Learning methods that help you speak English confidently.

Setting clear goals, choosing flexible study hours, and having an environment for practice are all things you need to consider when choosing a foreign language learning program.

Despite completing high school, four years of university, and additional time spent studying at English language centers, many students still struggle to communicate in English with foreigners, or can only utter a few simple words. Even those with a strong grasp of grammar and the ability to draft documents easily can only manage a few hesitant sentences when speaking in English. This is a common problem faced by many English learners today, largely due to incorrect learning methods.

You should join a small class and try to practice speaking as much as possible.

According to Andrew Whitmarsh, an expert in English language learning methods for adults at Wall Street English, the learning method is crucial for achieving the confidence needed to speak English fluently. Not only in Vietnam, but in other countries as well, older language learners face methodological barriers such as overcrowded classes with only one teacher, resulting in limited opportunities to speak English, or class time being overly focused on grammar and writing.

Furthermore, in a large class with students of varying proficiency levels, confident students tend to speak more than others. Finally, with a fixed schedule, learners can easily fall behind if they miss a class. After missing a few classes, students tend to drop out entirely. Andrew Whitmarsh shared that to confidently speak English, learners, especially busy working adults, should consider the following six points when choosing a suitable learning environment.

Setting clear learning goals is also one of the important factors.

Set clear goals.

Understanding the purpose of learning English and staying focused on that goal is crucial for choosing the right and effective learning method. If you're a working professional, you should choose English classes that can help you improve your proficiency in your work and daily life, rather than those focused on exam preparation for certifications. This can be assessed through the teaching methods or curriculum. Exam preparation classes often prioritize grammar and writing over listening, speaking, and conversational English practice.

Flexible class schedules so you don't miss a class even if you're busy.

After an 8-hour workday, people are often busy taking care of their families, juggling work and school, attending unexpected meetings, or traveling frequently for work... causing most working adults to miss English classes. According to many English language experts, missing just one or two classes puts learners at risk of falling behind. More importantly, it can gradually become a habit, and the student may eventually drop out of the entire course.

Therefore, if you are a busy person, you are not obligated to attend classes with fixed schedules; you have the right to choose English classes that suit your needs. There are now classes designed specifically for busy working professionals with flexible learning times. For example, at Wall Street English, students can create their own schedules, utilizing their free time, lunch breaks, or time between shifts... to attend class anytime between 10 am and 9 pm, any day of the week, with no time restrictions.

There is an environment to speak English.

The environment is a crucial factor for English learners. To develop English speaking skills, you need an environment where you can practice more. Besides creating your own English-speaking environment, such as talking to foreigners or joining English clubs, learners can also choose reputable English centers to practice speaking with teachers and other students. Many centers now offer a 100% English-speaking learning and communication environment, giving students the opportunity to practice speaking English anytime, anywhere, thereby developing reflexes and better remembering what they have learned.

Reasonable class size

To strengthen your listening skills and develop your English speaking abilities, you should find a suitable class with a small number of students, focusing on individual attention, and an environment that combines self-study with teacher attention to help you progress. Nowadays, many centers offer small class sizes, with a maximum of only 1-4 students. This provides an opportunity to practice speaking English with the teacher and other students. When the teacher asks questions, you can volunteer to answer and try to speak as much as possible. If the teacher asks you to discuss in pairs or groups, try to speak as much as you can. Don't worry about making mistakes; just focus on speaking as much as possible.

You should choose a class with people of similar skill levels and ages so you feel comfortable communicating.

Choose a class where the age and skill levels aren't too different.

One reason many people overlook, but which greatly affects their English learning results, is studying with classmates of different levels or with young children. This makes many people uncomfortable practicing English communication. Having similar ages or levels of proficiency makes it easier for learners to practice English lessons and apply them to work and life, such as business, advertising, and marketing, allowing them to leverage practical experience and effectively improve their English skills.

A system for monitoring and evaluating the quality of education for each student.

Most current English learning methods rely heavily on the teacher's qualifications and experience. Therefore, you should choose centers with experienced and qualified teachers (such as CELTA - a certificate in teaching English to adults). In addition, the center should have a program to monitor students' progress, providing timely reminders and encouragement to ensure they achieve their initial goals.

According to VnExpress