Study abroad. The best way to develop spoken fluency is to immerse yourself completely in the language. Enroll in a university or private language course in China. Ensure you study in one of the large cities or other areas where Mandarin is commonly spoken and not another Chinese dialect or language.
Work in China. This is another way to immerse yourself in spoken Mandarin, although you may find yourself speaking English at your job. You may need to consult a website such as China Job to find a company that will sponsor you for a work visa. One of the most common jobs is working as an English teacher, and many of these jobs will also provide you with free Mandarin lessons in your spare time.
Enroll in a Mandarin class in your hometown. Living abroad is not for everyone, but it is nearly impossible to speak fluently by being self-taught. Schools such as Cactus Language Schools offer Mandarin classes all over North America.
Try a language exchange. You may be able to find a Mandarin-speaking partner by posting notices at universities or Chinese community centers in your hometown. You can also find partners to talk to online through websites such as My Language Exchange.
Watch Mandarin films and listen to Mandarin radio or podcasts. Listening and imitating native Mandarin speakers will help you identify and mimic natural sounding pronunciation and intonation. Several resources, such as the listing of Chinese Internet radio stations on the website Multilingual Books, are available online.
Speak every day. Regardless of which method you choose for learning Mandarin, it is vital that you not leave substantial gaps in your studies. Speaking Mandarin daily will reinforce your language skills and help you to become fluent.