Explore and master various speaking styles in English

Speaking styles, not just in English but in every language, is how you deliver a message. It is the art of arranging your words and tone as well as using your facial expressions and gestures. They generally depend on your audience and situations. For example, if you are at work, it is best to adopt a formal speaking style, whereas if you are with your friends or family members, you can go for a more casual style. 

Your speaking style can make a big difference in your professional, academic and personal life. It can help you: 

• Convey your message clearly and make sure your ideas are understood by the right people in the right way.  
• Connect with your audience on a level where you engage with them and remember you and your words afterwards. 
• Leave a positive impression on your audience so that they feel comfortable enough to approach you after the meeting or event. 
• Persuade your audience, team members or supervisors to believe in your ideas, campaign or strategy at work. 

Now that you are aware of what speaking styles are and their importance in your life, let’s look at the most common speaking styles in English: 

1. Formal English-speaking style 

It is used in schools, offices, and other professional settings. You must be clear, simple, and direct, yet polite. It's also important to avoid slang and jargon at all costs and make sure that you are speaking grammatically correct sentences. 

For example: “I would like to discuss the project timeline” or “could you kindly explain this part again?” 

2. Casual English-speaking style 

It is a more relaxed and friendly style, common among friends and family. You can use shorter sentences with a splash of slang to add flavour to your conversations.  

For example: “Hey! Let’s chat about our weekend plans” or “Fancy a cuppa mate?” 

3. Academic English-speaking style 

You can say that this style falls under the formal speaking style but is specific to schools, universities and educational institutions. You will have to use specialised vocabulary and sentence structure to communicate with your teachers. 

For example: “The results indicate a significant correlation” or “Critical analysis of evidence is key to understanding the subject.” 

4. Conversational English-speaking style 

This is the most common form of style and mimics everyday conversation in the English language. You can use simple language, common words and facial expressions to express yourself and communicate your ideas. 

For example: “What did you think of the movie?” or “I had a big breakfast earlier, so I’ll have a light lunch.” 

5. Inspirational English-speaking style 

The aim of this particular speaking style is to motivate the audience or persuade them towards an idea or a product. It is mostly employed by public speakers and leaders. To master this form of style, you need to practise regularly and include personal stories to give your audience something to relate to and inspire. 

For example, inspirational words spoken by some of the most world-renowned personalities:  

It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.” – Abraham Lincoln. 

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams. 

6. Storytelling 

Another English-speaking style that is used to keep the audience engaged and invested in the speaker is storytelling. You will have to use vivid descriptions and inspirational characters to draw the attention of your audience. 

For example: “Once upon a time, in a land far away...” 

When choosing a speaking style, you will have to look at several factors: 

• Audience: Who are you speaking to? Are they your friends, family, or the people you work with or professional connections? 
• Purpose: What is the purpose of your communication, and what do you want to achieve? Will you be delivering a speech to convey certain information, or do you want to entertain your audience? 
• Context: Where are you speaking? Is it at a school, work, or social gathering? 

Understanding and learning various speaking styles in English will help you connect with others in any situation and build trust. Whether it’s a professional meeting or just a casual conversation with a friend, you will be ready to speak confidently. If you need some extra help, check out our English language courses to expand your vocabulary, master grammar rules and improve your overall communication skills. With us, you can practise regularly, try out new styles, and enjoy the process!