How to Feel More Confident in Your English. Gain Confidence When Speaking English

Do you ever feel unsure when speaking English? You're not alone. Learning a language is a journey with its share of ups and downs, successes, and challenges, but most importantly, it's a path of growth.

In this video, we'll explore a concept called "grounded confidence." It's a mindset that Brene Brown describes as a learning journey filled with its share of successes and setbacks.

Part 1: Understanding Grounded Confidence

Grounded confidence is about understanding that learning English is a process. It's not just about getting it right; it's also about making mistakes and learning from them. For example, imagine you used to say "I'm fine" when asked, "How are you?" Then, you meet someone who says, "I'm good." Your brain has to adjust and learn new things while unlearning old habits. This happens often when you're learning a language, especially when it comes to pronunciation.

This process isn't just about learning and unlearning; it's also about practicing, being brave, and sometimes making mistakes. Making mistakes is a valuable way to learn a language. In short, grounded confidence means staying determined even when learning English gets a bit messy.

Part 2: Building Grounded Confidence

So, how do you become more confident when speaking English, especially at work or in social situations? Here's the plan:

You can build confidence by practicing the basics of the language through regular and disciplined practice, just like athletes who work on their core skills from day one. Consistent practice is key, and it requires being brave enough to use what you've learned, even when it feels a bit uncomfortable. That's where courage comes into play. This focused practice is how you gain confidence.

But remember, becoming fluent in English isn't easy. Research shows that effective learning should have some challenges. Your brain needs a bit of a challenge to learn effectively.

Speaking English fluently takes effort, and it also requires courage, especially in situations like meetings or presentations. Here are some simple strategies to boost your confidence and perform better:

1. When you feel anxious or unsure when speaking English, try naming your emotions. It can help your brain think more clearly. Neuroscience tells us that this simple act can reduce the intensity of your emotions and help you think more clearly.

2. If naming your feelings isn't enough, you can change how you view things. This is called "reappraisal." In simple terms, it means giving a new meaning to your experiences. For instance, if you're worried about being judged by colleagues, remind yourself that your English skills don't define your worth. Understand that you're trying to communicate, even if your language skills are a work in progress, which is an act of courage in itself. This shift requires vulnerability and courage but can be a powerful tool for your confidence.

In summary, mastering English isn't easy. Grounded confidence means accepting that the process of learning, unlearning, practicing, being courageous, and sometimes making mistakes is all part of the journey. To build your confidence, you need both courage and discipline.

If you find yourself needing guidance, remember that I offer coaching services, mentorships, and literary workshops, all designed to create a supportive environment for you to practice, get valuable feedback, and make the necessary adjustments to reach your grounded confidence. Together, we'll pave the path to your confident English-speaking journey.

Let’s work together!

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If you want to improve your fluency and gain confidence in English, join the conversation and literary workshops. Send me a text and tell me about your level of English and goals.