“I want to be able to talk with anyone in the world using English.” The truth is you can do so with very limited language, but if you actually want to be fluent in a new language, you’ve got a long road ahead.
listen to the text
While English is such a common and relatively easy language to use, you’ll eventually find yourself stuck at a crossroads. You’ll have ‘polite’ language ability under your belt; you’ll be able to introduce yourself and have basic interactions with people you meet for the first time. But, eventually you’ll want to be able to talk about something beyond personal details, interests or hobbies. You’ll want to have a conversation with substance.
As an English learner, you might be able to do so at a younger age if you’re a student in an English-only environment; for instance, if you study at an international school, if your public school offers English enrichment classes, or content-based classes, like math or science taught, in English or if you can study abroad.
model TOEFL speech
If not, it may be your only exposure to English is media, books, TV or the Internet. On the other hand, even as a study-abroad student, you might lack engaging speaking partners because local native-English speakers never really open up to you.
listen and repeat
What then? Perhaps, you try shadowing TV shows by echoing the speech of the characters aloud. Or, you pay for speaking practice with native speakers online. But, maybe you still do not have the type of conversations you want to have with your teachers.
We still need something to talk about. What do you want to be able to talk about in English? What are you going to say when you finally meet the person you’ve been looking for to open up to you and have the conversation you’ve dreamed of having? In order to have the conversations we dream of, we need something to talk about.
Self-study should focus on extensive listening and extensive reading habits because they are the skills that are expected of students at the university level, and because extensive reading and listening are the activities that will get you ready to have something to say.
mimic phrasing and intonation
Movies and TV don’t actually have enough dialog to learn from effectively. Lectures, like TEDtalks, on the other hand do. Books, on topics you enjoy, will provide substantive practice as well. And, if you’re preparing to take a proficiency test, like IELTS or TOEFL, extensive listening and reading practice should still be the majority of your English language study.
Sebanswers.com features videos, essays, and audio recordings, which provide original model answers to examples of TOEFL and IELTS speaking and writing. I have original model essays for the GRE analytical writing assessment, as well.
build confidence
I hope you’ll enjoy listening to and learning from the language that I have incorporated in my answers. The receptive skills of reading and listening are easy to train independently. And, time spent reading and listening will contribute significantly to your writing and speaking.
When you go about your study with the audio recordings, I suggest you do the same as I have: audio record yourself and listen back to your answer. Remember that you should be aiming for spontaneity, so don’t script your speaking. Just record your speaking and observe your progress. When you listen back, take note of your speed, word choice, tense and overall fluency and pronunciation. With time, you will see improvement!