Speaking English fluently is a valuable skill that opens countless opportunities in today’s world. Yet, for many, the journey to fluency feels daunting. The good thing is that mastering spoken English doesn’t require perfection or hours of rigorous study—it thrives on practice and consistency in daily life.

English is not a hard nut to crack. All it takes is determination and the willingness to start talking right away, shaking off your shyness and fear. Just take that first step, and soon you will find yourself becoming fluent in spoken English. Fluency is not something that happens overnight, but it will come naturally with consistent effort. You won’t even notice how or when you’ve become fluent, much like how one falls asleep without realizing the exact moment they drift off. Can anyone pinpoint the exact hour, minute, or second they started sleeping? Of course not! Yet, when we wake up, we feel refreshed and know that we had been sleeping. Similarly, don't worry about the timeline or measure your progress every day. Instead, focus on starting your journey right now.

‘What is the first requirement for making a uniform?’ I asked this question to the Officer Cadets of Bangladesh Military Academy in an academic class. Most of them confidently answered, “Cloth.” When I shook my head to indicate it wasn’t the answer I was looking for, they tried again. Some said, “Tailors,” while others mentioned, “Cotton,” “Sewing machines,” and so on. Each answer reflected their practical mindset, but none seemed to grasp the deeper meaning behind my question. Finally, one student thoughtfully said, “Planning,” which was almost close to my intended answer but not quite what I had in mind. 

The answer I had in mind was a bit more philosophical: ‘desire.’ Yes, the very first requirement is desire. Without it, no task can begin. If you truly desire to make a T-Shirt out of the fabric meant for a uniform, your plans and actions will align with that wish, even if the final product doesn’t fit you perfectly. The point is that desire is the driving force—the spark that sets everything into motion. It is the foundation of every creation, every plan, and every accomplishment. This same principle applies to learning English or mastering any new skill. You must first have a strong desire to speak and master the language. If you truly wish to speak English, that inner drive will push you to take the necessary steps— you’ll start talking, begin practicing, and gradually refine your skills. The journey to success begins with your desire, so let it guide you.

Are you too much worried about grammar? Why is that? Let me ask you something—what came first, language or grammar? Of course, it was language. Long before grammar existed, people came up with sounds to communicate with each other. These sounds turned into words, and eventually, languages were born. Since every group of people had their own way of speaking, that’s why there are so many languages in the world today. Grammar came much later. When people wanted to teach their language to others, they created rules to make it easier to learn. These rules are what we call grammar. But remember, grammar was made to help understand a language, not to create it. So, don’t let grammar stop you from speaking. You don’t need to be perfect to talk in English. If your listener understands what you mean, that’s enough. Sometimes, even one word is enough to get your message well understood. For example, if you need water, just saying “Water!” works perfectly. The most important thing is to start speaking. Don’t worry about mistakes—it’s not an exam. Spoken English is about sharing your thoughts and being understood. So, relax, forget about grammar, and just start talking! With practice, you’ll get better and better.

I know you are thinking about vocabulary! Due to a lack of vocabulary, you cannot express what you want to say. Isn't it? Don't be frustrated. Think once. Do you know all the words of a Bengali Dictionary? Obviously not! So, how can you speak or communicate in Bengali? Because you know how to express in an alternative way. In the same way, while speaking in English, try to think of alternative ways to express your idea. Here is an example: in a conversation about cooking, one of my students did not know the word 'Onion'. So instead he said, "The white vegetable that when you cut it you cry" It was a perfect description and I understood exactly what he wanted to say. This is very important to speak fluently. So, don't think too much about vocabulary. Try to be open minded and flexible in thinking of different ways to say the same message. Try to make your listener understand what you want to say, that will do!

Another important thing! Have you ever noticed how your mind is always silently talking to itself, jumping from one thought to another without any consistency? It never sticks to one topic for long. Your thoughts shift so quickly that, if you start thinking about something, within moments you’ll find yourself lost in a completely unrelated idea. Notice! While reading this article, you are thinking about something. Your mind feels scattered, doesn’t it? Try to curb the reign of these thoughts and translate the silent speech of your mind into English. Are you wondering how to do that? Don’t worry—it’s not as hard as it sounds. You can follow a simple, step-by-step process to train your mind to think in English.

Start small by thinking with individual English words. For example, instead of silently saying “ভাত,” say “Rice” in your mind. Once you’re comfortable with this, move on to forming simple sentences in English. For instance, if you’re feeling hungry, think, “I am hungry,” or if you see rain, think, “It’s raining.” Slowly, this practice will become a habit.

As you get better, take it a step further. Start imagining entire conversations in English. You can even create stories in your head, narrating them in English. This way, you’re not only practicing English but also training your mind to stay focused on a single thought for longer. Additionally, try to think about your daily activities—like what to eat, wear, or do—in English. Over time, this habit will enhance your vocabulary and boost your confidence. With time and practice, you’ll notice a big difference. Thinking in English will feel natural, and your wandering thoughts will become more disciplined and purposeful. It all begins with small steps, so don’t hesitate to start today!

Try to use English in your daily life as much as possible. Make English a part of your daily life. How? A great way is to read and listen to English news. Choose topics that interest you—it could be current events, sports, entertainment, or even technology. Watching videos in English about subjects you enjoy is also very helpful. Whether it’s tutorials, documentaries, or movies, pick content that excites you. When you’re engaged and having fun, you’ll absorb the language more naturally and without stress. By surrounding yourself with English in these small but consistent ways, you’ll make steady progress. The more you integrate English into your daily life, the more confident and fluent you’ll become. So, don’t wait for the perfect time or long hours of study. Start today and keep going on!

You may be tensed about having no partner to talk with for practice speaking in English. No problem. You practice talking to yourself. This is an excellent way to develop your fluency and build up your confidence. There is no pressure to be perfect and nobody else will hear your mistakes. Imagine somebody is asking you the question. Then practice answering it by talking to yourself loudly. Yes, it feels a little bit silly. But you can do it alone where no one will hear you. Talking to yourself is a great way to put your English into use without waiting for the “perfect” partner or situation. So, start today and make it a regular habit. You’ll be surprised how much progress you can make!

Last but not least, never give up and don’t stop learning or speaking English. Progress may seem slow at times, but remember, you don’t need to be a genius to become fluent. All you need is dedication and consistent practice. Keep reminding yourself of your goal and stay motivated. Even small steps, taken regularly, will bring you closer to success. Make English a part of your daily routine, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they are simply part of the learning process. Surround yourself with English by reading books, watching movies, or even changing your phone settings to English. Celebrate small achievements, like learning new words or holding short conversations, to boost your confidence. If you stay committed and practice consistently, you will achieve your dream of speaking English fluently. So, keep going, stay positive, and trust the process. With patience and effort, fluency is well within your reach!