Learning a second or third language, such as English, can sometimes be quite challenging. For instance, you hardly ever know when you have fully mastered the new language enough to call yourself a fluent speaker.
In fact, it is quite common to reach a certain stage in your English courses and feel that you are fluent enough. However, is fluency the ability to speak without an accent? Or is it being able to read and understand all of the nuances in a text? Fluency is different for everyone.
In this article, we look at some factors that you need to consider before considering yourself a competent fluent English speaker and how you can feel more confident with the best spoken English classes in Singapore.
But First, What is Fluency?
Fluency can be defined as the measurement of one’s ability to speak a new language smoothly and freely without having to pause mid-sentence to figure out issues such as the right grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary needed to communicate effectively.
So how do you tell that it is time to stop learning the language or if there is still more room for improvement?
Well, there is no single answer to the question because fluency depends on factors such as the individual’s learning capability and the time spent learning and practicing the language every single day.
Understanding Your English Fluency: 4 Questions to Ask Yourself
Here are four important questions that you need to ask yourself to determine if you are truly fluent in English or still have room for improvement.
1. How comfortable are you in speaking English daily?
First of all, you can easily measure your fluency and competency in English by the level of confidence you have while speaking the language.
Are you confident of your ability to speak English or are you still worried about using the wrong grammar, pronunciation, or vocabulary?
If you feel completely comfortable expressing yourself fluently and spontaneously without the fear of making mistakes, then you can call yourself a fluent speaker. If not, then you still need to learn more.
2. Do you find it easy to communicate what you want to say?
Do people understand you easily when you communicate in English? How about your pronunciation of some of the most commonly used words?
You can easily tell a person’s fluency by the ease with which he or she correctly pronounces words and if people can easily understand what he or she is saying without having to listen a bit too keenly to get the words right. In addition, fluency requires having the vocabulary necessary for daily conversation as well as being able to understand idioms – phrases that may have different meanings than what they seem at first glance.
3. Do you rush while speaking English?
How calm and confident are you when communicating in English?
If you are not fluent enough, it is common to rush through your sentences, especially when you feel self-conscious or less confident about your English.
Other people who have yet to be confident in their fluency may hesitate and mentally search for filler words to use while speaking English.
4. How quickly do you understand and grasp what others are talking about?
If you still get confused or take some time to understand what native English speakers are saying, continue working on your English, making time to study and you’ll surely get there in no time!
Take Your English Fluency to the Next Level
With that being said, it’s important to understand that fluency is not just about speaking English or being able to read it; it’s also about writing and understanding the nuances of grammar. If you are aiming to be fully proficient in the English language, why not upgrade your English by taking ULC’s Beginner to Advanced English levels classes?
With English language courses designed to take you through several levels from Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, and Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate and Advanced levels, we’ve got you covered for your learning in Singapore. Feel free to get in touch for more information.
