提高英語口語的小妙招
正確的發音是演講的關鍵，但是這並不意味着一切。這篇文章將越過基礎幫助你在發音方面取得成功。
How to Improve Your English-Speaking Skills
怎樣提高英語口語技能
Build a strong Foundation
構建穩健的基礎
In order to express yourself eloquently in English, you need a wide variety of vocabulary and the correct pronunciation.
要想使用英語流利的交流，需要巨大的詞彙量和正確的發音。
1. Expand your vocabulary
擴大詞彙量
Learn New Words Every Day
每天學習新單詞
Gleaning new words day in, day out is a good way to widen your vocabulary. Commit to a suitable target: it can be three daily words or it can be ten daily words.
每天學習單詞，這是擴大詞彙量的好辦法。制定一個合適的目標：可以是三個或者十個日常詞彙。
Even if you only have time to learn one new word per day, it is still worth trying. By learning one word every day, after one year you will have learned 365 new English words.
即使你每天只有學習一個單詞的時間，那也值得嘗試。每天學習一個單詞，一年之後你就會學到365個新單詞。
Write the number down to remind yourself frequently. If you have a learning partner, share it with her so that she can check on your progress.
把學習詞彙的數量寫下來以頻繁提醒自己。如果你有語言學習夥伴，和他一起分享這樣她就能監督你的進步。
Some good resources for words are the news, songs and TV shows, depending on your daily habits. If you love listening to music, pay attention to the lyrics and take note of the words you do not know. Songs often contain a lot of useful vocabulary, phrases and expressions, therefore, they are great for learning English. You can do the same thing with FluentU videos.
一些學習單詞的好資源要視你的日常習慣而定，如新聞，歌曲，電視節目。如果你愛聽音樂，聽歌的時候多看看歌詞並把不認識的的單詞記在筆記上。
2 Learn Words in Phrases and Chunks
以短語或者意羣來記憶單詞
It is important that you learn words in groups. For example, you refer to beverages as a glass of wine, a pint of beer, a cup of tea, a pot of coffee, etc. It is better to learn those phrases than merely wine, beer, tea and so on.
以一羣來記憶單詞很重要。例如，你認爲飲料是一杯葡萄酒，一杯啤酒，一杯茶或者一杯咖啡等等。學習這些短語遠遠比只學習紅酒，啤酒，茶要好得多。
You can also benefit from learning words that are related. The moon has four phases during a lunar month: crescent, gibbon, waxing and waning. It is more efficient to learn all four words at the same time.
你會因學到相關詞彙而受益。在一個陰月裏，月亮會有四個變化過程：新月，滿月，殘月，月虧。同事學習者死個新單詞會更加有效。
3. Improve your pronunciation
改善發音
You might know a lot of words, but if you fail to say them correctly, you will not be understood. That seems like a waste of the time spent on remembering words, right?
你可能認識很多單詞，但是如果你無法正確的說出它們，別人就聽不懂你在說什麼。這樣一來，記單詞似乎就是在浪費時間，對嗎？
When using online dictionaries such as Macmillan and Merriam-Webster, make use of the little speaker symbol to check the pronunciation of any word that you are not sure about. There are English pronunciation tutorials on YouTube to teach you the many aspects of American English pronunciation.
當使用在線詞典的時候，例如Macmillan和Merriam-Webster，要充分利用那個發音的標誌來檢查你不確定的發音。在視頻網站上，有英語發音的教程，它們會教你美式英語發音的方方面面。
When you are ready for something more challenging, try out tongue twisters.
當你做好準備去挑戰，那就嘗試一下繞口令吧。
4. Learn the natural flow of English
學習英語的自然表達
Being able to say individual words correctly is great, but the secret of speaking fluently lies in the flow of sentences. Whenever you read a piece of poetry, listen to a melodic song or watch a hilarious sitcom, pay attention to the following:
能夠說出單個的英語單詞很棒，說得流利的祕訣就在於句子的表達方式。無論何時，當你讀詩，聽歌或者看有趣的情景喜劇的時候，都要注意以下幾個方面：
Linking. Notice how native speakers link words together: joining two sounds, making a sound to disappear or changing a sound for a better flow.
連讀。要注意以英語爲母語的人是怎樣連讀單詞的：把兩個音連在一起從而使其中一個音消失或者爲了更加流暢的表達而改變一個音。
Contractions. Contractions are shortened forms of two words. For example:
縮寫。縮寫是兩個詞的縮寫形式。例如：
I + am = I’m
he + will = he’ll
they + have = they’ve
do + not = don’t
Stress. There are stressed syllables in a word and stressed words in a sentence.
重音。每個單詞裏都有重音音節，每個句子裏也都有重音單詞。
Rhythm. The rhythm is the overall result of stress, contractions and linking. It is the ups and downs, the musical feature of English.
節奏。節奏是重音，縮寫以及連讀的結果。那是聲音的高低起伏，是英語的音樂性特徵。
5. Self-talk
與自己對話
Talk to yourself in English loudly. It can be anything from a suggestion like, “Shall we go get a glass of water?” or a reminder, “I need to do a load of laundry today.”
用英語跟自己大聲對話。可以是任何內容，也可以是類似的提議“一起去喝點東西呀？”或者是一種提醒，“我今天必須洗衣服。”
Alternatively, pick up a book and read a couple of pages out loud. This exercise might slow down your reading, but it will speed up your speaking skills.
或者拿起一本書大聲地朗讀幾頁。這種練習會放慢你的閱讀速度，但是會提高你的口語技能。
You can also record yourself, listen to the recording and watch out for any wrong pronunciations. If it is possible, ask for feedback from a native speaker.
你也可以給自己錄音，然後聽錄音尋找錯誤的發音。如果可以的話，可以向以英語爲母語的人詢問意見作爲反饋。
6. Think in English
用英語思考
If you already think in English, it takes less time to produce or respond in everyday conversations. No translation needed!
如果你已經用英語思考，那麼在日常的交流中就會節省很多時間。沒必要進行翻譯！
A good way to start rethinking is to keep a diary where you express your daily thoughts in English. It does not have to be perfect, it is more about getting out thoughts in English with less and less effort.
反思的好辦法就是記日記，在日記中你要用英語去表達自己日常的看法。沒有必要做到完美，更重要的是越來越自如地用英語表達出自己的看法。
7. Retell a story in English
用英語複述故事
Take the challenge a step further by retelling a story. You retrace other people’s line of thoughts in your own words.
進一步的挑戰就是複述故事。你用自己的話來複述其他人的想法。
I would start with a familiar story from your culture. Your translation needs to convey not only the meaning of words but all rhetorical and cultural nuances.
可以取自本土文化背景，以家庭故事開始。你的翻譯不僅要傳達字面意思，而且要表達出修辭和文化的細微差別。
Alternatively, you can choose different words to retell a simple story in English. Start from the basics, reading something like a fairy tale or a fable. Either way will be beneficial to your English communication skills.
或者你可以選擇不同的詞用英語來複述一個簡單的故事。從基礎開始，讀類似於童話故事或者寓言故事的文本。無論哪一個都會對你的英語交流有所幫助。
8. Participate in public speaking events
參加公共演講活動
Big universities, theaters and culture societies organize events like open debates, spoken word readings and improvised storytelling gatherings. These are places where you can come and mingle with like-minded people and practice speaking English.
大的學校，影院，文化社團都會組織大型活動，例如公開演講，口語閱讀以及即興的故事演講。這些就是你可以加入的活動，你可以與和你想法一樣的人一起練習英語。
Many cities are now hosting TED where you can register to participate and share your innovative ideas. Check the events page of your local university to see if there are any available. It might be a nerve-racking experience, but it would be great for your English!
許多大的城市都在舉辦TED，在那裏你可以登記報名加入其中並且表達你有創意的想法。去查閱當地大學的大事表看看是否還有可以加以利用的機會。這可能是一份令人傷腦筋的經歷，但是這對提高你的英語來說很有幫助。
9. Go to language cafes
去語言咖啡館
If public speaking terrifies you (and I know it does for many), you can opt for language cafes. Those cafes create a friendly and relaxing atmosphere for people who want to practice and exchange languages.
如果公開講話使你感到恐懼（我知道很多人都害怕），你可以選擇去語言咖啡館。這些咖啡館爲許多想要練習語言的人創造了友好且令人放鬆的環境。
10. Using apps
使用app
Another option is to use an app to talk to native speakers online. Some popular apps are HelloTalk, Tandem, WeSpeke. Basically, you register for an account, introduce yourself, your native language and your hobbies. The app will find you some matches—the people who speak English and want to practice the language you know well. All you need to do is to press a few buttons and start talking.
還有一個選擇就是，用一款app在線與本族語使用者交流。一些受歡迎的app有HelloTalk, Tandem, WeSpeke。基本而言，你需要先註冊一個賬戶，介紹你自己，你的本族語和愛好。那麼這款app便會爲你找到一些匹配 — 說英語的人想要練習你所知道的語言。你要做的就是按下幾個按鈕並且開始講話。
11. Chat with Siri
和Siri交流
I find chatting with Siri is a great way to force myself to speak more clearly. As Siri is a machine, you cannot rely on environmental clues and facial gestures to get your ideas across. Your words are the only tool you have to make yourself understood. Thus, you need to speak as clearly and precisely as you could.
我發現和Siri交流是督促自己清楚發音的重要方式，因爲Siri是機器，你不能依賴環境因素以及面部表情讓它理解你的意思。你的文字是唯一是你被理解的工具。因此你需要說的儘可能清楚且準確。
Another plus point of using Siri is that she is always available (as long as your phone is charged and connected to a WiFi network). Just press the home button and start asking questions.
使用Siri的另一個好處就是它一直是可用的（只要你的手機有電並且聯網）。按下主頁鍵開始說話即可。
If you own an Android smartphone, you can practice speaking with Google Now.
如果你是用的是Android智能手機，你可以和Google Now練習說英語。
So, off you go! Choose your preferred method to expand your vocabulary, correct your pronunciation, and boost your English speaking with the methods that are right for you. Do not forget to practice as much as possible.
現在你可以開始了，選擇你喜歡的方法去擴大詞彙，糾正發音並且採用合適的方法提高你的英語口語。不要忘記儘可能多的去練習。
