chapter one why speaking English feels hard hi I am Freya your English teacher and today I am going to talk about a problem that many English Learners face can you relate to this you can understand English when someone speaks it but when it's your turn to talk the words just don't come out you feel nervous you forget the words and everything you've learned seems to disappear if this sounds like you don't worry you are not alone many students ask me why this happens they say Freya I study English I watch videos listen to podcasts and
read books but I still can't speak fluently why is it so hard the answer lies in how we learn a language when you listen or read you are using receptive skills these skills allow you to understand the language for example when you listen to an English song or read a story your brain is receiving and processing information this is very important for learning and it helps you grow your vocabulary and understanding of grammar but speaking is different speaking uses productive skills this means you have to create the language yourself you are no longer just receiving
words you have to produce them this can be difficult because your brain needs to work quickly to find the right words use the correct grammar and pronounce everything clearly if you don't practice speaking it's like knowing how to swim but never getting into the water you might understand the theory but you need real practice to swim another reason speaking feels hard is that we often Focus too too much on input many students spend hours Listening to English and reading books but they don't spend enough time practicing speaking watching movies and listening to podcasts is great
don't stop doing that but to speak fluently you need to balance your input with output this means you need to use the words and phrases you've learned sometimes Learners also feel nervous about making mistakes you might worry that people will laugh at you or not understand you this fear can stop you from speaking even when you know what to say but here's the truth making mistakes is a normal and necessary part of learning every time you make a mistake you have a chance to learn and improve so don't be afraid to try now here's the
good news if you can understand English you already have a strong Foundation your listening and reading skills are helping you more than you realize you just need to take the next step and start using what you've learn learned in this podcast I will share practical tips and techniques to help you do that remember the goal is not to speak perfectly the goal is to speak fluently and confidently you will make mistakes and that's okay the important thing is to practice learn and keep going chapter 2 build your confidence by speaking to yourself today I am
going to share a simple yet powerful tip that can help you start speaking English more fluently are you ready here it is talk to yourself Yes you heard that right talking to yourself in English is one of the easiest and most effective ways to practice speaking you don't don't need a partner you don't need to spend money and you don't need to leave your home all you need is you let me explain how this works most of us have a little voice in our heads when we think it's the voice we use to plan our
day make decisions or even imagine conversations for most people this voice speaks in their native language but what if you tried switching that voice to English for example imagine you are making a cup of tea instead of thinking I'm boiling water in your native language say it in English I am boiling water I am pouring it into the cup I am adding sugar and stirring it this is called narration you describe everything you are doing step by step in English at first it might feel a little strange or even silly but trust me this method
works when you talk to yourself you are practicing forming sentences using vocabulary and thinking in English over time it becomes more natural and you'll find easier to speak without translating from your native language now you might be wondering what if I don't know the words for some actions or objects that's actually a great opportunity to learn keep a small notebook or use a Notes app on your phone to write down any words you don't know for example if you don't know how to say spatula in English write it down later look it up and learn
it then use it in your sentences the next time you narrate another tip is to practice out loud speaking out loud is different from just thinking in English when you speak your mouth tongue and lips have to work together to produce sounds this helps you improve your pronunciation and become more comfortable with the physical act of speaking for example say I am putting on my shoes I am tying the laces I am ready to go outside if you feel shy about speaking out loud you can start in private find a quiet space where no one
can hear you and practice there over time you'll feel more confident speaking around others now here's an advanced trick to make this practice even better while you narrate your actions pay attention to your vocabulary if you notice you are repeating the same words try to learn new ones for example instead of always saying I am walking you could say I am strolling or I am pacing this helps you expand your vocabulary and use more natural Expressions another way to level up is to imagine conversations pretend you are talking to someone like a friend or a
coworker ask yourself questions and answer them for example what are you doing today I'm going to the park to read a book this exercise will help you practice both asking and answering questions which are key skills for real conversations talking to yourself might feel like a small step but it can have a big impact it's a practical stressfree way to practice speaking every day remember the more you use English the easier it becomes so start now talk to yourself about what you're doing what you're thinking or what you're planning chapter three find Opportunities to practice
speaking hi I am Freya and today I am going to help you find more opportunities to practice speaking English you might think but I don't have anyone to talk to don't worry there are still many ways to practice let's explore some practical ideas together first if you can try to find a language partner a language partner is someone who is also learning English or maybe someone who speaks English and wants to learn your language you can take turns practicing each other's languages this is a great way to improve your speaking skills while helping someone else
but how do you find a language partner there are many online platforms and apps that connect language Learners apps like hello talk tandem or even social media groups can help you find people to practice with if you're shy you can start by messaging and then move to Voice or video calls when you feel ready now if you want more more professional help consider speaking with a language tutor tutors are trained to help you practice speaking and improve your skills they can give you feedback on your grammar vocabulary and pronunciation many tutors offer online lessons so
you can practice from the comfort of your home what if a tutor or a partner isn't an option for you don't worry there are other ways to practice for example you can join online communities where English Learners gather to chat and practice websites like Reddit Discord or Facebook groups often have communities for English Learners some even organize live speaking sessions where you can join and practice in a group another fun idea is to participate in language exchange events these are events where people come together to practice different languages sometimes they are held in person but
there are also virtual events you can meet new people and practice speaking in a friendly and supportive environment if these options feel overwhelming let me share a simpler way way to practice record yourself speaking choose a topic that you enjoy or a situation you want to prepare for like introducing yourself or talking about your favorite hobby record your voice while you speak then listen to the recording this helps you hear how you sound and notice areas where you can improve you can also use your recordings to measure your progress over time for example record yourself
today and then record yourself again in one month you'll be surprised by how much you improve here's another idea talk to strangers now I don't mean going up to random people on on the street that might be uncomfortable but you can talk to customer service Representatives shop assistants or even taxi drivers these short simple conversations are great for practicing small talk and getting used to speaking English in real life situations if you're feeling adventurous you can try joining English-speaking clubs or events many cities have groups where people gather to speak English watch movies or discuss
books this is a fun way to practice while meeting new friends for those who love technology try using voice assistants like Siri Google assistant or Alexa these tools can help you practice speaking by asking questions or giving commands for example say what's the weather like today or tell me a joke the assistant will respond and you can keep the conversation going finally don't underestimate the power of talking to yourself as we discussed in the last chapter even when you don't have someone to practice with you can still create opportunity to speak English every day remember
the goal is not to find the perfect speaking partner or situation the goal is to practice as much as you can in any way that works for you speaking English is like exercising a muscle the more you do it the stronger it becomes chapter 4 write before you speak hi I am Freya and today I am going to share an important tip that will help you prepare for speaking in English writing before you speak writing is a simple yet powerful way to build confidence practice vocabulary and organize your thoughts before you start a conversation ation
have you ever felt nervous before speaking in English because you didn't know what to say maybe you wanted to explain something but couldn't find the right words writing can help with this when you write you have time to think carefully about your sentences and choose the best words later when it's time to speak you will feel more prepared and less nervous let's start with a basic exercise think about a situation where you need to speak English it could be introducing yourself answering a common question like what do you do for a living or talking about
your hobes write down exactly what you would like to say for example hi my name is Freya I am an English teacher in my free time I love reading books and going for walks once you have written your sentences practice reading them out loud this helps you get used to saying the words and improves your pronunciation try to say the sentences naturally as if you were talking to a friend now let's make this exercise more advanced think about topics that are a little more challenging or specific to your life for example how would you describe
your favorite movie what would you say if someone asked you about your country how would you explain why you are learning English write your answers to these questions and practice speaking them out loud if you're not sure about grammar or vocabulary don't worry this is part of the learning process look up the words you don't know and write them down in a notebook to remember for next time another great way to use writing is to prepare for common conversation topics for example many people ask questions s like where are you from what do you do
how did you learn English these are questions you are likely to hear often so it's a good idea to prepare your answers in advance write your answers practice them and make them part of your daily speaking practice over time these answers will become automatic and you'll feel more confident when someone asks you you can also use writing to prepare for specific situations let's say you are going to a job interview or a networking event think about the questions you might be asked and write your answers for example why do you want this job what are
your strengths and weaknesses write your responses practice saying them and revise them if needed this way you'll feel more prepared and confident when the moment comes writing is also useful for practicing introductions many Learners feel nervous when they have to introduce themselves in English to make this easier write a short self-introduction and practice it daily here's an example hi my name is Freya I am from London I teach English and I love helping students improve their skills in my free time I enjoy hiking and cooking once you've practiced writing and speaking this introduction you can
use it anytime someone asks you you to introduce yourself finally here's a bonus tip ask for feedback if you're working with a tutor or a language partner show them your written answers and ask forther advice they can help you improve your sentences correct your mistakes and suggest better ways to express yourself then practice speaking these improved sentences out loud remember writing is not a replacement for speaking it's a tool to help you prepare and practice the more you write and speak the more confident and fluent you will become chapter five focus on fluency not Perfection
hi hi I am Freya and today we are going to talk about something very important for your English learning Journey focusing on fluency not Perfection many Learners feel stuck because they are too afraid of making mistakes but the truth is mistakes are a normal part of learning let me show you why focusing on fluency is the key to speaking English confidently first let's understand what fluency means fluency is the ability to speak smoothly and naturally it doesn't mean speaking perfectly even native speakers make mistakes they forget words use incorrect grammar or say um and uh
while thinking what's important is that they keep going and people still understand them as an English learner your goal should be the same you want to communicate your thoughts clearly and be understood by others it's okay if your grammar isn't perfect or if you forget a word what matters is that you try and keep the conversation going when you focus too much on Perfection it can hold you back you might think what if I say something wrong what if people laugh at me these fears can make you feel nervous and stop you from speaking Al
together but let me tell you a secret most people won't notice or care about your mistakes they are more interested in what you have to say then how perfectly you say it think about this have you ever spoken to someone who doesn't speak your native language fluently did you judge them for making mistakes or did you appreciate their effort most likely you were impressed that they were trying to communicate the same is true for you when you speak English people will admire your effort and understand that you're learning here's an example from my own experience
when I was learning Spanish I once used the wrong word during a conversation and accidentally said something funny instead of feeling embarrassed I laughed along with the person I was talking to that mistake actually helped me remember the correct word and it made the conversation more memorable mistakes like this are opportunities to learn and grow so how can you focus on fluency instead of perfection start by speaking more often even if you're not 100% sure about your grammar or vocabulary the more you practice the more natural it will feel don't stop to correct yourself every
time you make a mistake just keep going you can fix mistakes later when you review what you've said another tip is to use Simple language don't try to use complicated words or grammar if you're not comfortable with them it's better to say something simple and clear than to get stuck trying to say something complex for example instead of saying I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your assistance you can simply say thank you so much for helping me if you're nervous about making mistakes try practicing with someone you trust like a friend a language partner or
a tutor let them know that you're focusing on fluency and that it's okay to correct you later not during the conversation this way you can speak freely without worrying about interruptions also remember to be kind to yourself learning a language is challenging and it takes time celebrate your progress no matter how small for example if you manage to have a short conversation in English that's a big achievement give yourself credit for trying and keep moving forward finally try to have a sense of humor about your mistakes instead of feeling embarrassed think of them as funny
stories you can share later for example if you accidentally say I am a sandwich instead of I am hungry laugh about it these moments make learning English fun and memorable to sum up fluency is about being able to communicate your ideas naturally and confidently it's okay to make mistakes they are part of the learning process focus on speaking more not on being perfect and you'll improve faster than you think chapter six shadowing the secret to Natural English hi I am Freya and today I'm going to share a technique that can help you speak English more
naturally and confidently it's called shadowing shadowing is a fun and Powerful way to improve your pronunciation Rhythm and fluency don't worry it's simple to do and I'll guide you through it step by step first let's talk about what shadowing is shadowing means listening to someone speaking English and repeating exactly what they say as quickly as you can imagine you are there Shadow coping their words and intonation the goal is to mimic their speech as closely as possible including their tone speed and word stress you might be wondering why is shadowing important shadowing helps you get
used to the Natural sounds and patterns of English when you Shadow you train your mouth tongue and brain to work together to produce English sounds it's like practicing a song or a dance you're learning how to move in harmony with the language so how do you start shadowing here's a simple stepbystep guide choose a source pick something in English English that you enjoy listening to it could be a podcast a YouTube video a TV show or even a speech by someone you admire start with short clips maybe 30 seconds to 1 minute long listen carefully
play the clip and focus on the speaker's words pay attention to their pronunciation intonation and Rhythm don't worry about understanding every word at first just listen to how they speak repeat as you listen play the clip again and this time try to repeat what the speaker says as quickly as you can don't pause the clip speak along with it even if you stumble or Miss words the goal is to keep going just like the speaker slow it down if needed if the clip is too fast use a video or audio player that lets you slow
down the speed many apps and platforms have this feature start at a slower speed and gradually increase it as you get more comfortable practice repe repeatedly Shadow the same clip several times until you feel confident then move on to a new clip and repeat the process over time you'll notice improvements in your pronunciation and fluency one of the best things about shadowing is that it doesn't require you to think about grammar or sentence structure you're focusing purely on speaking which helps you build muscle memory for English sounds it's a great way to practice without the
pressure of making mistakes now let's talk about how to choose the right material for shadowing pick something that matches your level of English if you're a beginner start with simple dialogues or slow speech as you improve challenge yourself with faster and more complex materials for example you could start with children's stories and work your way up to Ted Talks here's another tip choose speakers with clear and natural pronunciation this will make it easier for you to follow along and learn the corre correct sounds you can also choose speakers with accents you like or want to
learn for example if you're interested in British English Shadow someone with a British accent shadowing is not just about improving pronunciation it also helps you learn natural expressions and phrases when you mimic a native speaker you pick up their way of saying things over time these phrases become part of your own speech making you sound more fluent and natural One Challenge you might face is feeling self-conscious while shadowing if this happens find a quiet place where you can practice alone remember it's okay to make make mistakes this is your time to practice and grow here's
a fun way to make shadowing more interesting try acting out the emotions of the speaker for example if they are excited speak with excitement if they are serious try to match their tone this helps you connect with the language on a deeper level and makes the practice more engaging finally be patient with yourself shadowing is like learning a new skill it takes time and practice to see results but if you stick with it you'll notice big improvements in how you speak English chapter S record reflect and grow hi I am Freya and today we've reached
the final step in your journey to speaking English fluently it's time to talk about a technique that will help you see your progress and boost your confidence recording yourself this is a simple but powerful way to reflect on your speaking skills identify areas for Improvement and celebrate how far you've come have you ever listened to a recording of your own voice and thought is that really how I sound many people feel surprised or even shy about hearing themselves speak but recording yourself is one of the best tools for learning English it helps you understand how
you you sound to others and shows you what you're doing well and What needs Improvement let's start with how to do it here's a stepbystep guide choose a topic pick something you enjoy talking about or a situation you want to prepare for for example you could introduce yourself describe your favorite hobby or talk about your plans for the weekend write it out first optional if you're nervous write down what you want to say this helps you organize your thoughts and prepare your sentences but remember it's okay to speak freely and make mistakes find a quiet
place choose a spot where you can record without distractions use your phone computer or or any recording device you have record yourself speaking don't worry about being perfect just speak naturally pretend you're talking to a friend or explaining something to someone who's interested in what you have to say listen to the recording this step is crucial play back the recording and listen carefully carefully pay attention to your pronunciation grammar vocabulary and fluency notice what you did well and where you can improve take notes write down areas where you'd like to improve for example if you
mispronounced a word note it down and practice saying it correctly if you pause too much try to practice speaking more smoothly record again once you've reflected on your first recording try again this time focus on the areas you want to improve you'll be amazed at how much better you sound with just a little practice recording yourself is not just about finding mistakes it's also about celebrating problem ress over time you'll notice that your pronunciation becomes clearer your sentences flow more naturally and your confidence grows it's a way to remind yourself that you're improving every day
even if it doesn't always feel like it here's a fun challenge for you make a before and after recording record record yourself speaking today and save the file set a reminder for 1 month from now and record the same topic again compare the two recordings and notice the differences you'll see how much progress you've made and it will motivate you to keep going another benefit of recording yourself is that it helps you prepare for real life situations for example if you're going to an interview or giving a presentation practice by recording yourself listen to the
recording and make adjustments until you feel confident this way you'll be ready to speak clearly and effectively when the moment comes if you're working with a tutor or language partner share your recordings with them ask for feedback on how to improve they might notice things you didn't and their advice can help you grow even faster one common fear is feeling embarrassed about how you sound remember everyone feels this way at first the more you record yourself the more comfortable you'll become with your own voice over time you'll gain confidence and start to enjoy the process
finally treat your recordings as a personal Diary of your English learning Journey each recording is a snapshot of where you are at the moment as you look back on them you'll see how much effort you've put in and how far you've come to wrap up recording yourself is one of the most effective ways to practice speaking English it helps you track your progress identify areas for improvement and build confidence in your abilities remember progress is not always about giant leaps it's about small consistent steps forward thank you for joining me on this podcast journey I
hope these seven chapters have inspired you and given you the tools to break through your speaking barriers keep practicing stay positive and remember that every mistake is a step toward fluency I believe in you and I know you can do it see you soon in another lesson
