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How To Improve My Spoken English? by ola2006: 2:49pm On Dec 24, 2007 |
How Can I Improve/Brush Up My English I am a graduate. I am in Nigeria but i have a very bad spoken english. I always feel ashamed when I cannot communicate freely in the midst of my colleague. Please advice me.is there any school I can go? Or any material i can lay my hands on to improve my English? Please help me. One of my goals in year 2008 is to improve my spoken English to error free level. |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by twinstaiye(m): 2:53pm On Dec 24, 2007 |
Read, try and read lots of things, newspapers, magazines, novels, books etc. If you want to improve your outspoken english too, try and practicalise what you read to spoken english through participating in constructive arguments with people. Be interested in politics and try to anaylyse it, etc. By so doing, from experience, your english will surely improve. |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by ThugLife1(m): 4:10pm On Dec 24, 2007 |
twinstaiye: |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by dragnet: 5:40pm On Dec 24, 2007 |
Read n0vels ,newspapers, articles & watch & pay attenti0n 2 english pr0grames & films. . .then practice wht u've learnt & speak the language freely as much as possible |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by ade4prof: 5:43pm On Dec 24, 2007 |
Beyond Admission Publication List in Akungba The List will be release on Newspaper on Friday Punch Newspaper I Called a professor who appear as my relation Professor Chritopher Olumuyiwa Abulowoye who deliver Inauguration Lecture He said th e admission list will be published on Friday Called me on this NUMBER 07030405341 |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by jayvin01: 5:50pm On Dec 24, 2007 |
Reading !! is the key. . . and be free to practice errtime anywhere and dont be ashame when u make mistakes. . . . ull learn from it as well. . . |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by oghos2k(m): 5:53pm On Dec 25, 2007 |
Read good books and watch more of western movies k? |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by Purist(m): 8:09pm On Dec 25, 2007 |
oghos2k: While this may seem a viable option, it's not the best way. An English Language teacher once said that, in movies, actors and actresses have what we call "language immunity" (or sum'n like that). . . that is, they are free to express themselves whichever way they prefer, and as such, not all the grammatical expressions you hear in the movies are correct. In as much as they pass their message across to the audience, all is well. |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by lagoshost(m): 8:32pm On Dec 29, 2007 |
My dear, read read read! Newspaper Novel Listen to news on TV and redio Also change your girl - mayube you get a girl who have a good commend of English language Take it my dear! |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by oldie(m): 9:54pm On Dec 29, 2007 |
Read Listen to news and BBC African Service Do some Simple Crossword puzzles - Like the one published by Vanguard daily Make sure your spoken english is as simple as possible. No big big grammar And start with your tenses If your tenses are correct, in most cases, your sentences will be correct |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by DisGuy: 4:56am On Dec 31, 2007 |
Avoid some Nigerian and international newspapers, especially tabloids they have a funny way of ruining your English-i know!! Read good novels and articles avoid hints hearts and they are good for small talks but generally bad! |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by ladykay(f): 4:17pm On Jan 01, 2008 |
1. Buy Brighter Grammar Books 1-4 (published by Longman) you would be surprised how much you would learn about using the parts of speech. 2. You could also go to schools that specialise in teaching people to read and write and speak English properly. I think there is one at the Maryland Complex on Ikorodu Road (around Idiroko Bus stop). 3. Buy a good dictionary and thesaurus - complete with CD ROM versions so you can install on your computer. Some online dictionaries come with pronunciations so as you check up a word, you can also know how to properly pronounce it. 4. Read good novels - as others have advised. You don't have to spend a fortune buying them. At Ikeja, Oshodi, Ojuelegba, Yaba and other places, you'll see vendors displaying second hand books. Search properly and you would get good ones. I would advice you to go for classics. All the best 2 Likes |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by Mustay(m): 6:45am On Jan 04, 2008 |
You could also go to 'ENglish Schools' where u can brush up ur english. It's not all about reading; some of these schools are in Lagos. look out 4 'em 1 Like |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by saha(f): 9:34am On Jan 05, 2008 |
Choose the bbc or voa as your guide.movies can help to an extent but concentrate on listening.go to the britishcouncil website for guides |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by succescom: 1:22am On Jan 07, 2008 |
Dear Ola2006, I understand your concern on ths topic raised,all the suggested methods are good. However,if you are enthusiastic about it,i would suggest that you contact me via;08033954514 or acadsolution@yahoo.com for a better solution. "A great reader is a great leader" |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by ibgoodnews(m): 10:36am On Jan 07, 2008 |
i really thank God for u to be able to come out boldly and say this to the open and i m telling it is posible for u to speak erro free english. i started thinking of changing my live to beter some five years ago and then i cant write my name but today i have gone to university just dedicate ur life to reading and speak it call me 08072684471 |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by chidipupay(m): 4:02pm On Jan 07, 2008 |
Firstly i want you to know that spoken english is different from written english and with what i read on your post i could clearly figure out that you do more or written english that spoken. And many factor would caused your bad spoken english like your Environment,Peers and School. This three factors might still be affecting you now. So you have to firstly figure out the factor that is affecting you mostly before you tackle it. Reading paper and watching movies are good but practicall you might not be able to interprete it to your peer if they are the type that speak local language with you. They might say you have started forming and the freelance communication will not be there. So i will encourage you that you start with the simple engilsh, before moving on to the complex ones, read,listen,apply it. And figure out which is your great amongs the three problem i mentioned earlier. 1 Like |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by ell77(f): 6:24pm On Jan 07, 2008 |
Watch bbc news online and listen to how English people speak. If you know anyone who speaks great English, tell them to correct you anytime you make a mistake - remember to tell them that you will not be offended. When I am around a Nigerian whose English is poor, it kind of sets me off balance, because I don't know whether they would want me to correct them or not. Afterall, who am I? Some of my Nigerian relatives though, pay special attention to the way I speak so as to improve the grammar and pronunciation. But when it comes to vocabulary, I think Nigerians reign, some words I have heard Nigerians use I had to go to my Oxford Dictionary to find the definition! lol. Anyway, you should not feel ashamed, I am sure you are fluent in at least one Nigerian language and this has probably impacted your English. Not many English/Americans can say the same (including me), without it being a part of their degree or something. But all the same I think it is improtant for you to try your best as it will help you in interviews and unfortunately for you English is Nigeria's National language also. Maybe you should tape yourself when you speak also, people are often amazed at the way they sound. Good luck! |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by sexytitan(f): 3:32am On Jan 08, 2008 |
Dont mind all of them. My way is the easiest way to get by things First of all, we need to improve the memory power of ur brain so u wont read all the newspapers in the world in vain 1. Eat more fish oil to improve ur brain and memory power 2. Sleep more often to also keep ur brain in good working order 3.Exercise ur brain frequently by trying to r[b]emember words that u have learnt[/b] 4.Carry a small dictionary every where u go 5.If u have a personal computer, download this dictionary for computers here http://tds.tucows.com/files2/wordweb5.exe 6.Dont be too lazy to look up new words u hear in ur dictionary |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by Purist(m): 10:49am On Jan 08, 2008 |
@sexytitan There's a difference between improving one's grammar and improving one's vocabulary. The former is what the poster intends to work on. Using big words is not equivalent to having a good command of the English language. The fundamental aspect one needs to start with in order to improve one's grammar, is to work on the tenses. As my good friend, mrpataki, would say, "Get your tenses right". When that aspect is solved, the urge to want to "blow big grammar" will come naturally, and I believe he will be self-motivated to always pick up his dictionary. A dictionary only serves the purpose for which it was created - to help one learn new words. But what's the use when you don't even know how to apply them correctly in the first place? 1 Like |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by sexytitan(f): 2:10am On Jan 09, 2008 |
@ Purist thanks for pointing that out but u know, dictionaries show how to use the words being looked up. If he can have a good retentive memory then he can remember how words are used in the dictionary and by people. |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by ndubest(m): 9:46am On Jan 09, 2008 |
I dont think it is necessary to "CRAM" OR "MEMORIZE" words or sentences if you need to improve your free flowing spoken english others things people pointed about reading and reading again of quality materials is the best so that it will become part of you if you memorize, it mean you have to think deeply before you make a sentence and that is not what i think the poster is asking @poster, also hang out with people you admire the way they speak while you continue the reading, it will surely aid your fluency in spoken english Good luck |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by dsuper4luv: 12:31pm On Jan 09, 2008 |
ya just read, read alway any thing u see read it still tslk wit ur friends they said practice mkes perfct dont be ashame ok bye |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by Purist(m): 3:52pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
@sexytitan You're right. But then again, that would depend on the kind of dictionary. Certainly not Michael West! |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by boraddo(m): 4:18pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
since the problem is spoken english, get someone to teach you, like a personal teacher . 1 hr daily for 1 month. |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by Outstrip(f): 4:37pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
practice. I have a cousin that was born and mostly raised in the village, you would never know though even though he started speaking english only as a young adult. He used to actually read a dictionary. My mom used to think he was crazy. Just practice. You can also go to merriamwebster.com. It pulls up the word and if you are not sure of the proper way to pronounce a word, you can click on the speaker and it will pronounce the word for you. It usually has all the accepted ways that a word can be pronounced. I use merriamwebster online even though I have spoken english all my life. (merriam webster is american and most of the pronounciations they have are american but some words also have the british pronounciation). You should not be ashamed because that will stop you from practicing what you are learning. Keep working at it. I am rooting for you. Later. |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by ifyalways(f): 5:29pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
ladykay,twinstaiye and ell77 have said it all. |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by sagitarius(m): 6:05pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
while it is good 2 read,its also good dat u listen 2 news on bbc or cnn. u can also watch more movies ( hollywood movies ooo, cos dis our naija movies may also have some errors in them). try 2 engage urself in more arguments no matter what! best of luck [sub]I admire ur courage as i do ur new yr resolution[/sub] |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by Nobody: 6:52pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
i like this guy because he seems to have a teachable spirit. i had great english teachers so i know my english is excellent. but when i try to help friends out, they get offended. most people think that being a graduate means u now EVERYTHING there is to know. having a girlfriend with good command of english is a good idea, but what if she doesnt want to date him? i think he should just surround himself with people who speak well and are willing to teach/correct him anywhere, as long as he doesnt start having pride issues. @posters where there's a will, there's a way! good luck. oh, and everyone's right so far, including avoiding nigerian movies, papers, radio, even some text books have horrible english. go bbc/cnn/foreign mags as much as possible. there's a few good nigerian ones tho guardian (but u still have to be watchful) true love radio nigeria VON/VOA and generally newscasts on tv station |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by AH2MUCH: 7:01pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
i came across stuff written by francsis bacon or 1 of those guys.it say "if u want to be a writter, write" every body ve spoken well so i say to u "if u want to speak, speak" being ashamed wont solve it. this is where being ashamed has brought u. they wil laff at u when u make mistakes but make sure u leran from it all the best guy |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by romeo(m): 7:07pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
Judging by your post i can say you are good enough, i am sure you are not doing English Literature as a course in the University. Concentrate on your studies because they are more important than English language, that is the problem with our education in Nigeria! many people graduate with very good knowledge of spoken English but are a disgrace when confronted with works that are connected with their chosen careers. I am not surprised one bit because everybody wants to impress each other with their spoken English and subsequently ending up in learning nothing at the University |
Re: How To Improve My Spoken English? by npang(m): 7:22pm On Jan 13, 2008 |
In addition to reading novels, magazines e.t.c and watching TV, stop speaking pidgin english and try to reduce speaking of your local language, that is if you speak yours. goodluck |
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