Speaking
What is it?
At university you will need speaking skills if you, for example:
- Make presentations
- Contribute in seminars
- Discuss in tutorials
- Ask questions in lectures
- Work in a team
- Take part in meetings
- Make videos
These all involve speaking, but will use various different types of speaking skills. Presentations, for instance, have a structure very much like an academic essay, whereas discussions in seminars are more interactive.
Why is it important?
You will need to communicate clearly in discussions, in teamwork, and if you make presentations. These can be graded assignments, so you will want to do well.
Speaking in front of other people can be stressful, which can hinder your performance. But with practice you will soon develop confidence, which is a lifelong skill. There are also techniques to help you control nerves.
Getting engaged in your course is important for reaching your potential, and confidence in your speaking ability will be an important part of successful participation.
How can I learn how to speak effectively?
Here are some tips for improving your spoken English - they will be particularly important if your first language is not English:
- Practise speaking in English every day. Try not to spend all your time speaking in your first language.
- Practise thinking to yourself in English. This can be simple things such as saying/thinking what you are doing: "Now I'm going to make a sandwich. I wonder if there is any cheese in the fridge". This will build your fluency and help you to feel at home in English. It also has the important benefit of training you not to translate.
- Connected with the previous tip - Don't translate from your first language, think directly in English. This is much quicker and it stops you searching for the right word which may not exist.
- Watch or listen to programmes in English and pay attention to phrases, pronunciation and intonation.
- Record yourself and compare yourself with how native speakers sound.
- Read texts out loud (not in the Library!). This can help to improve your fluency.
- Get constructive feedback from friends, teachers or other students.
You can also work in the skills that are connected with speaking:
- Knowledge of vocabulary and grammar.
- Body language. Knowledge of this is very useful when making presentations.
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