Why do you want to learn English? Is it to go to a university in the U.S.? Or maybe, are you taking English classes to get a higher salary at work? Or possibly you just want to travel the U.S and decided to get a few English lessons while you’re here. Well, no matter your reason for learning, there is always a common goal amongst students: become better speakers of English. Here are a few tips to help you achieve that goal.

1. Immerse yourself in English speaking environments. It doesn’t matter if you are in a classroom, at a bar or just at the grocery store; you can practice and improve your English in any environment. Even better, you can get American or English speaking roommates when you are living in the U.S., so you can practice even at home!

2. Watch movies! Everyone loves watching movies, so why not practice your English at the same time? At first, you can start with subtitles IN ENGLISH, and gradually as you get better, turn off the subtitles. It really helps your speaking when you hear English spoken out loud.

3. Join free conversation clubs or go to a Meetup where the focus is on English conversations. Many language schools, such as Connect English, have free conversation classes open to anyone at any level. You will meet some really cool people and improve your English at the same time.

4. Read, Read, Read! Studies show that when students read quietly or out loud, they improve their speaking skills faster than students who don’t read regularly. Don’t worry though; you don’t need to begin with the latest edition of The Economist. You can start with something small, like a children’s book or an easy article in a magazine you might enjoy.

5. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! This is probably the most important tip you can get. English is not going to flow perfectly out of your mouth every time you speak. Even natives mess it up some times. Don’t be shy; no one cares if you mess up the verb tense or need a few seconds to find the right word. The most important thing is that you are trying and practicing! If you are confident and brave, your speaking will improve dramatically.