English Speaking Practice: Using Gerunds (Verb + -ING)

There's one simple thing that you can do to improve your spoken English, and that is to practice using gerunds. But what is a gerund? Well, here's the definition, but you don't actually need to know that. It won't help improve your speaking. So, let's take a look at some real examples instead: Running a marathon requires a lot of training. He's interested in learning tennis. Completing a big project takes time. Gerunds are so useful. They allow you to express yourself more easily. That's why native speakers use them all the time. If you can use them as well, it will take your speaking to the next level. So, in this lesson, you will practice this concept with two speaking exercises: a question-and-answer exercise and an imitation exercise. In the Q&A exercise, you will practice the basics like sentence formation, vocabulary, and gerunds, of course. In the Imitation exercise, you'll do something more advanced. You will learn to speak English naturally and smoothly by imitating a native speaker. Combining these methods is very effective because they focus on different skills. Now, because my pronunciation isn't perfect, a native English speaker will guide you through the practice, so don't be surprised when you hear a different voice. If you have trouble understanding, feel free to enable the subtitles. That's all I have to say. Let's dive into the exercises. Hey there. I'll be taking over the lesson from here, and we'll begin our practice with the question-and-answer exercise. First, I'll read you a short passage. Listen carefully. Jack likes living in a big city because there are a lot of things to do. He enjoys shopping, going to the movies, and meeting new people. He used to live in a small town, but he was bored most of the time. There was nothing to do. He prefers living in a big city. Okay, let's practice. I will read the passage again, but this time, I will ask questions along the way. Please answer each question with a complete sentence, and feel free to pause the video if you need more time. Alright, let's get started. Jack likes living in a big city. Does Jack like living in a small town? No, Jack doesn't town. Where does he like to live? He likes to live in a big city. Does he enjoy living in a big city? Yes, he enjoys living in a big city. There are a lot of things to do. Are there a lot of things to do in a big city? Yes, there are city. Why does Jack like living in a big city? Is it because there's a lot of traffic? No, it's not traffic. Why does he like living in a big city? He likes living in a big city because there are a lot of things to do. Is there so much to do in a big city? That's right. There's city, and Jack loves that. Does he enjoy staying home all day? No, he doesn't day. Does he enjoy shopping? Yes, he enjoys shopping. Does he love going to the movies? That's right. He loves going to the movies.

Does he enjoy going to the cinema? Yes, he enjoys going to the cinema. What else does he enjoy? He also enjoys meeting new people. Does he enjoy staying home and relaxing? No, he doesn't relaxing. Name three things that he loves doing. Well, he loves shopping, going to the movies, and meeting new people. Jack used to live in a small town. Where did Jack use to live? Does he live in a small town at the moment? No, he doesn't moment. Did he once live in a small town? Yes, he once lived in a small town. He was bored most of the time. So, Jack used to live in a small town. Did he enjoy the experience? No, he didn't enjoy the experience. How did he usually feel while living in that town? town, he usually felt bored. Was he bored most of the time? That's right. Did he think it was boring? Yes, he thought it was boring. What did he think was boring? He thought living in that town was boring. There was nothing to do. Was there anything to do in that town? No, there wasn't. According to Jack, there was nothing to do in that town. Did Jack find the town boring? Yes, Jack found the town boring. Was there nothing to do in the town? That's right. There was town. Jack prefers living in a big city. Does Jack prefer living in a small town? No, Jack doesn't town. He finds it boring. Does Jack prefer living in a big city? Yes, he prefers living in a big city. Why does Jack prefer living in a big city? Jack prefers living in a big city because there are a lot of things to do. Does he find living in a big city exciting? Yes, he finds living in a big city exciting. There's so much to do. What does he think about living in a small town? He thinks living in a small town is boring. Okay, that was the last question. Now, let's move on to the imitation exercise. To begin, I want you to listen to me speak. I'm gonna talk about living in a big city from Jack's point of view. You don't have to imitate me yet. Just listen. I like living in a big city because there are a lot of things to do. I enjoy shopping, going to the movies, and meeting new people. I used to live in a small town, but I was bored most of the time. I prefer living in a big city.

Okay, it's time to practice. I'll repeat that speech again. This time, I want you to repeat after me. Do your best to sound exactly like me. Let's give it a shot. I like living in a big city. city because there are a lot of things to do. I enjoy shopping. Going to the movies. I enjoy shopping, going to the movies, and meeting new people. I used to live in a small town. town, but I was bored most of the time. There was nothing to do. I prefer living in a big city. Good job! Now, I want you to deliver the speech on your own. So, pretend you're Jack and share your thoughts on living in a big city. You don't have to use the exact words that I used. It's not necessary. Focus on getting the message across and don't worry about making mistakes. Pause the video and speak now. Well done! Let's repeat the process one more time. First, listen to me speak. I'll discuss living in a big city from Jack's perspective, just like before. But to show you how flexible language can be, the wording I use will be a bit different this time. I really like living in a big city because there's so much to do. I mean, I love shopping, going to the movies, and meeting new people. I used to live in a small town, but it was so boring. I think living in a big city is way better. Okay, let's practice. I'm gonna say the same thing again so you can imitate me. Let's do this. I really like living in a big city. I mean, I love shopping. Okay, it's your turn to give that speech on your own one last time. Don't try to recall the words that I just used. Just relax and convey the message in your own words. Good job! We've reached the end of the lesson. If you had trouble with the exercises, that's normal. Just repeat them until they become easy for you. Keep up the good work, and I'll see you next time.