Language practice

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Jan 31st 2012 05:22 practice talking

So guys, what are your suggestions on getting some language practice? I've been studying English for god knows how many years now, and I have no problem at all watching movies, shows, random talks, understanding humor and such. I do, admittedly, have some problems reading books, mainly because of weird and unusual words (Like "eerie", for example. You just don't hear it in day to day speech.), but my Kindle takes care of them.

Problems start when I try to communicate. I seem to think a lot longer than I should before I actually respond and it makes me feel slow and stupid.

As far as I know, there is no way to practice communicating but to _actually communicate_ with people. :) Finding someone to talk to in written form is easy, but making a vocal contact is the tricky part.

My question is: Where can I find someone to talk to? I am really embarrassed by my accent, but I can live with that. I really need someone who can criticize the hell out of my pronunciation so that I will eventually get better.

Skype, MSN (Does anyone use it anymore?), facebook, other websites, whatever you can think of.

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Jan 31st 2012 05:33 Bad Sushi

English
Swedish , Czech

You just don't hear it in day to day speech.), but my Kindle takes care of them.
You just don't hear it in day-to-day speech.), but my Kindle takes care of them.

I seem to think a lot longer than I should before I actually respond and it makes me feel slow and stupid.
I seem to think a lot longer than I should before I actually respond, and it makes me feel slow and stupid.

As far as I know, there is no way to practice communicating but to _actually communicate_ with people.
As far as I know, there is no way to practice communicating but to actually communicate with people. Use italics for emphasis.

I am really embarrassed by my accent, but I can live with that.
I am really embarrassed about my accent, but I can live with that.

I really need someone who can criticize the hell out of my pronunciation so that I will eventually get better.
I really need someone who can criticize the hell out of my pronunciation, so that I will eventually get better.

You're right. You can only really speak better by speaking. Although I don't know if you need another person. Maybe try talking to yourself?

However, do you translate in your head between English and Russian? Or can you think solely in one language or the other? If not, that could be something to work on, both reading and listening to English without mentally translating it to Russian, and writing and speaking English without translating it from Russian.

As for live speaking partners, I'd be willing to help you out. I don't have a webcam, but I do have a microphone for the time being. I don't know if that setup is useable or not.

Jan 31st 2012 05:41 skammer

Thanks!

I tried talking to myself, mostly in my head. I gets really awkward if I try to talk to myself out loud.

And no, I don't translate things in my head. It is if I'm just thinking in English when I am using it.

Jan 31st 2012 05:35 Everar

English
Japanese

I have an idea that might be strange or unconventional. Try Omegle.com or Chatroulette. It will immediately pair you with a random person in a chatroom, and most of them speak English. I did this a few times with Brazillian Portugese speakers and it was a lot of fun trying to communicate. haha

Just be careful of people on these websites looking for sex. Skip them if you wish. :P

Skype is the most popular tool for English speakers communicating over a microphone, but I don't have a microphone myself.

Jan 31st 2012 05:43 skammer