Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where you know what you want to say, but the words don’t come out fast enough? Perhaps in a meeting, someone asks for your opinion and while you’re still forming your response, the conversation moves on. This is a common challenge for non-native English speakers. It’s not about a lack of knowledge; it’s about mastering spontaneous speaking.
The Importance of Spontaneous Speaking
Unlike rehearsed speech, spontaneous speaking happens in real-time. This skill is crucial in professional settings where you need to respond quickly in meetings and discussions. That is, to express ideas without overthinking grammar and/or vocabulary use.
Many professionals think that improving their English fluency means studying more vocabulary or practicing grammar drills. I believe that one of the most effective ways to build fluency is through spontaneous speaking exercises—deliberate practice that helps you think and respond faster in English. These can be done alone and with a conversation partner
Techniques to Improve Spontaneous Speaking
Absolutely! Structured frameworks— like Problem-Solution-Benefit and the ‘What? So what? Now what? model— can be valuable tools. But as you know, real-life conversations don’t always follow predictable patterns. To improve your ability to think and speak freely without relying on structure, try the following approaches:
The “Keep Talking” Challenge
Pick a random topic, set a 1-minute timer and start talking—no pausing, no stopping. If you get stuck, rephrase instead of stopping. This forces you to stay in the conversation even when you don’t have the perfect words.
🎙️ Example: Morning Routines
“I wake up early because I like to have time before work. Uh… I usually drink coffee, but sometimes tea. And, um… I check emails, but actually, I try not to. I think mornings are better when I don’t start with a screen. So instead, I stretch or go for a walk. It helps me feel more awake…”
The “Story Telling Without Overthinking” Method
Tell a short story about something that happened recently—without planning it. Add details as you speak. If you get stuck, use filler words (so… anyway… then I realized… you know what I mean?). This helps your brain practice navigating language in real-time, just like a natural conversation.
🎙️ Example: The Last Time I Got Lost
“Oh, this was funny. I was in a new city, and I thought I knew where I was going. But, uh… I took the wrong turn, and suddenly, nothing looked familiar. I checked my phone, but the GPS wasn’t working. So I asked a stranger, and he gave me completely wrong directions! In the end, I found a cafe, sat down, and tried again. And then I realized… I was just one block away from where I needed to be!”
The “Improv Conversation” Exercise
Imagine you’re in a random conversation and respond as if you were in real life. Pick a situation (e.g., small talk at a conference, running into an old friend, answering an unexpected question in a meeting). No preparation—just start speaking. This trains your brain to respond naturally in professional and social interactions.
🎙️ Example: So, what do you do?
“Oh! I work in software solutions. Basically, I help companies improve their efficiency through automation. It’s super interesting because… well, every company is different. Some need AI tools, some just need better workflows. I guess I spend a lot of time problem-solving. What about you?”
Conversation Prompts to Start Your Daily Practice
I’d like to share a small batch of conversation prompts as these can be a great tool for practicing spontaneous speaking. I recommend that you consider doing these both alone and with a conversation partner. Also, set aside a few minutes everyday for this. You may even want to mark this in your calendar to make sure that you set aside some time for this.
Fun and Light Topics
- Describe your favorite vacation spot.
- Talk about your favorite hobby.
- Discuss your favorite book or movie.
- Share a funny or embarrassing moment.
- Explain your favorite recipe.
Work-related Topics
- Describe a project you’re currently working on.
- Talk about a challenge you recently overcame at work.
- Discuss a professional achievement you’re proud of.
- Share your career goals.
- Explain your role in your current job.
Storytelling Prompts
1. A Memorable Trip: Describe a memorable trip you took and why it stands out in your memory.
2. Overcoming a Challenge: Share a story about a time you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it.
3. A Learning Experience: Talk about a mistake you made and what you learned from it.
4. A Proud Achievement: Tell a story about something you achieved that you’re particularly proud of and why it means so much to you.
5. An Inspirational Person: Describe someone who has inspired you and how they’ve influenced your life.
Role play topics
1.Unexpected Meeting at a Conference: Imagine you’ve run into an old colleague at a professional conference. They ask, “What have you been up to since we last met?”
2. Small Talk at a Social Event: You’re at a social event and someone you’ve just met asks, “What’s the most interesting book you’ve read recently and why did you like it?”
3. Impromptu Presentation: You’re asked to give an impromptu presentation on a project you’re working on. The prompt is, “Can you tell us about your current project and its impact?”
4. Unexpected Question in a Meeting: During a meeting, your boss suddenly asks, “What’s one change we could make to our team’s workflow that would improve our efficiency?”
5. Casual Conversation with a Friend: You’re catching up with a friend who asks, “What’s a new hobby or interest you’ve picked up recently and why do you enjoy it?”
Remember, the goal is not to prepare a perfect response, but to practice thinking and speaking on the spot.
Final Thoughts
Improving spontaneous speaking is a journey that requires regular, low-pressure practice. Keep practicing, and you’ll steadily feel more confident speaking spontaneously in work and non-work conversations.
