The Speak Confident English Podcast

When someone asks what you think in English, do several ideas come to mind at once? You know you have something to say, but you don't know what to say first.
In this episode, you'll learn how to organize your thoughts when speaking English so your main point is clear and you can avoid rambling.
You'll learn how to decide what you want to do first, choose one idea to start with, and decide which details belong with that idea. You'll also learn why you don't need to organize every thought before you start speaking.
At the end, we'll practice with a simple example so you can see how these decisions work together.
If you want more practice organizing your ideas and speaking clearly, this is also something we work on deeply in Fluency School. You'll learn a simple structure for organizing your ideas and practice using it with guidance and feedback.
Learn more about Fluency School: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/
Related lesson: How to Think Out Loud in English https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/think-out-loud-english/
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/organize-your-thoughts-when-speaking-english

English fluency can feel easy in one conversation and difficult in another. You may answer simple questions easily, then lose your train of thought when you need to speak for several minutes.
Or perhaps you speak clearly one-to-one, but struggle to join a fast-moving group discussion.
Your English level did not suddenly change. The speaking situation changed.
In this episode, you'll learn what English fluency really means and why different speaking situations require different skills.
We'll look at three types of speaking:
everyday exchanges, where you need to listen and respond quickly
speaking at length, when you tell a story, explain a problem, give an update, or share an opinion
group discussions, where you need to follow several speakers and find the right moment to join
You'll also think about your own speaking practice. Which of these three situations is most difficult for you right now? Your answer can help you decide what kind of speaking practice you need next.
Get my free English training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
Learn more about Fluency School: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/
Read the full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/speaking-practice-for-english-fluency/

You've probably heard this advice: stop saying very in English. Use stronger words instead. In this episode, I'll tell you why the answer is no.
Words like very, really, so, and super are called intensifiers. They make an idea stronger, and native speakers use them every day.
So let's talk about how these words are different from words like exhausted, hectic, and furious. Plus, how to choose the word that says what you mean, and how "not very" can make a negative comment softer.
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/stop-saying-very-in-english/
Want to get comfortable in English conversations, period? Join me in my next Fluency School program → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/

Is confidence in English something you have or something you choose? In this real English conversation, my guest Anna and I talk about the myths vs reality of confidence in speaking another language.
Anna and I are both strong introverts, so we also talk about how personality shapes the way we speak, plus...
We chat about the book Happy Mind, Happy Life by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, which Anna recommended for our Confident Women Community Book Club; my decision to leave social media (thanks to the book she recommended); and toxic positivity.
Like any real-life conversation, the topics evolve, with starts and stops along the way.
Anna has been a member of my Confident Women Community since 2022. If you'd like to get the same kind of speaking practice and support that has helped Anna gain confidence, you can do that here: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/community
Get the full lesson and transcript at https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-conversation-with-anna
Want a free first step? Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english

A coworker says, "I'm already on my third cup of coffee, and it's not even ten." You understand every word. But what do you say next?
That small moment is an invitation, and knowing what to do with it is the start of social fluency in English: the ability to join the everyday conversations that help people get to know you, and help you get to know them.
In this lesson, you'll learn how to recognize when someone is opening the door to small talk, a simple way to respond (show you heard them, then ask one simple question), and how to tell whether the conversation is continuing or naturally ending.
Then you'll get one small, low-pressure way to practice this week, in a moment where nothing important depends on the outcome.
Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/social-fluency-in-english/
As promised, if you'd like to know more about Fluency School, learn more here: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/