What are some vocal warm ups to improve speaking abilities?

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you mean by speaking. If you mean, by speaking, public speaking, that's one thing. If you are referring to someone with an accent how they can speak better, that's another. If it's the latter, one of the ways you can improve your speaking, i.e. pronunciation, is to practice the sounds that you've been having trouble with. If you're from Japan, and have trouble distinguishing the l/r sounds, make a list of words beginning with those sounds, and say them over and over again until you can say them without thinking how to say them. Remember that to press your tongue against the upper row of your front teeth when you say l. Then make up sentences containing a few of those words, saying them slowly at first so you build mastery, then increasing the speed.

Answer 2

It depends on what's needed to improve. If it's pronunciation, saying a list of words over and over with similar sounds is very useful. For example, if the student is having difficulty saying "receives" the list might include "gives, proves, graves," etc. Think of this as a game or athletic event you're trying to master. Practice saying those words over and over again until they are perfect. Then do it some more to reinforce that learning. Then say each of those words in a sentence, exaggerating the sounds being practiced every time.