Attention English Language Learners: Two of the most shocking things I've learned from being an English tutor on Italki for 7 years... 1. Students from international countries assume that to speak American English you have to use perfect grammar and advanced words when you speak. That's actually mostly false. Though a bit true. See it depends really on your job. Maybe for your job you are a lawyer or a doctor and maybe your job requires you to speak advanced technical professional English. But the average every day native English speaker from the United States uses basic phrases, slang and vocabulary. We get our point across with the least amount of words popular. Our grammar is not perfect all of the time when we speak. We sometimes on occasion make a little mistake. Students assume that you must speak the same way that you write. That's not true. Casual basic spoken English is extremely different from written English. 2. Most students from international countries are either taught pronunciation is not important at all or not that important compared to grammar and sentence structure. This actually is not true. pronunciation is important. Equally important to grammar and sentence structure. Because not pronouncing a noun completely can change your spoken word to something else that you didn't mean to say. It can make your listener really struggle to understand your spoken sentence. A student could have perfect grammar and sentence structure (though not always necessary) but if a word is completely said with the wrong pronunciation that can really lead to confusion, assumptions and mis understandings from your listener. Not to say that you have to completely get rid of your accent. But you also want to learn basic pronunciation skills so your accent isn't so thick and strong that it makes words you say, not understandable. Check out my tutor profile and book a lesson of mine to start improving your spoken English!