When you’re learning a new language, do you try to use fancy words to sound fluent? Well, guess what? Scientists have discovered a surprising trick — using simple, everyday phrases can actually make you sound more fluent!
A new study by researchers at Waseda University in Japan shows that saying things like “I agree with you” or “on the other hand” makes your speech sound smoother and more natural than using rare, complicated words.
“We found that common, oft-used phrases had the biggest impact on how fluent someone sounds — even more than speed or big vocabulary,” said Kotaro Takizawa, one of the lead researchers.
🎤 The Sound of Smooth Talking
The scientists studied 102 Japanese speakers of English. Each person gave a short speech, and then ten language experts listened and rated how fluent they sounded. The researchers checked things like how fast they spoke, how many pauses they made, and how often they used multi-word expressions — also called “formulaic phrases.”
So, what’s a formulaic phrase? It’s a group of words that often go together, like:
- “I don’t think so”
- “As a matter of fact”
- “On the other hand”
These are the secret building blocks of natural-sounding speech!
🧠 Why Do These Phrases Work?
Using familiar word combos helps your brain and your mouth work better together. When people use common expressions:
- They speak faster
- They pause less
- They sound more confident
And even though those little phrases might seem basic, they help your speech flow better — kind of like riding a scooter instead of walking!
📝 What This Means for Language Learners
If you’re studying for a language test like TOEFL or IELTS, here’s a pro tip from science:
Don’t just learn big words. Learn useful phrases that native speakers say all the time.
For example: ❌ Don’t say: “I agree the idea.”
✅ Say: “I agree with the idea.”
Sounds better, right? That’s exactly what the researchers are talking about!
“Using these everyday expressions helps you sound more fluent, even if your vocabulary isn’t super advanced,” explained Professor Shungo Suzuki, co-author of the study.
🌍 Fluency Isn’t Just Fast Talking
Before this study, people thought fluency was all about speed. But now we know it’s more about how natural your speech sounds.
This is good news for language learners — especially younger ones! Instead of memorizing a million hard words, you can focus on phrases that make you sound like a real-life speaker.
It’s like learning the rhythm of a song, not just the words.
📚 Why It Matters
This study isn’t just cool — it could change how language is taught in schools around the world. Teachers might start putting more focus on teaching phrases instead of just vocabulary lists.
“This research is really helpful for both students and teachers,” said Takizawa. “It shows exactly what helps someone sound fluent.”
🚀 Final Thoughts
So next time you’re learning a new language, remember:
It’s not about being fancy. It’s about being natural.
Whether you’re saying “What’s up?” or “That’s a good point,” those small, simple phrases could be your secret weapon to sounding like a pro!
