4 Tips for Feeling Confident When Speaking English
Learning a language can push you out of your comfort zone. Often, speaking is the most challenging part. Why?
Well, speaking puts you in a high-pressure situation. You’re usually talking to someone face-to-face on the phone, and you need to listen, remember vocabulary, conjugate verbs, and pronounce words properly — all at the same time! What’s more, it all happens quite quickly!
There’s also the fear of making mistakes. Many learners feel embarrassed when they slip up, thinking it reflects their overall skills. But that’s not the true! Research shows that recognising mistakes actually helps improve your speaking skills, as you’re less likely to repeat them. Mistakes are a key part of getting better at speaking English!
So how can you improve your speaking skills in English?
Well, confidence is key.
The more confident you feel, the clearer you’ll communicate. That’s why we’ve put together some tips to help you feel more self-assured when speaking English.
Pay attention to your body language
Did you know that 55% of messaging is communicated via your body language?
That is, your facial expressions, hand gestures, and postures play a huge role in how you’re understood. And, body language is particularly important when you’re speaking English in formal setting like a job interview.
To start, try to sit (or stand) upright. Keep your shoulders back, and hold eye contact with the person you’re addressing. This shows that you’re engaged in the conversation, and can help you speak more clearly. Good posture allows you to breathe deeply and project your voice more easily. It also helps you feel more confident, while making the other feel comfortable. Keep your arms unfolded and your head up. Open your body language will encourage you in feeling relaxed and confident when you’re speaking in English.
Speak slowly and clearly
It’s common to rush your words when you’re nervous, thinking that speaking quickly makes you sound more fluent. However, speaking too quickly can be a problem. For example, if you’re speaking quickly, it will be more difficult for people to understand you. And if they ask you to repeat yourself, then this might affect your confidence.
The secret to good speaking skills in English? Enunciation! Speaking clearly is more important than speaking quickly. It can be tempting to rush through words that you’re not certain of, but try to say the words slowly and clearly. Stop and take a breath at the end of each sentence, and if there’s a word that you’re not sure of, you can let the person know “this is hard for me to say” - they’ll then be extra patient while you try.
A trick is to imagine that you’re reading an audiobook or giving a presentation when you speak English. Mimic the pace of the narrators you’ve heard, and keep a consistent tone. Like all good narrators and presenters, how you deliver your words affects how people understand you. So, speaking slowly and clearly is a good start.
Practice as much as you can
Practicing speaking English doesn’t just improve by feeling confident. Lots of speaking practice will help you to remember words in conversation and process the English you hear from other people.
It’s not enough to talk to yourself in English in front of the mirror (although this is a good way of practicing.) Your speaking practice should be as dynamic as possible. So, you should try to use different tools and scenarios that prepare you for speaking in a variety of contexts.
Ask for clarity in conversations
Sometimes language learners think that asking someone to repeat themselves makes them look like they don’t speak English well. But think about how many times you’ve asked friends or family to say something again when you’re having a conversation in your native language. Sometimes, people mishear, are distracted or just need the sentence to be said in a different way.
If you’re having a conversation with someone and you don’t understand what they’ve said, ask for clarity. Here are some useful phrases:
“Sorry, could you say that again?”
I don’t understand. Please could you repeat what you said?
Is there another way you could explain?
These are all polite and reasonable requests. If you reply and still aren’t sure whether you’ve answered appropriately, you can check by asking “Does that make sense?” This shows that you’re present in the conversation and trying to communicate as well as you can.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning to speak a new language can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. Embracing mistakes, practicing regularly, and building confidence are key steps to improving your speaking skills. By paying attention to your body language, speaking slowly and clearly, and asking for clarification when needed, you can enhance your communication abilities. Remember, every conversation is an opportunity to learn and grow. With time and practice, you’ll find yourself speaking English more fluently and confidently.
