Category: Phrasal Verbs

these are some useful fluency tips

5 Useful Fluency Tips

Do you feel like your speaking skills are getting rusty?  Are you looking for some fluency tips to help you sound more natural and confident when you speak the language you’re studying?  I am going to give you some examples from my own study routine.  

As many of you know, my first language is English and I am learning Spanish and Galician and I also speak Portuguese, so fluency is something I work on regularly.  When I don’t practice, I feel my speaking skills become weak and it quickly becomes tough to remember words and have good pronunciation.  Here are some tips I’ve come up with that you might benefit from. 

 

repeat the pronunciation of a native speaker
Repetition is key to improving your pronunciation

 

#1 Repeat Quickly to Improve Pronunciation 

Repetition is essential when you are learning new words.  You need to repeat the word and say it many times before you become able to remember it and use it in conversation.  

Listen to a native speaker say the word and then practice saying it slowly, then speed it up to mimic the intonation of the native speaker.  Try to repeat the native speaker’s musicality.  You can do this with audio books, podcasts, TV series, or with the audio that comes with language textbooks. 

 


For instance, I recently took a 1v1 Skype Spanish class with one of my Spanish teachers on italki, Salvador in order to practice vocabulary for an interview.  After the class, my notes looked like this: 

write notes from a 1v1 lesson and then listen to the audio to practice your speaking skills.
Ask your teacher to make an audio for you to listen to and practice during the week.

I was staring at my notes the next day and realized that it wasn’t going to be too useful to study these notes in order to improve my speaking.  So, I asked the teacher if he could make an audio for me in order for me to practice the sentences and possible answers on my own.  

That way, I could practice the sentences while I walk the dog and keep listening to the sentences over and over again.  I listen to a sentence, pause the audio, then repeat, first slowly, then more quickly. The technique was effective, efficient, personalized, and highly motivating because it applied to my situation, my level, and my needs.  My friend Shayna offers wonderful courses to improve your pronunciation on her site, Espresso English. 

speak with native speakers and non-native speakers
Speak as much as possible with as many people as you can.

#2 Speak with Native Speakers and Non-Native Speakers

I recently spoke to a student who told me she didn’t like to practice speaking English unless it was with a native speaker.  I truly disagree with this mentality because, despite who we are speaking with, we learn by speaking. 

So, the more you speak, whether it be with a native speaker or a non-native speaker, you will improve your fluency.  You may be surprised that you learn more from non-native speakers than from native speakers because they understand the language from a different perspective. In my opinion, we should copy the intonation and pronunciation of native speakers, but when it comes to practicing our skills, it is best to practice with anyone you can, as often as you can. 

A young girl came to live in my city in Spain from the United States and she wanted to speak Spanish with me, instead of English because she wanted a true immersion experience and really wanted to improve her speaking skills in Spanish.  I thought this was a smart decision on her part because most people would speak with me in English if that was their first language.  

So, I came to this realization while participating in a Spanish-speaking club.  In the club, we speak with a partner in Spanish and practice weekly vocabulary about a theme we are focusing on.  While working with partners, I got to speak with Alex, a guy who lives in the United States, but who speaks Spanish very well.  So, I actually became even more inspired by speaking with him because I realized you can become fluent even if you don’t live in a Spanish-speaking country. 

One thing to keep in mind, though is that you might find yourself comparing yourself to other non-native speakers.  If someone speaks much better than you, you might find yourself getting down on yourself and feeling frustrated because you wish you spoke that well.  Before you start getting stuck in that mentality, you have to realize that comparing yourself to others only impedes your language growth.  You don’t know how long that person has been studying that language or what their situation is.  Try to cultivate an energy of hope and of positivity.  Look at the person and think to yourself, “That is awesome and they speak so well!”  Then, envision yourself speaking the language really well and getting compliments about your speaking abilities.  It is better to think about how much you have grown and on your own goals.  Think about what steps you need to take next in order to improve your language goals. 

write first, then speak
Writing can be an entry point into practicing speaking with more confidence.

#3 Write first, then Speak to Improve Fluency  

I’ve written a long blog post about the “Write Speak, Speak Right” method that I’ve coined from working with one of my students.  The method helped my student break through the C1 barrier to reach the C2 level. She has been able to process information through writing and translate the words to her spoken English.  She told me that the writing method we used gave her time to think about how she wanted to express herself. Our focus during class was on writing, but she also said the sentences out loud and noticed an impressive jump in her fluency.  Writing can be an entry point into clear, effective communication.  

The “write first” method can be especially useful when it comes to exam preparation because you have a chance to brainstorm vocabulary from a variety of topics that will surely help you on the speaking and writing sections of your exam under pressure.  

You can write a paragraph response based on a writing prompt, potential ways to respond to questions at a job interview, or practice telling a story in your target language.

read comics out loud
Since comics have natural language, they are useful tools to practice speaking.

#4 Read Comics Out Loud for Greater Fluency

Reading comics out loud is a brilliant language learning tip that you probably have never thought of.  Comics show real dialogue and the characters use slang, common expressions, and authentic language. If you practice reading what the characters say out loud, your fluency will see a big leap forward. 

I thought of this while working on Galician.  I have a book that shows some natural, colloquial dialogue between characters in comics.  I started reading the sentences out loud and I realized how nice the method was to improve my Galician fluency skills.  Then, I tried it with Spanish and Portuguese and I found a comic in English and looked in the speech bubbles and mimicked what they were saying.  I started using this skill more with students in my English classes and it worked incredibly well. My students started feeling emotions while they read because comics show sadness, happiness, joy, anger, and surprise. 

netflix can help your fluency and speaking skills
Watch series in your target language, pause the audio, and repeat phrases and sentences with better intonation and pronunciation.

#5 Pause the Audio on Netflix, Repeat

 Recently, I got a great fluency trip from a friend who uses an approach that seems obvious, but that few people actually use.  He said he watches his favorite show in Spanish, La Resistencia with subtitles, pauses the audio, and practices saying the expressions out loud.  I find this to be extremely motivating and brilliant. I started trying it in my target languages and realized how effective it is because, first of all, you’re learning real expressions that are commonly used. Secondly, you’re repeating the intonation and pronunciation just like native speakers.  Thirdly, it is a fun way to improve your fluency because it is pleasurable to watch Netflix. Below, you will see a recent Reel on instragram I made using this method!

 


These five tips will help you move towards speaking more naturally and confidently in your target language.  Don’t forget that you actually have to open your mouth and speak to improve your fluency.  Listening isn’t enough.  In fact, think of ways you can transform a listening activity into a speaking activity or a writing activity into a speaking activity.   Finally, try to design your study routine where everything you do leads to speaking. 

language learning integrating all of the skills
Make an effort to integrate the four language skills into your training and connect every activity with speaking and fluency

If you’re looking for more information about the conversation club I offer in English, you can find it here! 

 

 

phrasal-verbs-give

Phrasal Verbs with Give Quiz

phrasal-verbs-give

To Give Away

  1. To give something away= to give something you no longer need to a person or an organization as a gift or a donation.

For example, “I am going to give some of my old clothes away this weekend.”

2. To give something away=to reveal a secret, often accidentally.

For example, “Jeff gave away the surprise birthday party and basically told everyone he knew about it.”

3. To give away someone= to hand over the bride to the groom on their wedding day, usually performed by the father of the bride.

For example, “Bradley gave his daughter away to Simon on their wedding day.”

4. To give yourself away= to accidentally tell or share some news that you wanted to keep private.  

For example, “Susana was pregnant, but she was keeping it a secret.  She gave herself away by rubbing her belly continuously.”

To Give Back

  1. To give something back to someone=to return something to someone.

For example, “Timmy gave his pencil back to Quin.”

2. To give back=to donate time or money to help society.

For example, “We decided to give back to the community and organize a tree  planting in the local park.”

give-back-phrasal-verb

To Give In

  • To give in= To agree to do something even though you don’t really want to do it.  For example, “My son always begs me to take him to the mall until I give in.”

To Give Out

  • To give out= To distribute flyers, papers, and worksheets to people. For example, “The workers gave out the flyers about the labor rights protest on Sunday.”
  • To give out on= to stop working. “My coffee grinder gave out on me last week.”

To Give Up

  • To give something up=to stop doing an activity that you regularly do. For example, “Brian gave up beer because it was giving him a stomach ache.”
  • To give up on someone=to no longer be concerned with a person and what they decide to do. For example, “I gave up on Seth because I realized he wasn’t going to take my advice about getting off drugs.”

phrasal-verbs-give

To Give Off

  • To give off=to radiate or emanate. For example, “The sewage system is giving off a bad smell.”phrasal-verbs-give

To Give Forth

  • To give forth=to emit or release something. For example, “The roses give forth an uplifting fragrance.”

To Give Over

  • To give over=to deliver a person to the authorities. For example, “The teen gave over her neighbor to the authorities because he had been seen robbing someone in the street.”   
  • To give over=to transfer control or to hand over.  For example, “The small fruit company wasn’t doing well and was given over to the larger, international company.”

Phrasal Verbs with Give Quiz

Test your Knowledge of these Phrasal Verbs with Give

 

Do you want to learn more about phrasal verbs? Check out this awesome Youtube video: 

Conversation Questions with Phrasal Verbs:

1) Do you give up easily or are you persistent?
2) What kitchen appliance recently gave out on you (broke)?
3) Do you give in easily when other people want to do something that you don’t really want to do or do you “stick to your guns?” “Stick to your guns” is an expression that means you refuse to compromise or change your mind.
4) What is one bad habit you want to give up this year?
5) How often do you give clothes away?
6) Is it more likely for you to keep a secret or give away a secret?
7) Do you give back to your community and volunteer or donate money to local organizations?

 

phrasal-verbs-practice-take

Phrasal Verb Exercises with Take

9 Images to Help you Learn Phrasal Verbs with Take

There are many different uses of the same phrasal verb, which can be confusing for English language learners.  For example, “take off” can apply to removing shoes and clothes, but it can also be about an airplane departing and flying up into the sky.  In fact, there are seven different ways of using the phrasal verb “take up,” for example. 

So, in order to minimize confusion, I tried to put some visual images with the phrasal verbs so that students can remember them more easily.  The list below doesn’t cover all the phrasal verbs with take, but it does show some of the most common phrasal verbs. 

Here is a list of many common phrasal verbs with TAKE:

phrasal-verb-practice

A fun dialogue that mixes a number of phrasal verbs with TAKE: 

Mary: Did you take out the trash?

Sandy: Yes. I took out the trash and recycling this morning. 

Mary. Thanks a lot! Did you take apart the bike yet to see why the brakes aren’t working properly? 

Sandy: I haven’t taken that job on yet, but I think I’ll take care of it later today when I’ve got a sec. 

Mary: That would be fantastic. We could go for a bike ride on Sunday and take advantage of the great weather.  

Sandy: That is such a great idea.  I think I’ll take you up on that offer. 

Mary: We could even take some food to the park and have a picnic and invite a few friends.  

Sandy: The other day Robert told me he had taken up the guitar, so we could ask him to bring  his guitar to the park.  

Mary: That sounds like fun, but it might take up too much time.  I have to study for an English exam on Sunday night. 

Sandy: Well, you can always leave early! I’m just excited to take off my shoes and walk barefoot in the grass. 

Mary: Yeah. Me too. I want to take in the smell of freshly cut grass and enjoy the sun because I’ve been spending way too much time indoors.  

Sandy: I hear ya!  I look forward to doing this. I’ll call you tomorrow.  

Mary: See ya later! 

Welcome to your Take Dialogue Comprehension Check

1. 

Mary asked Sandy if she had taken________ the trash.

2. 

When you accept an offer or a plan, you take someone ______ on the offer.

3. 

Robert told his friends he had taken _____ playing the guitar.

4. 

Mary says she wants to take ____ the smell of fresh grass at the park.

5. 

Sandy intends to take ______ the bike to check the brakes.

 

9 Examples of Phrasal Verbs with Take with Mini-Dialogues:

Example #1: TAKE OUT

take-out-trash-phrasal-verb

TAKE OUT EXAMPLE:

Jeff: Did you take out the trash and recycling yesterday.

Jim: Of course. Didn’t you notice that the kitchen smells so much better.

 

Example #2: TAKE OFF

take-off-shoes-phrasal-verb

TAKE OFF EXAMPLE:

Jake: Could you please take off your shoes before you come inside?

Bob: Sure. No problem. I’ll take them off and put them on the shoe rack.

 

Example #3: TAKE OFF

take-off-airplane

TAKE OFF EXAMPLE

Susan: What time did your plane take off?

Sally: It took off around 9:30pm.

 

Example #4: TAKE DOWN

take-down-phrasal-verb-practice

TAKE DOWN EXAMPLE:

Anne: Can you please take down my flight information so that we don’t loose it!

Jim: Of course. I will write it down on a post-it note.

 

Example #5: Take Someone Out

take-out-restaurant

TAKE SOMEONE OUT EXAMPLE:

Bert: Hey Jill, can I take you out to a Japanese restaurant on Saturday night?

Jill: I’d love that. Thanks. I’ll take you up on that offer!

 

Example #6: Take Up

take-up-phrasal-verb

TAKE UP EXAMPLE:

Shannon: Did you hear that Sam has taken up playing the guitar?

Thom: I know! I hear him practicing the guitar every day at 11am.

 

Example #7: TAKE IN

take-in-phrasal-verb

TAKE IN EXAMPLE: 

Bella: When I saw the waterfall for the first time, I took in the beauty that surrounded me and felt so much freedom and happiness. I felt like I was on top of the world.

Jenny: Wow! That’s amazing.  Can we go there sometime together?

 

Example #8: TAKE ON

take-on-phrasal-verb

TAKE ON EXAMPLE:

Amber: My boss designated a new environmental project to our team.  We are going to take it on.

Seth: That sounds thrilling! Congratulations.

 

Example #9: TAKE OVER

take-over-streets

Ben: The citizens are taking over the city because they are fed up with police using violence against African-Americans and people of color.

Tod: The situation is quite disturbing.  I hope the violence ends because we’ve all had enough.

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF PHRASAL VERBS WITH TAKE WITH THIS QUIZ:

Welcome to your Phrasal Verbs with Take Exercises

1. 

I am so busy tomorrow and I am afraid eating lunch is going to take _____ a lot of time, so I'll just pack a sandwich to eat quickly.

2. 

I think we should take _____ this watch and see which part is broken.  That way, we can replace the broken piece and fix it.

3. 

This poster is old and out of style. I would like to take it _______ and replace it with a more modern painting.

4. 

I want to offer you a deal and give you a discount on my membership.  Do you want to take me ______ on the offer?

5. 

We need to take _______ the trash because it stinks.

6. 

Today is so gorgeous and sunny. I just want to take ___ this moment and enjoy it.

7. 

I need to take ______ your phone number and address so that I don't forget it.

8. 

Have you taken ____ any new projects at work? You look overwhelmed!

9. 

We have to get you to the airport and drop you off at least three hours before your plane takes _______.

10. 

Last month, I took _____ knitting and this month, I'll explore more new hobbies!

 

Check out these great resources to help you learn more about phrasal verbs with take:

Espresso English teaches you 18 phrasal verbs with take

Read more examples of phrasal verbs with TAKE

Get-guide-practice

The Ultimate Get Guide

Improve your Speaking Skills with the Get Guide

Are you studying the English language?  You will definitely want to get your hands on the “Ultimate Get Guide.”

Get-guide-practice

 

Are you confused by “get away” and “get over?” Are you unsure of how and when to use these tricky phrasal verbs?  Americans constantly use “get” in everyday conversations. However, “get” is considered informal and shouldn’t be overused in academic writing or in essays. Do you hear “get” a lot in TV series and movies?  Maybe the characters say it so fast and you aren’t sure how to use it when you speak English? Here is a blog post I wrote about using “get” in English that you might want to read as well! In this guide, you can play the audio many times and imitate my voice.  By imitating my voice and repeating the rhythm and cadence of my speech, you can improve your speaking skills in English.  In this guide, I give you some practical phrases that are commonly used in American English. 

 

Practice Pronunciation with the Phrasal Verbs

Speaking English is one of the hardest skills in language acquisition.  Speaking requires integrating everything you have learned from the grammar books. You have to open your mouth and produce spoken words that you hope are understandable.  You feel insecure about our accent and people look at you like they don’t have any idea what you just said. Speaking a second language takes you from being a passive learner to being an active participant in the conversation. GET THIS GUIDE NOW! 

pronounce-get-properly

Anyone who is reading this blog knows the feeling of making a big mistake when you speak a second language or feeling nervous about mispronouncing a word or writing a verb incorrectly.  It all seems so easy on the page when you read it, but then when it comes out of your mouth it is even more of a challenge. Since pronunciation is such a struggle and such a challenge for English language learners, I have made an audio that accompanies the guide.  You can stop the audio and listen to the pronunciation of the phrasal verbs and common expressions with the verb “get” and practice them aloud, with emotion and repetition. If you want to improve your spoken English, it is very important to repeat phrases and sentences many times until they start feeling more comfortable.  You can practice some common expressions and common ways to agree in English at this link.  

Visuals Help you Learn Phrasal Verbs

get-ways-to-use-englishIn this guide, I have made a number of visuals and graphic organizers to help you make associations and categorize the different ways “get” is used in English.  I guide you through these graphic organizers and I provide examples of how you can use the verb when you speak. Learners retain information longer if the information is taught with visuals.  For example, I have grouped together the different ways “get” is used for work, for travel, for illness, and to show transformation.  These types of visuals can help you remember how to use ‘get’ in spoken English, especially when you are under pressure and having a conversation.   Also, when we break down the information into smaller pieces, it is easier to grasp and learn.  

I’m ready to download the Get Guide now! 

 

Story as a Language Learning Tool 

story-phrasal-verbs-quiz

Most language learners enjoy reading stories that help them contextualize the language.  Stories entertain us and help us see what life is like in someone else’s shoes. Also, stories help us remember language and engage with language in a fun way.  In the Ultimate Get Guide, I have written a story about a vacation to the lake, which I read aloud so you can follow along the story to the sound of my voice.  The story is simple.  A family goes on a road trip and one of the kids gets sick in the car.  The story is full of common expressions, phrasal verbs, common uses of “get” and some tidbits about American culture. 

 

How can I Learn English on My Own?

Nowadays, we have less time to go to an English school.  We can’t afford to sit in a classroom with a big group of students and study English.  Each person has limited time to dedicate to learning language.  For this reason, I wanted to make the Ultimate Get Guide for the independent learner, who wants to do interactive activities with phrasal verbs that are practical and enjoyable.  There are quizzes, multiple choice questions, and True or False questions, all of which you can check in the answer key at the end of the guide.  

 

Common Expressions in English

get-commonexpressions-english

English has so many idioms and expressions that native speakers commonly use.  While writing the story, I added many common sayings to the narration. You can use the context of the story to help you answer the questions in the quiz.  I use “hustle and bustle” and “jam packed” in the story, which are common expressions that we use in daily life in American English.  If you understand these common expressions, you will not only understand more complex conversations in English, but you can use them when you speak English. 

 

The Ultimate Get Guide Check-Lists: 

check-lists-verb-getI created check-lists with the different expressions with get that you can read and check-off.  If the statement is true for you, you can check it off.   If you ‘get coffee with your friends once a week, then you can check it off. Then, you can use your answers as a discussion starter with your friends.  You also can practice conversation with your English teacher or with a conversation partner.  Personally, I love check-lists because they are a self-discovery tool.  You can  use the check-lists to check your understanding of phrasal verbs and common expressions and see if they apply to your own, personal situation. 

 

The Ultimate Get Guide Quiz: 

You can also test your knowledge of “get” with a special bonus quiz at the end of the activity. The quiz has multiple choice answers and you can write your answer in the blank to practice spelling.  The quiz is the final activity in the guide and it isn’t a typical, boring quiz. I incorporated questions are from everyday life and show different ways to use “get” in common situations.  

How can I get this guide? 

 

 

 

the verb get in English

The Verb Get in Spoken English: Key Expressions

One of the most commonly used verbs in English is the verb “get.”  Many of my students come to me looking confused by the verb “get.” They realize it is used constantly in spoken English with prepositions, nouns and adjectives, but they aren’t quite sure how to use “get” confidently when they speak English.  I wrote this post to help my English language students understand how to use “get” just like Native English speakers when they speak English. 

How-To-Use-The-Verb-Get

Get for Personal Change 

#1: We use “get” to describe a change of state or a transformation

Get is used to describe a change and the word “become” is a synonym for the way “get” is used in many of these cases. You can use the verb to describe a change of emotions or a state of being. For example, “I got really  tired yesterday after lunch.” or “I get angry when I watch the news.” You might hear, “I usually get fat in the winter” or “I get skinny in the summer,” both examples show some type of physical change. 

Also, when you go through the transformation of being a single person to getting married, you would use “get married” to describe the change in relationship status.  The same would be true for divorce because we “get divorced,” but I want to stay positive here and focus on all of the love in the air.  

 

how to use the verb get

 

Get for Friendship

#2 We use “get” for describing common activities with friends. 

When I first came to Spain, I noticed people commonly said, “Let’s take a coffee.”  They were directly translating from Spanish, where the verb “take” is employed for drinks, coffee, and snacks.  However, Native English speakers use “get” to invite someone for a coffee. For example, “Would you like to get a coffee?” or informally, “Wanna get a coffee?”  In this case, “want + to” is strung together in spoken English and pronounced “wanna.”  In addition, my students also ask for ways to talk about meeting up with their friends. For informal encounters with friends, you can use “get together.”  “I am going to get together with my friends after work.” Or, it can be used as a noun and you can say, “We are going to have a little get together with some of our friends,” which is like a small gathering of people.  

 

 

Get for Work

#3 We use “get” to describe hiring, firing, and promotions.

When we improve our position at work, we get a promotion.  It is always great news when this happens and we tend to call our closest friends and family members and tell them about the promotion we got.  On the other end of the spectrum, if we get fired, we have to share some unfortunate news to our family and friends because we lost our job.  Even this could be the worst turn of events in our life, we could get hired at a different company and as one door closes, another door opens.  

 

Get for Travel

#4 We use “get” for transportation and for moving from one place to another. 

You can get a bus or get a train or a plane. You can also get a taxi or a boat.  When you enter these vehicles, you “get on” them.  You get on a bus when you enter and step inside.  The same applies to planes, trains, and cars. 

We often use “get” informally, but oftentimes there are more exact words for these same actions.  For example, you can get a cab or you can hail a cab, which would be a more specific way of describing waving a cab down.  You can also “catch a bus” or “board a plane,” which is just like getting a bus or getting on a plane.

It is always better to be as specific as possible to describe what you are doing and where you are going when you travel, but when in doubt, use the verb “get” and when you reach your destination you could consider getting a hotel for the night and staying a few days in a warm, exotic place.

 

Get for Illness and Recovery   

#5 In English, we use get to describe all sorts of ailments and illnesses. 

As I write this blog, we are experiencing one of the worst pandemics in history (The Coronavirus: COVID 19).   Everyone around me is staying inside to avoid the disease from spreading even more.  In this case, nobody wants to get sick.  People are afraid of getting ill and getting the virus.  People who have the virus often get a fever and they sometimes get a dry cough.  The good thing is that a high percentage of people who get ill from the virus also get over the illness and recover.  Despite this fact, the rising death toll is shocking and disturbing.  I hope we get through these tough times not only as a country, but as a global community as well. 

You can read and learn more about phrasal verbs with Get here.

You can read about how to use “got it” to show you understand something here.

In conclusion, there are so many great ways we can use “get” to improve our fluency.  I didn’t even mention using get to talk about obtaining items at the store.  Many times, we ask someone, “What did you get?” instead of “What did you buy?” So, consider incorporating this important verb in your life, your English lexicon, and your daily routines.  When you get up tomorrow morning, consider getting a cup of coffee and adding a little “get” into your life. 

I invite you to add a comment to the comments section. How do you use “get” in other ways in English? Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have about using this verb correctly!

 

TAKE THE GET QUIZ NOW!

Get for Fluency

Take this quiz and see if you know how to correctly use the verb "get" accurately in spoken English.