One of my students improved his speaking with www.englishcentral.com At the time, there was a competition among users, and my student became #1 among all the competitors!
Remember, you don't always need a conversation partner to improve your ability to speak English. There are websites to help, but also, don't be afraid to talk to yourself! Every day, as you stand in front of the bathroom mirror, speak your thoughts out loud. Talk about what you have planned for the day. Add a positive affirmation! Say, "My English improves daily and I learn to think in English more and more each day."
Conversation is very important, when you start talking with an English speaking person, you understand better, and your brain asimilate those words.It´s true, sometimes you can practice alone, with a song, with phrases, and I recommend workig with a new word every day, make sentences, and use it as many times as you can.
Practicing alone is definitely not as interesting and challenging as having a conversation. We really need to do both, right?
Do you remember the day that you realized you were fluent in English? I remember when I decided that I was pretty fluent in Spanish. It was at a nightclub in Guatemala and someone was pressuring me for a date. All of a sudden I very fluently responded that I had a partner in New York City and wasn't interested in a relationship with anyone else. I surprised myself!
I'm taking grammar lessons at http://www.englishlink.com/en-us/home/index.aspx. I like to have a partner to talk in English, if someone can talk with me I'm free.
My email is luanasartori@gmail.com.
Thank you for your comment, Luana. I suggest that you (or anyone reading this comment who would like a conversation partner) write your e-mail address or Skype name in your profile on the Members page of this site. I think it's pretty safe, because almost everybody here is a current or former student of mine -all polite and friendly people. Of course, if a rude person contacts you on e-mail or Skype, you could easily block that person from contacting you. I think it would be great if my students and others connect for conversation practice!
Luana,Rosa,Renata I create the skype group for conversation. Maybe my english level is not same that yours but I will be glad to talk to you . I am from Israel . When are you comfortable talking?
I will be happy to take part in a conversation English group, my skype is Spanishlatino.net
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANINE!!!