I'm Leo.

And I'm Gwen.

We're here to turn your English fears into cheers.

Speaking of fears, do you know what most English learners are afraid of?

Let me guess. Yep.

You got it.

I totally get that, Leo.

A lot of people feel the same.

The fear of speaking can really hold you back, right?

Yeah.

No one wants to sound... wrong.

But here's the thing.

Everyone makes mistakes when learning a new language.

It's just part of the journey.

So you're saying we shouldn't be afraid to speak?

Yep.

That's exactly it.

And that's why today, we're going to share some tips to help you feel more confident and start speaking English with ease.

Let's get started.

So, Gwen, what's the first step to becoming a fluent English speaker?

Start small, Leo.

Don't bite off more than you can chew.

Why is starting small better?

Well, according to research by Carl Weick, when you tackle manageable tasks, it builds momentum and keeps you motivated.

Oh, so those little wins add up and give us the push to keep going.

That's right.

Every small victory boosts your confidence and sets you up to tackle bigger challenges down the road.

Got it.

But how small are we talking?

Start with simple phrases you can use in everyday life.

Like what?

Things like introducing yourself, asking for directions, or even making small talk about the weather.

Those are great starting points.

So, if it's raining, I can say, what an awful day.

See?

I'm nailing this.

You are, Leo.

And so can our listeners.

Just take it step by step.

That being said, messing up feels like such a big deal for so many learners.

I hear you.

But mistakes are actually your best friends.

They teach you what to improve.

Really?

How does that work?

Well, studies by Robert and Elizabeth Bjork found that when you slip up while learning, it actually helps you lock things in better over time.

Oh, I get it.

You've got to figure out what went wrong and why, which makes everything click more.

Exactly.

And did you know the longest fanfiction ever written in English was done by a non-native speaker?

No way.

Are you serious?

Totally serious.

He started writing fanfiction to practice English.

He must have made a ton of mistakes along the way.

He did.

But instead of throwing in the towel, he kept at it.

Now it's officially the longest piece of literature ever written.

That's some serious commitment.

Imagine all the typos he had to clean up early on.

Right?

However, every mistake was just one more step forward.

It's proof that errors aren't roadblocks but building blocks.

Who knows?

Maybe I'll start my own novel.

Or just stick to a quick tweet.

So what's the next speaking tip?

The next tip is to listen before you speak.

Why's that?

It's simple, really.

When you listen, you're picking up on things like tone, rhythm, and pronunciation.

Ah, so it's not just about hearing the words.

Exactly.

So instead of jumping right in, I should focus on listening more first?

Yep.

That's the key to improving your speaking skills.

So what should I be listening to?

Listen to podcasts, watch movies, or just tune into conversations in English.

Then, try to copy how people speak, like their tone and accent.

Got it.

Listen first, then speak up.

Thanks for the tip.

What's next on the list?

Next up, learning in chunks.

Chunks?

Why not just words one by one?

Because this is how people actually use language in real life.

Like take a break, or make a decision.

I get it.

It sounds a lot easier and more effective than just learning words by themselves.

I know, right?

But where can I find these chunks to practice?

You can easily pick them up from everyday English content.

But I don't think I have time to listen to a podcast or watch a movie every day.

I need something I can squeeze into my daily routine.

In that case, there are plenty of English learning apps that give you useful phrases and a solid system to practice every day.

Which apps do you recommend?

Start with popular ones like Duolingo for vocabulary or HelloTalk to chat with native speakers.

They're free and beginner-friendly.

Got it.

Anything else?

You can also check out BBC Learning English or Elsa Speak for listening and pronunciation practice.

Awesome.

Looks like my phone's turning into a portable classroom now.

And now that you've got your classroom sorted, the next step is finding a speaking partner.

Can I just talk to myself?

You could, but having a practice partner is like having a gym buddy.

It keeps you on track and makes speaking feel way less scary.

Hmm.

Makes sense.

But where do I find one?

Look for someone you can chat with regularly, like a friend who's also learning English.

But what if none of my friends are studying English?

Then you should join an English club.

There are loads of like-minded people in those groups.

Got it.

I guess it's time to find my partner in crime for language learning.

That's the spirit.

Alright, Gwen, let's break down some key vocabulary we've talked about today.

First, bite off more than one can chew.

It means to take on more tasks or responsibilities than you can handle.

For example, she bit off more than she could chew by agreeing to organize three events at once.

Second, down the road.

It means at some point in the future.

For example, I'm saving money now so I can buy a house down the road.

Third, slip up.

It means to make a mistake or error.

For example, he slipped up by forgetting to send the email to the client.

Fourth, figure out.

It means to solve or understand something.

For example, I'm trying to figure out how to use this new software.

Finally, turn into.

It means to change into something different or become something else.

For example, over time, the small shop turned into a big business.

Now, let's discuss two questions about our topic.

What's the first one?

Why do you think starting with small tasks helps when learning English?

Because small tasks are less overwhelming and help you build confidence step by step.

That's right.

Now, the second question is, how can making mistakes help you improve?

Mistakes show you what to work on, and fixing them helps you remember better.

Excellent.

What about you, listeners?

Share your answers in the comments below.

However, Gwen, there are a lot of people self-conscious about their accent, and it kind of puts them off practicing with other people.

Listen up, everyone.

Your accent is part of who you are, and that's something to be proud of.

Even if our accent isn't British or American?

Especially then.

That's what makes it unique.

Language diversity is what keeps things exciting.

Imagine if we all sounded exactly the same.

Hmm.

That would be kind of boring now that you mention it.

And most people care more about what you're saying than how you say it.

So you're saying I shouldn't try to sound like a Hollywood actor?

That's right.

Your accent is your signature.

As long as people understand you, you're all good.

Got it.

What else should we do to improve speaking?

Well, this isn't directly about speaking, but it's more about keeping yourself on track.

What do you mean by that?

Whenever you learn something new, whether it's a word or a short conversation, give yourself a little reward.

And why should we do that?

Celebrating small wins is super important to stay motivated.

Every little step forward is still progress.

That's a great way to look at it.

So guys, don't ever think you're not doing enough.

Every little bit counts.

All right, let's move on to the next tip.

What's that?

It's shadowing.

Oh, I've heard about that.

That's how a lot of people learn to speak like a native.

Exactly.

Shadowing is when you repeat what a native speaker says, right after they say it.

So you copy their tone, speed, and pronunciation?

That's right.

It's a fantastic way to practice.

Studies even show that shadowing helps improve pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.

Cool.

Plus, it can sharpen your listening skills.

Wow, so it's a two-for-one deal?

Isn't that amazing?

What should I shadow, though?

Anything you enjoy, movies, podcasts, YouTube videos, whatever grabs your interest.

Sounds like a win-win to me.

I can't wait to turn on my favorite movie and start shadowing right away.

Hold on, don't do that just yet.

Why not?

If you try shadowing the whole movie, you'll burn out before you know it.

But I love watching movies.

Sure, but you might keep it up for a day or two, and then it'll wear you out.

So what's the better way to go about it?

Instead of going all in, just spend 10 minutes a day practicing.

Wait, only 10 minutes?

That sounds way too short. 10 minutes a day might seem small, but it adds up over time.

I don't know.

It feels too easy, almost like I'm slacking off.

That's the point.

When it feels easy, it's easier to stick with.

It's way better than cramming for hours and ending up completely wiped out.