The Speak Confident English Podcast

You've probably heard this advice: stop saying very in English. Use stronger words instead. In this episode, I'll tell you why the answer is no.
Words like very, really, so, and super are called intensifiers. They make an idea stronger, and native speakers use them every day.
So let's talk about how these words are different from words like exhausted, hectic, and furious. Plus, how to choose the word that says what you mean, and how "not very" can make a negative comment softer.
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/stop-saying-very-in-english/
Want to get comfortable in English conversations, period? Join me in my next Fluency School program → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/

Is confidence in English something you have or something you choose? In this real English conversation, my guest Anna and I talk about the myths vs reality of confidence in speaking another language.
Anna and I are both strong introverts, so we also talk about how personality shapes the way we speak, plus...
We chat about the book Happy Mind, Happy Life by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, which Anna recommended for our Confident Women Community Book Club; my decision to leave social media (thanks to the book she recommended); and toxic positivity.
Like any real-life conversation, the topics evolve, with starts and stops along the way.
Anna has been a member of my Confident Women Community since 2022. If you'd like to get the same kind of speaking practice and support that has helped Anna gain confidence, you can do that here: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/community
Get the full lesson and transcript at https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-conversation-with-anna
Want a free first step? Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english

A coworker says, "I'm already on my third cup of coffee, and it's not even ten." You understand every word. But what do you say next?
That small moment is an invitation, and knowing what to do with it is the start of social fluency in English: the ability to join the everyday conversations that help people get to know you, and help you get to know them.
In this lesson, you'll learn how to recognize when someone is opening the door to small talk, a simple way to respond (show you heard them, then ask one simple question), and how to tell whether the conversation is continuing or naturally ending.
Then you'll get one small, low-pressure way to practice this week, in a moment where nothing important depends on the outcome.
Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/social-fluency-in-english/
As promised, if you'd like to know more about Fluency School, learn more here: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/

You know what happened. You remember every detail. But when you tell a story in English, it can be hard to show when each thing happened.
In this lesson, you'll learn how to use 3 past tenses to tell one clear story. The past simple tells your listener what happened next. The past continuous shows what was happening when something else happened. And the past perfect explains what had happened earlier, like the phone you forgot to charge the night before.
At the end, you'll practice with a short story from your own life, in just 4 to 6 sentences.
Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/tell-a-story-in-english/
Start enjoying English conversations without fear. Get more details about the Confident Women Community: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/community/

Think of someone you'd like to know better. Maybe a neighbor, or another parent at your child's school. You've talked a few times, but the conversation never goes past simple facts. In this lesson, you'll learn how to ask better questions in English so your conversations can go deeper.
You'll learn how to listen for one detail and use it to form your next question. You'll learn what makes a question better when you want to know someone. You'll also get phrases like "I remember you said..." to return to a topic the next time you talk, and simple ways to ask without putting pressure on anyone.
At the end, I'll guide you to form one follow-up question for a real person in your life, so you can use this lesson right away.
Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/deeper-conversations-in-english
One better question can lead to a deeper conversation. And over time, it can help a friendship grow.