- By Shoaib Khan 05-Dec-2022
- 413
Don’t worry we understand why you feel this way knowing how to say something and having the confidence to speak up are two different things! You get nervous, stutter, and even go blank when someone expects you to answer them in English. This is normal, especially if you are not a native English speaker (and some native speakers experience this sometimes, too. Luckily, there are ways to boost your confidence when speaking English – and we’re sharing tips you can start using immediately.
- Practice, practice, practice
- Stay calm and speak slow
- Read English books and it is not only single sources that improve your English
- Practice speaking with another non-native person
- Reward yourself and recognize your achievements
Practice, practice, practice
Getting more confident using the English language starts with practise. The more you use the language, the less anxious you will feel when speaking.Yes, it really is that simple.For many international students, they feel nervous because they are worried that they might get something wrong and feel embarrassed.Best of all, it’s easy to bring into your routine!.Using English more in your conversations, replying in English, and even just spending a couple of minutes each day practicing pronunciation makes a huge difference in making you comfortable with listening, comprehending, and then speaking English.Set aside 15-20 minutes each day to practice pronunciation and keep doing it every day – you’d be surprised how much this can help you!
- Stay calm and speak slow
You don’t need to rush to give your response slow down your speech and give yourself the opportunity to find the right words.Trying to talk faster than you can think of the words can make you feel nervous and affect your ability to form sentences. It can even leave you feeling a little flustered or dejected.Need a tip? Breathe.You can start by practicing breathing exercises, especially when you feel a bit anxious about speaking.Breathing forces you to slow down, giving you an opportunity to think before you speak. It’s perfectly fine to want to slow down the conversation, especially if you’re talking with a native English speaker.
- Read English books and it is not only single sources that improve your English
Familiarising yourself with the English language means making use of everything that can help you get acquainted with it.And we aren’t just talking about the textbook.While the textbook can teach you English grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, you can look elsewhere for tips, hints, and inspiration.We’re talking about media like videos, podcasts, movies, and even songs.Listening to these teaches you pronunciation, which can help improve your speaking skills.Not only that, but it can also improve your understanding (conversation is about speaking and listening, after all!)It’s a simple habit to start. You can spend just 30 minutes a day watching and listening to English speakers to familiarise yourself with the language – eventually, you’ll notice your speaking improve.
- Practice speaking with another non-native person
Do you feel uncomfortable around native speakers? Practice with non-native speakers instead.If you’re nervous, just remember that other non-native speakers are probably just like you.They won’t care if you get something wrong in fact, they may not even notice because they’re too focused on ensuring that they get their English correct.vFor some students, knowing that their “audience” is in the exact same boat as them (a phrase which means to be in the same circumstances or situation as others) can be a huge confidence boost.Do you have some time after your English class is over? Organise a practice session with some of your fellow students.Not only will you be able to practice your spoken English, but you’ll also make some great friends.
- Reward yourself and recognize your achievements
Did you get something right? Did you just confidently talk to a native speaker? Are you using longer sentences in conversations? Reward yourself! Celebrating small milestones can help you gain confidence in your spoken English. Whenever you see yourself improving word usage or sentence construction, recognize your achievement and make a mental note to congratulate yourself! You may even want to record it by writing it down or typing out a note in your phone. These simple reminders show you how far you’ve come and keep you moving forward!
