Developing strong speaking skills is essential for English-majored students, not only for academic success but also for future professional opportunities. Effective communication in English enables students to express their thoughts clearly, participate in discussions confidently, and engage meaningfully in both academic and real-world settings. To enhance speaking proficiency, English-majored students can adopt several practical strategies that focus on both fluency and accuracy.

First and foremost, consistent practice is vital. Speaking, like any skill, improves through regular use. Students should take advantage of every opportunity to speak English, whether in class discussions, group projects, or informal conversations with peers. Participating in English clubs, debate teams, or public speaking contests can provide structured environments for speaking practice. These activities help build confidence, expand vocabulary, and promote the use of more complex sentence structures.

Another effective strategy is listening to and imitating native speakers. Watching English movies, news broadcasts, TED Talks, or podcasts exposes students to authentic language usage, pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm. By shadowing or repeating what they hear, students can improve their pronunciation and natural flow of speech. This technique also helps in internalizing grammatical patterns and commonly used expressions.

Vocabulary development plays a significant role in speaking fluency. Students should make a conscious effort to learn and actively use new words and phrases. Keeping a personal vocabulary journal, categorizing words by topic, and using them in daily conversations or presentations can solidify retention and boost confidence in speaking. Moreover, understanding common idioms and colloquial expressions will make students' speech sound more natural and engaging.

In addition, students should pay attention to pronunciation and articulation. Mispronounced words can hinder understanding, even if the grammar and vocabulary are correct. Utilizing online tools such as pronunciation dictionaries, language learning apps, and speech recognition software can help students identify and correct errors. Recording their own speech and comparing it with native speakers' models is also a useful self-evaluation technique.

Receiving and responding to feedback is another critical step in improving speaking skills. Teachers and peers can provide valuable insights into areas needing improvement, such as grammar usage, coherence, and delivery. Constructive feedback encourages learners to reflect on their performance and make necessary adjustments.

Lastly, students must work on reducing anxiety and building confidence. Speaking in a second language can be intimidating, especially in front of others. To overcome this, students should focus on the message they want to convey rather than perfection. Practicing in a supportive environment, starting with familiar topics, and gradually increasing the complexity of speaking tasks can help reduce fear and increase self-assurance.