but active. That's some practice, but not enough. The best
way to learn to speak fluently is to over-do it. Since you
can't do that with others without becoming a bore, you'll
have to do it alone. Here's how:
Practice talking continuously-aloud-to your-
self. Pretend that you are a radio announcer and that you
have to "fill" a half-hour by ad libbing (talking spontane-
ously) without any "silent spaces". If you are alone at
home, start by walking from room to room describing what
you see. Speak in normal conversational tones. Talk con-
tinuously. Describe the furniture ... where and when you
got it... if it should be replaced or repaired. Describe
the walls, ceiling, floor, everything in the room ... what
you think should be improved... and so on and on.
Just keep talking ... continuously ... fluently.
Or, take a drive alone in your car-in the city
or in the country. Pretend that you are a narrator, giving
a travelogue of what you see as you drive along-and that
you must give a continuous, interesting description of it
in a conversational tone of voice. Describe the scenery
... buildings... people... your impressions of them
... and so on and on. If you drive to and from work
alone every day, this is an excellent time to practice. To
avoid the monotony of describing the same view every
day, change routes frequently. Or just take a drive alone
several or more times a week to practice talking fluently.
If you have a friend who also wants to practice
fluent talking, take your drives together. Alternate talking
every ten minutes, vying to see who can give the most
interesting and fluent performance of continuous scenic
description.