Conversation - Speechling Official Blog

Agreeing in Chinese: 8 Ways to Say Yes in Mandarin

You might be surprised to learn that in Chinese, there is no single word that translates directly to the English word "Yes". Instead, Chinese has multiple ways of confirming, approving, and agreeing that vary with context. Speakers of many Romance and other languages can answer a wide variety

English

How to Answer the Phone in English

Phone calls. Love them, hate them, you have to admit: even the biggest texter needs to make a phone call at some point. You've surely done it a bunch--you often need to use the phone for: Doctor's appointments Technical support Interviews Customer service requests Making reservations And so much more.

German

How to Start a Conversation in German

For most of us, the last thing we learn is how to converse. This makes sense during those first few weeks where you just learn how to say hello and introduce yourself - that's not a real conversation. By the time you are two months into the learning process though,

Mandarin

Chinese Conversation Tips: How to Talk to Strangers

When you're ready to take your Mandarin Chinese skills to the streets for some real life practice, how do you address people you've never met? Make sure you get off on the right foot and read these tips!

English

How to Speak Informal English: Slang, Contractions, and More

Do you find that your English sounds too formal compared to your peers? It can be tough to transition from learning proper English on paper to sounding like a native when you speak out loud. But don’t worry! Throughout this article, you will learn all about casual contractions, words,

English

How to Speak German with Self Confidence

Learning to speak a foreign language and confidence do not seem like concepts that belong together. If you are learning German and someone asks you to speak in German, the only time you are likely to feel confident in your abilities is if that person does not speak German. From

French

4 Ways to Learn French While You Sleep

It's well known that French language learning revolves around trying to communicate in the target language. French lessons involving speaking, writing, reading and listening all go hand-in-hand and provide the best way to learn French. All that learning can be exhausting, but here's good news! Even while sleeping, you can

French

6 Ways to Find an Online French Language Exchange

Learning how to have a French conversation can be daunting, but with the right penpals or conversation exchange partners, it can be loads of fun, too! Once you've committed yourself to learning a language, you'll want to find the best way to learn French. Instead of paying for expensive tutoring

English

How to Find an English Conversation Partner Online

I get this complaint from my students all the time: "Sir, we're having fun in our English classes and all, but is there any way we could find like an everyday conversation partner to talk English with outside of class? That would be so cool!" Well, let me

Spanish

5 Spanish Words With No Direct English Translation

There is one thing all language learners eventually realize: language is a window to human behavior, and Spanish is no different! Perhaps it is one of the greatest pleasures when exploring the deepest corners of the Spanish language and its variations. There are simply too many words and expressions that

French

3 Ways to Learn French Slang Phrases

If you're reading this article, your goal is probably not to sound gross but rather to speak more like native speakers, who often use different words and colloquial forms that only they seem to know. There are tons of articles on the web about French slang words and phrases. In

English

The Best Ways to Give and Ask for Directions in English

Ever found yourself lost in a different country where your native language isn't necessarily the language spoken there? Maybe stuck at an airport in between two flights? Yes? Okay, great. This article will provide you with the best words and phrases for giving and asking for directions in English regardless

French

3 Tricks to Pass For a Native French Speaker

Are you fluent in French but still not satisfied with the way you speak? If you're an intermediate French speaker looking to improve your speech, this article is for you.

French

4 Tips to Improve Your Conversational French

Building up your French conversation skills is one of the hardest parts of the learning process. If you went down the conventional approach, you may have studied the grammar and learned the key vocabulary items that you need for day-to-day interactions. However, you may have faced a hurdle when it

French

Top 6 Books To Help You Learn French

Parlez-vous Français? Not really, but would you like and also need to learn how to? What if we told you that you will master this language? Oh, Mon Dieu! As a former French learner, I must say that one of the most efficient methods that helped me break the barriers

Spanish

The Pronunciation Mistakes That Make You Sound Like a Gringo

The Spanish language is a beautiful thing. Travel is also a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, too many travelers in both Latin America and Spain find several ways to combine the two in ways that should never be combined. Although you may have taken two or three years of Spanish in high

English

Why Did I Say That?! 3 Mistakes to Avoid in Conversational English

I am sure you have found yourself in a situation where you were uncertain of whether something you wanted to say was going to sound correct or appropriate enough plenty of times. I know I have. Even to this day, I still do. It is inherent for the human mind