Tips For Improving Speaking Fluency.

Speaking fluently in English is not always as easy as some people may lead us to believe. Whilst it is true that some people have the skills and ability to learn a new language quickly and easily, it is not the case for most people who really do have to work hard not only learning, but achieving a satisfactory level of fluency.

As an advanced level English teacher, when trying to improve the speaking fluency of my students, I have often found that by setting them the most rudimentary tasks, such as answering a list of the simplest, most common questions, that their abilities improve quite rapidly. 

In addition, it is my experience that when we have a simple activity such as these simple, common questions, plus we remove the stress from the activity, and they know that they are not going to be judged, or criticized, that they seem to develop an air of freedom that develops their confidence, and as a result, they gradually improve their level of fluency.

Below is a list of 40 of the questions that I have used for many years in my classes. I invite you to try them with your students in activities that allow your students to fly free and to confidently practice their speaking in a way that allows them to improve their overall fluency.

Let them talk in small groups, walk amongst them,  listen, but don't criticize or correct them. Remember, this activity is all about confidence and fluency, not accuracy and phonics.

1. Who is your best friend? Describe this person and say why he/she is your best friend.
2. What is your favorite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite place to go.
3. What is your happiest childhood memory? Describe it and give reasons to explain why it is your happiest memory.
4. What is your most important possession? Describe it and say why it is so important.
5. Talk about a person in your life who has inspired you. Describe the person and explain why you found him/her inspirational.
6. Where do most like to go to eat out? Describe this place and say why you like it most.
7. Talk about an important national holiday in your home country. Describe it and explain why it is important.
8. What is your favorite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favorite.
9. Who do you feel close to in your family (or extended family)? Describe this person and say why you feel close to him/her.
10. Where is a good place to have fun in your city or town? Describe this place and explain why it is fun.
11. Talk about an experience in your life that made you feel embarrassed. Describe it and say why it was embarrassing.
12. What was your favorite subject at school? Describe it and explain why this subject was your favorite one.
13. Who is an important person in your country? Describe this person and explain why he/she is important.
14. Talk about an interesting tourist attraction you have been to. Describe it and say why it was interesting.
15. Talk about a time when you experienced success. Describe the experience and say why it was a success for you.
16. What is your favorite style of clothing? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
17. Name a person whom you truly admire. Describe the person and say why you admire him/her.
18. Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Describe it and explain why it is relaxing and peaceful for you.
19. Talk about a difficulty you have overcome in your life. Describe the experience and say why it was difficult to overcome.
20. What is your most useful study aid? Describe it and explain why it is useful in helping you to study.
21. Talk about a teacher who had a positive influence on you. Describe this person and explain why he/she was so influential to you.
22. Where is your favorite place to study? Describe this place and say why it is a good place for you to study.
23. Talk about a positive experience with learning or using English. Describe the experience and say why it was a positive one.
24. What is your favorite kind of food? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
25. Name a famous or influential figure who has inspired you. Describe this person and say why he/she has been inspirational to you.
26. Which place has fond memories for you? Describe this place and explain why it is memorable to you.
27. When have you been happily surprised by something? Describe the experience and say why the surprise was a happy one for you.
28. Describe a resource that helped you to do something better than before. Describe it and explain why it was helpful to you.
29. Describe a person from your country’s history. Why do you think this person was important?
30. Where would you like to go to spend a vacation? Describe this place and say why you would like to holiday there.
31. Talk about something you and your family enjoy doing together. Describe it and explain why you all enjoy it.
32. What is your favorite recreational activity? Describe it and say why you enjoy doing it.
33. Who is the most intelligent person you know? Describe the person and say why you think he/she is intelligent.
34. Where would you most like to live? Describe this place and explain why you would like to live there.
35. What is your favorite season of the year? Describe the season and explain why you like it so much.
36. What custom from your home country are you most fond of? Describe the custom and explain why you are fond of it.
37. Which person are you most likely to go to with a personal problem? Describe this person and say why you would go to him/her in particular.
38. Name a place in your country you would recommend others to visit. Describe this place and explain why you would recommend it.
39. Talk about an event from the past that you would like to relive. Describe the original event and say why you would like to relive it.
40. What is your favorite way of getting around? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite means of transportation.

Well, I hope that you and your students found this activity helpful.

Good luck and good teaching.

David White