Boost your English skills
WHEN speaking to a small group of people, we tend to stick to the same subjects, using the same vocabulary. As such, it’s quite difficult to improve. So how do you get out of the rut? With the help of these tips, you should improve by leaps and bounds.
To expand your vocabulary, learn synonyms. One of the joys of English is that there are lots of synonyms – words that appear to mean the same but that are slightly different in meaning. When you have a good grasp of the differences, you can convey subtleties better. That’s important for good communication.
To broaden your vocabulary, make a list of three synonyms and understand how they’re different. Then use them at least once a day. You may have to be inventive for that, but it’s part of the game.
To improve fluency, use common expressions. For example, in English you might say, “He’s so tight, he squeaks when he walks”, which means someone is a cheapskate or money-grubber.
For this, it helps to get hold of an idiom’s dictionary. These do exist online, but do be careful because many sites include street slang that isn’t really acceptable in normal social situations.
Make a list of three things that go together, like three expressions that comment on someone’s character. For example, a person can be “a go-getter” meaning someone who is goal-driven and has “the gift of the gab” meaning someone who is a persuasive speaker. Then look around and apply these phrases in as many conversations are you can, until it feels natural.