Check and Evaluate Your English Speaking Skills

How to Check and Evaluate Your English Speaking Skills

Evaluating your English-speaking ability requires a structured approach. Here are 5 key areas, with practical examples included, to help you assess your pronunciation, word stress, sentence melody, connected speech, and rhythm.

1. Pronunciation

Key Points to Check:

1. Individual Sound Accuracy:

   • Practical Example: Practice minimal pairs like ship vs. sheep or then vs. den. Record yourself to check if you’re producing these sounds correctly.

2. Consistency:

   • Practical Example: Try reading a short paragraph aloud. Pay attention to repeating sounds like the "th" in thisand that to ensure consistency.

3. Clarity of Speech:

   • Practical Example: Ask a friend or language partner to listen to your speech. If they frequently ask you to repeat yourself, work on clearer articulation.

4. Influence of Native Language:

   • Practical Example: Identify sounds in English that don’t exist in your native language (e.g., "r" vs. "l" for Japanese speakers) and practice them in context: red vs. led.

5. Use of Phonetic Substitutes:

   • Practical Example: If you tend to replace w with v (e.g., west pronounced as vest), practice sentences with both sounds: We will walk westward.

2. Word Stress

Key Points to Check:

1. Correct Stress Placement:

   • Practical Example: Practice stressing the right syllable in words like CONtract (noun) and conTRACT (verb). Say them in sentences: "I signed the CONTRACT." vs. "They want to CONTRACT a new team."

2. Consistency in Stress Patterns:

   • Practical Example: Read a list of multisyllabic words like comfortable, photographer, and important. Repeat them until the stress feels natural.

3. Stress and Meaning:

   • Practical Example: Use pairs where stress changes meaning: "I will record the RECORD." Practice emphasizing the correct syllable for nouns and verbs.

4. Stress in Compound Words:

   • Practical Example: Practice sentences like "The GREENhouse is warm." vs. "The green HOUSE is small."

5. Natural Rhythm with Stress:

   • Practical Example: Read poetry or song lyrics. Focus on the rhythm of stressed and unstressed syllables, such as: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star."

3. Sentence Melody (Intonation)

Key Points to Check:

1. Natural Intonation Patterns:

   • Practical Example: Record yourself reading questions and statements. Check if your voice naturally rises at the end of questions ("Are you coming?") and falls for statements ("I am going.").

2. Appropriate Rising/Falling Intonation:

   • Practical Example: Practice with tag questions: "You’re coming, aren’t you?" (rising) and "It’s cold today, isn’t it?" (falling).

3. Emotion and Emphasis:

   • Practical Example: Say a sentence like "I didn’t say she stole the money." Emphasize a different word each time to change the meaning.

4. Clarity and Cohesion:

   • Practical Example: Tell a short story. Use intonation to emphasize key points: "Then suddenly, the door OPENED!"

5. Smooth Transitions:

   • Practical Example: Practice linking phrases smoothly: "I wanted to go, but I couldn’t." Focus on making it sound natural.

4. Connected Speech Features

Key Points to Check:

1. Linking Between Words:

   • Practical Example: Practice phrases like "Go out," "Sit down," or "Put it on." Focus on connecting the sounds.

2. Elision and Assimilation:

   • Practical Example: Use fast speech contractions: "I’m gonna" for "I am going to" and "Wanna" for "want to."

3. Reduction of Function Words:

   • Practical Example: Practice reducing words like "to" ("tuh") in sentences: "I’m going to the park" becomes "I’m going tuh the park."

5. Rhythm and Flow

Key Points to Check:

1. Pacing:

   • Practical Example: Read a short text aloud. Use a timer to ensure you’re neither rushing nor pausing excessively.

2. Balance Between Stressed and Unstressed Syllables:

   • Practical Example: Repeat sentences like "I’m GOing to the MARket." Focus on stressing key words while reducing others.

3. Use of Pauses:

   • Practical Example: Record yourself giving a short presentation. Pause after key ideas: "Today, I want to talk about… [pause] communication skills."

Additional Tips for Practice:

• Use Apps: Tools like YouTube, language-learning apps, or pronunciation trainers can provide examples and feedback.

• Listen to Native Speakers: Mimic their rhythm, intonation, and stress patterns.

• Join Speaking Groups: Practicing with others helps you improve fluency and confidence.

• Work With a Teacher: Professional feedback can identify and address specific weaknesses.

By following these steps and practicing the provided examples, you can systematically evaluate and improve your English-speaking skills!