I can listen but it's hard for me to speadk

[Clandy]

Dear all,

When I listen to English, I can almost understand most of what's said. But
as to speaking, I always feel difficult to find the right expression to tell
what I want to say. How should I do?

Thanks in advance.

Clandy

[Chris Croughton]

On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 23:16:19 +0800, Clandy

Post by Clandy
When I listen to English, I can almost understand most of what's said. But
as to speaking, I always feel difficult to find the right expression to tell
what I want to say. How should I do?

Join the club! I'm a native English speaker, and I often can't find the
right words to say what I mean (or to convey what I mean -- the words
may mean to me what I want to say, but often the listener interprets
them differently). I often find it easier when writing because then I
can take my time to find or remember the words I need, if I pause for
that long in speaking then people think that I've stopped.

The only thing I've found which works is to just say something close to
what I mean and then ask for response to see if the other person has
understood what I meant, and if not I can rephrase it and get closer.
This, in my experience, works in 'foreign' languages as well (for me
those are German and French), as long as the listener is also trying to
help.

Chris C

[Clandy]

Dear Chris,

Thanks for your reply. I I am a Chinese living in China. What kind of club
do u mean? Are u indicating that I should join a local English club?



Clandy~~

Post by Chris Croughton
On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 23:16:19 +0800, Clandy

Post by Clandy
When I listen to English, I can almost understand most of what's said. But
as to speaking, I always feel difficult to find the right expression to tell
what I want to say. How should I do?

Join the club! I'm a native English speaker, and I often can't find the
right words to say what I mean (or to convey what I mean -- the words
may mean to me what I want to say, but often the listener interprets
them differently). I often find it easier when writing because then I
can take my time to find or remember the words I need, if I pause for
that long in speaking then people think that I've stopped.
The only thing I've found which works is to just say something close to
what I mean and then ask for response to see if the other person has
understood what I meant, and if not I can rephrase it and get closer.
This, in my experience, works in 'foreign' languages as well (for me
those are German and French), as long as the listener is also trying to
help.
Chris C

[Chris Croughton]

On Sun, 17 Dec 2006 15:37:31 +0800, Clandy

Post by Clandy
Dear Chris,
Thanks for your reply. I I am a Chinese living in China. What kind of club
do u mean? Are u indicating that I should join a local English club?

Sorry, it's colloquial. It isn't a real 'club', it means that "there
are a lot of other people who have the same problem, enough that if we
got together we could have a club".

Do you work with English speakers? In what context do you need to speak
in English? I've found that usually if people know that you are
searching for a word or a phrase they will wait or make suggestions. It
sounds as though you have knowledge of English which is already good, if
you are talking to native English speakers you could try explaining what
you want to say and ask "Is there a shorter way of saying that?" I do
that sometimes, and English is my native language, so it will be even
more acceptable with someone who has learned it later.

Do you have any other langusges in common, so that you might be able to
say it in another language and ask for the English version?

Chris C

[Clandy]

Post by Chris Croughton
On Sun, 17 Dec 2006 15:37:31 +0800, Clandy

Post by Clandy
Dear Chris,
Thanks for your reply. I I am a Chinese living in China. What kind of club
do u mean? Are u indicating that I should join a local English club?

Sorry, it's colloquial. It isn't a real 'club', it means that "there
are a lot of other people who have the same problem, enough that if we
got together we could have a club".
Do you work with English speakers? In what context do you need to speak
in English? I've found that usually if people know that you are
searching for a word or a phrase they will wait or make suggestions. It
sounds as though you have knowledge of English which is already good, if
you are talking to native English speakers you could try explaining what
you want to say and ask "Is there a shorter way of saying that?" I do
that sometimes, and English is my native language, so it will be even
more acceptable with someone who has learned it later.
Do you have any other langusges in common, so that you might be able to
say it in another language and ask for the English version?
Chris C

I am working at a American company. Although most of the colleagues are
Chinese, I can get a better career if I can speak English very well. And
maybe one day I will emigrate to western countries. So I want to improve my
speaking. Your point is that speaking to a native speaker and asking for
his/her advice. You are quite right. I have a American friend here. But he
is now on travelling :P