Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to the deep Dive. You're here, I imagine because
you really care about something pretty crucial, speaking English fluently
and maybe more importantly confidently. Perhaps you're studying for a
big exam, or you're trying to advance your career in
this global world we live in. Or maybe it's just
(00:25):
that dream of expressing yourself freely, connecting with people without
that that not of hesitation you feel.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Sometimes, Absolutely that feeling is so common.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Whatever the reason, I really see you, I hear that aspiration,
and this deep dive well, it's made exactly for that journey. Today.
Our mission really is to cut through all the noise,
all the advice out there, some good, some maybe not
so effectiveate the platitudes exactly and offer what actually works
forget to memorize one hundred words a day stuff. We're
going beyond the usual tips here, we really are.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
And look, this isn't about abstract linguistic theory, is it.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
No, not at all.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
This deep dive it draws its insights from a really
well curated source, a guide called twelve Ways to Master
English Speaking Confidence. And what we're discussing today, these aren't
just ideas, they're actionable strategies, things that have genuinely worked
for thousands of learners around the world, Real practical.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Stuff, battle tested.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
You might see exactly battle tested. So as we get
into this, really keep an open mind, prepare for some
potential aha moments. You know, things that might just shift
how you think about learning English.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Right, change your whole approach, maybe could do.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
We're here to guide you through these insights.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Absolutely so. Our goal today together is to pull out
the most important bits of wisdom from this material, kind
of distill.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
It down the key takeaways.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Yeah, think of it like a shortcut, a way to
get truly well informed on how to tackle those speaking fears.
Turn hesitation into well into flow.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
That's the goal.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
So yeah, get compy, maybe grab a notebook, open up
a notes app, whatever works for you. Let this be
your moment for learning, for insight, maybe some fresh motivation.
Let's unpack this, let's do it all right, let's dive
into this first tip. It's huge. Speak every single day,
even if you're alone.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Sounds simple, right, almost too.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Simple, deceptively simple. Speak every day. But then straight away
people think, but I don't have anyone to talk to.
There are no nating speakers near me.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
That's the number one objection, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
It really is. It's the most common hurdle. But the
source is really clear on this, almost emphatic. You must
talk to yourself seriously.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yeah, it sounds a bit strange at first, maybe, but
it's powerful totally.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Imagine just narrating your day in English.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, out loud, like a running commentary.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Exactly. You're in the kitchen making coffee, say it, okay,
now I'm grinding the beans. That the water's boiling, Now
I'll pour it in the cup.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
We're walking out side. Huh, the sky looks a bit cloudy.
Hope it doesn't rain, right.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Or that car's going pretty fast. You're basically providing your
own input and output, right, those key things for learning
mm hmm.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Comprehensible input, productive output, all by yourself.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
You absolutely don't need a partner to start this habit.
It's foundational.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
And what's really fascinating from a sort of neurological perspective
is what this actually does.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah, tell us more.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Well, when you consistently make those English sounds, form those sentences,
even just talking to yourself, you're building what we call
articulatory muscle memory.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Okay, like physical training.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Exactly like physical training, think of a musician practicing scales.
The fingers learn the movements right, they become automatic. Got it,
same idea. You're training the muscles in your mouth, your pung,
your throat to make English sounds efficiently.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Huh. I never thought i'd quite like that.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
But it goes deeper. It actually strengthens the neural pathways
in your brain, the connections between a concept like hunger
and the English world words I'm hungry. So it helps
bypass translation precisely, it promotes direct English thought. It's a
form of active recall. You're retrieving the language, not just
recognizing it.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Like testing yourself, instead just rereading notes.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Exactly that effort makes the connections stronger, more automatic. Neuroscientists
call it automaticity, producing language without thinking so hard about it.
And if you connect this to the bigger picture, like
the source does, it really highlights that consistency. Doing it
a little bit every day, even imperfectly, is way more
important than trying to be perfect right.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Perfectionism gets in the way totally.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
It's how kids learn, isn't it. They just tried, they
mess up, they try again. They don't wait for the
perfect sentence. This daily self talk literally paves the way
for thinking directly in English and speaking more spontaneously. So
i'd really urge you listening now to think, what daily
routine could you use?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Yeah? Where could you fit this in?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Maybe you're commute, Yeah, doing chores, getting ready in the morning,
find that slot.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
That's great advice. That consistency over perfection idea is just
so freeing.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Isn't it?
Speaker 1 (05:06):
And paving neural pathways through self talk it makes it
feel really concrete, which leads us perfectly into the second
tip building around that. Yeah, think in English, not even
your native language.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Oh, yes, the big one.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
This is where it gets really interesting for a lot
of people. This is a total game changer because it
hits the root cause of so much hesitation, right, that
feeling of words getting stuck.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, have the translation block exactly most learners, and it's
natural think in their own language.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
First they craft the sentence perfectly there, and then they
try to translate it word by painful word into English. Yeah,
and that's why you get stuck. That's why conversations feel exhausting.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
It's that delay, right.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
The source says, train your brain to think directly in English.
Start small playfully even how small are we talking like?
Instead of thinking the native equivalent of I'm hungry and
then translating, just think I'm hungry or think I'll go
for walk, don't translate ami ekon borobo first, just the
English thought.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
It's about creating that direct link concept to English exactly,
and connecting this to the bigger picture. This is really
about rewiring your whole cognitive process, isn't it so Moving
from that two step translation model native thought than English
conversion to a direct one step process thought straight into English. Okay,
Your thoughts are the engine, right, they drive your language.
(06:27):
When you skip that translation step, you massively reduce what
we call cognitive load.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Cognitive load, yeah, like brain processing power exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Think of your brain like a computer. Translating is like
running two heavy programs at once, your native language operating
system and the English conversion software.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Uh okay, that makes sense. Uses up a lot of
mental energy.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Huge amounts, which leads to hesitation, feeling tired, maybe feeling
like you're not fluent even when you know the words right.
By thinking directly in English, you essentially shut down on
one program. You free up that brain power for more spontaneity,
more flow, better understanding.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
It's a powerful analogy, and the.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Source points out the more you practice this, the more
English stops feeling like this external thing you're translating to
and starts becoming the internal operating system for your thoughts.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Wow, like the default language in your head.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Precisely, it helps you avoid those awkward literal translations too.
You start thinking in more natural English. Pattern makes sense,
and over time it really can make English feel well, natural, effortless,
less hiring during conversations. You can express complex ideas faster.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
So it's really about changing your internal world first.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Fundamentally, I challenge listeners. Notice when you translate today, reading
a sign, planning your next move, reacting to something, try
just try to override it with a direct English thought.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
It's a marathon, not.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
A sprint though, right, Absolutely every little conscious eff counts.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
That's brilliant reducing cognitive load, making English the operating system
that really clicks now. Tip three. This one can feel
a bit awkward at first.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Uh huh, yeah, this one.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Record yourself speaking and listen back. Okay, I won't lie.
It can feel weird like hearing your voice on an
old answering machine.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Message cringey, sometimes totally.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
But the source describes it perfectly. It's like holding up
a mirror to your English. It gives you objective feedback.
Your own brain filters out while you're speaking.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
That's the key, the objectivity.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Yeah, when you listen back, it's amazing what you notice.
You'll hear your pronunciation differently. You'll suddenly notice all those
filler words and ums, the I, the.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
You knows fillers jump out, they really do.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
You'll pick up on your intonation, your rhythm where you
pause naturally or unnaturally. But maybe the most powerful part
is tracking your growth. The source suggests something really practical.
Record yourself for like one minute, talk about your day,
your dreams, your favorite.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Food, whatever, just a short snippet.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
Yeah, ye, save it. Then do it again in a week,
that again in a month. The promise is when you
listen back to those older ones.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Oh you're the different, You'll be shocked.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Yeah, how much clearer you sound, how much smoother it is.
It might be uncomfortable at first, facing where you are now,
but it speeds up improvement like crazy, It really does.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
And it raises that fascinating question again, why is discomfort
so often necessary for real growth.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Yeah, why is that?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Well, it's because that recording gives you undeniable data, objective feedback.
You can't argue with it like you can with your
own subjective feeling.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Right, You might think you sound okay, but the recording
doesn't lie exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
It creates this crucial auditory feedback loop. It's vital for
speech development, like an athlete watching game replays. Ah, okay,
spotting the mistakes, the inefficiencies precisely.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
It builds self awareness. You can pinpoint specific things. Okay,
that sound needs work, or my indunation on questions is
a bit flat, or wow, I say like a lot.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Turns vague goals like speak better into concrete targets exactly.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
It makes abstract ideas like pronunciation or fluency tangible measurable.
It accelerates progress because you know what to work on.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
So embrace the cringe.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Embrace the cringe. See it as a sign of genuine effort,
real learning. So I'd ask you, listening, what's one thing
you're curious to find out about your own speaking? By
trying this a specific sound, your rhythm, those fillers.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
That's a great way to frame It makes it less scary, Okay,
tip number four. This is one of my favorites. Actually,
it's active, it's engaging.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Ah, I know which one you.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Mean, Shadowing mimic native speakers. The source calls it karaoke
for spoken English, which I love.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
It's a perfect description, it really is.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
But it's karaoke with a series learning purpose. Here's how
it works. You pick some audio or video YouTube clip, ted, talk, movie, scene, podcast,
bit with a native speaker.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Okay, you play it, and then this is the crucial
big You try to speak along with them at the
exact same time, like a shadow.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Not just repeating after them, but simultaneously simultaneously.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
And the key isn't just getting the words right. It's
matching their tone, their rhythm, their pauses, yeah, even their emotion,
their speed wow.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Okay, so really embodying their speech pattern exactly.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
If they stress a word, you stress it. If their
voice goes up at the end of a question, yours
does too. If they pause, you pause.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
So it's not about perfect pronunciation at first, not.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Necessarily, it's about getting the feel the music of the language.
The source suggests starting with slower speakers than moving to
faster ones. It's fun, it's challenging and like the source says,
ridiculously effective.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
It really is, And what's fascinating is how it works.
Shadowing trains your brain and your mouth to sync up
in real time. You're mimicking the prosody.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
Prosody that's the melody of the language.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Right exactly, the rhythm, the stress, the intonation, the rise
and fall, all the stuff that makes speech sound natural
and conveys meaning beyond just the words. This is so
often overlooked, but it's vital.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Right, sounding natural, not robotic.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Precisely, by imitating, you're not just learning sounds, you're internalizing
the whole melodic contour of English. That makes sense, and
this boosts fluency massively because you're learning natural speech patterns,
not just building sentences word by word from grammar rules.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Like absorbing the flow.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Yeah, it builds this deeper, almost subconscious grasp of conversational flow,
sentence stress. Plus it improves you're listening too, because you
get more attuned to those nuances.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Heels two birds with one stone.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Absolutely. The source calls it ridiculously effective because it hits
multiple learning pathways at once. Listening, speaking, rhythm, intonation. It's
about making the sounds naturally.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
Just find a speaker you like and just shadow them.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Yeah, pick a favorite show, a speaker you admire, even
an audiobook clip. Start with just a minute or two
a day. You'll be amazed how quickly your mouth and
brains start working together better.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Great tip. Okay, now we're shipped gears slightly. Section three
is all about engaging with real people, real.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Language, moving beyond solo practice exactly.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Tip five is crucial for bridging that gap. Use language
exchange apps to talk with real people. You know, practicing
alone is great, but eventually you.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Got to talk to people.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
You got to talk to real people in real conversations.
And the amazing thing is technology makes this so easy.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Now, these apps are fantastic.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Yeah, the source mentions apps like Hello Talk, Tandem, Speaky,
they're game changers. They connect you with language partners all
over the world.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
And the model is usually reciprocal, right, that's.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
The genius of it. Often the native English speakers on
there want to learn your language, so it's a give
and take. You help them for maybe fifteen minutes, they
help you for fifteen minutes.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Takes the pressure off you're both learners.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
Totally reduces that feeling of being judged and The source
suggests a great way to ease into it. If you're shy,
start with texting okay, then maybe move to voice notes when.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
You feel braver, get used to hearing yourself.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
And them yeah, and then eventually try live calls, audio
or video. It's off and free, it's friendly, and honestly,
it feels like making international friends because you are.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
It turns learning into a social activity.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Exactly, less isolating, more connecting.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
And this really hits on the social dimension of language,
doesn't it. Language isn't just rules and words in a vacuum.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Now, it's about connection.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
It's fundamentally a tool for connection, for building relationships, expressing
who you are, understanding culture. These apps offer this invaluable
low stake space for authentic interaction.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Low stakes is key, absolutely, and.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
The psychological comfort knowing your partner is also learning maybe
struggling with your language. That shared vulnerability massively reduces the
fear of judgment.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Yeah, you're in it together, right.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
This reciprocal learning builds confidence through real world use where
the goal is communication, not perfection.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Making mistakes is okay, it's.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Expected you overcome that fear of judgment through paus of experiences.
Plus you make friends, learn about cultures. It makes the
whole thing way more enjoyable and sustainable.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Keeps you motivate.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Definitely, It adds that vital human element. So I'd encourage
listeners think about what kind of partner would suit you,
someone with shared hobbies, similar, professional field or just casual
chat practice.
Speaker 1 (15:18):
Find the right fit for you. Great point. Okay, and
speaking of making things more natural, let's dive into Tip six.
Learn phrases, not just words.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Ah, this is a big one for sounding natural.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
It really is. Now. Look, vocabulary lists are find Knowing
words is obviously important foundational, foundational, But phrases, they are
a strategic leap, so much better for fluency. Let me
explain why this is so key.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Yeah, unpack this.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
The source uses a perfect example. Knowing the word interest good, yeah, useful.
But knowing the phrase I'm interested in photography. That's the magic.
That's real life English.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
That's what people actually say exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
It's how words nowtually go together, how grammar works in context.
When you learn words and phrases in chunks, you remember
them way longer.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Because they're connected to meaning and use.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Right, you absorb the grammar, the prepositions without even trying
too hard, So the practical shift is huge. Instead of
trying to cram twenty random words a.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Day, which you'll probably forget exactly.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
Try learning five useful, complete phrases you can actually use tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Quality over quantity, applicability.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
And connecting this to the bigger picture, it's about understanding
that language is often idiomatic. Native speakers rely heavily on
what linguists call lexical chunks.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Lexical chunks like pre made blocks of language.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
Exactly prefabricated units. We don't build every sentence from scratch,
word by word. We pull out common expressions, fixed phrases
like how are you doing? Or on the other hand,
or make a decision right.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
We don't usually say do a decision, We don't.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
That's collocation words that naturally go together. Learning for phrases
teaches you these collocations automatically, okay. And the beauty is
it boosts fluency and naturalness because you have these ready
made structures, less hesitation while you search for the next.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Word, Like having conversational building blocks ready.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
To go precisely, it helps you bypass that literal translation trap. Again.
You sound more authentic, more effortless. Your sentences flow because
you're accessing these common patterns.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Allowing you to focus more on the message exactly.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
You can concentrate on what you want to say, not
just how to say it word by word. So I'd
suggest focusing on phrases for daily stuff, giving opinions, agreeing,
disagreeing things you actually talk about. Right, think of a
common topic for you, What are five useful natural phrases
you could learn for that situation.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
That's a really practical way to approach it. Love the
idea of chunks. Section four. This is about embracing challenges
and building community.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Getting out there.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Getting out there. Tip seven is a biggie speak in
real life situations. The source is pretty direct. Want to
get better, jump in the water.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
No sugar coating it.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
None. And yet this often means stepping outside your comfort zone.
It might feel awkward, you might worry, people want to understand,
maybe even laugh. But why do it?
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Because that's where the real learning happens.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Exactly, every real conversation, every genuine interaction, is a powerful lesson.
It's where theory becomes a reality. The source gives loads
of examples. Go to a shop, order coffee in English,
join an online English group chat, start a simple YouTube
channel talking about your.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Day, small steps, real interactions.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Yeah. The point is every time you use English, when
it feels a bit risky, a bit uncomfortable, you're stretching
your skills. You're building resilience, touching the boundaries. And that's
how you forge that solid, unshakable confidence that no book
or app can give you.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
It comes from doing absolutely and this really highlights the
power of experiential learning. Confidence isn't something you read about.
It's something you build through experience.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
You're trying and succeeding, or even trying and messing.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Up exactly, through repeated success and through overcoming challenges and
authentic situations. It links to the idea of productive struggle.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Productive struggle, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
That period of effort, maybe even difficulty that leads to
deeper learning. When you have to use the language in
real time, it sticks.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
Differently, forces you to retrieve things.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Quickly and adapt It cements the knowledge way better than
passive learning. It also highlights the importance of creating slightly
higher stake situations.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
For yourself, even if you create them yourself.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Yeah, even self imposed stakes. That little bit of pressure
pushes you to use what you know and quickly shows
you what you don't know.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Yet moves you from just knowing about English to actually.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
Using it precisely. It builds resilience that I can handle
this feeling. So the challenges identify one small, real life
interaction you can try this week. What's one situation you
can bravely step into?
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Take that leap. It's often the hardest step, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
It is, but it's the most rewarding.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Alongside stepping out, there is tip eight. Accept mistakes and
learn from them. Let's be real, everyone hates making mistakes.
It's universal that fear of sounding stupid, being judged. It's
probably the biggest single barrier for so many.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
People stops people from even trying exactly.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
But here's the secret. As that source puts it so well,
mistakes aren't failures. Their proof you're trying, evidence of effort.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
That's a great mindset shift.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Isn't it. Think about babies learning to talk. They mess
up constantly, wrong sounds, weird grammar, and they still become
fluent speakers.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Uh huh. Yeah. They don't apologize for their bad baby talk.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
They absolutely don't.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
No one expects learners to be perfect. So the crucial
shift is stop saying sorry for your english.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Oh that's a big one, sorry for my bad english.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Yeah, ditch that instead, adopt a mindset of I'm learning,
I'm improving because you are.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Mistakes aren't failures, they're feedback signposts.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
In dispense feedback mechanisms. And this really gets to our
relationship with failure in language learning. Mistakes aren't failures, they
are maybe more accurately diagnostic data points.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Data points. I like that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
They show you exactly where the gaps are in your
understanding pronunciation grammar. They give you specific things to work on.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
So it's about having a growth mindset, not a perfectionist one.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Absolutely believing you can improve through effort versus thinking you're
just bad at languages. When you forgive your own mistakes,
you free up so much mental energy.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
Energy that was being wasted on anxiety and fear.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
Precisely, less anxiety means you're more willing to try speaking again.
It creates this positive loop. Try it, maybe make a mistake,
learn from it, try again, slightly better.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
More attempts mean more learning.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
Exactly, think like a scientist. A failed experiment still gives
you valuable data. It's about persistence, not perfection. So the
challenge here, think of a recent mistake, reframe it. What
feedback did it actually give you? What did you learn.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
From embarrassment to data that's powerful? Make speaking feel safer,
more experimental exactly, and building on that safety not doing
it alone. Tip nine. Join English speaking clubs or online groups.
The source is clear, don't try to do this alone.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
Community is key, it really is.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
Language learning can feel so isolating, especially if you're not
in an English speaking environment, but it doesn't have to be.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Technology helps hugely here, totally.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Loads of Facebook groups, discord servers, WhatsApp communities, places where
learners like you get together, often weekly, just to practice.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Often pure led informal.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Yeah, often very informal. It's not just about the English practice, though,
It's about being around others on the same.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
Path, shared journey, shared struggles exactly.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
You motivate each other, share tips, laugh at mistakes together,
grow together. It provides that consistent, low pressure, high support.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Environment crucial for sticking with it. Definitely, And this is
social learning theory and action, isn't it. A supportive community
offers so much account.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Of yep, knowing you've got a practice session.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Scheduled, diverse perspectives from other learners, and crucially that safe
space to experiment without feeling judged.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Yeah, everyone's learning shared.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Goals reduce that isolation. It makes the whole process more enjoyable,
more sustainable. The group energy fuels individual progress.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
I could see that.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Plus, you get regular practice, structured or unstructured, and you
learn from others' questions, their insights, their mistakes. Even it's
collective intelligence makes.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
It less lonely and more fun.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Exactly the source nails it less lonely and a lot
more fun. I'd suggest looking for groups based on your
interests too, books, movies, work, hobbies makes it even more engaging.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
Find your tribe great advice. Okay. Final section number five
decaded practice and.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
Immersion using the tools around us.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
Right. Tip ten is maybe a bit unexpected. Use voice
assistance as speaking practice.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Seriously, Siri, Alexa, Google assistance.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Ye, those guys, they aren't just for timers and weather.
They can actually help you improve your pronunciation and clarity.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
How does that work?
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Well? Try asking your phone what's the weather? Or set
a timer for five minutes, or tell me a joke.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
The key is the feedback. If the AI misunderstands you.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
It tells you, right, sorry, I didn't get that exactly.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
That's your cue. Try again, maybe slow down, adjust your pronunciation,
emphasize a different syllable. They're like tiny micro conversations.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Low stakes, but immediate.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Feedback, highly effective. They force clarity. The AI doesn't care
about your accent, just intelligibility. Did it understand the command?
Speaker 2 (24:37):
That's actually brilliant. It's immediate, unbiased feedback and a zero
pressure situation.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Right, no judgment from the AI.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
It just processes sound waves, tells you if it worked
or not. It's great repetitive practice for specific sounds, word stress.
Overall clarity, a purely functional.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
Test builds that muscle memory again.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
It does and trains you to focus consciously on being clear. Plus,
it gets you comfortable speaking to technology, which is useful anyway.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Desensitizes you to speaking English aloud.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Yeah, even to a machine. And let's be honest, it's
kind of cool practicing with AI. Easy way to squeeze
in micropractice.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
So challenge. Use your voice assistant for one task today,
focusing on clarity. See what happens?
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Good challenge?
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Okay, speaking of tech and immersion, tip eleven is super popular.
Watch English shows and repeat the dialogues.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Ah the Netflix method, Uh.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
Huh, exactly proof that screen time can be learning time
if you do it right.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
It's not passive, it's got to be active.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
KeyPoint the strategy choose a show with clear, natural dialogue.
The source suggests things like Friends, the Office, Stranger things
where the conversation is pretty casual, everyday speech.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
Okay, relatable stuff.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
Yeah, watch with English subtitles. First, get the context, the vocab.
Then here's the active part. Turn the subtitles off pause
after a short line or exchange, and then repeated out
loud with intention. Copy their style, their emotion, their speed,
their intonation.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Mimicry again, like shadowing, but with pauses.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
Exactly, you internalize not just words, but the rhythm, the cadence,
the slang, the idioms. Stuff textbooks miss.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
The real texture of the language.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
Yeah, you'll be surprised how much you absorb, how much
more natural your own English starts us, sound, you laugh,
you learn, you level up.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
It's productive entertainment and this hits on input. Quality shows
give you authentic, contextualized language far better than artificial dialogue,
real conversation, real idioms, slang, cultural bits, and this method
integrates listening pronunciation into nation all at once. Mimicking helps
internalize those natural rhythms crucial for sounding native.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Like bridges the gap between grammar rules and how people actually.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Talk totally, and the big win is enjoyment. It's sustainable
because you're using content you like, less like studying more
like engaging keeps you coming back exactly meaningful engagement. So
pick a favorite scene, a character you like. Try mimicking
just a few lines a day. Pay attention to how
they speak, not just what.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Great practical advice Okay, Final tip number twelve. This one
kind of ties everything together. Create an English environment around
you immersion. Total immersion is as much as possible. Yeah,
you can't speak English fluently if you're barely exposed to it,
So deliberately make English your environment, your background, noise, your default.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
How do you do that practically well?
Speaker 1 (27:28):
The source suggests easy steps. Change your phone language to English,
change app settings, follow English speaking people or news on
social media. Switch your inputs exactly. Watch English YouTube, listen
to English music podcasts, audiobooks. Make it pervasive, almost inescapable.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
So it's active study and passive exposure.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
Both your brain picks up more than you realize, even passively.
It's how kids learn their first language. Total immersion and
it works for adults too, creates that ecosystem for fluency.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
This is basically language, isn't it. Constant exposure primes your brain.
It links to Crashan's comprehensible input idea.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Right language you mostly understand?
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Yeah, Even passive listening builds that foundation. Sounds, rhythm, focab, grammar.
It reduces the cognitive effort. Over time, English feels less foreign,
less like a puzzle, more natural exactly, and the long
term implication is profound. A truly immersive environment makes English
feel less like a second language and more, as the
source says, like a part of you.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Oh yeah, like, it integrates into your identity.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
It ships from an external tool to an internal lens.
It becomes natural. So the challenge here find three areas
in your daily life where you can boost your English
exposure starting today, music, news, hobbies, online.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Every little bit adds.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
Up, It compounds absolutely, So.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
There we have it. Our deep dive into twelve really
practical but honestly quite profound ways to boost your English
speaking confidence. Let's do a super quick recap.
Speaker 2 (28:58):
Okay rapid fire. Speak every day, even alone.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Think directly in English. Ditch the translation step.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Record yourself and listen back, embrace the cringe.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
Shadow native speakers, mimic their music.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Use language, exchange apps, connect with real humans.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Learn phrases not just words. Use language chunks.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
Speak in real life situations. Jump in the water.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
Except mistakes, they're data, not failures.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Use voice assistance, practice clarity.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
With AI, watch shows and repeat dialogue.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Learn from entertainment, and create an English environment all around you.
Immerse yourself.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Hew, And what's really key here, I think is that
these aren't just twelve separate tips.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
No, they connect, don't they They form a.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Whole ecosystem for learning. Yeah, each one reinforces the others.
It creates this virtuous cycle of practice, learning, confidence right.
Speaking to yourself helps you think in English. Recording yourself
helps you shadow better.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
Exactly so, the question becomes what happens when you combine
a few of these consistently? Result is way more than
the sum of its parts.
Speaker 1 (30:02):
Transforms the whole process, It really does.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
It makes it a continuous rewarding journey and thinking critically
about how you learn. Applying these strategies that's your direct path.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
So what does all this mean for you? Listening right now?
It means speaking English confidently isn't some far off dream.
It's achievable. It's a skill you build brick by brick,
practice by practice. It's totally within your reach. Just think
applying this one or two of these consistently for the
next month. How much could that change your comfort level?
Speaker 2 (30:33):
Your opportunities could be transformative.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
So the big question we leave you with, which of
these twelve tips will you start using today?
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Remember, knowledge is great, but it's most valuable when you
understand it deeply and actually apply it, integrate.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
It, put it into action.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
Exactly. There's always more to learn, different perspectives and rich things,
But believe you have what it takes, keep practicing, keep speaking,
and soon, really, sooner than you might, I think English
won't feel like this separate second language. It'll just feel like, well,
like part.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
Of you that's sortless authentic.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Well, thank you so much for joining us on this
deep dive. We really hope these insights spark something for you,
give you practical tools for your journey. Keep at it
until our next deep dive, Keep learning, keep growing, and
definitely keep speaking,
Welcome to the deep Dive. You're here, I imagine because
you really care about something pretty crucial, speaking English fluently
and maybe more importantly confidently. Perhaps you're studying for a
big exam, or you're trying to advance your career in
this global world we live in. Or maybe it's just
(00:25):
that dream of expressing yourself freely, connecting with people without
that that not of hesitation you feel.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Sometimes, Absolutely that feeling is so common.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Whatever the reason, I really see you, I hear that aspiration,
and this deep dive well, it's made exactly for that journey. Today.
Our mission really is to cut through all the noise,
all the advice out there, some good, some maybe not
so effectiveate the platitudes exactly and offer what actually works
forget to memorize one hundred words a day stuff. We're
going beyond the usual tips here, we really are.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
And look, this isn't about abstract linguistic theory, is it.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
No, not at all.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
This deep dive it draws its insights from a really
well curated source, a guide called twelve Ways to Master
English Speaking Confidence. And what we're discussing today, these aren't
just ideas, they're actionable strategies, things that have genuinely worked
for thousands of learners around the world, Real practical.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Stuff, battle tested.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
You might see exactly battle tested. So as we get
into this, really keep an open mind, prepare for some
potential aha moments. You know, things that might just shift
how you think about learning English.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Right, change your whole approach, maybe could do.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
We're here to guide you through these insights.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Absolutely so. Our goal today together is to pull out
the most important bits of wisdom from this material, kind
of distill.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
It down the key takeaways.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Yeah, think of it like a shortcut, a way to
get truly well informed on how to tackle those speaking fears.
Turn hesitation into well into flow.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
That's the goal.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
So yeah, get compy, maybe grab a notebook, open up
a notes app, whatever works for you. Let this be
your moment for learning, for insight, maybe some fresh motivation.
Let's unpack this, let's do it all right, let's dive
into this first tip. It's huge. Speak every single day,
even if you're alone.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Sounds simple, right, almost too.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Simple, deceptively simple. Speak every day. But then straight away
people think, but I don't have anyone to talk to.
There are no nating speakers near me.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
That's the number one objection, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
It really is. It's the most common hurdle. But the
source is really clear on this, almost emphatic. You must
talk to yourself seriously.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yeah, it sounds a bit strange at first, maybe, but
it's powerful totally.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Imagine just narrating your day in English.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, out loud, like a running commentary.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Exactly. You're in the kitchen making coffee, say it, okay,
now I'm grinding the beans. That the water's boiling, Now
I'll pour it in the cup.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
We're walking out side. Huh, the sky looks a bit cloudy.
Hope it doesn't rain, right.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Or that car's going pretty fast. You're basically providing your
own input and output, right, those key things for learning
mm hmm.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Comprehensible input, productive output, all by yourself.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
You absolutely don't need a partner to start this habit.
It's foundational.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
And what's really fascinating from a sort of neurological perspective
is what this actually does.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah, tell us more.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Well, when you consistently make those English sounds, form those sentences,
even just talking to yourself, you're building what we call
articulatory muscle memory.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Okay, like physical training.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Exactly like physical training, think of a musician practicing scales.
The fingers learn the movements right, they become automatic. Got it,
same idea. You're training the muscles in your mouth, your pung,
your throat to make English sounds efficiently.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Huh. I never thought i'd quite like that.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
But it goes deeper. It actually strengthens the neural pathways
in your brain, the connections between a concept like hunger
and the English world words I'm hungry. So it helps
bypass translation precisely, it promotes direct English thought. It's a
form of active recall. You're retrieving the language, not just
recognizing it.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Like testing yourself, instead just rereading notes.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Exactly that effort makes the connections stronger, more automatic. Neuroscientists
call it automaticity, producing language without thinking so hard about it.
And if you connect this to the bigger picture, like
the source does, it really highlights that consistency. Doing it
a little bit every day, even imperfectly, is way more
important than trying to be perfect right.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Perfectionism gets in the way totally.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
It's how kids learn, isn't it. They just tried, they
mess up, they try again. They don't wait for the
perfect sentence. This daily self talk literally paves the way
for thinking directly in English and speaking more spontaneously. So
i'd really urge you listening now to think, what daily
routine could you use?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Yeah? Where could you fit this in?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Maybe you're commute, Yeah, doing chores, getting ready in the morning,
find that slot.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
That's great advice. That consistency over perfection idea is just
so freeing.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Isn't it?
Speaker 1 (05:06):
And paving neural pathways through self talk it makes it
feel really concrete, which leads us perfectly into the second
tip building around that. Yeah, think in English, not even
your native language.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Oh, yes, the big one.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
This is where it gets really interesting for a lot
of people. This is a total game changer because it
hits the root cause of so much hesitation, right, that
feeling of words getting stuck.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, have the translation block exactly most learners, and it's
natural think in their own language.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
First they craft the sentence perfectly there, and then they
try to translate it word by painful word into English. Yeah,
and that's why you get stuck. That's why conversations feel exhausting.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
It's that delay, right.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
The source says, train your brain to think directly in English.
Start small playfully even how small are we talking like?
Instead of thinking the native equivalent of I'm hungry and
then translating, just think I'm hungry or think I'll go
for walk, don't translate ami ekon borobo first, just the
English thought.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
It's about creating that direct link concept to English exactly,
and connecting this to the bigger picture. This is really
about rewiring your whole cognitive process, isn't it so Moving
from that two step translation model native thought than English
conversion to a direct one step process thought straight into English. Okay,
Your thoughts are the engine, right, they drive your language.
(06:27):
When you skip that translation step, you massively reduce what
we call cognitive load.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Cognitive load, yeah, like brain processing power exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Think of your brain like a computer. Translating is like
running two heavy programs at once, your native language operating
system and the English conversion software.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Uh okay, that makes sense. Uses up a lot of
mental energy.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Huge amounts, which leads to hesitation, feeling tired, maybe feeling
like you're not fluent even when you know the words right.
By thinking directly in English, you essentially shut down on
one program. You free up that brain power for more spontaneity,
more flow, better understanding.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
It's a powerful analogy, and the.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Source points out the more you practice this, the more
English stops feeling like this external thing you're translating to
and starts becoming the internal operating system for your thoughts.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Wow, like the default language in your head.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Precisely, it helps you avoid those awkward literal translations too.
You start thinking in more natural English. Pattern makes sense,
and over time it really can make English feel well, natural, effortless,
less hiring during conversations. You can express complex ideas faster.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
So it's really about changing your internal world first.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Fundamentally, I challenge listeners. Notice when you translate today, reading
a sign, planning your next move, reacting to something, try
just try to override it with a direct English thought.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
It's a marathon, not.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
A sprint though, right, Absolutely every little conscious eff counts.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
That's brilliant reducing cognitive load, making English the operating system
that really clicks now. Tip three. This one can feel
a bit awkward at first.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Uh huh, yeah, this one.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Record yourself speaking and listen back. Okay, I won't lie.
It can feel weird like hearing your voice on an
old answering machine.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Message cringey, sometimes totally.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
But the source describes it perfectly. It's like holding up
a mirror to your English. It gives you objective feedback.
Your own brain filters out while you're speaking.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
That's the key, the objectivity.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Yeah, when you listen back, it's amazing what you notice.
You'll hear your pronunciation differently. You'll suddenly notice all those
filler words and ums, the I, the.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
You knows fillers jump out, they really do.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
You'll pick up on your intonation, your rhythm where you
pause naturally or unnaturally. But maybe the most powerful part
is tracking your growth. The source suggests something really practical.
Record yourself for like one minute, talk about your day,
your dreams, your favorite.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Food, whatever, just a short snippet.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
Yeah, ye, save it. Then do it again in a week,
that again in a month. The promise is when you
listen back to those older ones.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Oh you're the different, You'll be shocked.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Yeah, how much clearer you sound, how much smoother it is.
It might be uncomfortable at first, facing where you are now,
but it speeds up improvement like crazy, It really does.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
And it raises that fascinating question again, why is discomfort
so often necessary for real growth.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Yeah, why is that?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Well, it's because that recording gives you undeniable data, objective feedback.
You can't argue with it like you can with your
own subjective feeling.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Right, You might think you sound okay, but the recording
doesn't lie exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
It creates this crucial auditory feedback loop. It's vital for
speech development, like an athlete watching game replays. Ah, okay,
spotting the mistakes, the inefficiencies precisely.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
It builds self awareness. You can pinpoint specific things. Okay,
that sound needs work, or my indunation on questions is
a bit flat, or wow, I say like a lot.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Turns vague goals like speak better into concrete targets exactly.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
It makes abstract ideas like pronunciation or fluency tangible measurable.
It accelerates progress because you know what to work on.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
So embrace the cringe.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Embrace the cringe. See it as a sign of genuine effort,
real learning. So I'd ask you, listening, what's one thing
you're curious to find out about your own speaking? By
trying this a specific sound, your rhythm, those fillers.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
That's a great way to frame It makes it less scary, Okay,
tip number four. This is one of my favorites. Actually,
it's active, it's engaging.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Ah, I know which one you.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Mean, Shadowing mimic native speakers. The source calls it karaoke
for spoken English, which I love.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
It's a perfect description, it really is.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
But it's karaoke with a series learning purpose. Here's how
it works. You pick some audio or video YouTube clip, ted, talk, movie, scene, podcast,
bit with a native speaker.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Okay, you play it, and then this is the crucial
big You try to speak along with them at the
exact same time, like a shadow.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Not just repeating after them, but simultaneously simultaneously.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
And the key isn't just getting the words right. It's
matching their tone, their rhythm, their pauses, yeah, even their emotion,
their speed wow.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Okay, so really embodying their speech pattern exactly.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
If they stress a word, you stress it. If their
voice goes up at the end of a question, yours
does too. If they pause, you pause.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
So it's not about perfect pronunciation at first, not.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Necessarily, it's about getting the feel the music of the language.
The source suggests starting with slower speakers than moving to
faster ones. It's fun, it's challenging and like the source says,
ridiculously effective.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
It really is, And what's fascinating is how it works.
Shadowing trains your brain and your mouth to sync up
in real time. You're mimicking the prosody.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
Prosody that's the melody of the language.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Right exactly, the rhythm, the stress, the intonation, the rise
and fall, all the stuff that makes speech sound natural
and conveys meaning beyond just the words. This is so
often overlooked, but it's vital.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Right, sounding natural, not robotic.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Precisely, by imitating, you're not just learning sounds, you're internalizing
the whole melodic contour of English. That makes sense, and
this boosts fluency massively because you're learning natural speech patterns,
not just building sentences word by word from grammar rules.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Like absorbing the flow.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Yeah, it builds this deeper, almost subconscious grasp of conversational flow,
sentence stress. Plus it improves you're listening too, because you
get more attuned to those nuances.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Heels two birds with one stone.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Absolutely. The source calls it ridiculously effective because it hits
multiple learning pathways at once. Listening, speaking, rhythm, intonation. It's
about making the sounds naturally.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
Just find a speaker you like and just shadow them.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Yeah, pick a favorite show, a speaker you admire, even
an audiobook clip. Start with just a minute or two
a day. You'll be amazed how quickly your mouth and
brains start working together better.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Great tip. Okay, now we're shipped gears slightly. Section three
is all about engaging with real people, real.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Language, moving beyond solo practice exactly.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Tip five is crucial for bridging that gap. Use language
exchange apps to talk with real people. You know, practicing
alone is great, but eventually you.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Got to talk to people.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
You got to talk to real people in real conversations.
And the amazing thing is technology makes this so easy.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Now, these apps are fantastic.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Yeah, the source mentions apps like Hello Talk, Tandem, Speaky,
they're game changers. They connect you with language partners all
over the world.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
And the model is usually reciprocal, right, that's.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
The genius of it. Often the native English speakers on
there want to learn your language, so it's a give
and take. You help them for maybe fifteen minutes, they
help you for fifteen minutes.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Takes the pressure off you're both learners.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
Totally reduces that feeling of being judged and The source
suggests a great way to ease into it. If you're shy,
start with texting okay, then maybe move to voice notes when.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
You feel braver, get used to hearing yourself.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
And them yeah, and then eventually try live calls, audio
or video. It's off and free, it's friendly, and honestly,
it feels like making international friends because you are.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
It turns learning into a social activity.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Exactly, less isolating, more connecting.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
And this really hits on the social dimension of language,
doesn't it. Language isn't just rules and words in a vacuum.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Now, it's about connection.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
It's fundamentally a tool for connection, for building relationships, expressing
who you are, understanding culture. These apps offer this invaluable
low stake space for authentic interaction.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Low stakes is key, absolutely, and.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
The psychological comfort knowing your partner is also learning maybe
struggling with your language. That shared vulnerability massively reduces the
fear of judgment.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Yeah, you're in it together, right.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
This reciprocal learning builds confidence through real world use where
the goal is communication, not perfection.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Making mistakes is okay, it's.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Expected you overcome that fear of judgment through paus of experiences.
Plus you make friends, learn about cultures. It makes the
whole thing way more enjoyable and sustainable.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Keeps you motivate.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Definitely, It adds that vital human element. So I'd encourage
listeners think about what kind of partner would suit you,
someone with shared hobbies, similar, professional field or just casual
chat practice.
Speaker 1 (15:18):
Find the right fit for you. Great point. Okay, and
speaking of making things more natural, let's dive into Tip six.
Learn phrases, not just words.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Ah, this is a big one for sounding natural.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
It really is. Now. Look, vocabulary lists are find Knowing
words is obviously important foundational, foundational, But phrases, they are
a strategic leap, so much better for fluency. Let me
explain why this is so key.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Yeah, unpack this.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
The source uses a perfect example. Knowing the word interest good, yeah, useful.
But knowing the phrase I'm interested in photography. That's the magic.
That's real life English.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
That's what people actually say exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
It's how words nowtually go together, how grammar works in context.
When you learn words and phrases in chunks, you remember
them way longer.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Because they're connected to meaning and use.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Right, you absorb the grammar, the prepositions without even trying
too hard, So the practical shift is huge. Instead of
trying to cram twenty random words a.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Day, which you'll probably forget exactly.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
Try learning five useful, complete phrases you can actually use tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Quality over quantity, applicability.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
And connecting this to the bigger picture, it's about understanding
that language is often idiomatic. Native speakers rely heavily on
what linguists call lexical chunks.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Lexical chunks like pre made blocks of language.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
Exactly prefabricated units. We don't build every sentence from scratch,
word by word. We pull out common expressions, fixed phrases
like how are you doing? Or on the other hand,
or make a decision right.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
We don't usually say do a decision, We don't.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
That's collocation words that naturally go together. Learning for phrases
teaches you these collocations automatically, okay. And the beauty is
it boosts fluency and naturalness because you have these ready
made structures, less hesitation while you search for the next.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Word, Like having conversational building blocks ready.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
To go precisely, it helps you bypass that literal translation trap. Again.
You sound more authentic, more effortless. Your sentences flow because
you're accessing these common patterns.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Allowing you to focus more on the message exactly.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
You can concentrate on what you want to say, not
just how to say it word by word. So I'd
suggest focusing on phrases for daily stuff, giving opinions, agreeing,
disagreeing things you actually talk about. Right, think of a
common topic for you, What are five useful natural phrases
you could learn for that situation.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
That's a really practical way to approach it. Love the
idea of chunks. Section four. This is about embracing challenges
and building community.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Getting out there.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Getting out there. Tip seven is a biggie speak in
real life situations. The source is pretty direct. Want to
get better, jump in the water.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
No sugar coating it.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
None. And yet this often means stepping outside your comfort zone.
It might feel awkward, you might worry, people want to understand,
maybe even laugh. But why do it?
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Because that's where the real learning happens.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Exactly, every real conversation, every genuine interaction, is a powerful lesson.
It's where theory becomes a reality. The source gives loads
of examples. Go to a shop, order coffee in English,
join an online English group chat, start a simple YouTube
channel talking about your.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Day, small steps, real interactions.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Yeah. The point is every time you use English, when
it feels a bit risky, a bit uncomfortable, you're stretching
your skills. You're building resilience, touching the boundaries. And that's
how you forge that solid, unshakable confidence that no book
or app can give you.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
It comes from doing absolutely and this really highlights the
power of experiential learning. Confidence isn't something you read about.
It's something you build through experience.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
You're trying and succeeding, or even trying and messing.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Up exactly, through repeated success and through overcoming challenges and
authentic situations. It links to the idea of productive struggle.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Productive struggle, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
That period of effort, maybe even difficulty that leads to
deeper learning. When you have to use the language in
real time, it sticks.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
Differently, forces you to retrieve things.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Quickly and adapt It cements the knowledge way better than
passive learning. It also highlights the importance of creating slightly
higher stake situations.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
For yourself, even if you create them yourself.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Yeah, even self imposed stakes. That little bit of pressure
pushes you to use what you know and quickly shows
you what you don't know.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Yet moves you from just knowing about English to actually.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
Using it precisely. It builds resilience that I can handle
this feeling. So the challenges identify one small, real life
interaction you can try this week. What's one situation you
can bravely step into?
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Take that leap. It's often the hardest step, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
It is, but it's the most rewarding.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Alongside stepping out, there is tip eight. Accept mistakes and
learn from them. Let's be real, everyone hates making mistakes.
It's universal that fear of sounding stupid, being judged. It's
probably the biggest single barrier for so many.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
People stops people from even trying exactly.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
But here's the secret. As that source puts it so well,
mistakes aren't failures. Their proof you're trying, evidence of effort.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
That's a great mindset shift.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Isn't it. Think about babies learning to talk. They mess
up constantly, wrong sounds, weird grammar, and they still become
fluent speakers.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Uh huh. Yeah. They don't apologize for their bad baby talk.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
They absolutely don't.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
No one expects learners to be perfect. So the crucial
shift is stop saying sorry for your english.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Oh that's a big one, sorry for my bad english.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Yeah, ditch that instead, adopt a mindset of I'm learning,
I'm improving because you are.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Mistakes aren't failures, they're feedback signposts.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
In dispense feedback mechanisms. And this really gets to our
relationship with failure in language learning. Mistakes aren't failures, they
are maybe more accurately diagnostic data points.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Data points. I like that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
They show you exactly where the gaps are in your
understanding pronunciation grammar. They give you specific things to work on.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
So it's about having a growth mindset, not a perfectionist one.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Absolutely believing you can improve through effort versus thinking you're
just bad at languages. When you forgive your own mistakes,
you free up so much mental energy.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
Energy that was being wasted on anxiety and fear.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
Precisely, less anxiety means you're more willing to try speaking again.
It creates this positive loop. Try it, maybe make a mistake,
learn from it, try again, slightly better.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
More attempts mean more learning.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
Exactly, think like a scientist. A failed experiment still gives
you valuable data. It's about persistence, not perfection. So the
challenge here, think of a recent mistake, reframe it. What
feedback did it actually give you? What did you learn.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
From embarrassment to data that's powerful? Make speaking feel safer,
more experimental exactly, and building on that safety not doing
it alone. Tip nine. Join English speaking clubs or online groups.
The source is clear, don't try to do this alone.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
Community is key, it really is.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
Language learning can feel so isolating, especially if you're not
in an English speaking environment, but it doesn't have to be.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Technology helps hugely here, totally.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Loads of Facebook groups, discord servers, WhatsApp communities, places where
learners like you get together, often weekly, just to practice.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Often pure led informal.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Yeah, often very informal. It's not just about the English practice, though,
It's about being around others on the same.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
Path, shared journey, shared struggles exactly.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
You motivate each other, share tips, laugh at mistakes together,
grow together. It provides that consistent, low pressure, high support.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Environment crucial for sticking with it. Definitely, And this is
social learning theory and action, isn't it. A supportive community
offers so much account.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Of yep, knowing you've got a practice session.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Scheduled, diverse perspectives from other learners, and crucially that safe
space to experiment without feeling judged.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Yeah, everyone's learning shared.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Goals reduce that isolation. It makes the whole process more enjoyable,
more sustainable. The group energy fuels individual progress.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
I could see that.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Plus, you get regular practice, structured or unstructured, and you
learn from others' questions, their insights, their mistakes. Even it's
collective intelligence makes.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
It less lonely and more fun.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Exactly the source nails it less lonely and a lot
more fun. I'd suggest looking for groups based on your
interests too, books, movies, work, hobbies makes it even more engaging.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
Find your tribe great advice. Okay. Final section number five
decaded practice and.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
Immersion using the tools around us.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
Right. Tip ten is maybe a bit unexpected. Use voice
assistance as speaking practice.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Seriously, Siri, Alexa, Google assistance.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Ye, those guys, they aren't just for timers and weather.
They can actually help you improve your pronunciation and clarity.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
How does that work?
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Well? Try asking your phone what's the weather? Or set
a timer for five minutes, or tell me a joke.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
The key is the feedback. If the AI misunderstands you.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
It tells you, right, sorry, I didn't get that exactly.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
That's your cue. Try again, maybe slow down, adjust your pronunciation,
emphasize a different syllable. They're like tiny micro conversations.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Low stakes, but immediate.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Feedback, highly effective. They force clarity. The AI doesn't care
about your accent, just intelligibility. Did it understand the command?
Speaker 2 (24:37):
That's actually brilliant. It's immediate, unbiased feedback and a zero
pressure situation.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Right, no judgment from the AI.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
It just processes sound waves, tells you if it worked
or not. It's great repetitive practice for specific sounds, word stress.
Overall clarity, a purely functional.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
Test builds that muscle memory again.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
It does and trains you to focus consciously on being clear. Plus,
it gets you comfortable speaking to technology, which is useful anyway.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Desensitizes you to speaking English aloud.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Yeah, even to a machine. And let's be honest, it's
kind of cool practicing with AI. Easy way to squeeze
in micropractice.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
So challenge. Use your voice assistant for one task today,
focusing on clarity. See what happens?
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Good challenge?
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Okay, speaking of tech and immersion, tip eleven is super popular.
Watch English shows and repeat the dialogues.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Ah the Netflix method, Uh.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
Huh, exactly proof that screen time can be learning time
if you do it right.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
It's not passive, it's got to be active.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
KeyPoint the strategy choose a show with clear, natural dialogue.
The source suggests things like Friends, the Office, Stranger things
where the conversation is pretty casual, everyday speech.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
Okay, relatable stuff.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
Yeah, watch with English subtitles. First, get the context, the vocab.
Then here's the active part. Turn the subtitles off pause
after a short line or exchange, and then repeated out
loud with intention. Copy their style, their emotion, their speed,
their intonation.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Mimicry again, like shadowing, but with pauses.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
Exactly, you internalize not just words, but the rhythm, the cadence,
the slang, the idioms. Stuff textbooks miss.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
The real texture of the language.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
Yeah, you'll be surprised how much you absorb, how much
more natural your own English starts us, sound, you laugh,
you learn, you level up.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
It's productive entertainment and this hits on input. Quality shows
give you authentic, contextualized language far better than artificial dialogue,
real conversation, real idioms, slang, cultural bits, and this method
integrates listening pronunciation into nation all at once. Mimicking helps
internalize those natural rhythms crucial for sounding native.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Like bridges the gap between grammar rules and how people actually.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Talk totally, and the big win is enjoyment. It's sustainable
because you're using content you like, less like studying more
like engaging keeps you coming back exactly meaningful engagement. So
pick a favorite scene, a character you like. Try mimicking
just a few lines a day. Pay attention to how
they speak, not just what.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Great practical advice Okay, Final tip number twelve. This one
kind of ties everything together. Create an English environment around
you immersion. Total immersion is as much as possible. Yeah,
you can't speak English fluently if you're barely exposed to it,
So deliberately make English your environment, your background, noise, your default.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
How do you do that practically well?
Speaker 1 (27:28):
The source suggests easy steps. Change your phone language to English,
change app settings, follow English speaking people or news on
social media. Switch your inputs exactly. Watch English YouTube, listen
to English music podcasts, audiobooks. Make it pervasive, almost inescapable.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
So it's active study and passive exposure.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
Both your brain picks up more than you realize, even passively.
It's how kids learn their first language. Total immersion and
it works for adults too, creates that ecosystem for fluency.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
This is basically language, isn't it. Constant exposure primes your brain.
It links to Crashan's comprehensible input idea.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Right language you mostly understand?
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Yeah, Even passive listening builds that foundation. Sounds, rhythm, focab, grammar.
It reduces the cognitive effort. Over time, English feels less foreign,
less like a puzzle, more natural exactly, and the long
term implication is profound. A truly immersive environment makes English
feel less like a second language and more, as the
source says, like a part of you.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Oh yeah, like, it integrates into your identity.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
It ships from an external tool to an internal lens.
It becomes natural. So the challenge here find three areas
in your daily life where you can boost your English
exposure starting today, music, news, hobbies, online.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Every little bit adds.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
Up, It compounds absolutely, So.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
There we have it. Our deep dive into twelve really
practical but honestly quite profound ways to boost your English
speaking confidence. Let's do a super quick recap.
Speaker 2 (28:58):
Okay rapid fire. Speak every day, even alone.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Think directly in English. Ditch the translation step.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Record yourself and listen back, embrace the cringe.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
Shadow native speakers, mimic their music.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Use language, exchange apps, connect with real humans.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Learn phrases not just words. Use language chunks.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
Speak in real life situations. Jump in the water.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
Except mistakes, they're data, not failures.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Use voice assistance, practice clarity.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
With AI, watch shows and repeat dialogue.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Learn from entertainment, and create an English environment all around you.
Immerse yourself.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Hew, And what's really key here, I think is that
these aren't just twelve separate tips.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
No, they connect, don't they They form a.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Whole ecosystem for learning. Yeah, each one reinforces the others.
It creates this virtuous cycle of practice, learning, confidence right.
Speaking to yourself helps you think in English. Recording yourself
helps you shadow better.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
Exactly so, the question becomes what happens when you combine
a few of these consistently? Result is way more than
the sum of its parts.
Speaker 1 (30:02):
Transforms the whole process, It really does.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
It makes it a continuous rewarding journey and thinking critically
about how you learn. Applying these strategies that's your direct path.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
So what does all this mean for you? Listening right now?
It means speaking English confidently isn't some far off dream.
It's achievable. It's a skill you build brick by brick,
practice by practice. It's totally within your reach. Just think
applying this one or two of these consistently for the
next month. How much could that change your comfort level?
Speaker 2 (30:33):
Your opportunities could be transformative.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
So the big question we leave you with, which of
these twelve tips will you start using today?
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Remember, knowledge is great, but it's most valuable when you
understand it deeply and actually apply it, integrate.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
It, put it into action.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
Exactly. There's always more to learn, different perspectives and rich things,
But believe you have what it takes, keep practicing, keep speaking,
and soon, really, sooner than you might, I think English
won't feel like this separate second language. It'll just feel like, well,
like part.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
Of you that's sortless authentic.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Well, thank you so much for joining us on this
deep dive. We really hope these insights spark something for you,
give you practical tools for your journey. Keep at it
until our next deep dive, Keep learning, keep growing, and
definitely keep speaking,
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.