Shadowing Practice: English Podcast for Learning English | How to Speak with More Confidence | Easy English Podcast - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Hello and welcome back to Leo English Podcast.
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We are so happy you're here with us today.
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A big warm welcome to everyone joining us today.
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I'm Leo.
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And I'm Tina.
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We're your hosts and our goal on this channel is simple.
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We help you speak real, natural, everyday English with confidence.
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Yes.
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The kind of English you actually use with friends, classmates, co -workers, and new people you meet.
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Today's topic is one of the most requested topics we've ever received.
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We're talking about how to speak with more confidence.
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Confidence.
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That feeling when you open your mouth and your voice doesn't shake.
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When you speak and you don't want to hide.
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Exactly.
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And here's why this topic matters so much.
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Many learners know a lot of English, they study for years, but when it's time to speak, they freeze.
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That's so true.
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They know the words, but the words hide somewhere in their head.
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So today we'll talk about why that happens and what we can do about it.
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We'll share simple, practical steps you can start using today.
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And here's the good news, everyone.
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Confidence is not something you're born with.
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It's something you build, like a muscle.
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Exactly.
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That's a beautiful way to say it.
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So let's build that muscle together today.
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So if you enjoy this lesson, please give us a like and subscribe to the channel.
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It really helps us grow and make more lessons for you.
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All right.
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Let's get started.
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So, Leo, how are you today?
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I'm good, thanks.
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A little tired, but in a happy mood.
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I did something brave this weekend.
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Oh, really?
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What did you do?
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I gave a short speech at my cousin's wedding, in front of 80 people, with a microphone.
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Wow, 80 people.
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How did it go?
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Well, my hands were shaking for the first 30 seconds, my voice was a little high, but then something changed.
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What changed?
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I looked at one friendly face in the crowd, and I just talked to that person, and slowly, I relaxed.
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That's such a good strategy.
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Focus on one person, not the whole crowd.
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Exactly.
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By the end, I was even making jokes.
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People laughed.
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It felt amazing.
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So you went from shaking to joking in three minutes?
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Yes.
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And here's the funny part.
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I prepared for two weeks.
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I practiced in my bathroom mirror every night.
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My neighbor probably thinks I have two personalities.
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Huh.
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At least your neighbor got free entertainment.
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But you know what?
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That preparation is exactly why it worked.
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True.
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The practice gave me something to hold onto.
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When I forgot a word, I just remembered the next part.
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That's a very important point.
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Preparation builds confidence.
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It really does.
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What about you?
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How was your weekend?
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Mine was quiet, actually.
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I did something small but meaningful.
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I joined an online conversation group.
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Oh, nice.
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How was it?
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The first five minutes, I said almost nothing.
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I was too shy.
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But then someone asked me a simple question, and I answered.
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And after that?
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After that, it got easier.
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I spoke for about ten minutes total.
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Not much, but I was proud of myself.
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You should be proud.
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The first step is always the hardest.
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Thank you.
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And I noticed something interesting.
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The other people were nervous too.
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Nobody was perfect.
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That's such a relief when you realize that.
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Everyone is in the same boat.
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Exactly.
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And that's a perfect connection to today's topic.
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Right.
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Speaking of feeling nervous but speaking anyway, that's exactly what we're talking about today.
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Yes.
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Let's talk about how to speak with more confidence and how to build it step -by -step.
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All the reasons, all the mental blocks, and all the practical techniques that actually work.
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So, let's start with the big question.
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Leo, why do so many learners lose confidence when they speak English?
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Good question.
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I think the number one reason is the fear of being judged.
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Yes, fear of what other people will think and
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that fear is very natural exactly we worry that people will laugh
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or think we're stupid or notice every mistake
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but here's the thing most people are not judging you they're too busy thinking about themselves that's
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so true nobody is sitting there counting your grammar mistakes they're wondering
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if they have food in their teeth exactly that's a very freeing idea.
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So the first step to confidence is understanding that people are not watching you as closely as you think.
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That's reassuring.
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So what's the second reason?
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Comparing yourself to others, especially to native speakers or to people who seem more advanced.
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Ah, I do that all the time.
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I watch videos and think, why can't I speak like that?
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And then how do you feel?
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Terrible.
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Small.
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Like I'll never get there.
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And that feeling makes you speak less, which makes you improve slower.
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It's a bad circle.
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Exactly.
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So we need to break that circle.
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Compare yourself only to yourself from three months ago.
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That's much healthier.
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And honestly, I've improved a lot in three months.
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See?
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You just found a reason to feel confident.
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Good.
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Huh.
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I did.
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So what's the third reason learners lose confidence?
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Perfectionism.
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The belief that you can only speak when everything is perfect.
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Oh, that's me for sure.
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I wait until I'm ready.
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But guess what?
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Nobody is ever fully ready.
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Not even native speakers.
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Really?
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Native speakers feel nervous too? Of course.
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Many people hate public speaking, even in their own language.
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It's one of the most common fears in the world.
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That makes me feel so much better.
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So it's not about being an English learner.
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It's about being human.
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Exactly.
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Beautifully said.
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So, okay, now let's talk about the word confidence itself.
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What does it really mean, Tina?
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Great question.
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Confidence is the belief that you can do something.
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It's not the absence of fear.
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It's the ability to act even when you feel fear.
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Oh, I like that definition.
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So I can feel scared and still be confident?
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Yes, that's the key point.
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Confident people feel nervous too.
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they just don't let it stop them.
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That changes how I see it.
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I always thought confident people never feel afraid.
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And that's a myth.
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Confidence is a decision, not a feeling.
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A decision.
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So I can decide to speak even when I'm nervous.
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Exactly.
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You decide, and then you speak.
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The feeling follows later.
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So let's talk about a related word, shy.
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How is shy different from lacking confidence good question shyness is
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more about a person's personality it's often about being quiet around new people confidence is about belief in yourself
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so a shy person can be confident
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yes absolutely they're different things you can be shy
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and still believe in yourself that's a useful distinction now let's talk about nervousness what does it mean nervousness is
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that shaky worried feeling before something important.
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Your heart beats fast, your hands might sweat.
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Exactly.
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Like before my wedding speech, my heart was pounding.
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And here's something interesting.
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Nervousness and excitement feel almost the same in your body.
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Fast, hard, energy, tingling.
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Really?
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So the feelings are similar?
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Yes.
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Studies show that telling yourself, I'm excited instead of, I'm nervous, actually helps performance.
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Wow, that's fascinating.
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So I can trick my brain?
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In a way, yes.
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It's called reframing.
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You change the label.
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Instead of, I'm scared, you say, I'm excited.
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I'm going to try that before my next presentation.
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I'm excited.
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I'm excited.
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It sounds silly, but it works.
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Try it three times.
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Okay, I will.
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Now let's talk about a common term, self -conscious.
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What does that mean?
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Being self -conscious means you're too aware of yourself.
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You think everyone is watching you.
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You focus on your own mistakes.
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Oh, that's me completely.
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When I speak English, I'm self -conscious about my accent.
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And that self -consciousness makes you speak less, which is a shame, because your accent is part of your story.
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That's a nice way to put it.
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Part of my story.
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Yes.
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Your accent shows where you come from and how hard you've worked.
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It's not a problem to fix.
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Thank you.
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That's actually very encouraging.
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So what's the opposite of self -conscious?
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Being relaxed and present.
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Just focusing on the conversation, not on yourself.
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So instead of thinking, how do I sound, I think about what I want to say.
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Perfect.
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That's exactly it.
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Focus on the message, not on the mirror.
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Focus on the message, not on the mirror.
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I like that.
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I should write that down.
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You never write things down, Leo.
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I know, I know.
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But this one is going on my wall.
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Good.
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So let's talk about body language.
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Does it really affect confidence?
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Yes, quite a lot.
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And this is something people can control easily.
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What do you mean exactly?
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Stand up straight.
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Pull your shoulders back.
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Take up a little space.
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This makes you feel stronger.
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Really?
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Standing differently changes how I feel?
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Yes.
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Researchers call this power posing.
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Your body sends signals to your brain.
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So if I stand tall, my brain thinks I'm confident.
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Something like that.
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And it works the other way, too.
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If you sit hunched and small, you feel smaller inside.
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Wow.
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So my posture is actually important for speaking.
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Very.
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And it helps your voice, too.
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When you breathe from your chest and stand tall, your voice sounds stronger.
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That makes sense.
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When I'm nervous, I curl up like a shrimp.
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A shrimp.
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That's a funny image.
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But yes, exactly.
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Uncurly yourself before you speak.
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Okay.
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Stand tall, breathe, and speak.
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Simple steps.
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Simple, but powerful.
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Now, let's talk about eye contact.
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Oh, eye contact.
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That's hard for me.
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I look at the floor.
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Many people do that, but eye contact builds connection, and connection builds confidence.
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But if I look into someone's eyes, I get nervous.
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So start small.
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Look at their forehead, or their nose, or between their eyes.
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It looks almost the same.
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Oh, that's a clever trick.
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Look near the eyes, not in the eyes.
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Exactly.
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And for a crowd, look at one friendly face for a few seconds, then move to another.
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That's what I did at the wedding.
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I found one friendly face.
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And it worked, right?
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That's a real technique.
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It's called anchoring.
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Anchoring.
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I like that word.
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So I anchor on one person and the crowd disappears.
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Perfect.
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Now, let's talk about speed.
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Do confident people speak fast?
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Good question.
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I always thought fast meant confident.
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And that's a myth.
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Confident people often speak slowly and clearly.
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Really?
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But fast speakers sound smart.
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They might sound smart, but slow speakers sound in control, and control is confidence.
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So speaking slowly is actually a power move.
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Yes.
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It gives you time to think, and it gives the listener time to understand.
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That's reassuring.
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And slower speech has fewer mistakes, too.
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Exactly right.
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Slower is often smoother.
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Okay.
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Now let's talk about volume.
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How loud should I speak?
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A little louder than feels natural.
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Nervous people often speak too quietly.
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True.
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When I'm nervous, I mumble.
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And then people say, sorry, what?
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And you feel worse.
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Yes, that's the worst.
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It kills my confidence instantly.
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So use a little more voice from your belly, not your throat.
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It sounds warmer and stronger.
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From my belly.
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I'll try that.
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So volume, speed, posture.
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Those are all physical things.
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Yes.
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Confidence has a physical side.
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And the good news is, physical things are easy to practice.
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That's true.
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You can't change your personality quickly, but you can change how you stand.
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Exactly.
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Start with the body, and the mind follows.
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Beautiful.
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Now let's talk about the mental side.
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What about the fear of mistakes?
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That's the biggest block for most learners, and we need to talk about it honestly.
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Okay.
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So what's the truth about mistakes? the truth is mistakes are
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the fastest way to learn every mistake teaches you something
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so mistakes are not the enemy no they're the teacher
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if you never make mistakes you're not trying hard enough that's a big idea
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so I should welcome mistakes you should accept them
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and here's a helpful fact
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when you make a small mistake most listeners just move on
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they don't remember it really I I remember my mistakes for days.
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Yes, but other people don't.
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They're focused on your meaning, not your grammar.
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That's such a relief.
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So the spotlight I feel is not real.
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Exactly.
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It's called the spotlight effect.
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We think everyone is watching us, but they're not.
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Spotlight effect.
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I've felt that so many times.
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So it's actually a known thing?
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Yes, it's a well -known idea in psychology.
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We overestimate how much people notice us.
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Wow.
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So knowing that should help a lot.
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I'm not on a stage.
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Right.
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You're just a person in a conversation, and that's much easier.
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Okay.
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Now let's talk about the beginner's mistake.
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What do beginners do that hurts their confidence?
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They try to speak too perfectly too soon.
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They want long, complex sentences on day one.
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And that's too hard.
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So they fail, and then they feel bad.
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Exactly.
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So start with short, simple sentences.
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Do those well, then grow.
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That makes sense.
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Small wins build big confidence.
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Perfect phrase.
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Small wins build big confidence.
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Thanks.
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Now let's talk about preparation.
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How does preparation help?
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Preparation gives you a safety net.
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If you know a few phrases well, you always have something to say.
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Like my wedding speech.
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I practiced so I had words ready.
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Exactly.
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So prepare a few useful phrases for common situations.
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What kind of phrases?
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For example, that's a good question.
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Let me think for a second.
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In my opinion, I think that...
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Those are great.
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They buy time and sound natural.
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Yes, and having them ready means you never freeze completely.
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So preparation reduces panic, and less panic means more confidence.
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Exactly.
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It's all connected.
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Now let's talk about practice.
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What's the best way to practice speaking?
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The best way is to actually speak, out loud, every day.
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Even alone?
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Especially alone at first.
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No pressure, no audience, just your voice.
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So I can talk to myself in English?
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Yes.
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Describe your day, describe what you're doing, ask yourself questions and answer them.
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That's easy.
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I already talk to myself.
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Just in my own language.
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Now switch the language.
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10 minutes a day.
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And that builds confidence because I hear my own voice speaking English.
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Exactly.
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Your brain starts to think, oh, I can do this.
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Good.
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Now let's talk about recording yourself.
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Does that help?
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Very much.
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Record two minutes a day, then listen back.
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Oh, I hate hearing my own voice.
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It's so strange.
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Everyone says that, but you get used to it, and you hear your progress.
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So I can compare week one to week four?
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Yes, and you'll be surprised how much better it sounds.
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That's motivating.
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So recording is like a mirror for your speaking.
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Perfect image, yes.
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Now let's talk about something important.
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What about talking to real people?
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That's the final step, and it's a bit scary, but it's also where confidence grows fastest.
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Because real conversations are unpredictable.
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Exactly.
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You can't prepare for everything, so you learn to improvise.
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And improvising is scary, but it builds real ability.
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Yes.
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Even five minutes with a real person teaches you a lot.
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So learners should start with easy people, like a friend or a teacher.
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And a language partner or an online group, somewhere kind and patient.
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So don't start with a job interview in English.
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No. Start easy.
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Build up.
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Good.
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So now let's talk about setting goals.
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How should learners set goals for confidence?
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Small, specific, and daily.
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Not, I want to be fluent, but, I'll speak English for 10 minutes today.
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So small goals are better than big goals.
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Much better.
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Big goals feel far away.
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Small goals feel possible.
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And each small goal gives you a little win.
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And small wins build confidence.
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Remember our phrase?
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Yes.
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Small wins build big confidence.
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I remembered it.
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Huh.
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See?
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You do remember things.
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Only when you say them twice.
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So now let's talk about a very important idea.
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Comparing yourself to others.
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We touched on this earlier.
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Let's go deeper.
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Okay.
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Why is comparison so harmful?
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Because you always compare your beginning with someone else's middle or their end.
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Oh, that's a good point.
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Right.
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My friend speaks amazing English, but he studied for 10 years.
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Exactly.
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You're watching year 10 and you're living year 2.
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Of course it looks different.
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So comparison is unfair by design.
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Yes.
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The only fair comparison is with your past self.
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So I should ask, am I better than three months ago?
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Perfect.
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That's the only question that matters.
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Great.
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Now let's talk about the inner voice, that critical voice in our heads.
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Yes, the inner critic.
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It's the voice that says, you sound stupid.
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Oh, I know that voice very well.
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It's very loud.
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And here's the trick.
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You don't need to make it disappear.
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You just need to stop obeying it.
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So I can hear it and still speak?
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Exactly.
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The voice can be there and you speak anyway.
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That's a powerful idea, like a radio in the background perfect comparison it's noise you can talk over the noise
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so confidence is not silencing the voice it's talking over it
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beautiful that's exactly right now let's talk about a practical habit what should I do every morning to build confidence
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I have a few ideas.
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First, read one paragraph out loud.
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Second, say three positive sentences about yourself.
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Positive sentences?
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Like what?
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Like, I'm learning.
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I'm improving.
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My English is getting better.
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That sounds a little strange at first, but I understand the idea.
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It feels strange for a few days.
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Then it becomes normal, and your brain starts to believe it.
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So self -talk matters?
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Very much.
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How you talk to yourself changes how you speak out loud.
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So if I'm kind to myself, I speak more freely?
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Yes.
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Harsh self -talk creates tension.
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Kind self -talk creates flow.
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That's a beautiful connection.
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I'll try to be kinder to myself.
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Good.
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Now let's talk about recovery.
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What if you freeze completely in a conversation?
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That's the scary moment.
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What should someone do? first breathe one slow breath then smile
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a little then use a phrase like sorry I lost my words for a second perfect
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and most people will smile and say me too take your time
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so admitting it makes it smaller yes
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when you name the awkwardness it usually disappears that's a great strategy honesty helps and And here's something important.
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No one is angry at you.
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They're not annoyed.
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They understand.
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That's good to hear.
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So the pressure is mostly in my own head.
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Exactly.
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In your own head.
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Okay, now let's talk about a phrase I hear a lot.
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Fake it till you make it.
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Yes, that's a popular saying.
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What does it mean, Leo?
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I think it means act confident even if you're not, and soon you actually feel confident.
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That's exactly right.
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And there's some truth in it.
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Behaving confidently can create real confidence.
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But is it dishonest?
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Not really.
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It's not about lying.
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It's about giving yourself a chance.
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So it's like training wheels on a bicycle.
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Perfect image.
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You pretend to ride, and soon you're really riding.
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I like that.
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So acting brave makes you brave.
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Yes.
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And acting scared makes you smaller.
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So act the way you want to feel.
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Good.
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Now let's talk about one more thing.
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Celebration.
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Oh, I love this one.
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Celebrating small successes.
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Why is celebration important?
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Because it tells your brain, that was good.
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Do it again.
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It builds motivation.
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So if I speak for five minutes in English, I should celebrate?
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Yes, even a small celebration.
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A smile, a little dance, a treat.
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I'll do a little dance when I finish a conversation in English.
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Perfect.
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And then you'll want to do it again tomorrow.
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That's clever.
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Celebration creates a habit.
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Exactly.
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And habits create confidence over time.
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So let's sum up the main ideas.
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What's the first thing to work on?
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Body language.
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Posture, breathing, volume, and speed.
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Start with the physical.
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Then what?
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Then the mind.
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Small goals, self -talk, and stopping comparison.
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And then what?
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Then practice.
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Daily speaking, recording, and talking to real people.
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And finally what?
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Finally, celebrate small wins and be patient with yourself.
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That's a complete plan.
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Physical, mental, practice, and patience.
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Well said.
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Well, Leo, that was a great discussion about speaking with confidence.
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It was.
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I feel braver already.
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I might even call a stranger on the phone today.
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Let's not go too far.
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But I hope our viewers feel braver too.
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You know, Leo, while we were talking, we used many useful words for speaking with more confidence.
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We did.
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Oh, yes, we did.
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Maybe we should look at them for a few minutes.
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I think it's a great idea.
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Let's help everyone remember these important words.
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Perfect.
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So which word is first?
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First word, confidence.
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This means the belief that you can do something well.
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Yes, our main word.
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And remember, it's not the absence of fear.
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It's acting despite fear.
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Exactly.
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For example, she speaks English with growing confidence.
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And you can also say, practice builds confidence, little by little.
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What gives you confidence, Leo?
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Preparation.
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When I practice something ten times, I feel ready.
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Perfect.
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Next word, nervous.
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This means you feel worried and a little shaky.
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Yes, it's a very common feeling.
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I get nervous before every presentation.
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Exactly.
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For example, don't be nervous, you'll do fine.
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And you can also say, I was so nervous that my hands were shaking.
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What makes you nervous, Leo?
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Speaking in front of large crowds.
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My voice goes high.
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Next word, self -conscious.
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This means you're too aware of yourself and your mistakes.
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Yes, it's when you feel like everyone is watching you.
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Exactly.
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For example, I used to be self -conscious about my accent.
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And you can also say, don't be self -conscious.
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Nobody is judging you.
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Are you self -conscious about anything?
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My pronunciation of certain words, but it's getting better.
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Next word, shy.
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This means you feel quiet and careful around new people.
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Yes.
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And remember, shy is different from lacking confidence.
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Exactly.
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For example, he's a bit shy, but very kind.
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And you can also say, don't be shy, come talk with us.
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Were you shy as a child?
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Very shy.
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I hid behind my mother at every party.
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And now look at you.
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Next word, body language.
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This means how you hold your body and use your gestures.
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Yes, posture and movement.
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Good body language makes you look confident.
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Exactly.
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For example, stand tall and use open body language.
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And you can also say, her body language showed she was relaxed.
631
What's your body language like when you're nervous?
632
I fold my arms and look down, small and closed.
633
Next word, eye contact.
634
This means looking at the person you are speaking with.
635
Yes, it builds connection.
636
Good eye contact shows you're listening.
637
Exactly.
638
For example, try to keep eye contact, but don't scare.
639
And you can also say, sometimes eye contact feels difficult for shy people.
640
How do you handle eye contact?
641
I look near the eyes, like you taught me today.
642
Next word, the spotlight effect.
643
This means thinking everyone is watching you when they're not.
644
Yes, it's a very useful idea.
645
The spotlight effect makes us overthink.
646
Exactly.
647
For example, remember the spotlight effect and relax.
648
And you can also say, nobody notices your small mistakes.
649
That's the spotlight effect.
650
Have you felt the spotlight effect?
651
Yes, in every class I've ever taken.
652
Next word, reframing.
653
This means changing how you see or label a situation.
654
Yes, like saying, I'm excited instead of, I'm nervous.
655
Exactly.
656
For example, reframing your fear as excitement really helps.
657
And you can also say, she reframed the challenge as a chance to grow.
658
Do you reframe your feelings?
659
I'm starting to.
660
It's a new habit.
661
Next word, safe space.
662
This means a place or situation where you feel comfortable.
663
Yes, like a friendly conversation group.
664
Find a safe space to practice.
665
Exactly.
666
For example, a safe space helps learners speak freely.
667
And you can also say, create a safe space for your own practice.
668
Where's your safe space for English?
669
My kitchen.
670
I talk to myself while I cook.
671
Perfect.
672
So here is our vocabulary list.
673
Confidence, nervous, self -conscious, shy, body language, eye contact, the spotlight effect,
674
reframing, safe space, small wins, inner critic, fake it till you make it, and celebrate.
675
13 useful words and phrases.
676
That's a great list.
677
Yes.
678
Try to use a few of them this week.
679
Okay, Tina, that was a lot of talking about confidence.
680
It really was.
681
I think I said the word brave about 50 times.
682
Let's think about what we learned.
683
Yes, let's review everything step by step.
684
First, we learned why learners lose confidence.
685
Fear of judgment, comparison, and perfectionism.
686
We used phrases like the spotlight effect, everyone is nervous, and nobody is watching.
687
Then we talked about what confidence really means.
688
It's not the absence of fear, it's acting despite fear.
689
We used phrases like confidence is a decision, I feel nervous, but I speak, and act brave, become brave.
690
After that, we discussed body language, posture, breathing, eye contact, volume, and speed.
691
We used phrases like, stand tall, a little louder, and speak slowly and clearly.
692
Then we covered the mental side, small goals, kind self -talk, and stopping comparison.
693
We used phrases like, small wins, be kind to yourself, and compare yourself only to your past self.
694
Yes, and we talked about daily practice—reading aloud, talking to yourself, recording two minutes a day, and speaking with real people.
695
After that, we discussed recovery—what to do when you freeze, breathe, smile, and use a rescue phrase,
696
like, sorry, I lost my words.
697
And finally, we learn to celebrate, because celebration creates habits, and habits create confidence.
698
Yes, and the most important message is this.
699
Confidence is not a talent.
700
It's a skill you build every day.
701
So it's really simple, viewers.
702
Stand tall, speak slowly, make mistakes, and keep going.
703
That's all it takes to speak English with real confidence.
704
Now, we want to hear from you.
705
This is our favorite part.
706
Yes, it really is.
707
Our question of the day is here.
708
Our question of the day is, when do you feel the most confident speaking English, and what helps you?
709
Ooh, that's a good one.
710
I'll go first.
711
Please do.
712
I feel most confident when I'm talking about a topic I know well, like learning and education, because I know the words already, so I don't panic.
713
Small preparation helps me a lot.
714
That makes a lot of sense.
715
Thank you, Tina.
716
What about you, Leo?
717
I feel most confident when I'm with patient people who don't mind mistakes.
718
That kind, relaxed feeling helps me speak freely.
719
And I feel bravest after I've practiced out loud a few times.
720
That's a great answer.
721
See, we have different answers, and that's okay.
722
Exactly.
723
Everyone feels confident in different situations, and that's normal.
724
So, viewers, we want to know about you.
725
Yes, please tell us in the comments below.
726
You can write, I feel most confident when… that's a simple way to start.
727
Or you can write, one thing that helps my confidence is… that's also easy.
728
You can also write, I used to feel shy about… that's a great one, too.
729
It helps us make better videos for you.
730
We read your comments and plan lessons around them.
731
And it helps you practice writing English.
732
That's double the benefit.
733
So don't be shy.
734
Share your answer with us today.
735
Before we finish, we want to thank you.
736
Yes, thank you so much for watching and practicing with us today.
737
If you enjoyed this lesson, please give this video a big thumbs up.
738
And share it with a friend who is also learning English.
739
Learning together is more fun.
740
Also, click the subscribe button and the little bell.
741
That way you won't forget to join us.
742
We have new lessons every week.
743
Real English.
744
Real conversations.
745
And remember, you are all great students.
746
Yes, you are all wonderful.
747
Keep practicing.
748
Remember, confidence is a habit, not a talent.
749
Build it a little every day.
750
So stand a little taller, speak a little slower, and be kind to yourself.
751
You are doing better than you think.
752
Don't give up
753
so from both of us thank you again for being here today yes have a wonderful day a wonderful evening
754
and a wonderful night goodbye everyone bye everyone see you in the next lesson bye
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Why This Video Is Perfect for Boosting Your Speaking Skills
This video isn’t just a lesson—it’s a real conversation between two people, making it ideal for practicing natural English. The hosts use everyday phrases, pauses, and even a bit of humor, which mirrors how we speak in daily life. If you’re looking to move beyond textbook English and sound more confident, this dialogue is gold. It shows that even native speakers feel nervous at first, which is a great reminder that confidence grows with practice—not perfection.
Breaking Down Natural Speech: 3 Key Phrases
Let’s look at a few lines that make the conversation feel so real:
- “A little tired, but in a happy mood.” This casual structure (“but” to contrast) is how we share quick updates. Notice the short, flowing rhythm—no complex words, just honest expression.
- “My hands were shaking for the first 30 seconds, my voice was a little high.” Using specific details (“30 seconds,” “a little high”) makes the story relatable. Native speakers often add small, concrete details to paint a picture.
- “I looked at one friendly face in the crowd, and I just talked to that person.” The phrase “just talked to that person” is simple but powerful. It uses “just” to downplay pressure, a common trick to sound more natural.
Your Simple Practice Routine: Shadow Speak to Build Confidence
Want to turn this video into a confidence - building tool? Try the shadowing technique (also called “shadowspeak” or “shadow speech”). Here’s how:
- Play a 5-second clip of the hosts speaking.
- Hit pause, then repeat the clip immediately, copying their tone, speed, and even the pauses. Focus on matching their energy—if they sound relaxed, try to sound relaxed too.
- Record yourself doing this. Listen back and notice what you nailed (maybe the rhythm!) and what to tweak (like pronunciation of “crowd” or “jokes”).
This repeat-and-record loop trains your mouth to move like a native and helps you get used to hearing your own voice—key for speaking with confidence. Over time, you’ll find your words flow more easily, and that “freezing” feeling will fade. Remember: confidence is a muscle, and shadow speak is your best workout.
So grab your phone, hit play, and start building that confidence—one phrase at a time. You’ve got this!
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.