11 Stupid Mistakes That Stop You From Learning English Speaking Skills

I have been helping people learn English speaking skills for more than 15 years. I often meet students who fail to develop a command of the English language despite joining the best spoken English institutes.

I also came across participants who improved their English speaking skills within 2-3 months because they got the right guidance.

In this post, I will teach you how you can avoid some common mistakes that stop you from learning English speaking skills and become a fluent speaker quickly.

5 Primary Mistakes That Stop You from Learning English Speaking Skills

1. Multitasking is a Major Barrier to Learning English Speaking Skills

Many learners try to do too many things at once — reading newspapers, listening to news and programs, studying different books, recording videos, and attending classes.

If you are a job seeker or professional, juggling multiple responsibilities can lead to frustration and stopping your progress in learning English speaking.

Focus on one or two aspects of English communication at a time. Lack of focus is the main reason why many fail to improve their English speaking abilities.

2. Distraction Kills Your Progress

Even with the best teachers or mentors, distractions can ruin your effort to learn English speaking.

For example, YouTube offers many tempting videos that can take away your focus. Also, daily interruptions, like household chores, can reduce your practice time.

Plan your time well to avoid distractions, and create a quiet environment for English practice. Remember, your environment affects your learning success.

3. Not Giving Your Best Effort

Some learners do not fully attend classes or practice assignments wholeheartedly.

If you want to improve your English speaking skills quickly, you must give your best. Success requires hard work and dedication.

“The way a person does one thing is the way he does everything.” So, always put in your best effort.

4. Lack of Consistency in Practice

Many students attend classes irregularly. Whether online or offline, inconsistent practice slows progress.

Imagine going to work only sometimes — would you get paid or promoted?

One of my students, Harshit, improved his English speaking in just one month by practicing for 8 hours daily without breaks.

If you skip classes, make sure to practice at home regularly.

5. Not Having a Strong Reason to Improve English Speaking

People with a clear goal and urgency improve faster.

One senior executive improved his English in two months because his career growth depended on it.

Find your strong reason for learning English — don’t do it just because your friends are doing it. Love the language and have a clear goal to speak confidently.

If you want to know more about my personal journey and how I struggled to learn English, check out this post: How I Struggled to Learn English and Finally Succeeded.

6 More Reasons That Stop You From Learning English Speaking Skills

6. Choosing the Wrong Institute

Don’t select an English speaking institute just because it’s cheap or close to your home.

Choose based on reputation, teaching style, or after attending a demo session.

Check their blogs, YouTube videos, and practice before joining.

Here are the 5 most important criteria to choose the right Spoken English institute for you. Make sure you pick the best one to boost your English speaking skills!

7. Excessive Focus on Grammar

Many people think mastering grammar is enough to speak English fluently. Grammar alone won’t make you a confident speaker. Speaking regularly is key.

Grammar helps refine your skills but does not build speaking ability by itself.

8. Lack of Listening Practice

You listen to your mother tongue everywhere, which helps you speak it confidently.

Similarly, listen to English daily through videos, songs, or conversations to develop your listening and speaking skills.

Here is Step-by-Step guidance for English Listening Practice.

9. Not Speaking Enough English

Some learn English just to clear interviews but do not speak it often.

To improve, speak English as much as possible — with friends, in front of the mirror, or record yourself. Practice speaking daily.

10. Making Excuses About Time

Many say they don’t have time to learn English.

Everyone has 24 hours. If you really want to learn, you will find time. For example, a senior executive attended classes once a week but practiced daily at home and improved quickly.

11. Avoiding Difficult Steps

Using YouTube and movies without guidance may not help much.

Don’t skip hard steps in your learning. A good mentor will guide you to master every step for fluent English speaking.

Conclusion: Avoid These Mistakes to Learn English Speaking Skills Faster

I hope these 11 mistakes help you identify challenges stopping you from learning English speaking skills. Avoid these errors, stay consistent, and improve every day.

FAQs on Learning English Speaking Skills

Q1: What is the biggest mistake beginners make when learning English speaking skills?
A: The biggest mistake is multitasking and not focusing on one or two important English skills at a time, which causes frustration and slows progress.

Q2. How long does it take to improve English speaking skills?
Improvement depends on your practice and consistency. Many learners see progress within 2-3 months with daily practice and the right guidance.

Q3: How do I find the right institute to learn English speaking skills?
A: Choose institutes based on reputation, teaching style, and demo sessions rather than just low fees or location. Research online reviews and free content they offer.

Are you facing any other challenges in improving your English speaking skills? Please comment below!

Meet the Author – Yogesh

• ✅ A Qualified Chartered Accountant helping professionals and jobseekers speak English confidently for over 15 years.
• 🏢 Founder of Urcareer, one of the most trusted institutes on Google for learning English-speaking skills.
• 📚 Author of 7 books, including 2 bestsellers: Learn English Through Hindi-English Translation and English Speaking Practice.
• 🎓 Creator of English Speaking Mastery Course for Beginners, with 7,200+ students from over 110 countries.
• 💬 His language tips and answers have received over 1.5 million views on Quora.