Speaking skills
Build Your English Speaking Vocabulary
Knowing a word and being able to use it in conversation are different things. Speaking vocabulary is the set of words and phrases you can reach for instantly.
Why it matters
Learners often study long word lists but use only a small part of them when talking. Learning words in context and using them out loud is what moves vocabulary from “I recognise it” to “I can say it”.
Tips that work
Learn chunks, not single words
Learn “make a decision”, “take a break”, “run out of time” as whole phrases. They’re faster to use and sound more natural.
Group words by topic
Learn vocabulary for a conversation you’ll actually have — work, travel, health — so you can use it straight away.
Use new words within 24 hours
Say a new word in a sentence out loud the same day, then use it in a conversation that week.
Practise active recall
Instead of re-reading lists, cover the English and try to say it from memory. Effortful recall is what makes words stick.
Practice exercises
- Pick five words from a conversation topic and use each in a sentence about your life
- Describe a photo using as many specific words as you can
- Bring three new phrases to your next live session and use them
Practise this live with a tutor
Reading about speaking only gets you so far. Find your level, then join a live conversation session with a tutor and a small group of learners — start with a 5-day free trial.
More speaking skills
- English Pronunciation PracticeGood pronunciation isn’t about losing your accent. It’s about being understood easily, so people focus on what you say rather than how you say it.
- How to Speak English FluentlyFluency means speaking smoothly and confidently without long pauses — even when your English isn’t perfect. It’s a skill you build by speaking, not by studying more grammar.