Practise speaking what you hear.

Reading, listening, and speaking are the most important aspects of any language. Of course, we do not undermine the writing part too. The same is true for English.

Nevertheless, speaking is the only requirement to be fluent. It is normal for children to learn speaking first, become fluent, then start reading, then writing. So the natural order is listening, speaking, reading, then writing.

Isn't it unusual that schools across the world teach reading first, then writing, then listening, and finally speaking? Although it is different, the main explanation is because when you learn a second language, you need to read material to understand and learn it. So even though the natural order is listening, speaking, reading, then writing, the order for ESL students is reading, listening, speaking, then writing.

The reason many individuals can read and listen is because that's all they practise. But in order to speak English fluently, you need to practise speaking. Don't stop at the listening part, and when you study, don't just listen. Speak out loud the material you are listening to and practise what you hear.

Practise speaking out loud until your mouth and brain can do it without any endeavour. By doing so, you will be able to speak English fluently.
Small Talk:
I heard you're expecting !
Bose Leela ! I heard you're expecting ! Congratulations !
Leela Thank you, Bose.
Bose How far along are you ?
Leela Almost four months. And I have more happy news. I had my first echogram yesterday and found out that I'm carrying triplets !
Bose Triplets ? Well, what do you know ! You and Bhuvan must be ecstatic !
Leela Oh, we're elated ! We weren't expecting triplets at all.

Notes:
To be expecting - to be pregnant
Example: She shouldn't lift those containers if she's expecting.

Know Your Vocabulary:
Choose the closest meaning and tick it.
1. Linear
a) small star b) magician
c) length measure
2. Obsession
a) spicy sauce b) mail chute
c) inescapable feeling
3. Serenity
a) calmness b) shrewdness
c) good fortune
4. Perjure
a) steal away b) swear falsely
c) injure slightly
5. Begrimed
a) dirty b) having whiskers
c) wealthy
6. Eczema
a) skin disease b) triangle
c) notebook
7. grotesque
a) sharp-pointed b) evilly mean
c) unnatural
8. Interpose
a) ask unnecessarily
b) place between
c) distribute evenly
9. Grimace
a) carpenter's tool
b) ugly smile c) tight grip
10. Melancholy
a) disease b) boredom
c) sadness
Key:
1-c; 2-c; 3-a; 4-b; 5-a; 6-a; 7-c; 8-b; 9-b; 10-c
"We have too many high sounding words and too few actions that correspond with them.”
-Abigail Adams
[Abigail Adams, November 22, 1744 – October 28, 1818, was the wife of John Adams and the mother of John Quincy Adams. She is now designated the first Second Lady and second First Lady of the United States, although these titles were not in use at the time.]
(The writer is an Assistant Professor at Palamuru University and can be reached at: [email protected])