Speak Confidently When Using English

SPEAK CONFIDENTLY WHEN USING ENGLISH

There are many reasons why people have a fear of speaking English publicly. For some people, it is a fear of being wrong or not knowing the right word to say. For others, it is an anxiety about being judged for their accent or grammar. This lesson will explore different strategies to help you get rid of your fear of English speaking. The main goal is to make you feel more confident any time using your second language.

• The first step to improving your confidence in English speaking is to take a deep breath and remind yourself that no one expects you to be perfect all the time.
• The second step would be to find ways to help you improve your skills without feeling overwhelmed by them. Again, you can start with something like small talk. 

But what happens when our job role forces us to speak publicly?

Work Responsibilities and Presenting in English

Another presentation is coming up at work where you will have to use English, and you’re starting to dread it. But if you want career success, it’s important to speak confidently.

This is a common goal of many business English students. They often ask, “Why do I get so nervous before any public speaking event?” The fear of speaking English in situations where we feel judged can paralyze us. Whenever it’s time to contribute, many will freeze, overthink their response and perform poorly. After these experiences, some students feel like imposters—incapable of doing the same job they had been recruited for. Speaking English fluently.

If this type of situation has a big impact on your career, it’s time to analyze the root of the problem. Perhaps we are the type of person that doesn’t like to talk in front of others, even in our native language. Let’s keep reading to see if this is you.

Highly Sensitive People Care Deeply

Some high-achievers are also highly sensitive. Approximately 20 percent of the population feels everything more intensely. For these people, it’s common for workplace situations to become extreme. If you fall into this category, you are more susceptible to the stress of using your second language in front of others. It can also mean more effort will be required to get the confident voice you seek.

Become self-aware

Use the two lists below to determine if you match up with most of the items.

The following statements describe you in general:

• I feel it’s always my goal to exceed expectations.
• I’m always listening to my inner voice.
• I’m always helping others out and feeling their pain.
• Others come first, while my own needs are secondary.
• Stress has a big negative impact on me.
• It’s hard for me to “turn off” my mind, especially when it comes to public speaking.
• My internal emotional responses are strong.
• I get anxious when others judge me. 
• When I make professional mistakes, I feel terrible.
• It’s hard for me to take criticism without getting emotional about it.

Speaking publicly in English is a challenge because:

• You genuinely want others to listen and follow your ideas but have doubts your English level is good enough to accomplish that.
• You are super excited to give your opinion but don’t want to sound dumb while speaking English.
• You’re afraid of sounding like a basic speaker in front of managers.
• You feel overwhelmed by speaking English and may freeze under pressure.
• You rush to analyze how others might perceive how you communicate, which leads to overthinking.
• You often worry about what other people think of your English skills.

So if these things are mostly true for you, then how will you change all of this?

Strategies to Speak Confidently

If you want to improve your career and make a difference, you need to be more visible at work. Whether your goal is to increase your personal recognition or make an impact in the workplace, getting noticed is key.

With systematic practice from these tips, you’ll eventually feel like the successful team member you’ve always wanted to become.

1. Practice, and practice some more

It’s normal to experience stress when you feel your contributions are being evaluated. But try to change your mindset. You can change the feeling from inadequate to ready. You do this by knowing you are prepared to do your best. We feel ready when we commit to a daily practice regiment. If you give ten hours or more each week, you will quickly feel more secure.

2. Focus on the needs of your audience, not yourself

Delivering an English presentation can be nerve-wracking. But if you focus too much on yourself, you’ll make things worse.

Instead, try this technique which has helped many students. Put the focus on your material and deliver the message your audience needs. Remember that your audience is there to learn from you, so make sure to speak clearly and concisely.

Use strong body language and vocal variety to keep your audience engaged and stay positive no matter what happens. By staying focused on your material and speaking confidently, you’ll be able to give a successful presentation.

3. Ease into it with some small talk

If you have to give a presentation, it might be tempting to avoid small talk by arriving right before the meeting. However, if you feel like you rushed to get your message out quickly, this can make your stress levels worsen.

On the other hand, you can begin by doing some light and simple English with other early attendees if you come early. This might be the perfect opportunity to warm up your English. This lighter conversation will become the small confidence boost that carries you through the rest of your speaking time.

4. Don’t let anxiety build

The longer you wait to speak your mind, the more your inner voice can take over.

Remember, personal growth often comes from going outside of your comfort zone. So push yourself to be assertive and speak up. If you want to reduce the difficulty level, you can speak when agreeing with another. This way, some of the English needed will have been already expressed. You can leverage some of those same words but never copy everything. You do want to express yourself and add value.

5. Look for opportunities to speak

Sometimes you don’t need to deliver a complex idea. A simple comment like, “Hey, that’s a great idea!” can do the job of influencing others.

You can also concentrate on asking questions you’ve rehearsed. Be observant when others are discussing an issue. Then, when introducing the idea you support, you’re ready to talk and ask the group precisely what needs to be addressed.

6. Recognize your success.
Even if things don’t go perfectly, there’s one thing you can always do to make sure your next presentation is better: give yourself credit for what went well.

It sounds simple, but recognizing your own success is a key part of getting better at anything. When you focus on the positive, you’re more likely to take risks and push yourself further. So give yourself a pat on the back for every step forward, and focus on building on that success in future presentations.

7. Don’t fear a moment of silence.

When you’re speaking in public, it’s natural to feel a little anxious. You want to make a good impression and share your message with your audience. Not finding the right English word can rattle your confidence. But don’t let your nerves get the best of you!

Remember this, occasionally pausing during your speech is not a bad thing. Don’t worry about it because your audience won’t mind. In fact, they’ll probably appreciate it. Pausing gives them a chance to digest what you’ve said so far and shows that you’re confident and in control.

So don’t be afraid to take a moment of silence to find other words to complete your message when speaking. It will help you relax and connect with your audience.

8. Get support and use a language coach. 

You can become a better public speaker with the help of a language coach. Moreover, there are many benefits to getting private lessons, including gaining confidence and becoming more assertive.

Teachers can help you learn how to control your voice and manage your nerves. They can also give you presentation training so that you get better equipped to handle any situation.

Eliminate Your Fear

Learning English is not an easy task. It takes a lot of time and effort to get better at it. However, we’ve discussed habits that can help improve our confidence in speaking English.

The first thing is to be honest with yourself and know your weaknesses. Then, listen and write to discover more learning opportunities. Try something like listening to movies and writing English emails. These types of activities will let you know what areas need more work.

The next thing is to practice speaking English as much as possible. Even if it’s just small conversations, talk more with everyone you can.

And finally, the third habit is to never be afraid of asking for help when you need it! Again, working with a teacher can be one of the best ways to build up your strengths and eliminate any bad habits.