How can I practice speaking with native speakers?

Question

How can learners of new languages effectively practice speaking with native speakers?

Answer 1

Alternately, platforms like italki.com can be utilized to pay for Skype conversations with native speakers for practice. Otherwise, one can use free languages exchanging applications like HelloTalk . If feasible, carrying out practice with a native speaker in person can help increase the speed of the learning process. It is important that you strive to make progress without resorting to english (or any other first language) to facilitate it.

Comments

For the talking tip, you can also talk at your pets or with friends who don't even really know the language when you're starting. It helps to get comfortable with talking in the language and get rid of that starting anxiety. Then move onto talking with strangers in your target language.

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Well said Brian
I personally use the writing method by hand it works well with me it helped me to learn English and German
Keep it going Brian you're awesome

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I am Dutch, but got raised bilingually in both Dutch and German. I speak English fluently and now I'm in Sweden for a year and I want to be able to speak Swedish here.
Thanks for the advice!

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Thank you, Brian! This was a great content, and I agree with everything you said. I'm studying Jordanian Arabic and making steady progress due to helpful tips that I've learned online from polyglots like you. I appreciate you taking the time to make content about the strategies that have brought you success. I, too, think that hand writing words is not an efficient way to learn how to SPEAK a language or pronounce words individually or in the context of phrases. I write or type every single word and expression that I learn in Arabic out phonetically for myself with Latin letters so that I can remember how to say them, keeping a record also of the Arabic spelling. And I use Anki to review those phrases and sentences effectively.

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For the last step you could also try something different. I am learning Romanian, and whenever I am playing an online game, I host a lobby with the name “Limba Romană” (Romanian language) in order to get in contact with native speakers. From my experience they’re all very enthusiastic about a foreigner putting effort into their language.

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Thank you so much for your honesty. I've been learning Spanish for 3 years now because I now live in a Spanish speaking country. You are so correct about reducing the amount of English you speak because it kills progress. Interacting more in Spanish along with listening to Spanish audios are EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks for your amazing content and continue making more

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I am Egyptian and I agree with everything you said.
Actually I give the same advice to my students.

I haven't gone to any English college, however I can speak English fluently using this technique.

Not only that, I am an English instructor now and I've taught hundreds of people ❤️

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I am trying to learn Arabic and I found it very difficult, but with this content I think I will be able to master it