提高英语口语的小妙招
正确的发音是演讲的关键，但是这并不意味着一切。这篇文章将越过基础帮助你在发音方面取得成功。
How to Improve Your English-Speaking Skills
怎样提高英语口语技能
Build a strong Foundation
构建稳健的基础
In order to express yourself eloquently in English, you need a wide variety of vocabulary and the correct pronunciation.
要想使用英语流利的交流，需要巨大的词汇量和正确的发音。
1. Expand your vocabulary
扩大词汇量
Learn New Words Every Day
每天学习新单词
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.
每天学习单词，这是扩大词汇量的好办法。制定一个合适的目标：可以是三个或者十个日常词汇。
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.
即使你每天只有学习一个单词的时间，那也值得尝试。每天学习一个单词，一年之后你就会学到365个新单词。
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.
把学习词汇的数量写下来以频繁提醒自己。如果你有语言学习伙伴，和他一起分享这样她就能监督你的进步。
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.
一些学习单词的好资源要视你的日常习惯而定，如新闻，歌曲，电视节目。如果你爱听音乐，听歌的时候多看看歌词并把不认识的的单词记在笔记上。
2 Learn Words in Phrases and Chunks
以短语或者意群来记忆单词
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.
以一群来记忆单词很重要。例如，你认为饮料是一杯葡萄酒，一杯啤酒，一杯茶或者一杯咖啡等等。学习这些短语远远比只学习红酒，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.
你会因学到相关词汇而受益。在一个阴月里，月亮会有四个变化过程：新月，满月，残月，月亏。同事学习者死个新单词会更加有效。
3. Improve your pronunciation
改善发音
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?
你可能认识很多单词，但是如果你无法正确的说出它们，别人就听不懂你在说什么。这样一来，记单词似乎就是在浪费时间，对吗？
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.
当使用在线词典的时候，例如Macmillan和Merriam-Webster，要充分利用那个发音的标志来检查你不确定的发音。在视频网站上，有英语发音的教程，它们会教你美式英语发音的方方面面。
When you are ready for something more challenging, try out tongue twisters.
当你做好准备去挑战，那就尝试一下绕口令吧。
4. Learn the natural flow of English
学习英语的自然表达
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:
能够说出单个的英语单词很棒，说得流利的秘诀就在于句子的表达方式。无论何时，当你读诗，听歌或者看有趣的情景喜剧的时候，都要注意以下几个方面：
Linking. Notice how native speakers link words together: joining two sounds, making a sound to disappear or changing a sound for a better flow.
连读。要注意以英语为母语的人是怎样连读单词的：把两个音连在一起从而使其中一个音消失或者为了更加流畅的表达而改变一个音。
Contractions. Contractions are shortened forms of two words. For example:
缩写。缩写是两个词的缩写形式。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。每个单词里都有重音音节，每个句子里也都有重音单词。
Rhythm. The rhythm is the overall result of stress, contractions and linking. It is the ups and downs, the musical feature of English.
节奏。节奏是重音，缩写以及连读的结果。那是声音的高低起伏，是英语的音乐性特征。
5. Self-talk
与自己对话
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.”
用英语跟自己大声对话。可以是任何内容，也可以是类似的提议“一起去喝点东西呀？”或者是一种提醒，“我今天必须洗衣服。”
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.
或者拿起一本书大声地朗读几页。这种练习会放慢你的阅读速度，但是会提高你的口语技能。
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.
你也可以给自己录音，然后听录音寻找错误的发音。如果可以的话，可以向以英语为母语的人询问意见作为反馈。
6. Think in English
用英语思考
If you already think in English, it takes less time to produce or respond in everyday conversations. No translation needed!
如果你已经用英语思考，那么在日常的交流中就会节省很多时间。没必要进行翻译！
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.
反思的好办法就是记日记，在日记中你要用英语去表达自己日常的看法。没有必要做到完美，更重要的是越来越自如地用英语表达出自己的看法。
7. Retell a story in English
用英语复述故事
Take the challenge a step further by retelling a story. You retrace other people’s line of thoughts in your own words.
进一步的挑战就是复述故事。你用自己的话来复述其他人的想法。
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，以家庭故事开始。你的翻译不仅要传达字面意思，而且要表达出修辞和文化的细微差别。
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.
或者你可以选择不同的词用英语来复述一个简单的故事。从基础开始，读类似于童话故事或者寓言故事的文本。无论哪一个都会对你的英语交流有所帮助。
8. Participate in public speaking events
参加公共演讲活动
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.
大的学校，影院，文化社团都会组织大型活动，例如公开演讲，口语阅读以及即兴的故事演讲。这些就是你可以加入的活动，你可以与和你想法一样的人一起练习英语。
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!
许多大的城市都在举办TED，在那里你可以登记报名加入其中并且表达你有创意的想法。去查阅当地大学的大事表看看是否还有可以加以利用的机会。这可能是一份令人伤脑筋的经历，但是这对提高你的英语来说很有帮助。
9. Go to language cafes
去语言咖啡馆
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.
如果公开讲话使你感到恐惧（我知道很多人都害怕），你可以选择去语言咖啡馆。这些咖啡馆为许多想要练习语言的人创造了友好且令人放松的环境。
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.
还有一个选择就是，用一款app在线与本族语使用者交流。一些受欢迎的app有HelloTalk, Tandem, WeSpeke。基本而言，你需要先注册一个账户，介绍你自己，你的本族语和爱好。那么这款app便会为你找到一些匹配 — 说英语的人想要练习你所知道的语言。你要做的就是按下几个按钮并且开始讲话。
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.
我发现和Siri交流是督促自己清楚发音的重要方式，因为Siri是机器，你不能依赖环境因素以及面部表情让它理解你的意思。你的文字是唯一是你被理解的工具。因此你需要说的尽可能清楚且准确。
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的另一个好处就是它一直是可用的（只要你的手机有电并且联网）。按下主页键开始说话即可。
If you own an Android smartphone, you can practice speaking with Google Now.
如果你是用的是Android智能手机，你可以和Google Now练习说英语。
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.
现在你可以开始了，选择你喜欢的方法去扩大词汇，纠正发音并且采用合适的方法提高你的英语口语。不要忘记尽可能多的去练习。
