Speak Like a Brit: Mastering Natural British English

Have you ever felt your English sounds a bit too textbook in real conversations? Read on to understand why natural British English is different and tips on what you can do to sound more natural in your speaking.

Natural English is different because we have a clear distinction between formal and informal speech and it is important to know the difference on where to use this.

Why Natural British English Matters

There is a big difference between learning English in a classroom and using English in real life. There is likely a gap between what you know and what you use. English in a classroom is great to learn vocabulary and grammar rules but what you really need alongside this is practice, and lots of it! For example, you may know the word for money and how to use it but in reality there are lots of other ways to talk about money using other vocabulary and phrases such as, quid, cash, coin, dough, bring home the bacon etc. so it is important to immerse yourself into the natural language outside the classroom to help you.

Sounding natural can not only help your speaking skills thrive but it can boost your confidence in learning more and speaking more as well as give you a better connection with other people.

As with all languages there are regional dialects to be slightly aware of but everywhere in the UK will use standard English and the common phrases, idioms and slang.

Key Features of Natural British English

Everyday Expressions & Idioms

Below are some very common everyday expressions that are used during natural conversations. They are all informal and friendly phrases to use.

• Can't be bothered - feeling lazy to do something.

• Give it a go - try something

• I'm knackered - I'm very, very tired.

• Break a leg - say to someone to wish them good luck.

• Hold your horses - calm down or slow down.

• Hit the sack - to go to bed.

• Costs an arm and a leg - very expensive.

Tone and Intonation

British tone is all about being polite. We make sure we try to sound polite even when we feel anger and our speech is often indirect, meaning we don't directly say what we mean, you sometimes have to read between the lines. Or, have a good ear for intonation. Intonation is the rise and fall of speech, and it's a good tell-tale sign of what we really mean. Brits use intonation through their sentences and is abetter inclination for meaning rather than the actual words spoken.

Here are some examples of how you can sound more polite,

• I was wondering if you could ...?

• Sorry to bother you, but ...

• I'm afraid I have to get going. (If you want to leave)

• Would you mind if ....?

As well as the frequent use of 'please' and 'sorry'.

Fillers and Connectors

It is common for Brits to fill gaps or pauses in speech with fillers to help the flow of the conversation, or to start a sentence off with a short interjection to organise thinking and speech before it is said. For example, like, you know, well, I mean, are all examples of good fillers.

• Well, I have so much to tell you.

• I haven't finished the report yet. I mean, I haven't had time with all the meetings that have happened.

British Slang

Slang is very commonly used in daily conversations with others, even strangers if it's in an informal environment and friendly manner. Here are some examples to try to use in your natural speaking,

• Mate - friend

• Gutted - disappointed

• Cheers - thank you

• Bloke - man

• Chuffed - very happy

• Dodgy - suspicious

• Quid - one pound

• Daft - silly

• Skint - poor

• Brolly - umbrella

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Try to avoid the common mistakes below, using them can make you sound too formal or misunderstood if natural English is spoken incorrectly. To practice, try having an English partner, Ace English can help with that.

• Overusing formal structures - formal structures are great for formal situations, but using them in a friendly chat in a café or to a new neighbour will not make you sound natural.

• Literal translation from native language - there are many varieties of phrases, idioms and slang within all languages so you'll find that 99% of the literal translations are wrong and will make you sound daft.

• Misusing idioms or slang without understanding the context - most idioms and slang don't mean what you think they mean so it's best to learn their meanings and contexts first before trying them out on new people or strangers.

Tips to Practice Speaking Naturally

There are some tips to help you learn to speak more naturally. Firstly, try to imitate British speakers from YouTube, podcasts or your favourite tv shows. Listen to the sentences, pause, copy and use your own sentence in a similar way. Secondly, record yourself and compare to other speakers in a similar context. Listen for similar tone, intonation and fillers. Thirdly, you can practice with native tutors or if you have a friend you can partner with. Lastly, watch your favourite British films or tv shows such as, The Great British Bake Off, Sherlock etc. These can be great learning tools to watch how they interact with each other.

If you are living in the UK, visiting for a short while or have British colleagues at work, it is important to sound as natural as possible. Be patient while learning, it takes time to understand different nuances, correct intonation and tone and to learn idioms and slang and try to practice wherever, whenever you can.

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