Stop Freezing in English - Speak English Confidently

Hello everyone, and welcome to English Like a Native.

I'm Anna and today we're going to dive into a topic, that many

language learners can relate to.

That frustrating feeling of freezing up when you try to speak,

even after years of learning.

So you've been learning English for quite some time, you've put in the

hours, studied the grammar, practised your vocabulary, but when it comes

time to actually speak, you freeze.

Does that sound familiar?

Don't worry.

You're not alone.

Feeling blocked when speaking a foreign language, is a common

struggle for many learners and there are a few reasons why it happens.

First off, let's talk about the psychology behind it.

When we're learning a new language, our brains can sometimes get overwhelmed

with all the rules and vocabulary.

This overload can cause our minds to go blank when we try to speak.

Almost like a computer freezing up when it's running too many programs at once.

Then there's the fear of making mistakes.

Many of us are perfectionists, and we hate the thought of sounding

silly or getting something wrong.

This fear can be so strong that it paralyses us, making

it difficult to speak at all.

Then there's the pressure of speaking in real-time.

When you're having a conversation, there's no time to pause and

think carefully about every word.

It can be overwhelming, unlike when we're writing and reading, speaking requires us

to think on our feet and respond quickly.

This can be especially challenging if we're not used to it.

And finally, there's the issue of confidence.

Even if you know the language well, it can be daunting to put yourself out there

and speak to other English speakers.

But fear not, there are plenty of ways to overcome these obstacles

and unlock your speaking potential.

First and foremost, embrace the power of positive visualisation.

Take a moment each day to not only imagine yourself having a fluent

conversation in English, but also to feel the emotions associated with success.

Picture yourself speaking confidently, making jokes and connecting with others.

For example, imagine you're at a cafe, ordering your favourite coffee.

Visualise yourself effortlessly communicating your order and engaging

in small talk with the barista.

By visualising the scene and also feeling the emotions, you're training

your brain to associate speaking English with positive feelings.

Next, let's talk about the power of active listening.

The more you expose yourself to English in real-world contexts, the more natural

it will feel when it's your turn to speak.

For instance, try listening to English podcasts or audiobooks

during your daily commute.

Pay attention to the intonation, rhythm and pronunciation of the speakers.

This will not only make it easier for you to understand what you hear,

but it will also help you to get used to how people naturally talk.

And finally, let's address the importance of embracing mistakes.

Remember, making mistakes is an essential part of the learning process.

Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, see them as valuable

opportunities for growth.

For example, imagine you're having a conversation with a native speaker and

you accidentally say the wrong word.

Gasp!

Instead of thinking too much about the mistake, just smile and ask for help.

This not only shows that you want to learn and get better, Which may

encourage your speaking partner to help you more in the future, but it will

also reduce your anxiety because you're staying relaxed and not overthinking it.

Now one additional skill that can help you overcome the fear of freezing

up is learning how to ask questions to keep the conversation going.

Asking questions not only shows your interest in the conversation but also

but also takes the pressure off of you to constantly come up with things to say.

Plus, it's a great way to learn more about the other person and

practice your listening skills.

For instance, instead of asking questions that require a yes or no answer,

try asking open-ended questions that encourage the other person to share more.

Like, instead of saying,

"Did you have a good weekend?"

You could ask, "What did you do over the weekend?"

And show that you're listening by using phrases like, "I see."

"That's interesting."

Or, "Tell me more."

These really show that you're interested in what the other person is saying.

Another way to show that you're listening and to encourage the other

person to speak is to summarise or paraphrase what the person has said.

This helps to show the person that you're talking to that you understand

and you're listening intently.

Let's look at some examples of this in practice.

"I've been feeling really overwhelmed with work lately.

There's just so much to do, and I'm not sure how I'll manage it all."

"It sounds like you're feeling stressed out because of your workload.

It must be tough trying to juggle everything at once."

"I just gave a presentation in front of the entire team, and I

think I messed up a few times.

I feel really embarrassed."

"It takes a lot of courage to present in front of a group, and even the

best of us make mistakes sometimes.

I'm sure you did better than you think, and I admire you

for taking on the challenge."

"I've been trying to eat healthier, but it's been really hard to resist junk food.

I feel like I'm failing at this whole diet thing."

"It sounds like you're struggling to stick to your healthy eating goals, and that

can be really challenging, especially when there are temptations all around.

But the fact that you're aware of the challenge and putting in effort shows

how much you care about your health."

By paraphrasing what your friend said, you're showing that you've

listened and understood their concerns and you've offered support.

This encourages them to continue sharing their thoughts and

feelings with you and it boosts their confidence at the same time.

So the next time you find yourself freezing up when you try to speak

English, remember too visualise success, listen actively, embrace mistakes,

and don't forget to ask questions to keep the conversation flowing.

The important thing is to keep pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

Practice equals progress.

My recommendation is to find a safe and encouraging place to

practice your English speaking.

A place where you won't be judged but supported.

Meet regularly and decide what you will talk about in advance so that you can

be prepared to talk about that topic.

Good preparation reduces the chances of freezing when it's your turn to

speak which will make your experience a positive one and increase your confidence.

Now my conversation club provides you with everything you need to practice and

improve your English-speaking confidence.

You can access hundreds of classes in a year, covering lots of

varied and exciting topics and facilitated by fantastic teachers.

On top of this you also get access to other fantastic resources that

will help you to improve your English including my Telegram group

for daily chit chat on the go.

The award-winning ELAN community is an engaging space that you

will love being a part of.

To find out more, head to englishlikeanative.co.uk.

Until next time, take very good care and goodbye.