A virtuous cycle is a process through which you steadily improve over time. Think of improving your English fluency as not going from point A to point B, but, rather, like a spiral that grows over time as in the graphic. You'll start off slowly, but you'll expand, you will become more fluent, which will lead you to want to speak more and so on. The key to improving fluency is to grow slowly over time and take time for the process. It doesn't happen over night, so you need to have the right attitude: I'm going to make mistakes, and I'll learn from them.
This may seem like a simple answer, and it is! However, over the years I've noticed that students who are willing too make the most mistakes are also the students who more quickly become fluent in English.
Students who are overly worried about being correct may do very well on grammar tests, but they often have difficulties speaking English. That's because they become too self-aware and don't allow themselves to join in the flow of a conversation.
They go from this topic to that topic, nothing is forced. If you listen to closely to yourself, or are constantly thinking "Is this right?", you'll block the flow of the river. It sounds simplistic, but I've noticed it to be absolutely true. Even if you have difficulties finding the right words, take your time, find the words and participate. Don't criticize yourself.
Here's a way to think about improving your fluency through conversation.
下面是怎样通过对话来提高流利度的方法。
Trust yourself to speak.
相信自己能行。
Make a number of mistakes, but continue the conversation.
即使会犯错误,也会坚持练习。
Listen to your partner speak on the same subject.
同样的话题,听听你的搭档是怎么说的。
Notice differences between the vocabulary you've used, and the vocabulary your partner has used.
留意你和搭档在用词上的差异。
Compare the differences and consider the following questions:
将这些差别进行对比,并考虑下面的问题:
1. Can you pick up any new vocabulary?
你能学会使用新词汇吗?
2. Were there any differences in the way your partner used the expressions?
你的搭档所使用的表达和你有不同点吗?
3. Why were there differences?
不同点在哪里?
4. Were they differences in grammar usage?
在语法的使用上,你们有不同点吗?
If you are speaking with native speakers, pay special attention to small things like the preposition used in a phrasal verb.
如果你和英语母语者交谈,要留意一些细节,例如动词短语中介词的使用。
Start to change your own expressions using the knowledge you've gained.
利用你所学的知识来改变你的表达。
This process takes place naturally, but thinking about this process consciously will help you make it part of your English learning process.
这个过程是自然而然地进行的,但是下意识地去思考这个过程会事情成为你学习英语过程中的一部分。
Once you've done this, your English will improve much more rapidly. However, it takes time, so have patience and trust yourself!
当你做到这些,你的英语会进步得更快。但这也是需要时间的,所以,有耐心一点,相信自己!
5.I Don't Want to Speak until I'm Perfect OR I'll Make Too Many Mistakes!
英语说得溜才能开口,或者我担心犯太多错误!
Many students who are unsure may feel like they shouldn't speak until everything's just right. Or, perhaps they feel that they'll make too many mistakes. For me, there's no such thing as too many mistakes. The more mistakes you make, the better - if you pay attention.
If you worry about making too many mistakes, you're not paying attention to improving your English. By taking your attention off your own mistakes, and comparing your English to your partner's you'll become more relaxed and better able to speak English.
Something you really love to do, a place you enjoy visiting, anything you're interested in. Find a partner, and talk like the expert you are. It'll build confidence and you can put some of these ideas to practice because you'll be more relaxed.