Improve English Speaking Skills Everyday (Tips to speak in English) English Conversation Practice

Summary

In this motivational conversation, a teacher helps a student named Maurice overcome his fear of speaking English, especially in interviews and presentations. The teacher offers practical tips such as identifying fears, practicing in private, joining online language communities, speaking slowly, staying calm, and embracing mistakes. Emphasizing the importance of regular practice and preparation, the teacher encourages Maurice to continue working on his English skills. The conversation wraps up with a promise of more tips to come in future videos, inviting viewers to share and support the channel.

Takeaways

• 😀 Speaking in a foreign language can be overwhelming, but it's part of the process of stepping out of your comfort zone.
• 😀 Identifying your specific fears about speaking English is the first step toward overcoming them.
• 😀 Practice positive self-talk to replace negative thoughts and encourage yourself to face your fears.
• 😀 Have a plan in place for the worst-case scenario (e.g., forgetting words) to reduce anxiety.
• 😀 Start by practicing on your own or with a supportive environment to build confidence before speaking publicly.
• 😀 Speaking slowly and clearly allows you to think through your words and reduces nervousness.
• 😀 It's okay to make mistakes when speaking English—mistakes are part of the learning process.
• 😀 Speaking regularly and exposing yourself to your fear helps to desensitize the anxiety over time.
• 😀 Find online communities or language partners to practice speaking English with if you don't have local options.
• 😀 Use techniques to stay calm, such as deep breathing or counting to ten, to help manage stress while speaking.
• 😀 Consistent practice and exposure to speaking English are key to overcoming your fear and improving fluency.

Q & A

What is Maurice struggling with in the conversation?

Maurice is struggling with a fear of speaking English, especially in front of others, which affected his ability to perform well during a job interview.

What advice does the teacher give Maurice to help with his fear of speaking English?

The teacher suggests identifying Maurice's fears, practicing self-encouragement, preparing for worst-case scenarios, speaking slowly, and gradually exposing himself to speaking English more often.

Why does Maurice feel afraid to speak English in public?

Maurice feels afraid that he will look stupid or forget what he wants to say when speaking English in front of others, especially in important situations like job interviews.

What is the importance of practicing privately, according to the teacher?

The teacher stresses that practicing privately, such as speaking to oneself in front of a mirror, can help build confidence and improve fluency without the fear of making mistakes in front of others.

How can speaking slowly help in overcoming the fear of speaking English?

Speaking slowly allows more time to think through what to say, reduces the pressure of trying to speak quickly, and helps develop fluency, all of which contribute to lowering anxiety.

What role do mistakes play in learning English, according to the teacher?

Mistakes are crucial for learning because they highlight areas that need improvement. The teacher emphasizes that if you're not making mistakes, you're not growing in your English skills.

What does the teacher mean by 'exposing yourself to your fear'?

The teacher refers to gradually facing the fear of speaking English by practicing regularly. The more you speak, the less fear you'll have, making it easier to communicate over time.

How can Maurice find people to practice English with, according to the teacher?

Maurice can join online language learning communities on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, where he can find people to practice English with, even if he doesn't have many friends or relatives who speak English.

What is the psychological explanation behind the fear of speaking English?

The fear stems from the discomfort of stepping out of one's comfort zone and the anxiety of risking failure. Speaking a foreign language can feel like being a child again, unable to express oneself fluently, which triggers fear of looking foolish.

What is the teacher’s ultimate advice for Maurice to overcome his fear?

The teacher advises Maurice to speak English regularly, practice self-encouragement, and remember that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Over time, consistent practice will help Maurice build confidence and overcome his fear.