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Fluency, pronunciation and nerves

By Michael Ukwuma

How to sound clear and calm even when English is your second or third language.

Clear beats fast

Speak at a steady pace. Rushing makes your words run together. Pause briefly at the end of each idea. A short pause sounds confident, not weak.

Stress and rhythm

English stresses the important words in a sentence. Practise saying a sentence aloud and tap on the important words. Listen to short audio from native speakers and repeat after them, matching the rhythm.

Handle nerves

Before you speak, take one slow breath. Remember that the marker is looking for clear communication, not a perfect accent. If you make a small mistake, keep going. Correcting yourself briefly is fine, but repeated stopping will hurt your fluency.

Key points

• Steady pace and short pauses.
• Stress the important words.
• Keep going after a small mistake.