1. Find native English speakers. In certain areas it's the hardest thing to do, but it's the best use of your time. Talking to actual native speakers is the most effective
way to improve your English skills, speaking or otherwise. So whether
you have to Skype them, call them, or beg them to speak to you, do so.
Your progress will be faster this way than any other.
2. Listen to the music of English. No, not English
music, the music of English -- its lilt, its prosody, the
sing-songy-ness of it. The intonation. Even if you speak perfect English
technically, if you speak it like a robot you're not speaking it the way it's meant to be spoken.
3. Slow down. Above all, if you want to be understood, slow down.
The more clearly you speak, the better chance your listener has of
understanding you. It's tempting to get nervous and want to speed up to
get it all over with, but you can't do that! Clarity is key -- for some
native English speakers, too!
4. Record yourself. Though
we hear ourselves all the time, we really don't know quite what we sound
like. So record yourself! What are the weak and strong points you hear
in your speech? And then you can concentrate on what you need to work
on.
5. Take different style classes. Yes, one class is good.
In fact, one class is even great. But if you can take more than one
class -- of differing styles -- that's even better. A group class can be
cheap, fun, and work on all your skills, but adding a one-on-one class,
too? You'll get that individualized attention to your speech you've
been craving. That's a double dose of improvement
