Starting to speak a new language can be the scariest.
When I started, I thought...
“Will people understand me? Is my accent too thick? Will they switch to English?”
Here are 4 steps I followed to lose my doubts and sound more natural in my new language⬇️
#langtwt #studytwt
When I started, I thought...
“Will people understand me? Is my accent too thick? Will they switch to English?”
Here are 4 steps I followed to lose my doubts and sound more natural in my new language⬇️
#langtwt #studytwt
• 1) Imitate a specific accent
This lets you identify with people from a specific region whilst other natives place you on the map of their own country.
The amount of “Wow you sound like you’re from X region” comments will surprise you... and it's a great ice-breaker.
This lets you identify with people from a specific region whilst other natives place you on the map of their own country.
The amount of “Wow you sound like you’re from X region” comments will surprise you... and it's a great ice-breaker.
Prioritise consuming media from that region (youtube videos, TV channels) and if possible, look for a tutor from there too!
In my case, people now tell me I sound like I'm from the west of Spain. Although I don't 100% believe them, it still gives me confidence!
In my case, people now tell me I sound like I'm from the west of Spain. Although I don't 100% believe them, it still gives me confidence!
• 2) Learn “filler words”
Phrases like “well..”, “you know”, “like..” sound more natural than “erm”, “erm” and “erm”.
Filler phrases give you time to think of what to say or remember a word without stopping a conversation.
Observe natives in these situations and copy them.
Phrases like “well..”, “you know”, “like..” sound more natural than “erm”, “erm” and “erm”.
Filler phrases give you time to think of what to say or remember a word without stopping a conversation.
Observe natives in these situations and copy them.
• 3) Drill exercises / Reading out loud
Your muscles need exercise and repetition to function well. This is no different for your mouth and tongue which are learning to create new sounds.
Vocalise flashcards and read texts out loud every day. (Shadowing is another option)
Your muscles need exercise and repetition to function well. This is no different for your mouth and tongue which are learning to create new sounds.
Vocalise flashcards and read texts out loud every day. (Shadowing is another option)
This helped me improve with the difficult sounds that don’t exist in my native language (🇪🇸 The rolling “R”s and the guttural “J”).
Now it's all muscle memory💪. Repetition is the remedy for this!
Now it's all muscle memory💪. Repetition is the remedy for this!
• 4) Learn slang
The language we learn from textbooks is different to what they speak on the street.
In England, even the perfect greeting of “How are you, friend?” can make you sound like a robot.
“How’s it going, mate?” or “Hey, you good?” resonate more with natives.
The language we learn from textbooks is different to what they speak on the street.
In England, even the perfect greeting of “How are you, friend?” can make you sound like a robot.
“How’s it going, mate?” or “Hey, you good?” resonate more with natives.
To learn slang, consume more colloquial media (movies, series, books) and add phrases you like to your active vocabulary.
If you have a tutor, ask them about the slang they use!
I soon realised in Spain that nobody called me "amigo", but called me "tío" (uncle/mate) instead.😅
If you have a tutor, ask them about the slang they use!
I soon realised in Spain that nobody called me "amigo", but called me "tío" (uncle/mate) instead.😅
TL;DR
• Choose and imitate a specific accent.
• Learn and practice using filler words.
• Perform drill exercises for speaking.
• Learn the slang through media and people.
• Choose and imitate a specific accent.
• Learn and practice using filler words.
• Perform drill exercises for speaking.
• Learn the slang through media and people.
• • •
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