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How to Practice Speaking English Alone for Free

In this article I will share 13 awesome ways you can practice speaking English alone at home for free. 

Not everyone has access to native speaker friends or colleagues, in person classes, a teacher or even English groups to practice their English.

Yet, practice is a key part to improving your fluency and overall speaking ability. 

Practicing some common questions and answers is also a key part of preparing for IELTS Speaking 

13 Ways to Practice

Speak into the Mirror

This is easy because you can do it when you wash your face in the morning and at night. 

It’s most likely a routine you already have.

For example, in the morning, when I was practicing Chinese, I would say what I was going to do that day,

‘Today I am going to meet Jack. I am going to go to the gym. I am going to….’

At night, I would say what I had done that day, and how it went.

‘Today was good. I went for a walk, I started reading a new book, I didn’t burn dinner…’

Practice with short audios

There are lots of audios you can use, such as IELTS sample answers, or podcasts or Youtube videos.

Here is what you can do.

First, listen to sample answers/audio and pause it, to repeat some key phrases, or phrases you like 

Second, practice re-telling the audio using similar language to what you heard.

This is not the same as memorising it all. You are just practicing using some of the key phrases.

Then, try re-telling the episode, and recording yourself. 

Finally, listen back and check with the transcript (if there is one) to see if you got the phrases right (this is really good for learning and practicing collocations)

Practice Favorite English Actor

Imitate your favourite English-speaking actors

When you watch a film in English, with your favourite actor, try and repeat what they say, and try to sound like them. You can even move like them.

You can always check the words they say, by checking the subtitles.

But, don’t read the subtitles aloud!

You just use them to check what was said. 

When speaking – don’t read the words; this will not help your speaking (even though you think it is easier – it is not helping you).

Why does ‘imitating actors’ work?

Identity is a key part of language speaking.

When you ‘pretend’ to be someone else (in this case an English actor), it is sometimes easier to pick up the right pronunciation and intonation. 

You stop being you, and become someone else. 

Try it out – it can be great fun!

Send audio messages

Instead of texting your friends/speaking partner on what’s app, try sending audio messages in English.

The great thing about audio messages is there is no pressure, unlike a phone call.

You have time to prepare, and if you don’t like the message you can always delete it.

 

Another trick is to set up your phone in English.

This includes setting up Siri, Google or Alexa (depending on your phone) in English.

So when you ask Siri – you ask in English. 

It also pushes you to get the pronunciation right, or Siri won’t answer you!

Practice Phone Settings English

Imitate the English foreigner

You know how English people (or American, or Canadian…) sound when they speak your native language, right?

Well, try imitating them and their accent.

So first, speak your native language like an English person does.

Then, keep that same crazy pronunciation and sound, and start speaking English.

It’s almost like you are pretending to be English. 

Like, you have a new identity as an English person.

Practice speaking English alone by Shadowing

Yes, a shadow is the dark area any body leaves when it is between the sun and the ground. 

However the verb, ‘to shadow’, means to follow someone.

Shadowing in language learning, is when you follow someone’s voice.

So, you listen to a short audio (maybe 30 seconds, not too easy, not too difficult). 

As you listen a second time, you try to speak at the same time as the voice, following it, saying the same thing.

Sounds crazy, but once you practice this a few times, you will start to get the pronunciation and the fluency of the speaker.

IELTS sample answers, if they have the audio, are good for this. 

You can also try some  elementary podcasts like these

Practice Responding

You can read my complete article about responding, but briefly, responding is 

  1. hearing a question, 
  2. quickly getting ideas, 
  3. putting the ideas into spoken words

It is an essential skill to practice, but few students do it. 

It’s easy to set up.

Describe what you are doing (aloud)

Some students try this with thinking.

Think about what you are doing in English at any moment.

Or for example, as you go for a walk, think in English.

Describe what you see, how you feel….always thinking in English.

 

Well, this is similar, but instead of thinking, you are talking to yourself. 

Will I look silly? 

No way, hey, people speak into phone microphones all the time!

Simple – but very powerful!

Practice Speaking English by Singing

Sing in English

Find a song you like in English.

Learn the lyrics (words).

Sing it aloud.

2 great websites / apps to get started with lyrics are

https://www.lyrics.com (free lyrics)

https://lyricstraining.com/ (the coolest, free, game-based approach to learning a language)

Try Tongue Twisters

These are more about pronunciation practice, but they are fun.

You try repeating a sentence that repeats difficult or similar sounds.

It’s a great gym workout for your mouth.

You can try these simple Tongue Twisters with audio download

Also watch this video with 4 popular ones 

And then try making up your own.

Go for it!

Practice Idioms with Youglish

This Internet is a fantastic source of tools and materials for practicing speaking English alone at home, and this is one of my favourites. 

https://youglish.com

It’s like a search engine that plays a video clip with any word or phrase you enter.

Most clips are from films or T.V. series.

You can practice repeating any phrase you want, but the really good thing about it, is you can practice correct intonation. 

In fact, for each phrase, there are lots of video clip examples, so you can see how the phrase is used in different contexts.

Brilliant for idioms! 

Immerse yourself in English

Do a lifestyle audit.

Where do you use your native language everyday? 

Maybe when… 

  1. using your phone, 
  2. using your computer, 
  3. listening to podcasts, 
  4. self-talking, 
  5. watching tv, 
  6. listening to music…. 

Which of these can you use/do in English?

For example, can you change your phone/computer settings to English? 

Can you listen to some English songs?

Can you choose some English podcasts?

Look for ways to bring English into your life and surround yourself with English, and you can practice more naturally everyday. 

Practice speaking alone regularly

Think about Goals and Habits.

 

  1. Set yourself a short term goal to practice speaking. 
  • 5 days, 2 weeks, 30 days, whatever, just don’t leave it open. 
  • Even if you carry on later, as humans, we like boundaries. 
  • Things we can measure. 
  • Boxes we can fit into. 

 

    2. Do this everyday

  • Just start with 5 minutes, no more.
  • When you are ready, increase the time.
  • When you don’t feel like it, and there will be days like this, just say, I will just do 1 minute – and that’s enough. 
  • It will make a difference.

 

    3. If possible, always do your speaking at the same time of day, and in the same place (this helps create a habit)

 

    4.Language learning is up and down, It is not a linear process. 

  • Some days, you will feel like you are going backwards. 
  • This is normal.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also find these tips on how to prepare for IELTS Speaking useful too.

For more tips and ideas to improve your performance in IELTS Speaking, check out the resources page on this website. 

Keith O'Hare

Keith O'Hare

Trinity Dip TESOL, MSc Digital Education (UK). Helping more than 40,000 students worldwide with my online courses. A lover of languages, teaching and lasagna!

73 thoughts on “How to Practice Speaking English Alone for Free”

  1. Bahor

    Hello Mr Keith, thanks so much for this amazing tips❤
    They’re really helpful, I’ve been using some of them (like listening to podcasts everyday, recording my answers, thinking and feeling English), and now I’m going to try some other ones, that I’ve learnt today. Thanks again, I really admire you and all your efforts🤍
    With lots of love and respect,
    Bahor)

    Reply
  2. Jean-Louis Taffarelli

    Dear Keith,
    Thank you for this very interesting presentation. I think I’ll try and use it for other languages as well. But my main difficulty is not with speaking but with listening. I could follow what you were saying as easily as if it had been in French, which is my mother tongue as you can guess. But, after long years of reading lots of books in English I am still unable to understand and enjoy anything but the news on the BBC. I probably did not do enough listening. To say nothing of the various accents. Thanks again.

    Reply
    1. Keith O'Hare

      Thanks for your comments. Listening can be really challenging, especially with all the different accents, but it really is in the practice. Swap some of your books for some podcasts and listen to stuff you enjoy! 😁

      Reply
  3. Mona369baker

    Thank you very much about this lesson…I work hard to speak English fluently…your way to teatch very easy I don’t give up I’m just trying…🙏

    Reply
  5. Fz

    Hello sir is it possible to have one to ine session with you!! At least 3 or 4. With all the materiels it really hard nit get confused!

    Waiting for your respond
    Thank you

    Reply
    1. Keith O'Hare

      Thanks for getting in touch.
      I am afraid I am not giving any one on one or group classes any more, due to a heavy workload

      Reply
  7. Marzie

    Hi Keith
    Thank you for your fantastic youtube videos. I have actually aquired a british accent after speaking american english for over 5 years.
    Btw, i know you had a speaking practice guide with a speaking partner, but i cnt find it on your webside now. Could you plz help me with that?

    Reply
    1. Arshad

      Hello Keith,
      please consider establishing a forum where people who really want to improve or practise their speaking should find other companions so they could practise together with ease and for the free of cost.

      Reply
      1. Ranjana

        Thank you so much sir. You are an excellent teacher. You always hold a positive wibe.
        My IELTS test is on 16 January. I haven’t joined any coaching classes. l learned speaking from your you tube channel and your live sessions. It helped me a lot.

        Reply
      2. Simarpreet kaur

        Thnkew so much sir for speaking video 🙂.I m encouraged to start practicing speaking topics.
        Sir..I am weak in speaking module .I attempt the ielts twice but both time I got 5.5 in speaking . In rest of modules I have good command.From the last week, I m following your tips and recognize many mistakes that i had made during exam. Thnkew so much sir🙂 .

        Reply
  13. Fatai Adekitan Aderogba

    Wow, you are a great teacher, also a great resource builder to learn with. If I have to choose among others, you are my favourite anywhere, anyday and anytime. I love your pragmatic approach, please keep it up.
    Regards.
    Fatai

    Reply
  15. Sandeep kaur

    Actually sir I am practicing at home instead of enrolling in any institute. So , help me to enhance my skills… Give me suggestions..

    Reply
    2. Sandeep kaur

      Actually sir I am practicing at home instead of enrolling in any institute. So , help me to enhance my skills… Give me suggestions..

      Reply
      1. keithohare

        Merlin, Just start by following the advice in the blog you read here.
        There are no short cuts – just settle down and stat practicing.
        Good luck!

        Reply
  20. Nada

    I got 6.5 twice in speaking, but, recently, I have watched some of your YouTube videos. Your manner in teaching sounds great and I decided to follow your tips and maintain practicing. Thank you sir and wish me good luck in my next trial.

    Reply
    3. Eri

      It’s brilliant. I realize it’s better to repeat and repeat every morning every night. Thanks. It’s too interesting. I would like to get the score.

      Reply
  25. Magda

    I really enjoyed reading your articles and listening to your videos. I loved your mock speaking tests with native speakers. Thank you so much..

    Reply
      1. Shahram Amini

        Thanks a lot keith
        Your method of teaching is really impressive . You are a roll- model for me as a teacher. I spend time to watch your brilliant and practical videos every day . In addition, I enjoy your unique Well- organized methods . I appreciate you for all your favours.

        Reply

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