How to make my spoken English more fluent?

[blue baby]

remember that no one was born speaking english or any other language just be confident,and smile .by your smile people will try with all their efforts to understand u
best wishes

[vannessa]

Hi everyone!

I'm Vietnamese but I'm living in the US.I really want to speak English fluently, like the native people.But my problem is, when I think about some things in my mind, and I want to tell somebody about that, but when I speak, I can't speak as well as I think...Is there anybody can help me?

[Miss Qatar]

I'm at the same boat :)

But, really the members have given us great ideas.

I will try them all

Thank you people!

[twostep]

Do not get entangled in perfect grammar, native pronounciation, "I have to be perfect". Enjoy the conversation. You do not know a word? No problem - talk around it. Explain what you are trying to say in simple word. You will be surprised how people will help you and how easy it is.

I had an english teacher who allowed talking in class but only in English. Native speaking carried a cash penalty. Did it work!

[nurul `atiqah]

hye...from my point of view...to be a excellant language learner..in whatever language..u have to practice...talk to anybody everywhere and everyday...but actually i'm not an excellant speaker... ...

[skoczna]

I just read your discussion and I'd like to add a few thoughts to what you already said.
I read lots of articles and books in English, I believe my reading and understanding (also of the spoken language) abilities are really good but when it comes to speaking/writing... it's terrible! I'm always using the simpliest phrases and words I know, I cannot remember any phrasal verbs or idioms I have learned and I just don't use them actively.
That makes me well understood but I feel as if I never learned anything more than for FCE level (while I'd like to take CPE exam next summer).

Does anyone of you have similar problems?
What can I do to improve my speaking abilities? Maybe learn more expressions, idioms and such stuff by heart - not only to understand but to have a habit of using them?

Best wishes,
skoczna