Kevin Peterson - I Know English, But I Cant Speak: The Self Study Guide to Improve Your English Speaking Skills

Written by KevinPeterson

Copyright 2018 Kevin Peterson
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2018

Dont feel bad, you are not the only person.Many students will learn English for years but will still havespeaking problems. When speaking, good grammar can be useless ifyour speaking is not clear and understood by the listener. It istime for you to try something different if your current method isnot working.

If you want to improve your Englishspeaking, memorizing grammar lessons or attending English classesis not enough. Therefore, to improve your English speaking requiresspeaking skills and practice.

This book gives you details andexercises for success. However, you must follow the book and do theactivities, because reading the book will NOT be enough. You mustpractice using the knowledge learned in this book if you wantsuccess. I cannot guarantee results by reading the book, but I canguarantee results if you practice using the methods in thisbook.

There are currently anestimated 2 billion English learners in the world. In manycountries, English as a second language is now required in school.After years of studying English, students still have difficultyspeaking English.

Research shows theproblems are the same for ESL (English as a second language)students from all countries. Students willtake grammar courses for years, but they still feel uncomfortablewhen speaking.

In thetypical school lessons on English, teachers explained thegrammatical rules, students did the exercises set out in thetextbooks, and classroom interactions were largely one-way. Oralcommunication skills such as speaking and listening were almosttotally ignored. Students rarely had the chance to use English inconversation in the classroom, and were under no pressure to becomecompetent in this. (InternationalEducation Journal, 2005)

Speaking is the onelanguage skill that requires interaction with other people. Anindividual can learn and practice English grammar, writing,reading, and listening without help from other people. However,speaking is more difficult as a self-study lesson and practice isrequired. Verbal communication becomes aproblem without practice.

Much time is spenton learning grammar and other English skills. You also need tospend time on oral speaking skills.The main objective of ESL teaching shouldbe effective communication, not perfectgrammar.

Successful oral communication requires speakingpractice.

The teachers think that teaching grammar andvocabulary items are enough to help students in speaking.We teachthe vocabulary, grammar, but they dont study at home. It seemsthat teachers are unaware that studying vocabulary items andgrammar rules by students is not enough for improving studentsspeaking skill. Actually, teachers are not aware enough thatfocusing on teaching the form does not necessarily result in usingit, and thats why students need to be engaged in communicationinorder to improve their speaking skill. (InternationalJournal on Studies in English Language and Literature,2014)

While there is little doubt about teachers'awareness of the importance of speaking skills, there is even lessdoubt about students need for more speaking improvement. Moststudents agree speaking is a priority and their biggestproblem.

Despite common knowledge about the importance ofteaching speaking skills, in English courses speaking skillsreceive the least attention. The reason is not lack of desire, butknowing how to teach these skills successfully. The problem is thatteachers have very little training and resources for teachingeffective speaking skills. The question, then, is not whether toteach speaking skills, but how to teach speaking skills.

Many students will learn English but will still haveproblems when using their knowledge. Speaking skills involve notjust memorizing rules or knowing information, it is also a physicalskill requiring action.

English is not like history or math. Just learningand memorizing the knowledge is not enough. For example, in math,once you remember 2+2=4, then you can easily use thisknowledge.

Learning the English grammar rules is not enough,and it is impossible to memorize every English conversation.Situations will be different and making unique conversations willbe required. Also, body movement is required for pronunciation, andthis physical action is necessary for verbal communication.

Learning English is a skill and requires practice.You can read a book about basketball or study the correct way toshoot the ball, but you will not be successful until you practice.English is also a skill that requires practice.

Important: You shouldcontinue studying grammar while using these methods.

Research shows welearn more from real situations (95%) than lectures (5%). Learningfrom real situations is easier, faster, and more effective. Noticethe best 4 methods are: use in real situations, teaching, practice,and discussions.

Speaking skills should betaught using natural exercises and practice of real communicativesituations. Students should practice English skills that will beuseful to them in their real lives.

Improve your speaking

• Don't rush. It's better to speak slowly andclearly.

• Use full sentences, not just words orphrases.

• If you do not understand, ASK.

• Use the Speaking Rules in this book.

• Do not worry about a native-English accent.

• Practice, Practice, Practice

Improve your vocabulary

• Read books in English

• Use the internet in English

• Use movies, television, internet, music,etc. and LISTEN.

• As you learn new vocabulary, USE THEWORDS.

• Keep using and repeating the words insentences