and then moving out of your comfort zone is the best way to improve.

You might feel insecure or nervous about making a mistake. In these situations, relax and concentrate on what you are doing, not the people around you.

Practice it and think in English as much as you can. Find people who speak English and converse together only in English.

Practice by listing, reading and doing vocabulary lessons out loud. Do auto dictations as well.

Read high level books and novels and write difficult words in a separate notebook and find their meaning. Then, you can easily use the best vocabulary words in speech.

Practice a lot with someone you're comfortable with. Some people start with a mirror or a pet, too. Then, just have conversations with people. Be open with the fact that you're learning a new language. Most people aren't as judgmental as we initially think, and the people that actually are judgmental are probably not worth your time anyway.

-Enhance your reading speed. After sufficient practice, grab a course book or academic book/thesis and read it thoroughly. -Set an hour per day when you'll only speak in English. Not a single word of your native language. -Listen to a native English speaker and interact with him as much as possible -Write a short essay on a topic every single day -Watch an English-language movie or a few programs daily

Read newspapers and magazines, challenge yourself to learn one new word a day, make flashcards to retain your vocabulary and listen to English-language podcasts and radio to enrich your vocabulary.

Practice speaking. A lot. Speak to a friend or acquaintance who is fluent. Practice some more. Also listen to, read, and write English to expand your vocabulary and comprehension. Keep a journal with new words you encounter or think you should know (as well as important ones and words you're having trouble remembering), and define them in your native language and in English. Review them and their pronunciations daily. Try having conversations with strangers. Tell them English isn't your first language and apologize for any mistakes. And once you get comfortable with this, don't tell them. Just keep practicing.

Focus more on what you are talking about rather than your shyness. You are less likely to feel awkward when you're not thinking about how shy you are or whatever.

Put all the definitions into a sentence and the one that makes the most sense is probably the one you want.

Imitate native speakers.

Don't be afraid to ask someone about the appropriateness of a word. They will probably be happy to help you. If not, take your questions to someone else who is.

It will probably take more than a few days to become proficient in English. Just keep working at it. Remember that it takes little children (who are good at learning a language) several years to learn to speak well.

Other English speakers will have no trouble understanding you. Ask them if they think you are speaking correctly.

It sounds like you're just nervous about the possibility that you could appear foolish in the eyes of others. All you can do is keep practicing English, preferably among people who like you and whom you trust. This phase won't last forever.