YouTube and other video sites, such as Google Video and Vimeo, are highly popular, especially with young adults. These sites also provide English learners and ESL classes with tools to improve listening skills. The advantage of these sites from a language learning point of view is that they offer examples of everyday English used by everyday people. Students can spend hours watching videos in English and quickly improve their pronunciation and comprehension skills. There also are specific English learning videos. Using YouTube in the ESL classroom can be fun and helpful, but there must be structure. Otherwise, class might become a free-for-all.
A potential downside is that some YouTube videos have poor sound quality, bad pronunciation, and slang, which can make them difficult to understand and less useful in an ESL classroom. On the other hand, students are attracted to the 'real life' nature of these videos. By carefully selecting well-made YouTube videos and creating context, you can help your students explore a world of online English learning possibilities. Here's how you can use YouTube videos in your ESL class:
Finding an Appropriate Topic
Pick a topic that your class would enjoy. Poll the students or choose a topic yourself that fits in with your curriculum. Select a video and save the URL. If you do not have an Internet connection in class, try Keepvid, a site that allows you to download videos to your computer.
Preparing for Class
Watch the video a few times and create a guide to any difficult vocabulary. Prepare a short introduction. The more context you provide, the better your ESL students will understand the video. Include your introduction, the vocabulary list, and the URL (web page address) of the YouTube video on a class handout. Then create a short quiz based on the video.
Administering the Exercise
Distribute copies of the handout. Go over the introduction and difficult vocabulary list to make sure everyone understands what will happen. Then watch the video as a class. This will work better if you have access to a computer lab, so students can watch the video repeatedly. Students then can work on the quiz sheet in small groups or in pairs.
Following Up on the Exercise
Most likely, students will enjoy the video and will want to watch more. Encourage this. If possible, give students 20 minutes or so at the computers to explore YouTube.
For homework, assign your ESL students to groups of four or five and ask each group to find a short video to present to the class. Ask them to provide an introduction, a difficult vocabulary list, the URL of their video, and a follow-up quiz modeled on the worksheet you created. Have each student group exchange worksheets with another group and complete the exercise. Afterward, students can compare notes on the YouTube videos they watched.
BETTER SPEAKINGBetter Speaking is all about how you can become a fluent, confident speaker of English. In the programmes we hear from learners of English from around the world and also from someone who specialises in teaching speaking, trainer Richard Hallows. Better Speaking is presented by Callum Robertson.
Episode 1
We hear several learners describe what they find difficult about speaking English, and Callum and Richard discuss the link between confidence and fluency.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.5 MB)
Episode 2
Callum and Richard hear a clip from Korean football manager Pak Han Suk, and discuss ways you can improve your fluency in English.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.5 MB)
Episode 3
Callum and Richard hear a clip from the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. They also discuss different ways you can practise and improve your English pronunciation.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.7 MB)
Episode 4
Callum and Richard hear a clip from Greek businessman Stelios Haji-Ioannou and discuss different ways that you can organise what you say.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.4 MB)
Episode 5
Youtube American English Conversation
Callum and Richard listen to a clip from an interview with the successful Icelandic singer, Björk. They discuss the best ways to learn English vocabulary, and some ways you can sound like a native English speaker.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.3 MB)
Episode 6
Callum and Richard listen to an interview with a former Wimbledon champion, Conchita Martinez. They discuss ways that you can hesitate in English and the very important 'er' sound in pronunciation.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.5 MB)
Episode 7
Besides being one of motor racing's greatest stars, Michael Schumacher is also a very good speaker of English. Callum and Richard discuss the importance of using contractions and also varying intonation while you speak.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.7 MB)
Episode 8
How does Iman Abdulmajid's life as a model conflict with her Muslim upbringing? Callum and Richard listen to a clip of Iman talking about this tension, and discuss ways that learners can increase their range of vocabulary.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.7 MB)
Episode 9
This week, Callum and Richard discuss how we can use phrases like I think and I feel to give our opinion. They also talk about natural ways of agreeing or disagreeing in a conversation.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.6 MB)
This week, Callum and Richard discuss how we can use phrases like I think and I feel to give our opinion. They also talk about natural ways of agreeing or disagreeing in a conversation.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.6 MB)
Episode 10
The pop band ABBA achieved global success with dozens of hits in the 1970s. But how successful were the band members at speaking English? Callum and Richard listen to an interview and discuss different ways that you can be vague in English.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.6 MB)
The pop band ABBA achieved global success with dozens of hits in the 1970s. But how successful were the band members at speaking English? Callum and Richard listen to an interview and discuss different ways that you can be vague in English.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.6 MB)
Episode 11
Steffi Graf is one of the most successful tennis players ever, but is she a successful speaker of English? Callum and Richard listen to an interview with the star and discuss how she manages to sequence what she says.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.5 MB)
Episode 12
In this final episode of Better Speaking, Callum and Richard look back at the previous programmes and discuss some of the main ways you can improve your English speaking.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (4 MB)
Links to other Talk about English seriesSteffi Graf is one of the most successful tennis players ever, but is she a successful speaker of English? Callum and Richard listen to an interview with the star and discuss how she manages to sequence what she says.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (3.5 MB)
Episode 12
In this final episode of Better Speaking, Callum and Richard look back at the previous programmes and discuss some of the main ways you can improve your English speaking.
Listen onlineDownload mp3 (4 MB)
Do you get nervous when you have to talk to people face-to-face?
Even if you love to talk in your native language, speaking English can make a simple conversation much more challenging.
Far too often, English students do not look for opportunities to practice speaking their new language outside the classroom.
There are a million ways you can improve your English conversational skills – even if you don’t live in an English-speaking country.
Here, we’re going to share nine of the best ways to make this happen.
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In this modern age, you only need to go online to discover tons of great opportunities!
The best thing about English is its popularity. Most people speak it at one level or another. All you need to do is look around and take advantage of the resources you already have to carry your speaking to the next level.
1. Talk to your friends and fellow students in English.
Think about the people you have a good relationship with. This includes your friends, colleagues and family members.
Balochi omani songs. How many of them speak English better than you? How many have a similar fluency level?
If there are cool people in your life who speak English, ask them to practice with you. Set up coffee dates and Skype appointments. Chances are, they’ll be eager to talk to you since this benefits them as well.
As an ESL teacher, I’ve discovered that most of my students have at least one family member or close friend who speaks English more fluently than they do. Yet they never practice together.
Chatting (talking casually), even if it’s just typing, can help with your conversation skills. If you decide to chat in English online, be sure to use good grammar and spellings instead of using online slang.
Here’s the thing about the internet: While chatting, you usually don’t want to make the other person wait. This means that you’ll try to come up with answers fast. Internet connections are fast these days, so you can still look up words you don’t know and answer your chat buddies swiftly (fast). This assists (helps) you to think in English, making you a faster speaker in the long run.
If you’re using Skype, you can actually speak too. You don’t even have to turn on your camera if you don’t want to. The important thing is that you’re practicing your conversation skills!
2. Don’t worry too much about accuracy, but don’t completely ignore it either.
Worried about speaking correctly in your new language? Too much concern (worry) about speaking correctly might stop you from engaging in conversations, so you’ll need to relax a little. However, being too laid-back (relaxed) about this won’t help you in the future.
I had one student who was a lot more confident in his speaking than all his fellow students, but he never paid attention to his mistakes. At the end of the term, his confidence was still high but his accuracy hadn’t improved.
Why is this bad? He had the grammar of an intermediate-level student and the speaking skill level of an elementary-level student. He was so confident that he did not care when he messed up (made mistakes). This meant that he would never figure out (learn) the right way to say things. If you want to speak English casually and not use it in your professional life, and you don’t care about advancing to a higher level of English, this is okay. But you’ll need to really consider (think about) what your goals are with English.
3. Stay in an English-speaking country whenever you can.
If you have the time and money, it’s a great idea to go on vacation in an English-speaking country. You’ll have to practice English for the length of your stay.
However, not every country, city or town filled with English-speaking people is a great place to practice English.
Go to towns and cities that have very few people from your country and other tourists. This way, you won’t pick the easy way out when you feel uninspired, shy or lazy. If there are many people speaking your native language (not English) in your destination, try to avoid these foreign communities and interact with locals instead. When speaking with other people from your home country, insist that you both speak in English if possible.
Picking cheaper destinations means your money will last longer and you can spend more time abroad. So, maybe you should avoid London or New York if money for travel is limited. The pricier (more expensive) places also tend to be more touristy, so that’s one more reason to avoid them. It’s a win-win!
4. Talk back to the television.
While you’re watching movies or television shows in English, you’ll have some great chances to practice English listening and speaking skills.
Because most TV shows rely on continuity, they’re bound to repeat certain things. Pick a TV show or a movie you already love and don’t tire of watching. Since you already know what’s going to happen and what everyone will say, you won’t have to worry about understanding anything. Watch once and just practice paying attention to dialogue (conversations) and how people speak. Pause at regular intervals to emulate (match, typically by imitation) their tone and pronunciation. Repeating what people say will help you sound more natural.
Do this regularly. You can even record your own voice to catch any mistakes you make while practicing.
But there is one problem with using movies and TV shows to learn English. They can be REALLY hard.
Luckily, there’s a solution: FluentU.
FluentU takes fun videos like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks, and it turns them into English lessons. FluentU does this in two ways. First, you can watch videos with helpful captions. When you click on the captions, you can see images, definitions, example sentences, and even examples of the word in other videos.
Second, there is a “learn mode.” It’s a quiz, but it uses the video examples to create questions.
The best part?
FluentU knows what you’re learning, and it uses it to deliver a personalized experience for you.
5. Don’t shy away from speaking English during your trips.
You don’t need to be in a country whose first language is English to practice. Even if you’re traveling in your own country, chances are good that you’ll run into many tourists.
Many native speakers actually like and respect the fact that you’re making the effort to speak their language. Non-native speakers tend to appreciate the chance to practice.
If you’re looking for common ground (things you have in common), why don’t you start by asking each other about places you have been to?
6. Chat with strangers online.
With so many social networking sites and active online forums, you can find at least a couple of websites that focus on your interests. Just pick a website you like, create a free account and start chatting with like-minded people.
If you notice other users are being strict about grammar and use of language, start by saying that English isn’t your native tongue. They’ll be friendlier and more understanding about your mistakes. And while you shouldn’t worry too much about being 100% accurate, it won’t hurt to read what you have typed before sending it out there. This self-editing practice will help you in the professional world as well.
7. Use Meetup and Facebook groups to find others who are practicing English.
I use the international networking site Meetup. Download vray 2016. I get alerts in my inbox when someone creates a Meetup group in an area I’m interested in, like Italian conversation practice. There are usually several English language practice groups in any major city, so all you have to do is look around. Joining any Meetup group is free. You only have to pay a small fee if you form one yourself.
8. Never miss an opportunity to talk to strangers.
This is especially true when you’re spending time in international coffee shop chains or pubs where speaking to strangers is more or less expected.
Coffee shops are great places to meet with friends, have a cup of coffee and unwind (relax). They’ve become so popular that nowadays they’re frequented by several different demographics (particular groups of a population), so you’ll probably see many people about your age.
People usually go to coffee shops to work (or play) on their laptops and use the wireless internet connection, so it’s easy to start a conversation by asking how it works (if you’re new there) or helping newcomers with their questions.
You don’t have to be best friends, but when you spot a foreigner you can offer friendly advice and take it from there. Sometimes people will talk to you first.
9. Take classes in English, especially in areas you’re passionate about.
If there’s a college or institution nearby that offers classes in English and you can afford them, give them a try. As long as the students are encouraged to speak in English, even a cooking or dancing class will make it possible for you to practice your conversation skills.
Integrating English into your everyday life might sound like a difficult task when you don’t have much free time, but it’ll be worth it. Even 15 extra minutes every week will enhance your confidence and fluency. Just make sure you don’t completely let go of accuracy, or focus too much on it that it prevents you from conversing freely. Remember, learning English is supposed to be fun!
If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn English with real-world videos.
Asking and Answering Questions
Greetings and Introductions
Numbers and Time
Telephone Conversations
Eating Out and Shopping
Traveling
Going to the Doctor
If you're just starting to learn English, there's no better way to improve your speaking skills than with basic conversation exercises. These simple role-playing games will help you learn how to introduce yourself, how to ask for directions, and more. With practice, you'll be able to understand others and begin to enjoy conversations in your new language.
Getting Started
All you need to begin are the basic conversation guides you'll find below and a friend or classmate to practice with. Be patient with yourselves; English is not an easy language to learn, but you can do it. Begin with the first conversation in this list, then move on to the next when you feel comfortable doing so. You can also use the key vocabulary provided at the end of each exercise to write and practice your own conversations.
Asking and Answering Questions
Learn how to ask and answer simple questions in English with these articles. Key skills covered include basic questions, polite questions, asking permission, and providing personal information such as your name, address, and phone number.
Introductions
Learning how to introduce yourself and greet people both formally and informally are essential skills in any language, whether it's your own or a new one you're studying. In these lessons, you learn how to say hello and goodbye, as well as vocabulary that you can use when meeting new people and making friends. Giving Personal Information
Telling the Time and Using Numbers
Even if you're just visiting an English-speaking country for a few days, knowing how to tell the time is important. This role-playing exercise teaches you the right phrases to ask a stranger what time it is. You'll also learn how to thank the person who helped you, plus key conversation words.
And if you're going to tell time, you'll also need to know how to express numbers in English. This article will help you out with all kinds of numbers, including weights, distance, decimals, and more. Finally, when expressing quantities, English uses uses either much or many, depending on whether the noun is countable or non-countable.
Speaking on the Phone
Phone calls can be challenging for people who don't speak English well. Improve your telephone skills with this exercise and vocabulary quiz. Learn how to make travel arrangements and how to make purchases over the phone, plus other important words. Best of all, you'll use the conversation skills you learned in the other lessons here.
Shopping for Clothing
Everyone loves to go shopping for new clothes, especially if you're visiting a foreign country. In this exercise, you and your practice partner learn the basic vocabulary that you'll use in a shop. Although this particular game is set in a clothing store, you can use these skills in any kind of store.
Eating at a Restaurant
After you're finished shopping, you might want to eat at a restaurant or go to a bar for a drink. In these dialogues, you learn how to order from a menu and how to ask questions about the food, whether you're by yourself or out with friends. You'll also find a quiz to help you improve your restaurant vocabulary.
Traveling at the Airport
Security at most major airports is very tight, so you should expect to speak English with many different people when you're traveling. By practicing this exercise, you'll learn how to have basic conversations when you check in as well as when you go through security and customs.
Asking for Directions
It's easy for anyone to lose their way when traveling, especially if you don't speak the language. Learn how to ask simple directions and how to understand what people tell you. This exercise gives you basic vocabulary plus tips for finding your way. Finally, you'll want to know how to ask for a room at a hotel or motel once you've arrived at your destination.
Easy Conversation Practice Speaking English
Going to the Doctor
Nothing is worse than not feeling well and not knowing how to communicate with a doctor. These tips, vocabulary lists, and sample dialogues can help you practice making an appointment.
Tips for English Teachers
These basic English conversations can also be used in a classroom setting. Here are a few suggestions for using conversation lessons and role-playing activities:
- Ask students about their experiences in the situation featured in the dialogue. Solicit important phrases, grammar structures, and so on from the students and write them on the board.
- Introduce new vocabulary and key phrases to students.
- Pass out printed dialogue to students.
- Have each student take on a role and practice the dialogues in pairs. Students should take on both roles.
- Based on the dialogue, ask students to write out their own related conversations using key vocabulary.
- Have students practice their own dialogues to the point where they can perform short conversations in front of the class.