What Is Speaking?

"Speaking" is the delivery of language through the mouth. To speak, we create sounds using many parts of our body, including the lungs, vocal tract, vocal chords, tongue, teeth and lips.

SPEAKING SKILLS

USE an outline format

for your notes

helps you visually recall the structure of your talkhelps you distinguish main points from subordinate ones.

KEEP the

outline as brief

as possibl

e

Too much detail on your notes encourages you to read them to your audience

PRACTICE

speaking with

the notes you have

prepared

your notes will make sense to you at the time you’ll be giving the final presentation

Improving speaking skills

In order to speak clearly, you need

to be clear in your own mind about what you

want to say.

Put your anxiety on the ‘back

burner’ as far as possible, and try to focus on the content of what

is being said. Keep an eye on your notes and

try to make your points at the appropriate moments.

Read any documents that will be discussed at the meeting, and make your own brief notes on them. Also

make a note of any comments

that you will want to make. If

possible, discuss particular points

informally in advance

Speaking is the second of the four language skills, which are:

Listening

Speaking

Reading

Writing

This vocalized form of language usually requires at least one listener. When two or more people speak or talk to

each other, the conversation is called a "dialogue". Speech can flow naturally from one person to another in

the form of dialogue. It can also be planned and rehearsed, as in the delivery of a speech or presentation. Of course, some people talk to themselves! In fact, some English learners practise speaking standing alone in front

of a mirror.

Speaking can be formal or informal:

Informal speaking is typically used with family and friends, or people you know well.

Formal speaking occurs in business or academic situations, or when meeting people for the first time.