Hints to Improve Spoken English
提高英語口語須知
1. Speaking English fluently and accurately is a goal of many people studying English in China. Fluency can be simply defined as "being able to communicate ideas without having to stop and think too much about what one is saying"; speaking accurately means "speaking without errors of grammar and vocabulary".
1、流利并準確地說英語是中國許多英語學習者的一個目標。流利可簡單也定義為“具有交流各種思想的能力，無須停下來對話題進行過多思考”。說舌準確的意思是“說話不犯語法錯誤和詞匯錯誤”。
2. The problem is that many students find that if they try to speak fast, they make more mistakes. And, if they slow down, there may be fewer errors but it can sound unnatural. So, how do balance accuracy and fluency in spoken English?
2、問題在于：許多學生發(fā)現(xiàn)，如果他們試圖講得快，所犯錯誤就更多。如果他們講話速度放慢，錯誤可能會減少，可是聽上去就不自然。所以，英語口語的準確與流利，如何才能平衡起來呢?
3. It can depend on the manner in which one has studied English in the past. People who tend to focus on accuracy may find that they worry too much about making mistakes. This can make them nervous or embarrassed about speaking English in public. As a result, their spoken English might not improve. This means that, although they know English grammar and vocabulary well, they might not be able to hold a good conversation.
3、這可能取決于一個人過去學習英語的態(tài)度。那些往往注重于說話準確的人們可能會發(fā)現(xiàn)，他們對犯錯誤操心過多。這可能導致他們在公眾場合說英語感到緊張或?qū)擂�。所以，他們的英語口語可能得不到提高。這就意味著，盡管他們掌握了英語語法，也熟悉英語詞匯，他們可能不能成功地開展對話。
4. On the other hand, there are those who really like to talk and are willing to try their language out even if they make mistakes. This willingness to take risks helps them speak more fluidly. But, if they make a lot of mistakes, they may find it difficult to get their ideas across.
4、另一方面，有一些人真的很喜歡說話，而且就算講錯，他們都愿意試著說。這種敢于冒險的意愿幫助他們說得更流利。但是如果他們講話錯誤百出，就會覺得很難表達自己的思想。
5. The debate about which is more important—fluency or accuracy—in the English language has lasted for a long time. Still, one thing is clear: speaking a language well needs both fluency and accuracy. How can we be sure that we can develop both? The following tips could help.
5、講英語流利重要還是準確重要，關于這個問題的辯論持續(xù)了很長時間。然而，有一點是明確的，即說好一門語言既要流利又要準確。如何才能做到講話既流利又準確呢?下面的建議也許會有所幫助。
6. Find the problem. What kind of person are you—one who focuses on accuracy or one who focuses on frequency? The first step is to recognize your problem and go to work on it. Think about situations where you've used English and how you felt about making mistakes? Do you always try some new language even though it might not be correct? Or do you feel embarrassed by mistakes?
6、發(fā)現(xiàn)問題。你屬于怎樣的一類人?—你注重說話準確還是注重說話流利?第一步是認識到你的問題，然后著手解決問題�；叵胍幌履闶褂眠^英語的若干情景，你對說錯有何感受?即使你不一定說得對，你經(jīng)常試著講某種新學的語言嗎?你是否因犯錯誤而感到困窘呢?
7. Focus on one problem at a time. When you speak English, find the mistakes you make most often. One mistake Chinese often make is omitting the "s" from the third person singular verb. Or you may speak too slowly as if you were searching for the right word and correct grammar. The next time you use English, try to work on those problems you have identified. If it's fluency, try to focus on it. If you have a problem with the third person singular, try to concentrate on when you make such errors. Don't spend time thinking about other mistakes. By choosing an area to work on, you can isolate problems and help yourself overcome them.
7、一次關注一個問題。當你說英語時，找到你最常犯的錯誤。中國人常犯的一個錯誤是第三人稱單數(shù)動詞漏掉“s”�；蛘吣憧赡苷f得太慢，好像你在尋找合適的單詞和正確的語法似的。你下一次使用英語時，力求改正那些你已經(jīng)認識到的問題。如果是流利的問題，那就力求講快些。如果你的問題是在第三人稱單數(shù)，那就盡力專注于你犯此類錯誤的時候。不要費時思考其他錯誤。選定解決問題的范疇，你就能使問題孤立起來，各個擊破，這樣有助于自己克服問題。
8. Vary your practice. If you go to an English comer or an English club, try to change the types of activities you take part in so that you practice both fluency and accuracy. Public speaking allows you to slow down and be sure you have time to concentrate on the language. Meanwhile, discussions are good practice for fluency, especially if you don't stop each time a mistake is made.
8、參加各種實踐活動。如果你去參加英語角或英語俱樂部，設法改變你參加的活動類型，以便訓練英語的流利性和準確性。公共演講會使你放慢速度，并保證你有時間關注語言。同時，討論是很好的訓練流利的實踐活動，如果你不是一出錯就停，更是如此。
9. Learn the difference between fluency and speed. Some Chinese think that speaking fast is the same as speaking fluently. In fact, speaking fluently involves not only speed. It also involves stress, pronunciation and intonation. If you make a mistake in these, speaking fast will only make it worse. Don't sacrifice understanding for speed.
9、弄懂流利與速度的差異。有些中國人認為。說話迅速就是說話流利。事實上，說話流利不僅需要說話速度，它同時還涉及重音、語音和語調(diào)。如果你在這些方面犯有錯誤，那么說得快只會使你錯得更厲害。不要為了速度而犧牲理解。
10. Try recording yourself. Take a tape recorder and record a conversation with a friend or a speech or monologue as you do it naturally! A two-or-three-minute recording is enough. When you've finished, listen to yourself. Can you identify and correct any errors? Make it a regular practice. The more you record yourself, the more confident and natural sounding you will become.
10、自己嘗試錄音。用錄音機錄下你與朋友的對話，或錄下你自己的落落大方的演講或獨白。錄音兩三分鐘就足夠了。錄音完畢，專心傾聽你自己的錄音。你能辨認并矯正錯誤嗎?把這種錄音當做常規(guī)練習。你自己錄音越多，你就越有自信，你的英語聽上去會更自然。
