How to sound more natural when speaking English

Hello!

Do you ever feel awkward and uncomfortable speaking English because you think you sound bad and unnatural?

If you do, the following two things can help you sound a bit more natural.

These are using English filler words and to stop translating from your native language to English in your head when speaking.

Filler words are used when you are thinking or paused in a sentence.

In English, people typically say ‘um’ or ‘uh’ or ‘you know’ as filler words when they are thinking about what they will say next.

Using these words when your thinking, instead of the words or sounds you would normally use in your native language can be helpful.

Translating from your native language into English in your head is essential sometimes when you’re speaking English, especially when you are using words or grammar that you aren’t comfortable with.

However, if you can, you should worry less about being 100% accurate correct when speak if it slows your speaking down or makes you sound unnatural.

When possible, try to relax and just make sure the other person understands your message

With time and practise, it will get easier.

Common Mistake

Effect or Affect?

Effect (noun):

It refers to the result or outcome of an action or a phenomenon. It's what happens as a result of something else.

The new policy had a positive effect on employee morale.

Affect (verb):

A verb that means to influence or produce a change in something. It's about the action of causing change or having an impact on something.

The music affected the mood of the crowd.

However, there are some cases where "effect" can be used as a verb (meaning "to bring about"), and "affect" can be used as a noun (referring to someone's emotional state). These are less common and often found in specialized contexts like psychology or formal writing, so don’t worry about them too much.

Useful Idiom

‘Kill two birds with one stone’

Completing two tasks or achieving two goals at the same time by doing one thing.

I decided to take my laptop to the café so I could enjoy a cup of coffee while getting some work done, killing two birds with one stone.

Please reply to this email if you have any questions about the topics discussed or anything else, I’ll make sure to reply.

See you on Saturday :)