Basic Strategies for Speaking English Speaking English is a demanding skill in ELT. Learners who are not native speaker of English are forced to speak English. There are four steps that should be followed to improve oral communication skills. 1. Don’t study grammar 2. Learn and study phrases 3. Reading and listening is not enough. Practice speaking what you hear. 4.Submerge yourself. The aim of this study is to clarify that speaking skills of English can be improved by following these four steps. According to the research that was done by Rebecca L. Oxford, in 1990, communications help students speak effectively. However, it is important that they should avoid translating while speaking. Another research that was done by Andrew D. Cohen, in 1999, it is important to produce strategies for oral speech skills. Learners should improve appropriate strategies that will be helpful for their speaking process. Mersin University, ELT Department, 2009 Kübra Çelik & Ferda Dede & Literature Review Cohen, Andrew D. (1999). Strategies in Learning and Using a Second Language, Vol. 3, No. 4, London and New York: Longman Oxford, Rebecca L. (1990). Language Learning Strategies : What every teacher should know, Rowley, MA: Newbury House. The University of Alabama Introduction DON’T STUDY GRAMMAR This step may be strange for English learners. In fact, knowing grammar rules in detail is one of the most important rules for learning English. However, it is not true for speaking fluently. It is believed that studying grammar can only slow the learners down. It is known that many ESL students know more grammar than native speakers. LEARN and STUDY PHRASES Knowing words is very important for speaking English. However, the words should be combined with the phrases. If learners know lots of words but they do not know enough phrases, they cannot speak fluently because they cannot make correct sentences. Also, learners should avoid translating. It is true that there are some differences between two languages. Therefore, translating causes slow and incorrect speaking. READING and LISTENING is NOT ENOUGH. PRACTICE SPEAKING WHAT YOU HEAR Reading, listening, speaking, and writing are the most important skills of languages. However, some of them have priority. In fact, the right order is listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In contrast, the order for ESL students is reading, listening, speaking then writing. SUBMERGE YOURSELF The most important point is practicing. If there is an opportunity to speak with native speakers, it will be more effective. However, the opportunity cannot be possible for everybody. For this reason, learners can find alternative ways. For example; learners may agree on with their friends that they will only speak English. The rule can help them speak fluently. Besides, they can listen to English constantly. If learners submerge themselves in English, they will learn faster. Moreover, recording can be a good way. Because learners evaluate themselves with the help of recording. They can recognize their mistakes and distractions. Basic Strategies Conclusion References It is understood that applying these steps can be effective for learners. They can find alternative ways. However, these strategies are the basic ones. For this reason, if they are followed carefully, it is inevitable to speak fluently.