How to improve speaking skill?

[David1999]

I've been learning English for years and working in English speaking country. I find myself not being able to speak very well. Over the years, my technical knowledge in my industry I work in has improved but not my speaking and soft skills. My confidence level in speaking English fluctuates depending on who I speak to. If I’m speaking to Englishman or people who has better command in English than me I often find my English is very poor and my confidence level drops. I find myself giving more attention on accent and sometimes can’t even speak very simple sentence. If I am speaking to people whose English is not as good as mine, I can speak quite fluently. How do I overcome this? I would say my listening skill is quite good but I cannot speak long sentence and compound sentence. How do I improve my command in speaking English? Help!!!

[Torsten]

Hi David,

Have you tried recording your own voice?
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[David1999]

No. Never have been. Do you think that'll help? If so, in which way?

[Torsten]

You obviously lack self-confidence. This means, your subconscious mind tells you that your English language skills are not as good as they should be and as a result you think that you are an inferior person. When you record yourself, you have a better chance to assess and analyze your own speaking skills. This approach helps you identify areas where you might want to improve and it also shows you the progress you are making over a period of time.

Let me know what you think.
Regards,
Torsten
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[David1999]

Thanks for your advice. Having stayed a few years in the UK, I’ve observed that people are judged by their accent and that probably have a big bearing on my psychology. On the other hand, I think I need to speak more in order to improve my English. Being an introvert, I find myself difficult to start a conversation with someone whose first languague is English. It is like catch 22 situation. Honestly, it’s hard and I know I’ve to do something because I am a professional working in a English speaking country.

[Torsten]

What do you do in the UK?
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[David1999]

I'm an accountant.

[Torsten]

And how often do you meet new people?
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[David1999]

What do you mean by 'new people'? I do meet client or friend quite often but because of my poor in speaking english, I find myself can't express myself the way I want to be and my thought are not fully expressed as much as I want to be.

[Torsten]

How do you measure your level of English? I mean, who told you that your English is poor? Maybe you are the only person who thinks your English is poor? There is much more to a person than their level of English. Learning is a process and you usually learn a language as long as live even if it's your mother tongue.
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[David1999]

my english level is definitely lower than the level I should have in my profession. I can't express all my thought and my feeling the way I want. I can understand english very well but my speaking is no way near to my listening skill. I can talk a wide range of topics very well in my mother tongue but I can't speak at least 10% of what I can speak in my mother tongue.

[Sunflower.baby]