Episode 48: Stop Being Afraid to Speak English

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under 10 minutes in clear intermediate English. I’m your host Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

First of all, thanks for listening. As I’ve said in the past few episodes, I’m sending occasional newsletters to help you on your journey to fluency. If you are interested, you can sign up at the link in the show notes.

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support it, you can send a small donation through a site called Buy Me a [00:01:00] Coffee at coff.ee/englishplease. It’s an easy way to help me cover the costs of making the podcast, and I appreciate anything no matter how small. There’s also a link to this in the show notes.

Today I’m going to talk about something that almost everyone experiences when learning a language: feeling nervous when you have to speak. I’m going to share some ways to feel more relaxed and confident when you speak English.

I remember once feeling completely frozen when I had to order lunch in Italian in a small village in southern Italy. It was a place few tourists visited, and the family working at the cafe didn’t speak any English. My mind went blank and I struggled to put the words together. When someone came to my table and asked me if I wanted something to drink, I could only nod my head. [00:02:00] I felt so embarrassed afterwards, and I wondered what went wrong.

If you’ve ever felt nervous when speaking English, you are not alone. Many people feel this way when they try to speak a second language. Even native English speakers can feel this kind of stage fright when they have to speak in public. Oh, “stage fright” is the feeling of nervousness or fear that some people get when they have to speak or perform in front of others. This fear is very common, and it often happens because we worry about making mistakes. But making mistakes is a normal part of learning any new language!

Most people will understand that you’re learning and they will be patient with you. Think about a time when somebody spoke to you in your native language and made mistakes. You probably tried to understand that person anyway because you [00:03:00] wanted to communicate. Just like this, when you speak English to native speakers, they normally appreciate the effort and we’ll focus on what you are trying to say, and that means you really can speak without worrying too much about being perfect.

It can help to prepare before speaking. For example, if you know you will need to ask for directions or order food, think in advance about what you want to say. You might even practice a few sentences quietly to yourself. This preparation will make you feel more confident when the time comes. It also helps to write down a few key words or phrases before you go into a situation.

Another way you can increase your confidence is to think about what the person will say back to you in English. For example, imagine you were at a table in a restaurant. When the [00:04:00] server comes to your table, you will exchange greetings, and you know that the server will probably ask you what you would like to drink and then what you would like to eat. And after that, you can be fairly sure that he or she will ask. Is that all or anything else? Having a basic idea of what to expect will make you feel more prepared. 

Another piece of advice: try talking about topics you know and like. If you love cooking or movies or sports, you probably already know many words for these things. Reading articles or listening to podcasts about your interests can help you learn useful words and phrases. When you use these familiar topics in conversation, you will feel more comfortable because you have already thought about the words you need.

Another obvious tip is to practice speaking whenever [00:05:00] you have the chance. Speaking a language is like practicing a sport or playing an instrument. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, and the more confident you feel. Look for conversation groups or find a language partner or even talk to yourself in the mirror to practice. Each time you speak, you will learn something and build your confidence bit by bit.

Remember that every good speaker started where you are now. When I first started learning Spanish, I could barely order a coffee. After months of practice, I was able to speak comfortably with new friends. With practice and patience, you’ll get better over time too. Speaking confidently is a skill that grows slowly, so keep talking and soon you will be surprised at how much progress you have made.

Sometimes it might feel like your body is doing its own thing. Your heart might be [00:06:00] racing or your hands might feel sweaty when you try to speak. These feelings are your body’s way of telling you that you care about speaking well. Even experienced speakers get a little nervous sometimes. The important thing is not to let these feelings stop you from continuing! Take a deep breath and keep going.

If you do make a mistake or forget a word that is okay. You can quickly correct yourself and move on. For instance, if a wrong word comes out, just say the correct word calmly or use an easier word. People will normally understand and move on as well. Sometimes you can even laugh a little at yourself to show that you are relaxed. This actually helps others feel at ease as well.

It also helps to focus on what you want to communicate. People care more about your message than about every single word Before you [00:07:00] speak, gather your thoughts. You might even smile to calm your nerves a bit. When you speak, try to keep a steady pace. It’s okay to pause and think, and giving yourself a moment is fine! Speaking slowly and clearly will help others understand you better.

Think of ways to practice as part of your daily life. For example, you could describe your day in English as you walk or drive. Each little moment like this is good practice. It may feel small, but over days and weeks, these little efforts add up.

Another idea is to listen and repeat. Listen to simple English podcasts, news segments, or songs, and try repeating what you hear. You can pause and mimic a sentence or phrase. This can help with pronunciation and rhythm, and it can also help you learn new [00:08:00] phrases. Doing this bit by bit makes speaking feel more natural.

And remember to celebrate your successes no matter how small! For example, saying a sentence without freezing in the middle is progress. Someone might understand you even when you are nervous, and that’s great too. Keep track of these wins. Maybe write them down, or just note them in your mind. They will remind you that you are improving.

You’re not alone on this journey. Many people around the world are learning English or another language, and they feel just like you do now when they talk to a native speaker. Over time, those nervous moments will become less common, and it will feel more natural to speak.

Stay patient, stay positive, and keep speaking, you’ll get there in time.

Again, I’m Christopher and I want to invite you to join me [00:09:00] in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts, and let’s continue this adventure together in clear, understandable English.

And please, if you enjoy this podcast and would like to support it, visit coff.ee/englishplease. It’s a simple way to help me cover the costs of making the podcast, and I appreciate anything no matter how small.

Sincere thanks as always for listening.

See you soon!