10 English Fluency Rules

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English fluency is essential for effective communication in today’s globalized world. To achieve fluency, it is crucial to understand and follow certain rules. By mastering these English fluency rules, learners can enhance their ability to converse confidently and effortlessly in the English language. So, let’s delve into these guidelines that pave the way toward achieving greater proficiency in English fluency. 

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Why We Prepared This Guide

We have helped millions of English learners around the world become fluent speakers. Yet, we have continuously encountered the same questions and concerns. 

English learners everywhere struggle with their pronunciation and often can’t understand casual, spoken English. 

They worry about using the wrong words or grammar in conversations.

They want to know how they can speak English like a native fluently, without hesitation or fear.

So we created this simple guide with the hope that:

  • Current students with the goal of becoming confident speakers will know the right path to take
  • Potential learners will be inspired to master the most useful language in the world to speak English with confidence

Those who read this guide — and put its principles into practice — will receive something so priceless that it cannot be measured in terms of money. They will gain the ability to express themselves in spoken English freely and easily, making them people to be respected and listened to socially and professionally. They will also develop a powerful self-confidence that can never be erased, and enjoy the opportunities, advantages, and rewards that accompany English fluency for the rest of their lives.

That said, we’re pleased to share with you our 10 English fluency rules:

  1. Fluency is a habit: The skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking are nothing more than habits formed over time. The problem is that most learners develop habits that stop them from becoming strong communicators. One such habit is listening to unnatural-sounding dialogues on English-language TV and radio programs. Another is studying lists of vocabulary words. The good news is that you can replace the harmful habits you’ve formed with helpful ones easily. 
  2. Learn like natives: Most students learn English through their native language. This is why they often have to translate in their heads before speaking. To understand native English speakers and speak automatically, start by consuming native English content that’s appropriate for your ability level. 

This could be something as basic as a book or TV program for children. Choose something you already understand at least 80-90% of so that new information can be absorbed by your brain easily. Review this content until you can use it in conversations without hesitation. Then, as your understanding and confidence grow, move on to more challenging material.

  1. Divide and conquer: Here’s the simple formula for rapid English fluency (borrowed from Tim Ferriss, the patron saint of learning):
    • Divide the native English content you want to learn into easy-to-understand pieces. These could be things like the vocabulary words or grammar points found in a song.
    • Select the most important 20% of information to focus on that will give you 80% of your results. There may be 10 new words you could learn in a particular song, but two of them will appear in conversations far more often than the other eight.
    • Order the pieces of information you’ve selected from basic to complex and begin learning
  1. Culture is essential: A language is more than nouns, verbs, and adjectives. If you do not also understand a community’s myths, pop culture references, stories, and jokes, you will miss much of what’s being said. Double the speed at which you get fluent in English by learning a language with culture. Master grammar through cooking shows. Build your vocabulary while fixing cars. Improve your pronunciation as you enjoy plays, musicals, and operas.
  2. Study words together: English phrases — and not words — are the real units of fluency. When you learn phrases, you discover how ideas connect, and the sounds of words blend together. This trains you to understand the fast speech of native speakers and helps you to improve your pronunciation. Groups of words also form stories that are easier for you to visualize and remember.
  3. Use video: Even though videos require far more time and energy to produce than text or audio lessons, we create them because they help you learn more effectively. Studies show that words by themselves only communicate 7% of what we want to express. 38% of the meaning expressed in a normal conversation comes from pitch and intonation. The visual language cues of a language add another 55% to understanding. Videos give you a picture of a language’s words, sounds, and actions. They also significantly increase your ability to remember what you study.
  4. Limit scope: Millions of English learners know lots of words and expressions but can’t use them competently in conversations. This is often a consequence of studying too much and mastering too little. Fluency is measured by what you can use, not what you know. So why not learn to use a few things really well and build upon that foundation?
  5. Connect: Fluency is cultivated in the real world, so connect with native speakers and start practicing. To find them — and they’re everywhere — look for online forums, groups, and communities of native English speakers who share your interests. Focus on the activities you enjoy and you will create lasting friendships with native speakers naturally.
  6. Stretch yourself: Just because you hear the same questions in conversations repeatedly doesn’t mean you have to give the same answers. Every time you’re asked what you do or where you’re from, reveal a bit more about yourself. Are you from New York or the Upper East Side of New York? Do you race sailboats or fractional rig sloop sailboats?
  7. Keep building: Persistence is the one trait shared by all students who become fluent. Keep moving toward your goals — even if you only have 5 minutes a day — and you will surely find success.

How To Get Fluent In English Faster

By using these 10 English fluency rules, you can start to expand and build your knowledge and English-speaking abilities. While it is impossible to cover every single detail in this guide, we have prepared a simple quiz you can use to help you determine how to get fluent in English two, three, or even ten times faster. Our online courses also provide easy access to learn English anywhere with an internet connection.

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Related English Language Learning Articles:

“One Leg At A Time” – The Secret to Motivation and English Fluency

The Only English Speaking Practice That WILL Get You to Fluency

How to Sound Like a Native English Speaker: 7 Tips for Better Pronunciation