Speaking like a Native

To sound like a native speaker you should,

Learn how sounds and words transform in natural speech: Native speakers may cut, mix, combine or leave out words and sounds when speaking.

For example,

(these are written on the board and the instructor reads and explains each)

Going to= gonna 

Want to= wanna 

Got to= gotta

I’d like a cup of coffee.

Not at all.

What are you doing?

How are you? – I’m good.

Did you…?

What do you do?

Use conversation fillers: We use them to take time to think about what we are going to say next. It makes the speech more fluent and coherent.

We can use,

Um, Well, You see, You know, Like, I see, I guess, Basically, I mean, Actually, You know what I mean, etc.

Let’s listen to a paragraph with and without conversation fillers.

What is it like living in New York City?

(Without conversation fillers)

NYC is a really fun place to live. You can find something to do at any time of the day. Some places open 24-hour non-stop. It’s also good that there are a lot of taxis and the public transportation runs 24/7. You don’t need a car here in the City. The shopping although expensive is really good, too. I love NYC bu it is different for everyone. You should come and see how it is.

Now..listen to the same paragraph with fillers..

Um.. Well..I think NYC is a really fun place to live. You know…You can find something to do at any time of the day.. like some places open 24-hour non-stop. It’s also good that there are a lot of taxis and the public transportation runs 24/7. I mean… you don’t need a car here in the City. The shopping, although expensive is really good, too. Personally, I love NYC but I guess, it is kind of different for everyone. Well… you should come and see how it is.