Why Practising English with Others Is the Secret to Fluency

Inspired by the 2023 University of Toronto Study on Speaking Practice and Social Interaction

If you want to speak English fluently, you can’t just study English — you need to use it. Grammar rules and vocabulary lists are important, but fluency comes from real conversations.

Three friends engaged in a lively conversation outdoors, surrounded by lush greenery.

A 2023 study from the University of Toronto found that students who regularly practised English with other people improved their speaking speed, confidence, and vocabulary recall much faster than those who studied alone.

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What the Study Found

Researchers followed two groups of English learners for 12 weeks:

• One group studied individually using online materials and grammar exercises.

• The other group joined weekly conversation sessions with peers and teachers.

At the end of the study, the conversation group improved fluency and accuracy by 61%, while the solo learners improved only 27%.

The main difference? Social interaction.When you speak with others, you activate more areas of the brain — language, emotion, and memory. This helps you recall words faster and speak more naturally.

The study also showed that real communication helps learners think in English instead of translating from their first language.

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Why Speaking Practice Works

Every time you have a conversation, your brain connects thoughts, words, and emotions. These connections make English feel more natural over time.

Social interaction also gives you immediate feedback — you hear how others speak, learn new expressions, and fix mistakes in real time.

When you practise speaking, you’re not just learning vocabulary — you’re training your communication reflexes. That’s what turns knowledge into fluency.

How to Practise Speaking English Effectively

Here are some science-backed tips from the University of Toronto study to help you speak English more confidently:

1. Join English-speaking communities

Find online or local groups where people speak English. Platforms like Preply, HelloTalk, or Tandem connect you with learners and native speakers around the world.

2. Use video calls instead of text

Talking face-to-face (even online) improves pronunciation, listening, and confidence much more than chatting through text messages.

3. Practise short conversations daily

You don’t need an hour-long lesson. Just 10–15 minutes a day of real conversation builds fluency over time.

4. Don’t fear mistakes

In the Toronto study, students who spoke freely — even with errors — improved faster than those who waited to speak perfectly. Mistakes are signs of growth, not failure.

5. Record yourself

Listening to your own speech helps you notice pronunciation patterns and track progress. You’ll be surprised how quickly you improve.

Real-Life Ways to Use English Every Day

• Talk to friends or coworkers in English, even for small things.

• Join online English-speaking clubs or live events.

• Watch interviews or podcasts and repeat short phrases aloud.

• Practise “thinking” in English — describe what you’re doing in your mind.

Remember, fluency isn’t built in silence — it’s built through connection, conversation, and confidence.

Final Thoughts

The University of Toronto study confirms what teachers have said for years: To become fluent, you need to use English socially — not just study it.

When you interact with others, you train your brain to respond faster, understand context, and use natural expressions. It’s the difference between knowing English and living it.

So don’t wait for the “perfect” moment to speak — start now. Join a class, find a conversation partner, or talk to yourself in English.Every sentence you say brings you one step closer to fluency.