How speaking improves — and how to use this course
Speaking is a skill you practise out loud. Here is a routine that works.
8 minutes · A free lesson from Start here
You cannot learn to speak by reading about speaking. Every lesson here ends with something to say out loud: you record yourself, listen back, and compare with a model. The practice sets go further: your answers are recorded and marked on five things — fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and getting the message across — and reported as a level from A1 to C2.
| Level | What it means for speaking |
|---|---|
| A2 | You handle short, simple exchanges about familiar things. |
| B1 | You deal with most everyday situations and can describe experiences and plans. |
| B2 | You speak fluently enough for regular conversation with native speakers, and explain your views. |
| C1 | You speak fluently and flexibly at work and socially, without obvious searching for words. |
| C2 | You express yourself precisely, even in complex situations. |
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: Which study pattern works best for speaking?
- Ten minutes a day
- An hour once a week
- Only before an interview
Show the answer
A: Ten minutes a day — Speaking is partly a physical skill, and your mouth needs regular practice.
Quick check: Which should you learn first?
- Long lists of single words
- Phrases, such as “Would you mind if I…?”
- Grammar rules only
Show the answer
B: Phrases, such as “Would you mind if I…?” — A phrase is ready to use. A word list is not.
Quick check: What is the goal for your accent?
- To sound exactly British or American
- To hide where you are from
- To be easy to understand
Show the answer
C: To be easy to understand — Being understood depends on a few key sounds, on stress and on speed, far more than on accent.
Quick check: Which level means you can talk fluently enough for regular conversation with native speakers?
- A2
- B1
- B2
Show the answer
C: B2 — A2 handles short, simple exchanges, B1 most everyday situations, and B2 regular conversation and explaining your views.