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How to overcome the fear of speaking English
- Cami
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Because fluency is not just about words… it is about mindset.
Hey there!
Let’s be honest: speaking a foreign language out loud can feel terrifying…
Your heart races. Your mind goes blank. You are suddenly hyper-aware of every grammar mistake you might make…
But here is the thing: even advanced learners struggle with this. And the fear does not mean you are not good at English; it just means you ✨care✨.
Today, we are breaking down the fear of speaking and sharing tips that actually work, so you can stop overthinking and start expressing yourself like the brilliant human you are.
💡 Mistakes are not embarrassing. They are evidence that you are learning.
Children learn languages by messing up constantly, and they are not shy about it. The more you get things wrong, the more your brain learns what is right.
Reminder: Fluency is not about being perfect. It is about being understood.
🎯 Focus on connection, not perfection
Speaking English is a tool for communication, not performance. The goal is connection. Did the other person understand you? Success. Full stop.
🧠 Practise speaking (even if it is to yourself)
Yes, it counts. Repeat phrases out loud. Narrate what you are doing (“I'm boiling the kettle… now I’m making tea…”). The goal is to make speaking feel normal.
👯 Surround yourself with encouraging voices
The people you practise with matter. Choose environments where mistakes are welcomed and corrected kindly, not judged. This changes everything.
🔁 Consistency > Confidence
You do not need to feel confident to act confidently. Speak regularly, even when it feels awkward. The confidence will catch up.
Feeling nervous about speaking English is completely normal, but it does no’t have to hold you back.
The more you practise, the less scary it becomes. Bit by bit, it gets easier, and one day, you will realise you just spoke without even thinking about it.
👉 Want daily chances to speak and improve with native teachers?
Join our conversation-based classes at The English Life Academy and get comfortable with real-world English, one relaxed chat at a time.
These are the membership options we offer:
All the best, and we hope to meet you in class!
Benjamin & Cami
