Effective Ways to Improve Communication in English
Tips for the students/people to improve their English language communication skills
by – Nidhi Sharma, Editorial Board Member at Ashvamegh
People often talk about English being a global language or lingua franca. With more than 350 million people around the world speaking English as a first language and more than 430 million speaking it as a second language, there are plenty of them, the English speakers, around the world.
English is a language that is indispensable in this modern-day world almost in every sphere of life. This widely used global language has vast applications in any field one wants to venture. As such in this shrinking world that is getting united with advancement in technology and communication, English oral communication skills play an important role. We are expected to be able to converse in this language if we wish to take part actively in all the happenings in this advanced and globalised era. We can overcome our fear and ignorance for this beautiful and rich language by improving our skills.
One surely needs to have, at least, the basic skills to communicate in English. However, many people lack the ‘required’ ability to communicate in English and hence they fall back and lag behind others in this competitive world and often fail to reach the pinnacle of their career, owing to the lack of oral communication skills. They often retreat from important conversations and events and fail to establish a career growth. So it is very important for us to work on our skills. For the simple practice-flow and as a simpler suggestion, let me tell you some ways that will help you make yourself a strong communicator.
1. Read as much as you can: Reading is considered to be one of the best practices that can enhance basic oral communication skills. Reading English literature, newspapers, magazines, novels, fiction, etc. improves vocabulary skills. Also, this will aid in developing thinking process and enhance sharpness in gathering ideas and expressing them in English.
2. Check out the dictionaries: Dictionary is a wizard of new words with its synonyms, meanings, adjective and noun forms. Also, dictionary explains the word with in-depth explanation and example, helping the readers to learn the word’s usage. Therefore, never miss any opportunity to take the help of dictionaries.
3. Listen to learn: Listening is another practice that helps to train us for oral communication. Initially, we will be diverted from the listening as most of the words will appear to be unfamiliar and we might not be able to comprehend everything in one go. But slowly you will start grasping. You can start listening songs, speeches, audio books etc.
4. Read Out Loud: Reading is indeed a good habit and you need to keep it up. However, murmuring will certainly not help in getting over oral communication. Read aloud so that we can clearly hear our own voice and make out the mistakes while reading. The golden tip for making our communication skills better is to pronounce each and every word clearly and loudly. You will start feeling the difference within a week.
5. Take help from Google Translator: Google, being the best option for the e-learners, can help in clarifying most our doubts, if not all. If a particular pronunciation is bothering , enter the word in Google Translator and click the audio version to listen to the actual accent.
6. Look out for Online Dictionary: Other than Google Translator, one can take the assistance of Oxford online dictionary or other renowned dictionaries. These dictionaries, not only have a wide range of words and their meanings, but there is an audio version available.
7. Enhance vocabulary skills: A good orator has new words in his or her vocabulary and uses them intelligently while speaking. So, when one is on the way to becoming a good oral communicator, one should augment his vocabulary skills as well. Learn at least one word every day and try to implement or use it the next day.
8. Watch movies for learning more: If watching English movies during leisure is one’s favorite pass time, it will help one in advancing communication skills. Good quality movies can help in improving accent and sentence construction. Also, this effective way enhances self-confidence.
9. Inquisitiveness- the pillar to success: Curiosity brings in the urge to learn new words, accept the challenges and develop smooth communication skills. Unless we are curious to learn new, we will never develop confidence and knowledge. Therefore, never let it be the ‘last’ in your learning process. Try to learn something new every day.
10. Be social: The best learning comes (academic and professional) when you work in groups. Try making a group of people who are really enthusiastic about improving their communication skills. Set weekly or daily meetings and just practice communication. Group effort will surely accelerate your command.
Overall, I think the bottom line is that we all need to do everything we can to improve our verbal skills that are essential for effective communication in our professional and personal life. There is no need to feel inferior about being a non-native speaker of English. Ultimately the quality of our English really depends on how educated and informed we are about the topics we are speaking or writing about.
