The Speak Confident English Podcast

How do you finish speaking in English so people know you're done and the conversation can keep moving? Sometimes you finish a story, share an opinion, or give an update… and then everyone waits.
In this episode, you'll learn how to make the end of your turn clear before that awkward silence begins.
You'll learn how to:
Finish with a clear final thought
Use falling intonation to show you're finished
Slow down slightly on your final words
Use clear closing phrases when you need them
Invite someone else to respond or take the next turn
You'll also practice creating a clear ending for a story, opinion, or update.
Free training: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
Read the full lesson:
https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/how-to-finish-speaking-in-english/

After years of feeling nervous about speaking English in the United States, Mirtha can now say: "I'm not afraid anymore." 
In this month's Confident English Conversation, Mirtha and I talk about her experience moving to the US, overcoming shyness, and learning to enjoy speaking English.
We also talk about running (including the marathon she ran by herself!!!), her love of poetry and books, and one of her favorite study guides from the Confident Women Community: moving from languishing to flourishing after the pandemic.
One part of our conversation I especially loved was Mirtha's description of confidence coming in waves. She shares what helped her keep practicing when a difficult conversation made her question her progress. And she tells me what English confidence means to her today.
Mirtha joined my Confident Women Community in 2023. Since then, she's joined our book club and even started hosting conversations with other women.
If you'd like to build your English confidence through regular practice with women around the world, explore the Confident Women Community → https://bit.ly/4xX5Hl7
Read the episode summary and transcript: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-conversation-with-mirtha
Want a free first step? Get my training: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English → https://bit.ly/4xRhVvC

Want to speak English with confident authority without sounding more aggressive than you intended? In this episode, you'll hear how your words, tone, and the situation can change what your listener hears.
We compare assertive and aggressive English in common work situations: setting a firm deadline, disagreeing, asking about a problem, giving feedback, and handling an interruption. You'll hear why direct English is sometimes exactly right, and how blame, criticism, or unnecessary pressure can change the message.
As you listen, use the questions from the lesson to think about what the situation requires and whether your language stays focused on the issue.
Learn more about Fluency School: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/assertive-vs-aggressive-english

When someone asks what you think in English, do several ideas come to mind at once? You know you have something to say, but you don't know what to say first.
In this episode, you'll learn how to organize your thoughts when speaking English so your main point is clear and you can avoid rambling.
You'll learn how to decide what you want to do first, choose one idea to start with, and decide which details belong with that idea. You'll also learn why you don't need to organize every thought before you start speaking.
At the end, we'll practice with a simple example so you can see how these decisions work together.
If you want more practice organizing your ideas and speaking clearly, this is also something we work on deeply in Fluency School. You'll learn a simple structure for organizing your ideas and practice using it with guidance and feedback.
Learn more about Fluency School: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/
Related lesson: How to Think Out Loud in English https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/think-out-loud-english/
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/organize-your-thoughts-when-speaking-english

English fluency can feel easy in one conversation and difficult in another. You may answer simple questions easily, then lose your train of thought when you need to speak for several minutes.
Or perhaps you speak clearly one-to-one, but struggle to join a fast-moving group discussion.
Your English level did not suddenly change. The speaking situation changed.
In this episode, you'll learn what English fluency really means and why different speaking situations require different skills.
We'll look at three types of speaking:
everyday exchanges, where you need to listen and respond quickly
speaking at length, when you tell a story, explain a problem, give an update, or share an opinion
group discussions, where you need to follow several speakers and find the right moment to join
You'll also think about your own speaking practice. Which of these three situations is most difficult for you right now? Your answer can help you decide what kind of speaking practice you need next.
Get my free English training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
Learn more about Fluency School: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/
Read the full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/speaking-practice-for-english-fluency/