Learn to Think in English

One of the main reasons for pauses, hesitations and lack of fluency in the speech of non-native speakers is that they’re translating everything they say from their native language before they speak.

Once you learn to think in English, the speed, fluency and accuracy of your speech will improve considerably and your language will sound far more natural.

Is it really possible for you to think in English?

Yes, most definitely. Like everything else about learning a language, it just takes practice. So, I recommend that you seriously consider making this type of IELTS speaking practice a part of your everyday routine.

Level 1 – Words

Make your whole day one long IELTS speaking practice by thinking of the English words for the objects you can see, your activities and the activities going on around you.

For example, as you wake up and get ready for the day ahead, when you're at work, think of several words which relevant.

If you practice words in this way every so often throughout your day, you’ll be thinking about a huge amount of vocabulary in the most natural way possible.

It won’t be long before you don’t need to make any effort to think because the word will just pop into your head when you look at the object or see the activity.

You’ll also be learning new vocabulary as there are bound to be things you don’t yet know the English word for. You don’t need to look new words up immediately. Make a quick note of them in your own language and check them out later.

Level 2 – Sentences

Thinking in words is great when you’re really busy but when you’re not quite so rushed, try thinking in complete phrases and sentence.

Keep them simple at first until you become more confident. 

For example, at the start of the day think:

• I’m cleaning my teeth.
• My kids are eating breakfast.
• The bus is late.

In the evening you might think:

• I’m going out with my friends.
• This meal is excellent.
• I feel tired.

You'll be practicing a whole range of grammar skills as well as reinforcing your vocabulary.

When you’re ready and want to ramp up your IELTS speaking practice, try thinking in more complex sentences. For example:

• The boss is grumpy today because he’s got toothache.
• It's nearly half past ten and I could do with a coffee.
• If this meeting goes on for much longer, I’m going to miss the bus.

Don’t worry about making mistakes because no-one is listening to your thoughts except you. That’s why this type of IELTS speaking practice is so powerful and effective. You are under no pressure to get the language absolutely right as you would be in a conversation, and you don’t need to translate it word by word or phrase by phrase. Use the language you know well and just let it flow naturally.

I promise you that it will get easier the more you do it.

Level 3 – Narrative (telling a story)

You’ll need a little more time for this one but it can still easily become a part of your everyday life and here’s why.

All of us spend a lot of time creating stories in our head about our lives without even realising we're doing it. We create stories about what happened to us earlier in the day or further back in the past. We create stories about what we think will happen in specific situations in the future. Think about it for a minute and I’m sure you’ll agree it’s true. 

So, since you’re going to be doing it anyway, you might as well create your thought stories in English to get the practice!

You can also imagine that you’re telling a friend about something. It could be almost anything, for example:

• A special day out you remember from childhood.
• Something that happened on the way to work.
• What you’re going to do at the weekend.

If you want to practice particular topic vocabulary or a specific grammar tense, choose an appropriate story topic that will enable you to do that. 

When I was preparing for my final French exams at school, the thinking technique is exactly the approach I used. I would also have my radio tuned into a French radio programme (this was before the days of the internet and podcasts) to immerse myself in the language. 

I didn’t always consciously listen to the conversation, but let it play in the background as I got on with other things.

Soon I began to dream in French. What was remarkable was that I was a fluent in my dreams and far better at speaking French than when I tried it for real. In other words, I could think in French. I was so frustrated when I woke up and much of that fluency had disappeared. 

However, it did show me that I had the ability to speak French competently and fluently. The language was all stored away in my brain somewhere. I’m guessing that when I was awake, I was blocking it in some way, probably through my lack of confidence and the fear of making mistakes. As I’ve already mentioned, the thinking method takes away that pressure and frees up the mind.

Did I pass my exam? Yes, I did and I can remember the speaking test as if it were yesterday. I was very nervous but once I opened my mouth the language just flowed out. I have no doubt that this was because I’d practiced thinking in French using the technique I’m recommending that you use to learn to think in English.

Of course, you will need to practice speaking out loud as well but that will be so much easier once you can think in English, so do use this technique as part of your regular IELTS speaking practice.