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Learning a language and having confidence are essential to improving your English. It’s easier said than done. Whether it’s speaking in front of strangers, a group of friends, a presentation for work, or a job interview, our confidence is constantly challenged. We’re going to discuss key practices that will bring your confidence to another level.
The most important practice is to get comfortable making mistakes. It is very common for learners to try and speak without any making any errors or being grammatically correct. This can be frustrating and exhausting when trying to speak a new language. Native speakers are guilty of making mistakes and speaking incorrectly (using slang, for example) so you wouldn’t be the only one. When mistakes are made in groups of people that are aware you are learning a language, let’s hope that the listener corrects you. Simply letting them know that you wish to be corrected can be enough. When this happens, it is more likely that you will learn from your mistakes. The more errors you make, the better! Don’t focus on speaking perfectly, focus on speaking to be understood.
Do the uncomfortable! For many people, the fear of public speaking or speaking in groups is greater than the fear of dying. The only way to improve your confidence with speaking in front of others is by practising the act of speaking in front of others! At first, you might notice your heart pounding out of your chest, but it gets easier, I promise. Language exchange groups or finding friends to practise is a great way to start.
Read an article, a page from a book, or whatever you see in English out loud. Reading out loud has been proven to improve your memory about the content you are reading. It’s also beneficial for pronunciation. Verbally pronouncing a word creates a memorable experience, which researchers call a “production effect”. Making the effort to pronounce the word helps the brain retain the information.
This practice also helps you become familiar and comfortable with your own voice. The more you listen to yourself speak out loud, the less terrifying it becomes. You can also try recording your own voice while reading or speaking. Sending the file to your English instructor or native speaking friend can be beneficial to improve your pronunciation.
When speaking a foreign language, many learners are trying to think and speak fast. This does not help with the nerves. Taking your time to understand the other speaker and responding slowly will give you more time to think and articulate what you want to say. The majority of people will be understanding and patient with you. If they’re not, find new friends!
Simple body language adjustments can change your overall confidence. When confidence is low and the body is reacting to nervousness, the breath becomes shallow and your heart rate increases. A simple trick that can slow things down is a deep breathing technique called the “triangle method”. To begin, you simply inhale for 3 seconds, hold your breath for 3 seconds, and exhale for another 3 seconds. Then repeat. Do this as many times until you begin to feel your heart rate slow down. This is one of many proven techniques to help calm the body.
Body language adjustments can help you feel more confident while speaking. The most important would be posture. Keeping your back upright and shoulders relaxed is usually enough to show a confident appearance. People with insecurities who tend to lack confidence tend to slouch, cross their arms, and appear smaller and closed. Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist, explains this phenomenon in her famous Ted talk which you can watch here.
Implementing these practices will surely benefit how you feel when speaking English in intimidating settings. These tips and tricks won’t only help you with speaking English, but also with your overall speaking skills in your own native language as well.
