Mem - Connecting ideas to sound more fluent

Transcript

1. PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH CONNECTING IDEAS TO SOUND MORE FLUENT
2. WHAT WE’RE COVERING TODAY What Is Fluency—Really? Fluency = Rhythm + Pauses Fluent Vocabulary & Phrases Build a Fluent Answer
3. WHAT IS FLUENCY? REALLY www.englishpriority.com
4. What does being fluent mean to you? Do you think you’re fluent yet? Why or why not?
5. ❌ Fluency Myth ✅ Fluency Truth Fluency = speaking fast Fluency = smooth, connected speech Fluent speakers never make mistakes Everyone makes mistakes — even native speakers! If I pause, I’m not fluent Pauses are normal (and often strategic) Fluency = perfect grammar Fluency = clear communication, not perfection I need to sound like a native to be fluent Fluency = being yourself — clearly and confidently Myth vs. Reality
6. FLUENCY = FLOW + CONFIDENCE + CONNECTION
7. FLUENCY = FLOW + CONFIDENCE + CONNECTION Your ideas move smoothly You speak without fear of judgment You engage with others in real communication
8. FLUENCY = RHYTHM + PAUSES www.englishpriority.com
9. www.englishpriority.com Chunking Thought Groups Linking Sounds
10. Chunking Definition: Grouping words that belong together into small, meaningful phrases (or "chunks"). Purpose: Helps your brain and your listener’s brain process speech more efficiently. Like reading in phrases instead of. every. single. word. Everyday Conversation: Hey, / how’s it going? I’ve been meaning to / talk to you about that. You know what? / I’m not really sure. I was just / about to call you. Let me / get back to you on that. No worries. / It happens all the time Making Plans / Everyday Tasks I’ll pick you up / around seven. Do you wanna / grab coffee tomorrow? Let’s meet up / after lunch. We could try / that new place downtown. I’ll let you know / if anything changes.
11. Chunking Sharing Ideas / Opinions From my point of view, / it just makes sense. Honestly, / I didn’t see that coming. Here’s the thing, / it’s not just about money. What I’m trying to say is, / we need a new approach. To be fair, / he did try his best. At the end of the day, / it’s your call. Asking for Time / Clarifying Wait a sec, / let me think. Can you say that / one more time? Sorry, / I didn’t quite catch that. What was that / you said about the deadline? Hold on, / I need to grab a pen.
12. Thought Groups Definition: Natural pauses in speech that reflect complete ideas. Why it matters: Pausing helps your brain breathe and gives clarity to your message. ➡️ 1 Thought = 1 Breath = 1 Group of Words “After the meeting / I’ll send you the file / so you can review it.” “After the meeting I’ll send you the file so you can review it.”
13. Thought Groups ➡️ 1 Thought = 1 Breath = 1 Group of Words I’m going to the store / after work / to pick up some groceries. I’m going to the store after work to pick up some groceries. She said / she might be a little late / because of traffic. She said she might be a little late because of traffic. Let’s meet / in front of the café / at around six o’clock. Let’s meet in front of the café at around six o’clock.
14. Linking Sounds Definition: In fast, natural speech, words blend together. Native speakers don’t pronounce each word separately. Whaddaya wanna do? What do you want to do? I hafta go I have to go Dju eat yet? Did you eat yet? Consonant + Vowel Linking Consonant + Consonant Linking Intrusion Reduction + Linking
15. Consonant + Vowel Linking Turn it off /Turn-it-off/ Call her up /Call-er-up/ Take it easy /Take-it-easy/ Give it away /Give-it-away/ Read it again /Read-it-again/ Consonant + Consonant Linking I’ll talk to Tom /I’ll talk-to-Tom/ Big game /Big-game/ Next time /Nex-time/ Fast train /Fas-train/
16. Intrusion Go on /Go-won/ (we insert a /w/) Reduction + Linking I’m going to eat /I’m gonna eat/ Sometimes a sound is added to help link words — like /w/, /j/, or /r/. She asked /She-yasked/ (we insert a /y/ sound) Law and order Law-rand-order/ (we insert a soft /r/) Did you see it? /Didja see it?/ Let me see /Lemme see/