How to Practice English Speaking If You Don’t Live in an English-Speaking Country

“I want to speak better English, but I don’t have anyone to practice with.”

Sound familiar?

This is one of the most common challenges I hear from adult learners.

You live in a non-English-speaking country, and your daily life doesn’t give you many opportunities to use English out loud.

The good news? There are proven ways to improve your speaking skills—even if you don’t live in the UK, US, or Australia.

Let me show you how.

✅ 1. Speak to Yourself (Yes, Really)

It may feel strange at first, but thinking and speaking out loud in English helps you build fluency and confidence.

Try this:

• Describe your morning routine out loud:

“I wake up at 7. I make coffee. I check my email.”

• Talk through what you’re doing as you do it:

“Now I’m opening the window. I’m checking the weather. It’s cloudy today.”

🎯 Why it works: You practice vocabulary + grammar + pronunciation with no pressure.

✅ 2. Use Shadowing: Speak With the Video

Watch a short video (1–2 minutes), and repeat every sentence out loud after the speaker—with the same tone and speed.

🎥 Great sources:

• TED Talks (with subtitles)

• YouTube interviews

• English learning podcasts

🧠 This helps with:

• Pronunciation

• Rhythm

• Fluency

• Listening speed

✅ 3. Record Yourself

Use your phone or computer to record a short answer to a question like:

• “What did you do this weekend?”

• “What’s your job like?”

• “How do you relax after work?”

Then listen back. Pay attention to:

• Hesitation

• Grammar

• Pronunciation

🎯 Bonus: Save your recordings and compare them every month to see your progress!

✅ 4. Use Speaking Apps

✅ Try these:

• Elsa Speak – Pronunciation practice

• HelloTalk – Speak with language exchange partners

• Speaky / Tandem – Find English-speaking partners

• YouGlish – Hear real-life pronunciation examples

✅ 5. Book a Real Conversation Lesson

There’s no substitute for speaking with a trained teacher who helps you fix your mistakes and grow your confidence.

In my 1:1 lessons, we focus on:

• Speaking spontaneously

• Business or social topics

• Grammar correction + fluency building

Even one lesson per week can make a big difference.

🎯 Practice Challenge This Week:

• Record yourself for 60 seconds each day

• Try shadowing 3 minutes of a TED Talk

• Use 1 new expression in a voice message or live call

• Book a speaking lesson and talk about your goals

© Henry English Hub | henryenglishhub.com
Practice anywhere. Speak with confidence. Progress daily.