Improving your English speaking skills will help you communicate more easily and effectively.

But how do you become a more confident English speaker? Practise where you can, when you can. Any practice is good whether you speak to someone who is a native English speaker or not. It's important to build your confidence. If possible, use simple English sentence structure that you know is correct, so that you can concentrate on getting your message across. Try to experiment with the English you know. Use words and phrases you know in new situations. Native English speakers are more likely to correct you if you use the wrong word than if you use the wrong grammar. Experimenting with vocabulary is a really good way of getting feedback. Try to respond to what people say to you. You can often get clues to what people think by looking at their body language. Respond to them in a natural way. Try NOT to translate into and from your own language. This takes too much time and will make you more hesitant. If you forget a word, do what native English speakers do all the time, and say things that 'fill' the conversation. This is better than keeping completely silent. Try using um, or er, if you forget the word. Don't speak too fast! It's important to use a natural rhythm when speaking English, but if you speak too fast it will be difficult for people to understand you. Try to relax when you speak you'll find your mouth does most of the pronunciation work for you. When you speak English at normal speed, you'll discover that many of the pronunciation skills, such as linking between words, will happen automatically. Remember, when speaking English Try to become less hesitant and more confident. Don't be shy to speak the more you do it, the more confident you'll become. Remember to be polite use "please" and "thank you" if you ask someone to do something for you.

More English Speaking?

Don't forget our new English Speaking site. Linking words help you to connect ideas and sentences, so that people can follow your ideas.

Giving examples

For example For instance Namely The most common way of giving examples is by using for example or for instance. Namely refers to something by name. "There are two problems: namely, the expense and the time." Adding information

And In addition As well as Also Too Furthermore Moreover Apart from In addition to Besides Ideas are often linked by and. In a list, you put a comma between each item, but not before and. "We discussed training, education and the budget." Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. "We also spoke about marketing." You can use also with not only to give emphasis. "We are concerned not only by the costs, but also by the competition." We don't usually start a sentence with also. If you want to start a sentence with a phrase that means also, you can use In addition, or In addition to this As well as can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence. "As well as the costs, we are concerned by the competition." "We are interested in costs as well as the competition." Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well.

"They were concerned too." "I, too, was concerned." Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to. "Apart from Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer." "Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer." Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making. "Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the competition." Summarising

In short In brief In summary To summarise In a nutshell To conclude In conclusion We normally use these words at the beginning of the sentence to give a summary of what we have said or written. Sequencing ideas

The former, the latter Firstly, secondly, finally The first point is Lastly The following The former and the latter are useful when you want to refer to one of two points. "Marketing and finance are both covered in the course. The former is studied in the first term and the latter is studied in the final term." Firstly, secondly, finally (or lastly) are useful ways to list ideas. It's rare to use "fourthly", or "fifthly". Instead, try the first point, the second point, the third point and so on. The following is a good way of starting a list.

"The following people have been chosen to go on the training course: N Peters, C Jones and A Owen." Giving a reason

Due to / due to the fact that Owing to / owing to the fact that Because Because of Since As Due to and owing to must be followed by a noun. "Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%." "Owing to the demand, we are unable to supply all items within 2 weeks." If you want to follow these words with a clause (a subject, verb and object), you must follow the words with the fact that. "Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up by 1%25." "Owing to the fact that the workers have gone on strike, the company has been unable to fulfil all its orders." Because / because of Because of is followed by a noun. "Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed." Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. For example, "Because it was raining, the match was postponed." "We believe in incentive schemes, because we want our employees to be more productive." Since / as Since and as mean because. "Since the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff." "As the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff." Giving a result

Therefore So Consequently This means that As a result Therefore, so, consequently and as a result are all used in a similar way. "The company are expanding. Therefore / So / Consequently / As a result, they are taking on extra staff." So is more informal. Contrasting ideas

But However Although / even though Despite / despite the fact that In spite of / in spite of the fact that Nevertheless Nonetheless While Whereas Unlike In theory in practice But is more informal than however. It is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence. "He works hard, but he doesn't earn much." "He works hard. However, he doesn't earn much." Although, despite and in spite of introduce an idea of contrast. With these words, you must have two halves of a sentence. "Although it was cold, she went out in shorts." "In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts." Despite and in spite of are used in the same way as due to and owing to. They must be followed by a noun. If you want to follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that. "Despite the fact that the company was doing badly, they took on extra employees." Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.

"The sea was cold, but he went swimming nevertheless." (In spite of the fact that it was cold.) "The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren't going to expand this year." While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two things are different from each other. "While my sister has blue eyes, mine are brown." "Taxes have gone up, whereas social security contributions have gone down." "Unlike in the UK, the USA has cheap petrol." In theory in practice show an unexpected result. "In theory, teachers should prepare for lessons, but in practice, they often don't have enough time."

Direct questions yes / no questions in English. 1. He likes swimming. 2. He can swim long distances. 3. He is a good swimmer. To make sentence 1 into a question, you need to add does. The does goes before he. Does is only used if the subject is he, she or it in all other cases, use do. The verb like goes after the subject, but it doesn't have an 's' on the end. Remember: after auxiliary verbs (like do, does, have, can, etc.) the verb is in the infinitive, without 'to'. "Does he like swimming?" Not "Does he likes swimming?" or "Do he like swimming?" If the sentence is in the past tense (he liked swimming), we use the past form of 'do' or 'does', which is did. The verb 'like' is still in the infinitive without 'to'. For example, "Did he like swimming?" Not "Did he liked swimming?" To make sentence 2 into a question, you don't need to use 'does' because you already have an auxiliary verb can. So you put the can before he. "Can he swim long distances?" Not "Can swim he long distances?" or "Does he can swim long distances?" To make sentence 3 into a question, use is as the auxiliary. "Is he a good swimmer?" Not "Does he is a good swimmer?" or "Does he be a good swimmer?"

Direct questions "wh" questions What is your name? Why do you want this job? How much do you earn? How soon can you start? When did you see the advertisement? Where do you live? Which newspaper did you see the advertisement in? Who gave you my name? After the "wh word" (what, why, how, when, etc) comes the auxiliary (do, does, did or can), then the subject (you) , then the rest of the question. Note: if 'who', 'which' or 'what' are the subject of the question, you dont need an auxiliary. For example, "What happened?" Not "What did happen?" The thing that happened is what the subject of the question. "Who saw you?" Someone saw you who was it? Compare with "Who did you see?" You saw someone who was it?) "Which company made a profit?" A company made a profit which company was it? Compare with "Which company did you work for?" You worked for a company which one was it? Indirect questions in English If you want to ask a question that is quite sensitive, try using one of the indirect phrases below: Can you tell me Could you tell me I'd be interested to hear I'd like to know Would you mind telling me These questions are followed by either about, a "wh word" or if. Then you add the subject, then the sentence. You don't need an 'auxiliary', such as 'do', 'does', 'did', or 'can'. "Can you tell me what you like most about your present job?" Not "Can you tell me what do you like?" "I'd be interested to hear about your experiences."

"Would you mind telling me if you have applied for a similar position before?"

At some time or other, most of us will have to give a presentation. The idea of speaking in public can be frightening enough if you're a native English speaker, but it's even more so if English is your second language. These eight tips will help you plan a perfect presentation. 1. Know your audience To give an effective presentation, you need to know something about your audience. How good is their English? How much do they know about the subject of your talk? Why will they be interested in listening to you? Its a good idea to find out who is attending your presentation so that you can make the information relevant and interesting to them. For example, a presentation on your companys financial results to financial analysts will focus on results, reasons and analysis. A presentation on new auditing software will focus on the benefits and features of the software. Also ask yourself what you want to achieve from your presentation. Sales presentations are different from information-giving presentations, for example. Its always a good idea to work out what you want your audience to think or do at the end of your talk, as this will help you focus on the language and content of your presentation. 2. Use a strong opening statement or question to interest your audience The first minute of your presentation is crucial. In this time you should interest your audience and give them a reason to listen to you. What you say in the first minute depends on your audience and their interests, but it must mean something important to them. Perhaps it is a problem that you know how to solve, or a fact or statistic that they need to know. 3. Dont forget the physical details Youll need to make sure the room is big enough for the number of people attending, and that you have all the equipment you need. Find out when you are giving your presentation your audience may be less attentive if its right before lunch or at the end of the week and youll need to make especially sure that the presentation is interesting if its at a difficult time. 4. Plan the content of your presentation Planning helps you focus on your presentation goals, and minimises the chances of anything going wrong. If you know who you are talking to and why you are talking to them, you can put yourself in your audience's position. You can decide what information to include and how to order it.

Aim to speak for no longer than 30 minutes, and leave time for questions and answers at the end. Remember that its difficult to absorb lots of new information, so dont aim to include too much. Many presentations are divided into five areas: a) The introduction (Get someone else to introduce you to the audience. This gives you credibility as a speaker and means that you don't have to waste time telling people who you are and why you are there) b) The overview c) The main body of the presentation d) Your summary e) A question and answer session Make brief notes about all the points you want to make in your presentation and make a plan. Organise your presentation into main points and supporting evidence. During the presentation, remember that it is a good idea to refer back to your opening statement and remind your audience why they are listening to you. 5. Use index cards Put your points on individual index cards to help you during the presentation. If you put the key words onto cards (1 card for 1 key word or point) you can refer to them at any time if you forget where you are in the presentation. Use your index cards for any words that you might find difficult to remember, or words that are difficult to pronounce. You can also use the index cards to write the links between points, such as: this brings me to now Id like to move on to.. Right 6. Keep visuals simple Don't put too much information in visuals and only use them to illustrate information that would otherwise take too long to explain. Simple graphic visuals such as pie charts and bar graphs work better than visuals with lots of labelling or words. Use colour and different fonts to help information stand out. 7. Practice makes perfect! Practise your presentation as often as you can using your index cards. By practising, you will know how long it will take, and where the difficult areas are in your talk. The more you practise, the more confident you will feel!

8. Prepare questions and answers You're likely to have questions at the end of your presentation, so try to think of some in advance, as well as possible answers. The more you prepare these, the better you'll feel able to deal with them.