10 Ways to Practice Speaking With or Without a Partner

Last updated: 18 March, 2025

This article explores ten practical methods—five with a partner and five you can do independently—to help you gain confidence and fluency in spoken English.

Speaking Practice With a Partner

Oftentimes, people seek more practice before exams, and if you are one of them, you may as well check out our previous article on how to speak more fluently that is made specifically for you

1. Language Exchange Partnerships

Find a language exchange partner who wants to learn your native language while helping you practice English. These mutually beneficial relationships provide authentic conversation practice with a native or fluent English speaker. Language exchanges are particularly valuable because they create a low-pressure environment where both participants understand the challenges of language learning. You’ll gain exposure to natural expressions, slang, and cultural contexts that textbooks often miss. Additionally, many language partners become friends, making the learning process more enjoyable and personally rewarding.

How to get started: Join free platforms like Tandem, HelloTalk, or online communities like language_exchange to find partners for in-person or virtual meetings. Schedule regular sessions where you speak English for half the time and your native language for the other half.

2. Join Speaking Clubs

English-speaking clubs create a supportive environment where members practice conversation in a group setting, typically led by a fluent speaker who guides discussion topics. These clubs offer several advantages over one-on-one practice: You’ll hear different accents and speaking styles, learn to navigate group conversations and benefit from the collective knowledge of all participants. Many clubs organize themed meetings or activities that provide focused practice in specific areas like business English, storytelling, or current events discussions. The social aspect of clubs also helps combat the isolation that can sometimes accompany language learning.

How to get started: Look for free clubs at local libraries, community centers, or universities. Alternatively, platforms like Meetup.com list both free and paid English conversation groups in most cities. Online options include Toastmasters International, which focuses on public speaking skills but requires a membership fee.

3. Take Conversation Classes

Structured conversation classes with a qualified teacher provide guided practice and personalized feedback on your speaking skills. Unlike self-directed practice, these classes ensure you’re not reinforcing bad habits and help you progress systematically. Teachers can identify patterns in your speech that you might not notice yourself and provide targeted exercises to address specific weaknesses. Conversation classes also expose you to a wider range of topics and vocabulary than you might explore on your own, pushing you beyond your comfort zone in a supportive environment. Many classes incorporate role-playing, discussions, and presentations to develop different aspects of speaking proficiency.

How to get started: Local language schools offer conversation-focused classes, though these usually involve tuition fees. More affordable alternatives include community college courses or online platforms like Italki and Preply, where you can book one-on-one conversation sessions with teachers at various price points.

4. Role-Playing Scenarios

Practice real-life situations with a partner by role-playing common scenarios like ordering food, job interviews, or giving directions. Role-playing is essentially a rehearsal for real-world communication, allowing you to prepare responses and practice specific vocabulary in context. This method helps reduce anxiety about unfamiliar situations by giving you a chance to work through them in advance. It’s particularly effective for professional or specialized English, where specific terminology and conventions might be required. Role-playing also encourages improvisation and thinking on your feet—crucial skills for natural conversation flow.

How to get started: Create a list of everyday situations you might encounter and take turns playing different roles with your practice partner. This free activity helps prepare you for authentic interactions while building confidence in specific contexts.

5. Debate Club or Discussion Groups

Engaging in debates or guided discussions challenges you to articulate complex ideas and opinions, significantly expanding your vocabulary and speaking abilities. These higher-level speaking activities develop critical thinking skills alongside language proficiency, teaching you to construct logical arguments and respond to counterpoints in real time. Debates and discussions also improve your listening comprehension, as you need to understand others’ viewpoints before responding. This practice is particularly valuable for academic or professional contexts where persuasive communication is essential. Additionally, the adrenaline of friendly competition can help you overcome speaking anxiety and become more comfortable with public speaking.

Another important thing in those clubs is to listen attentively, and that can often be very hard if you don’t know the correct way to do it, so check out one of our older articles!

How to get started: Join formal debate clubs at educational institutions (which may have membership fees) or organize informal discussion groups with friends or classmates (free). Choose controversial topics or current events to generate engaging conversations.

Speaking Practice Without a Partner

1. Talk to AI-Language Assistants

Modern AI companions provide convenient, judgment-free conversation practice at any time of day. These digital conversation partners offer several advantages: they never get tired or impatient, can adjust their language to match your proficiency level, and provide a safe space to make mistakes without feeling embarrassed. AI assistants can simulate conversations on virtually any topic, helping you develop the vocabulary and expressions needed for your specific interests or professional field. Many can also provide explanations of unfamiliar words or grammar points that come up naturally during conversation, combining speaking practice with learning opportunities.

Artificial Intelligence may provide you with assistance not only with speaking but also with many other aspects of the English language, such as Vocabulary, Grammar, or even detailed feedback on writing; find out about them here!

How to get started: Use free AI conversation partners like Claude and ChatGPT or language-specific apps like Elsa Speak. Premium versions offer additional features like pronunciation feedback, but basic conversation practice is often available without cost. Simply start a conversation about topics that interest you, and many AI assistants can adjust their language level to match your proficiency.

2. Shadow English Audio Content

Shadowing involves listening to English audio and repeating what you hear with the same intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation. This technique bridges the gap between passive listening and active speaking by training your ear and mouth simultaneously. Shadowing helps your brain internalize natural speech patterns and trains your speech muscles to produce unfamiliar sounds more accurately. It’s particularly effective for improving prosody—the rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns that give English its characteristic sound. Regular shadowing practice can dramatically reduce your accent and help you sound more like a native speaker over time.

How to get started: Choose audio from podcasts, audiobooks, or YouTube videos that match your proficiency level. Listen to a short segment, pause, and then repeat exactly what you heard, trying to mimic the speaker’s delivery. This free technique improves pronunciation, intonation, and speaking speed.

3. Record and Evaluate Yourself

Recording your spoken English allows you to identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time. Most language learners are surprised by how different they sound in recordings compared to how they perceive themselves while speaking. This objective feedback helps you notice pronunciation issues, grammatical errors, or unnatural speech patterns that might otherwise go uncorrected. Recording yourself also provides a concrete record of your progress, which can be motivating when you compare recordings from different time periods. Additionally, preparing and recording a monologue requires you to organize your thoughts coherently, improving both your speaking fluency and your ability to structure ideas logically.

How to get started: Use your smartphone’s voice recorder to practice answering common questions, describing your day, or responding to English proficiency test prompts. Then, listen critically to your recordings, noting pronunciation issues, grammatical errors, or hesitations. This free method develops self-awareness and helps you target specific weaknesses.

4. Practice With English Speaking Apps

Specialized language learning apps offer structured speaking exercises and immediate feedback. These apps use speech recognition technology to evaluate your pronunciation and can detect subtle differences between your speech and standard pronunciation patterns. Many apps gamify the learning process, making regular practice more engaging and enjoyable. They typically offer a curriculum that progresses from basic to more complex speaking tasks, ensuring you build a solid foundation before moving to more challenging content. Some apps also provide visualization of your speech patterns, helping you understand exactly how your pronunciation differs from the target model.

How to get started: Try apps like ELSA Speak and Speechling. Many offer free basic features with premium options for more comprehensive feedback. These apps use speech recognition technology to evaluate your pronunciation and can suggest improvements.

5. Talk to Yourself

Regular self-talk in English builds fluency and helps you think directly in English rather than translating from your native language. This practice might seem strange at first, but it’s a powerful technique used by many successful language learners. Speaking aloud to yourself activates different neural pathways than silent reading or listening, reinforcing language patterns more effectively. Self-talk also helps you identify gaps in your vocabulary—when you can’t express something you want to say, you immediately discover what words you need to learn. Perhaps most importantly, regular self-talk develops the mental agility needed for real conversations, where you must formulate thoughts and express them quickly without time for extensive planning.

How to get started: Narrate your daily activities in English, practice giving opinions on news articles, or rehearse important conversations before you have them. This entirely free method can be done anywhere and helps develop automatic speaking patterns while building vocabulary for everyday situations.

Conclusion

Consistent practice is the key to improving your English speaking skills. Whether you choose to practice with others or independently, the most important factor is regularity. Even 15 minutes of daily speaking practice will yield better results than occasional longer sessions.

Combine methods from both categories for the best results—independent practice builds foundational skills and confidence, while partner practice provides authentic conversation experience and immediate feedback. Find the approaches that work best for your schedule, learning style, and budget, then commit to making speaking practice a regular part of your English learning routine.

Remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. The more you speak, the more comfortable and fluent you’ll become. Start with these ten methods and watch your English speaking skills transform over time.

And always remember: