What’s the way to practise speaking in a non-English environment?
在非英语环境中练习说英语能力的最佳途径是什么?
Lack of opportunity to use the language is every student’s problem. That’s why, in China for example, foreigners are often rapidly surrounded by young people who want to practise their English. (I know, because it’s often happened to me.) Unfortunately, the visitors have their own agenda, which doesn’t necessarily include being used for English practice!
缺少机会运用语言是每一个学生所面临的问题。这也是为什么在中国外国人能够很快被想练习说英语的年轻人围住。(我当然知道，因为类似的事经常发生在我身上。)遗憾的是，来访的人都有自己的日程安排，不一定能腾出时间与中国学生练习英语!
The only natural way to use English in a non-English speaking environment occurs when you are dealing with foreigners who are visiting your country and who are using English as the medium of communication. (A visitor’s English might be non-native as well.) You will then use English quite naturally when you are entertaining, showing your visitors the sights, etc. Human beings love to exchange information about themselves and their families, so there is always plenty to talk about.
那么在非英语环境中使用英语的惟一可行办法是与在你的国家参观访问的外国人交往：与把英语作为交际媒介的人交往。(外国人讲的英语未必是自己的母语。)这样，你会在带领外国朋友进行旅游消遣活动时，很自然地使用英语。人们喜欢互相交流有关他们自己及家庭方面的情况，所以总是有很多东西可以谈。
If you don’t come into contact with foreigners for professional purposes, then arrange to meet other local people who want to practise speaking English, just as you do. You collectively decide that you will use English only and help and correct each other as necessary. Do this regularly. Choose a topic in advance, so that members of the group can think about it and prepare some of the vocabulary they will need. Turn it into a pleasant social occasion when you meet at someone's house or go out together as a group. It will do wonders for your spoken English.
如果你的职业无法使你接触到外国人，那么可以找一些想练习说英语的本地人彼此谈谈。大家可以决定只准许用英语交谈，必要时互相帮助修改错误。定期做这种练习。事先选定一个题目，以便小组中的成员可以事先思考，准备所需的词汇。当你们相聚在某人家里或者作为一个集体外出时，你们之间的谈话就会变成一次温馨的社交活动。你们的英语口语水平也就会因此突飞猛进了。
文：路易亚历山大 新概念英语作者