SPEAKING English fluently and accurately is a goal of many people studying English in China.

Fluency 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”. 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 unnatural. So, how do we balance accuracy and fluency in spoken English? It can depend on the manner in which one had 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. 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. 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. ( to be continued)