My Life! Teaching in a Korean University

  • ESL Korea
  • Teaching English
  • ESL Activities
  • Learning English

in Learning English

Speak English Better by Studying Language Chunks: Learn more Here

Do you want to improve your English speaking ability? Then keep on reading to find out more about using language chunks, along with how to learn them more quickly.

Speak English Better by Studying Language Chunks

There are many reasons why someone would want to speak English better. Perhaps you want to get a better job, or even just quality for one. Maybe you want to travel to foreign countries. Or perhaps speaking English fluently is a requirement for your school program.

Whatever your reason for wanting to speak English better, we’re here to help! We’ll give you one of our top tips to help you speak English more fluently.

If you really want to become fluent in speaking a language, you need to have a core of multi-word chunks that are easy for you to remember. The key is to get your brain to automatically think of them together. The way that you can do this is through practice! We’ll give you some examples so you can understand what we mean.

They can also help you get a better score on IELTS speaking.

Some Language Chunk Examples

Collocations: I want to buy two BARS OF SOAP please.
Phrasal verbs: blow up, break down, catch up.
Idioms: It’s raining cats and dogs.
Sentence frames: Whales HAVE lungs, BUT fish HAVE gills.
Sentence starters: The first thing that happened was … After that, …. Finally, …
Conversational routines: A: Thank you. B: You’re welcome.

Where to find these language chunks? Consider taking a look at some authentic materials written for native English speakers.

An Example of Language Chunks

Consider this sentence: “I left my book on the desk.” There are three chunks of information: I left, my book, on the desk. Each chunk has one piece of information. So, longer subjects and phrasal verbs would be considered separate chunks. Pauses in your speech should occur between chunks.

In order for these things to become automatic, you need targeted practice. Study some of these things and then use them! Use them in writing. Use them when speaking.

Keep your eyes open for them when reading. Keep your ears open for them when listening. There are a million ways to practice them so just be creative. The key is to use them as much as possible and also to make sure you catch them when reading or listening.

Vary your Focus

It can be helpful to focus on one of these areas of language for a period of time, then focus on another. For example, spend a month or two studying collocations (words that are frequently used together).

Then spend the next month or two focusing on phrasal verbs (two-three word verbs). Combine the new language with the previous language so you don’t forget what you have already learned. For example, “My son tore up ten PIECES OF PAPER and made a huge mess.”

For even more details about studying language chunks, head on over to the British Council’s website. They have a ton of useful information and helpful resources.

British Council-Language Chunks

71 Ways to Practice Speaking English: Tips for ESL/EFL Learners

71 Ways to Practice Speaking English: Tips for ESL/EFL Learners (Tips for English Learners)
7 Reviews
71 Ways to Practice Speaking English: Tips for ESL/EFL Learners (Tips for English Learners)
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 42 Pages - 01/26/2017 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
Check Price on Amazon

Did you like this tip for how to speak English better by studying language chunks? Then you’re going to LOVE this book by Jackie Bolen and Jennifer Booker Smith. There is this tip on studying language chunks, plus 70 more ways to practice speaking English. Our goal is to help you speak English more fluently in no time.

Seriously, it’s quicker and easier to improve your English speaking ability than you might think with these fun and interesting ideas.

Pick up your copy of 71 Ways to Practice Speaking English on Amazon today.

shop-now-button

Have your Say about Studying Language Chunks

Do you have any tips or tricks for learning English chunks? Leave a comment below and share them with us.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other English learners, like yourself find this useful resource.

Last update on 2022-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 30 books for English teachers and English learners, including Advanced English Conversation Dialogues and 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities for Teenagers and Adults. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
Facebook
Pinterest

« Val Hamer: Life After EFL and her Return to the UK
71 Ways to Practice Speaking English: Tips for ESL/EFL Learners »
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners (Teaching ESL Speaking...
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners (Teaching ESL Speaking...
Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does this mean? I recommend products (only ones that I like) and if you purchase a product through that link, I earn some money.

103 Fun ESL Games & Activities for the Classroom : Interactive, Minimal Prep TEFL Ideas for All Ages
103 Fun ESL Games & Activities for the Classroom : Interactive, Minimal Prep TEFL Ideas for All Ages
Check Price on Amazon
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
Check Price on Amazon
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For Teachers of Teenagers and Adults who Want to Start Their English Classes Off...
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For Teachers of Teenagers and Adults who Want to Start Their English Classes Off...
Check Price on Amazon
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
Check Price on Amazon
39 Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning Activities: A Very Practical Guide to Using TBL in the...
39 Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning Activities: A Very Practical Guide to Using TBL in the...
Check Price on Amazon

Recent Posts

  • Renewable Energy Lesson Plan for ESL Students: For Intermediate-Advanced
  • Personality Game Powerpoint | ESL Activity Personality
  • University Jobs: Teaching ESL Korea vs Japan
  • Serial Podcast for ESL Students: Happy Times all ’round
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas, Games, Activities & Tips...
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas, Games, Activities & Tips...
Check Price on Amazon
Sale 101 ESL Activities: For Teenagers and Adults
101 ESL Activities: For Teenagers and Adults
Check Price on Amazon

About and Contact

Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL South Korea since 2014. The goal is to bring you the best tips, ideas, and news for everything teaching English in Korea, including university jobs.

Contact Jackie Bolen and My Life! Teaching in a Korean University here.

Email: [email protected]

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

Find the Privacy Policy here.

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok

YouTube

LinkedIn

Best Seller

101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
Check Price on Amazon

Search

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Advertise on My Life! Teaching in Korean University

Recent Articles

resume for esl teachers

Resume Writing Tips: How to Write Resume for ESL Teachers

spelling games

Spelling Games for the Classroom: Fun ESL Spelling Activities

esl-presentation-topics

Presentation Project Ideas | ESL Presentation Topics, Tips, Ideas & More

ripped-off-teaching-in-korea

How Not to Get Ripped Off Teaching ESL in Korea | Hagwon Job

Copyright © 2025 Jackie Bolen + My Life! Teaching in a Korean University. All Rights Reserved.