How to speak English like a native speaker in 5 easy steps

Nobody desires to converse in ‘textbook English.’ The dated expressions and formal phrases you recall from school may not be the same as the real-world English used by native speakers. While attaining native-level fluency is a long-term objective, there are numerous small steps you can take to sound more like a native English speaker. Here’s how to speak English like a native speaker in simple steps.

Why learn to speak like a native speaker?

It is difficult to achieve a native level of English speaking. Some people will tell you that learning after childhood is impossible. It’s debatable whether this is entirely true. Irrespective, language students spend years honing their speaking skills to speak like a native speaker, or at the very least, to achieve an advanced level of English.

• Better understood by native speakers- The more you speak like a native speaker, the more easily locals will understand you. You can be less concerned about miscommunications. Life would be much easier if you had to use English daily, wouldn’t it? Staying in a foreign country will be a piece of cake.
• Confident at the workplace- If you must use English at work, you will feel much more optimistic if you sound like a native speaker. Having the language skills, commitment, and effort required to get there is essential. You can demonstrate to your coworkers that you can be fluent with your pronunciation by learning to speak with a native accent.
• Jobs that require native English- If you can speak English like a native speaker, you will have more opportunities. Positions requiring a native level of English will be readily accessible to you. The competition is less fierce, and higher-paying jobs are more widespread.
• Better for business- Business across the globe is now possible through a single language, English. It is a popular language of communication worldwide. Non-native English speakers realize the value of  English to advance in their careers. English aims to improve your ability to communicate with people from English-speaking countries or businesses.

Here are 5 easy steps you can follow to speak like a native English speaker

Step 1. Study different accents

Native English speakers have a wide range of accents. Someone from New York sounds different than someone from Texas. Of course, you’ve heard the Queen’s English (the standard English of Britain). Although, not everyone there sounds like the Queen. 

Then there are the Scots, Welsh, and Irish, who speak English with distinct accents. Consider the regions you want to visit and the cities you wish to work in the near future. This is important as you can plan on working over your English as per these regions. 

Step 2. Imitate native pronunciation

Observing and imitating authentic English videos is a great place to start. You will be exposed to realistic English pronunciation and speaking patterns. They also allow you to study the speakers’ mouth and lip movements to imitate them.

After someone speaks, pause the video and repeat what they said. Subtitles can help you keep track of what you’re saying. It is time-consuming, but learning them will help you pronounce words correctly, especially those with sounds that don’t exist in your native tongue. 

Learning phonetics aids in recognizing familiar and unfamiliar sounds, improves pronunciation, and fosters word and sound recognition. So study them and practice them in front of a mirror. Repeat the process until it becomes a habit. You could even try filming yourself to track your progress.

Step 3. Use slang in a conversation

Slang is also typically different in different communities. For example, slang in the Southern United States differs from slang in England. In a casual setting, a native speaker would ask, “Do you want to hang out?” rather than “Do you wish to spend some time together?” All these intricate details matter a lot regarding the usage of slang in the native English language.

Step 4. Use English idioms

Idioms in English are phrases whose meanings are not evident from the individual words. Idioms may not be as prevalent in informal speech as slang. However, native speakers may use idioms that confuse you at times.

If you’re in a meeting and your colleague says, “you can’t see the forest for the trees,” you might be perplexed. Your interaction has nothing to do with trees or forests. It is due to their use of a common idiom. “You can’t see the forest for the trees” indicates that you are too involved in the details of a problem to comprehend the overall picture.

With constant practice, you can overcome these trivial problems. In no time, you will achieve your goal as you fluently converse in English with your family, friends, and colleagues.

Step 5. Use technology

In today’s world, everything is possible in the blink of an eye. You can access social media platforms like Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook. All these platforms allow you to learn from the best speakers and even follow them and their respective channels for further knowledge. 

In the age of Netflix, you can watch several movies and series to adapt to the native English of any country. It is readily available to you, either on your television, laptop, or mobile phone. So why wait when you have everything at the tip of your fingers? These steps will help you to master native English in no time.

Key takeaways

• English can be a tricky language. Although once you master the basics, you are as good as perfect.
• The English language has several accents. You need to identify which one to master for your plans and career.
• Practice makes a man perfect. Even though this is a common phrase, it conveys the message best. Practice till you feel confident in your accent and speaking skills.

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Liked this blog? Read more: US English vs UK English | Top Differences to Understand!

FAQs

Q1. Which is one of the most challenging languages to learn?

Answer- Mandarin Chinese is one of the most challenging languages to learn.

Q2. Which is the world’s oldest language?

Answer- Sanskrit is known as the world’s oldest language.

Q3. Which is the second most spoken language in the world?

Answer- Mandarin is the second most spoken language in the world.