(Check the meaning of the highlighted C1-level words and phrases in the glossary at the bottom of the post!)
We’ve all been there. You’ve been working hard to improve your language skills, and are feeling good about the progress you’ve made. Then, unexpectedly, you find yourself in a situation where you need to speak English.
You freeze, feel embarrassed, and get tongue-tied. What happened? Is your English actually terrible? Of course not! You’re probably just lacking confidence.
Having worked with thousands of English learners, we know a thing or two about boosting confidence in speaking.
So, whether you’re preparing for an important exam, or just want to chat in English with ease, read on for our top five tips…
1. Set achievable goals
First thing’s first, you have to be realistic. Think about your ultimate English speaking goal, then consider the steps that will get you there. For instance:
Your ultimate goal: to give a presentation in English at a medical conference and answer attendees’ questions.
Baby steps:
- Make a list of medical vocabulary, and use at least 3 of the new words per week
- Watch medical conferences online
- Attend a medical conference and ask a question
- Speak to your university professor in English and ask for advice about your presentation
- Prepare a presentation and deliver it to friends or classmates
Of course not everyone wants to speak at a conference. Maybe your goal is to attend a job interview, or socialise with English-speaking friends, or pass the IELTS exam.
In any case, by breaking down your objective into smaller parts, you will feel less intimidated. Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements too!
2. Practise, practise, practise!
It may sound simple, but practising regularly is one of the most effective ways to boost your confidence in Speaking. The more you can use your English skills, the more comfortable you’ll become.
At first, perhaps this seems like a scary challenge. Remember, though, that you can start small. Exactly how best to practise your English will depend on where you’re living.
At home
If you live in a country where English isn’t the main language, you might think getting speaking practice is impossible. However, with a bit of research and creativity, you can still speak regularly and boost your confidence. For instance:
Find a language exchange event in your town or city
These events normally take place in bars or restaurants. They are an informal way for you to practise your English, while helping people who want to learn your mother tongue. They can work in different ways, but usually you’ll wear a sticker to indicate the languages you speak and want to practise.
Then, the organiser might ring a bell or flash the lights when it’s time to switch languages. Feeling shy? Go along with a friend, and remember that everyone is there with the same goal in mind.
Find a language exchange partner
If there are no exchange events in your city, try to find a partner you can work with. Ideally, this would be somebody with a high level of English who is learning your first language. Meet regularly for a coffee or a stroll around the city, and switch between languages.
As you get more confident, you can ask your partner for tips and corrections. Who knows? You might even make a friend!
Social media can be a good place to start on your hunt for a language exchange partner. If this option doesn’t work for you, why not try a specialised website or app? Tandem and HelloTalk are our top picks.
Exchange voice notes
We get it, not everyone has time for a regular language exchange. Even if you’re run off your feet, that doesn’t mean you can’t practise your spoken English.
One simple option is to exchange voice notes with a friend or classmate. Record a short message, send it to your partner, and wait for their response. You could talk about your day, ask for advice, or discuss future plans.
This option works well for busy people as you can send messages while you’re walking to work or having a coffee. Try it – you’ll be amazed at how quickly your confidence increases.
Abroad
If you’re already living in an English-speaking country, there’s lots you can do! For example, challenge yourself to try the following:
Ask questions
When you’re living in a new place, you’re sure to need lots of information. Why not browse the shops in your area and ask the Sales Assistant about the products? Check out the local cinema and ask about timetables or prices.
Maybe there’s a Tourist Office where you can find out about the best things to see and do. These short, natural exchanges will really help you to grow in confidence.
Have a quick chat with your neighbour
Perhaps they’ve taken delivery of a parcel for you, or maybe there’s a community event in your building. If you have the chance to speak to your neighbours, go for it!
Again, this is a great way to have a short conversation and put into practice the language you’ve been working hard to learn.
Connect with those who have similar interests
When you’re ready to practise more in-depth conversations, sharing your hobbies can be a great place to start. Maybe you could consider taking a class. From painting to pilates, canoeing to cookery: there’s sure to be something that suits you.
Talking about common interests is a great way to use your English and will give you practice of language that’s relevant to you. You’ll be surprised at how quickly these little interactions become the norm.
Before you know it, speaking in English will be second nature, and you’ll be ready to tackle more challenging situations like participating in class debates, attending job interviews and so on.
3. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Think about the last time you heard a non-native speaker of your language. Did they make errors with grammar and vocabulary? Almost certainly.
Did you judge them, and immediately end the conversation? Of course not!
Making mistakes is a normal part of learning a language, and learning to take them in your stride will help you to feel more confident.
Most errors you make will not prevent people from understanding you. Slips with prepositions and word order, for instance, probably won’t even be noticed.
Occasionally, perhaps you’ll make a more serious error. What’s the worst that can happen? If the person you’re speaking to doesn’t understand, just try again! You’re lucky to be learning a language in 2023 – a quick google will help you to correct most mistakes.
The person you’re speaking to might also help you to rephrase what you want to say, and you should see this as an opportunity to learn.
Every now and again, you might say something in English that sounds comical. Most native speakers will be very good-natured about this, and sometimes a shared joke can make the situation more comfortable.
Just remember – we all make mistakes when we’re learning a language, and this is the only way to improve.
4. Expose yourself to spoken English
Of course there’s no speaking without listening! In order to communicate effectively, you also need to understand what others in the conversation are saying. For this reason, it’s a great idea to expose yourself to as much spoken English as possible. This will help you feel more confident in interpreting what you hear. How can you do this? Try some of these ideas:
- Listen to songs using apps like lyricstraining
- Use podcasts (such as this one from the British Council)
- Watch films and series in English
- Follow some English-language YouTube channels
5. Get the support you need
The ideas we’ve seen so far will help you to shake off feelings of shyness or embarrassment when it comes to speaking English.
However, you might feel that you’re lacking some of the skills you need. If so, consider taking quality lessons to really focus on speaking.
Here at Last Minute English, for example, we’d recommend Advanced English Fluency- the Complete Guide. Among other things, this will:
- Help you to speak English confidently and fluently
- Improve your English conversation skills and English fluency
- Teach you great high-level English vocabulary
- Present 120+ idioms, 220+ phrasal verbs and hundreds of collocations
- Boost your English listening skills so you can understand native speakers easily
Don’t just take our word for it! Recent graduate Adam G. told us:
“This course is a game-changer! I’ve tried several other resources for improving my English, but Advanced English Fluency – The Complete Guide‘ is by far the most effective.”
So, there you have it – put into practice these top 5 tips, and you’ll be speaking English with confidence in no time!
For more information, check out the course on Udemy.
To find out more about how Last Minute English can help you achieve success in IELTS, visit our website.
If you’d like to talk to someone about the best course for you, click here.
Glossary
Tongue-tied (adj.) – nervous and unable to speak
Stroll (n.) – a short walk for pleasure
Run off your feet (adj.) – very busy
Browse (v.) – look at items in a shop without intending to buy
“Go for it!” – don’t be shy, try your best
The norm (n.) – something ordinary or typical
Tackle (v.) – try to resolve a problem
Take it in your stride (v.) – don’t allow something to make you stressed
Slip (n.) – a small, unimportant error
Shake off (v.) – don’t let something affect you
