ESL Tips to Master Conversational English

Conversational English is not exactly like what most non-native English speakers read in textbooks. In ESL classes, the scripts for most conversational English lessons are very manufactured. When students try to re-enact them it sounds almost robotic. That doesn’t happen in real life. Fluent English speakers, depending on their accent, are hard to keep up with. Most ESL learners are attempting to learn English to easily carry through a casual conversation with anyone who speaks English. It may be because they are constantly traveling to countries with English-speakers or they regularly encounter English-speakers at work or in the streets. Regardless, learning to master conversational English won’t harm anyone, if anything, it will give you an advantage since learning English even in the slightest has its perks. If you already know how to write in English, confident enough to say you can even finish a college essay or two, then allow us to help you understand spoken conversational English. 

Types of Conversational English

There are different types of conversational English. It’s not necessary to master all of it, but if you familiarize yourself enough with one of them, then the rest will follow. The types of conversational English are not very different from each other, and once you figure out the nitty-gritty of it then you’re good to go.

1. Casual English . Most fundamental grammar rules are applicable in casual English, however, it’s not that strict in employing them. Casual English is more relaxed and prioritizes the of a sentence rather than the structure. It is mostly used among friends and family. 
2. Work-Casual English . This type of conversational English is frequently used in the workplace when you’re taking a break and having small talk with colleagues. It’s professional but not to the extent of sounding like you’re talking to a superior. It lies in the middle between formal and casual. ESL learners will want to learn this type of conversational English as it may be applicable to talking to strangers who speak in English. 
3. Slang or Informal English . Using slang or Informal English depends on the age group, location, and situation you are in. There is a variety of English slang around the world, and one that’s gaining notoriety right now is the slang used online, particularly on Twitter. If you want to learn English, it’s not advisable to start with slang because it’s not appropriate in every situation. Any ESL learners can quickly pick up slang once they are immersed with the community that uses it.

Using any of the three conversational English will vary on who you are speaking with. If you are an ESL student trying to familiarize yourself with conversational English then the best way to start is reading through these tips we have prepared for you.

ESL Tips to Master Conversational English

Learn through the internet 

The internet can be a friend for learning. It offers a lot of best apps for ESL learners and even language learning podcasts , nevertheless, it can also be utilized for practice in using English conversationally. Online conversations with people in the comment sections of public videos, photos, and forums can help you get used to speaking with people in English. Make it a daily routine until you have gained enough confidence to speak in real life with anyone. Typed conversations are fairly easier than spoken ones because you have a chance to read through what you are saying before sending it in, also you can consult writing and translation tools to make sure you are making sense with what you want to say. Utilize these tools and let these online conversations help you learn better conversational English. It will also be beneficial to indicate in your comments or your profile that you are an ESL learner - you will be surprised at how many people will be happy to provide support and help you out. 

The internet is also a den to unique slang terms that aren’t particularly used in normal real-life conversations. It’s important to consult sources like the Urban Dictionary to learn about these terms you are unfamiliar with and can’t be found in the Merriam-Webster and other dictionaries. By doing so, you will be saved from difficult conversations that will end in humiliation on your end or the person you are conversing with. Ensure that you don’t offend anyone and keep yourself informed as much as possible with the common slang of conversational English used online and offline.

Learn through a fluent English speaker

Find someone who speaks English fluently - they don’t have to be a native speaker just ensure that they know their way around the language. It can be someone you met from work or the internet who’s willing to help you out. Getting hands-on experience in conversational English is among the best ways to learn. When you find someone who is happy to offer their support as you learn ESL, then be open to converse with them every now and then in English just to have a good grasp of your progress. Allow them to teach you as you communicate with them, let them correct your common grammatical mistakes or mispronunciations so you’d easily remember not to repeat it next time. 

An easy way to look for an English speaker to teach you is through a language exchange program. Many language learning apps offer that kind of service where two people are paired together and they both teach one another how to speak their native language. In this case, you will be paired with a native English speaker who will teach you ESL and then you teach them about your language and how to speak it. 

Learn through writing dialogues

Imagine a conversation in your head, make a likely scenario between two people and a probable discussion they might have, write a script about it and make it as casual as possible. Let your mind play with words and phrases, and allow your imaginary characters to have an easy-flowing dialogue to make sure it’s realistic as possible. 

Also before having a real-life conversation with any English-speaker, prepare a script or guide to help you figure out what to say. You won’t follow through that script 100% of the time so don’t rely on it to carry you through the conversation. Practice this script with your language exchange partner every now and then as preparation. Write scripts in likely scenarios like ordering in a restaurant, asking for directions, or asking for the time. 

Learn through watching

Most children learned how to speak in English because of what they watch, and this language acquisition method is very effective, even for adults. Expose yourself by watching videos, movies, or TV shows in English. Observe how people in the video speak in conversational English and imitate the way they sound when pronouncing words and phrases.

One of the free methods to learn is by watching English speakers with Youtube channels . Most Youtubers or “vloggers” use casual conversational English to communicate with their viewers. You can also look for Youtubers who usually showcase two people speaking to one another. Talk Show interviews are also a good place to observe casual English speakers have a conversation. 

Learn through reading

Mastering conversational English isn’t just about the technicalities of it. Sure, knowing the basic grammar rules and pronunciation of words is important, but holding the conversation is equally essential. You want to be able to hold a conversation with someone until both of you have run out of time or things to talk about. It is vital to stock up on current affairs, general information, and other news to be able to carry a conversation long enough. Ensure that you can work your way around a proper casual conversation with anyone. 

Practice holding a conversation with your language exchange partner by giving room to open a topic of conversation as you continue to converse. This is usually done by casually linking one thought to another, and if you are able to do so, then it’s safe to say that you are a master of conversational English. 

Learn through listening to yourself

It’s aforementioned that practice is key to master conversational English, but you don’t always find yourself in a situation where you can practice with someone else or with your language exchange partner. In this case, look at yourself in the mirror and pay attention to how you speak and deliver your words and sentences. Make sure you exercise the manners you learned from observing and speaking with a fluent English speaker. 

It will also help to record yourself and listen to yourself speak to have a clearer grasp of how you sound. Listen to your speech and look for areas you can improve. It’s vital to note that you don’t have to speak in proper grammar when you talk in conversational English, but you do have to speak clearly to be understood.

Writing assistance for students

Learning ESL can have its challenges, especially if you’ve grown in a non-native English speaking household. There are people who are fateful enough to grow up with English as a second language in their home, or they were exposed to the language because of TV and mainstream media. If you are an ESL student then allow us to lend you the help you need. You cannot always easily write or produce a paper in English when you are still trying to learn. Here in CustomEssayMeister, we offer competitive and expert writers who can write papers for you. Let us assist you as you venture off to learning a new language. ESL learners can take refuge in our services as you master conversational English in your free time.