5 ways to improve your speaking skills

We’ve been learning English for years, but when it comes to speaking, most of us take a step back.
But improving your speaking skills can actually take you a long way in your career.

Improving your speaking skills is an important skill to have, whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone who wants to communicate more effectively with others.

Speaking skills involve not only being able to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly, but also being able to convey meaning and emotion, and engage your listeners in a meaningful way.

Here are 5 fun and engaging ways to improve your speaking skills.

1. Practice speaking to enhance your speaking skills

The more you speak, the more comfortable and confident you will become.

Try to find opportunities to practice speaking in real-life situations, such as giving presentations at school or work, or participating in public speaking clubs or competitions.

You can also practice speaking with a friend or family member, or even by giving impromptu speeches to yourself in the mirror. The key is to get comfortable with the sound of your own voice and with speaking in front of others.

2. Learn storytelling to improve your speaking skills

Master the art of storytelling. It is a powerful and persuasive way to engage and inspire your listeners, and it is a skill that can be learned and improved upon.

When telling a story, try to use descriptive language, create a sense of tension or conflict, and use dialogue and characters to bring your story to life.

Practice telling stories to friends or family, and ask for feedback on how to make your stories more engaging and memorable.

3. Use your body language and nonverbal cues

Your body language and nonverbal cues, such as your facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact, can greatly impact the way you are perceived by your listeners.

Most successful speakers leverage the power of body language to create an impact on their audience.

Ensure that you use body language and nonverbal cues to your advantage by maintaining good eye contact, using appropriate gestures, and conveying emotion through your facial expressions and tone of voice.

If you’re shy to face a crowd, get started with mirror-speaking. Just stand in front of a mirror and assess how you use body language while speaking.

4. Vary your pitch and tone to improve your speaking skills

Tone refers to the overall emotional or attitudinal quality of our speech. It is the way we express our feelings, opinions, or mood through the way we speak.

For example, we might use a sarcastic tone to convey irony or a disappointed tone to express frustration.

Pitch refers to the highness or lowness of our voice. It is the musical element of our speech, and it is determined by the vibrations of our vocal cords.

We use pitch to convey different meanings and emotions, such as excitement, anger, or sadness. For example, we might use a high pitch to convey excitement or a low pitch to convey anger or seriousness.

Striking the right chord with your listeners is important in any communication.

Varying your pitch and tone can help keep your listeners engaged and interested in what you have to say.

The way you control your pitch and tone plays a vital role in making your speech clear and convincing.

Experiment with different tones and pitches to convey different emotions and to emphasise important points. You can also try speaking in a monotone to practice maintaining your listeners’ attention without relying on vocal variety.

5. Practice active listening to improve your speaking skills

Active listening involves not only paying attention to what someone is saying, but also showing that you are listening through verbal and nonverbal cues, such as nodding and asking questions.

By practising active listening, you can improve your own speaking skills by understanding how to hold a conversation and engage your listeners in a meaningful way.

Conclusion

Improving your speaking skills takes time and practice, but it is a valuable skill to have in any situation.

By practising regularly, learning to tell a good story, using your body language and nonverbal cues effectively, varying your pitch and tone, and practising active listening, you can become a more confident and effective speaker. So don’t be afraid to speak up and let your voice be heard!

If you need help with levelling up or improve your speaking skills, join our WhatsApp-led online courses carried out with the help of a personal mentor.

Over the years, we have helped over a million people achieve English fluency in record time. Attend our level test today to get started. Join our English speaking course and Improve your English speaking skills.