Remote Workers Guide : Improve English Speaking Skills

If you're planning on working remotely, or you've already joined an international team, you might wonder, "Do I need to improve my English speaking skills?"

Formulating your thoughts in your native language can be smooth sailing. You've been speaking it since you were a child, duh! You do not need to overthink, translate phrases in your mind, or guess the emotions based on intonations.

But something different happens when we open our mouths and speak a foreign language. We usually have a difficult time speaking other languages.

That's because language is a complex phenomenon that challenges your brain (to construct new frameworks) and time (to practice and sustain knowledge).

Even bilingual people have trouble understanding some of the phrases and definitions. So why not take a little time off your day and improve your English speaking skills to enhance the quality of remote work or prepare for your upcoming interview at a remote company?

I've gathered some tips and tricks I used to improve MY English speaking skills, that I believe will help you too.

1. Start Your Journey to Better English by Establishing a Daily Speaking Routine

I know it's not the first time you'll read this, but - consistency is the key!

Learning a new language is a journey. Think of a video game where you have to defeat small goons, take sidequests, and face the final boss. At first, you have to learn grammar; you progress to learning words and end up formulating sentences with ease.

Even though video games have sidequests, you always follow the path to the final boss. What I'm trying to say is - while there are various methods of learning English, consistency is an undeniable part of them.

Regularly practicing your English speaking skills can:

Help you establish a habit loop;
Give you more confidence and self-assurance;
Improve your speaking skills seamlessly.

You know your schedule better than we do. Find a comfortable organizer and analyze your weekly routine. Find spots where you can practice English speaking skills for 30 minutes daily.

2. Improve Your English Speaking Skills by Enrolling in Offline Networking Events

Did you think I was going to suggest virtual networking?

Hopping on a webinar or a video call is easy and less stressful. You have your trusty Google at arms reach, can quickly search for unfamiliar words, and avoid difficult situations.

Not that it's a bad thing! You can enjoy virtual networking as much as offline.

Keep in mind, though. In real life, you'll have less time to use technology, and your brain will focus on understanding people around you. You might start paying attention to their words and phrases and engage in full conversation.

If you're not up to meeting people offline, you can always find an English conversation partner online and practice your speaking skills.

3. Understand the Common Challenges Non-native English Speakers Face When Working Remotely With an International Team

As you walk into the world of remote work, you'll quickly realize how different the English language can be. Language nuances, cultural differences, and accents can lead to misinterpreting messages.

Define the common challenges you might face when working remotely to address them beforehand:

Difficulty expressing ideas clearly;
Misunderstanding cultural references and norms;
Lack of awareness about communication styles in a multicultural environment;
Hesitancy in expressing opinions or asking questions in a non-native language;
Fear of being misunderstood or making errors in written communication;
Difficulty in pronouncing certain sounds, leading to misunderstandings;
Difficulty keeping up with fast-paced native speakers.

Write down more of what you can think of and address them daily. It is just one part of improving your English speaking skills.

4. Have a Trusty Collection of Language-learning Apps and Tools

Open any app store, and you'll find language-learning apps immediately. You'll find thousands of them!

Searching for the right tools to improve your English speaking skills can be difficult, but I'm here to give you my secret tips:

Captions - Turn on captions for every online meeting (if the platform allows). Use captions when watching videos on YouTube, TV Shows on Netflix, and more;
Social Media - Use influencer hype for your goals. Here's a list of English language learning accounts on Instagram;
Language Learning Apps - Download the Speechling app to improve your English speaking skills. You'll be able to communicate with real-life native speakers who can check your pronunciation and help you with your journey;
Voice Memos - Record yourself with your voice memo app whenever you have an idea. Go back to them, analyze old recordings, and compare them to new ones.

5. Play a Little Make-believe to Help You with Your English Speaking Skills

I love make-believe! I sometimes pretend I'm a famous cook (even though I cook like a newly hatched penguin) whenever I'm in my kitchen. I imagine having an audience and teaching them a recipe.

Find some activity that you enjoy and do a little role-play. Imagine you also have an audience and explain the directions and details to them in English. It will help you practice your English speaking skills and improve them over time.

Another great thing you can do is have a video journal.

I watched my friend record video journals every single day for a year. She started learning English at 23 and, after two years, her speaking skills are impeccable.

Video journaling can be therapeutic, but in this case, it can help you overcome your fear (or lack of practice) of speaking in English.

The Speechling method provides recordings that are stored in users’ audio journals. Not only can users listen to their own recordings, but they can also receive feedback from native speaker coaches. This allows them to identify weaknesses in their English speaking skills and work on improving them.

6. Write Down Everything That Comes to Your Mind at the End of the Day

Again - journaling, but trust me, this works!

Researches show that writing helps you relieve stress, structure your thoughts, and help with disorganization. That's why therapists recommend journaling every day.

I'm not a therapist, although I've tried journaling, and I've been writing for years. I know how beneficial it can be for you.

Don't sweat it if you don't have creative ideas. Start writing anything that comes to your mind.

Another trick that helps improve your speaking skills is reading out loud what you wrote. It can help you see if your text has a natural flow and how your voice and pronunciation sound.

7. Try Mimicking English Native Speakers

Last but not least - mimicking can be an effective strategy to improve your speaking skills and general communication abilities.

Speech therapists often use mimicking with their clients to help them reduce accents and improve pronunciation.

Did you know that babies learn to enunciate words by mimicking?

Yes! This might be the best strategy to learn and improve your English speaking skills.

It's Never Too Late to Improve Speaking English

Don't worry if you're not there yet and if you make mistakes. Remote hiring companies have experience employing international talent and won't be shocked by strong accents or random mistakes.

Set a rational goal for yourself and use the tips and tricks I provided for you to work on your speaking skills.

Don't forget to improve your vocabulary and take a look at a glossary of business words and phrases in English. It can help you better understand cultural differences and idioms you won't come across in your textbooks.

Be sure to share this article with your friends if you find these tips helpful, and good luck on your journey to better English speaking skills.