There is a meaning behind writing about tips for a perfect conversation so as to complement the sticklers to these pointers on a good speaking proficiency they have achieved To your knowledge, one’s mastery of speaking fundamentals and techniques is paramount to achieving eloquence.In the same vein, your knowledge of speaking basics and skills is essential to achieving fluency too.Desire and aptitude are never sufficient to attain fluency if you are lacking in the BASICS’ department. Without more ado, let us take on a swift but fulfilling journey to explore best ways to achieve FLUENCY in English as a foreign language :
First and foremost,Knowledge of English Phonetics is , by far, the crucial condition for any foreign learner to have. Here, I am referring to basics of articulation, North Africans, as well as southern Europeans, do find it difficult to control short and long vowels. Therefore, regular practice of short and long vowels needs to be maintained for any chance to becoming fluent. Of course, perfect articulation of consonants and diphthongs is as important as of vowels.
B – Word-stress, Sentence-stress, Tone and Intonation : The way anyone pitches one’s speech to convey a meaningful message will have to be aware in changes of meanings when one stresses second syllables, or middle sentence; or when one delivers a high-pitch ending instead of a low one.
C- Knowing when to be formal or informal : it is exactly the same thing when one is writing, which takes us to :
D – The right choice of words and phrases: one must choose words that are regularly used and understood by native speakers; but uttering pretentious or literally translated words can get one in a » lost in speech and translation » scenario.
E – Undoubtedly, one’s knowledge of grammar will keep one’s speech intact especially in formal situations. F- Possessing a large vocabulary of words, phrases ( including figurative ones ) .
G – This is probably the second most important tip of all : Knowing when to switch from an Algerian mindset to an English one. This definitely the hardest task to perform; plainly, not an easy one,YET, if one’s profile ticks A, B, C, D and F positively, i am sure one will not endure a lot fulfilling G.
H- Other techniques are similar to when we speak in Arabic or Algerian : to be composed, to be concise, to be meaningful so that the speech is useful and messages are delivered. I – Stick to British- English and stop fiddling with American accents.
Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance to listen regularly to native speakers, be it on TV, Radio or whatever. This is by no means the finished article in becoming fluent; but one cannot argue with my many years of experience and exposure to the English language.