26. Hints to Improve Spoken English（提高英语口语须知）

　　1. Speaking English fluently and accurately¹ is a goal of many people studying English in China.
Fluency² can be simply defined as "being able to communicate ideas without having to stop and think
too much about what one is saying"; speaking accurately means "speaking without errors of grammar and vocabulary".

　　1、流利并准确地说英语是中国许多英语学习者的一个目标。流利可简单也定义为“具有交流各种思想的能力，无须停下来对话题进行过多思考”。说舌准确的意思是“说话不犯语法错误和词汇错误”。

　　2. The problem is that many students find that if they try to speak fast, they make more mistakes. And, if they
slow down, there may be fewer errors but it can sound unnatural³. So, how do balance accuracy and fluency in spoken English?

　　2、问题在于：许多学生发现，如果他们试图讲得快，所犯错误就更多。如果他们讲话速度放慢，错误可能会减少，可是听上去就不自然。所以，英语口语的准确与流利，如何才能平衡起来呢?

　　3. It can depend on the manner in which one has studied English in the past. People who tend to focus on
accuracy may find that they worry too much about making mistakes. This can make them nervous or embarrassed
about speaking English in public. As a result, their spoken English might not improve. This means that, although they
know English grammar and vocabulary well, they might not be able to hold a good conversation.

　　3、这可能取决于一个人过去学习英语的态度。那些往往注重于说话准确的人们可能会发现，他们对犯错误操心过多。这可能导致他们在公众场合说英语感到紧张或尴尬。所以，他们的英语口语可能得不到提高。这就意味着，尽管他们掌握了英语语法，也熟悉英语词汇，他们可能不能成功地开展对话。

　　4. On the other hand, there are those who really like to talk and are willing to try their language out even if they
make mistakes. This willingness to take risks helps them speak more fluidly. But, if they make a lot of mistakes, they
may find it difficult to get their ideas across.

　　4、另一方面，有一些人真的很喜欢说话，而且就算讲错，他们都愿意试着说。这种敢于冒险的意愿帮助他们说得更流利。但是如果他们讲话错误百出，就会觉得很难表达自己的思想。

　　5. The debate about which is more important—fluency or accuracy—in the English language has lasted for a long time. Still, one thing is clear: speaking a language well needs both fluency and accuracy. How can we be sure that we can develop both? The following tips could help.

　　5、讲英语流利重要还是准确重要，关于这个问题的辩论持续了很长时间。然而，有一点是明确的，即说好一门语言既要流利又要准确。如何才能做到讲话既流利又准确呢?下面的建议也许会有所帮助。

　　6. Find the problem. What kind of person are you—one who focuses on accuracy or one who focuses on frequency?
The first step is to recognize your problem and go to work on it. Think about situations where you've used English and how
you felt about making mistakes? Do you always try some new language even though it might not be correct? Or do you feel embarrassed by mistakes?

　　6、发现问题。你属于怎样的一类人?—你注重说话准确还是注重说话流利?第一步是认识到你的问题，然后着手解决问题。回想一下你使用过英语的若干情景，你对说错有何感受?即使你不一定说得对，你经常试着讲某种新学的语言吗?你是否因犯错误而感到困窘呢?

　　7. Focus on one problem at a time. When you speak English, find the mistakes you make most often. One mistake
Chinese often make is omitting the "s" from the third person singular verb. Or you may speak too slowly as if you were
searching for the right word and correct grammar. The next time you use English, try to work on those problems you have
identified. If it's fluency, try to focus on it. If you have a problem with the third person singular, try to concentrate on when
you make such errors. Don't spend time thinking about other mistakes. By choosing an area to work on, you can isolate⁴ problems
and help yourself overcome them.

　　7、一次关注一个问题。当你说英语时，找到你最常犯的错误。中国人常犯的一个错误是第三人称单数动词漏掉“s”。或者你可能说得太慢，好像你在寻找合适的单词和正确的语法似的。你下一次使用英语时，力求改正那些你已经认识到的问题。如果是流利的问题，那就力求讲快些。如果你的问题是在第三人称单数，那就尽力专注于你犯此类错误的时候。不要费时思考其他错误。选定解决问题的范畴，你就能使问题孤立起来，各个击破，这样有助于自己克服问题。

　　8. Vary your practice. If you go to an English comer or an English club, try to change the types of activities you take
part in so that you practice both fluency and accuracy. Public speaking allows you to slow down and be sure you have time to concentrate on the language. Meanwhile, discussions are good practice for fluency, especially if you don't stop each time a mistake is made,

　　8、参加各种实践活动。如果你去参加英语角或英语俱乐部，设法改变你参加的活动类型，以便训练英语的流利性和准确性。公共演讲会使你放慢速度，并保证你有时间关注语言。同时，讨论是很好的训练流利的实践活动，如果你不是一出错就停，更是如此。

　　9. Learn the difference between fluency and speed. Some Chinese think that speaking fast is the same as speaking fluently.
In fact, speaking fluently involves not only speed. It also involves stress, pronunciation and intonation⁵. If you make a mistake in
these, speaking fast will only make it worse. Don't sacrifice understanding for speed.

　　9、弄懂流利与速度的差异。有些中国人认为。说话迅速就是说话流利。事实上，说话流利不仅需要说话速度，它同时还涉及重音、语音和语调。如果你在这些方面犯有错误，那么说得快只会使你错得更厉害。不要为了速度而牺牲理解。

　　10. Try recording⁶ yourself. Take a tape recorder and record a conversation with a friend or a speech or monologue⁷ as you do it
naturally! A two-or-three-minute recording is enough. When you've finished, listen to yourself. Can you identify and correct any errors?
Make it a regular practice. The more you record yourself, the more confident and natural sounding you will become.

　　10、自己尝试录音。用录音机录下你与朋友的对话，或录下你自己的落落大方的演讲或独白。录音两三分钟就足够了。录音完毕，专心倾听你自己的录音。你能辨认并矫正错误吗?把这种录音当做常规练习。你自己录音越多，你就越有自信，你的英语听上去会更自然。