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Speak English with more Confidence

Iain Shippey

1. Practise Small Talk Daily.


   Engaging in brief conversations daily helps build fluency and confidence. Practising small talk on everyday topics, such as commenting on the weather or talking about your day, can reduce anxiety over time. Start with short, simple exchanges, and as your confidence grows, try longer interactions.


2. Use Body Language to Support Speech


   Good posture, eye contact, and gestures not only help you appear confident but also reinforce your words and help listeners stay engaged. Practising a confident stance can psychologically boost your speaking confidence and help you feel more at ease during conversations.


3. Focus on Clarity Over Speed


   Many learners think they need to speak quickly to sound fluent, but clarity is more important. Speak at a comfortable pace to allow your thoughts to come through clearly. Pausing can actually improve the impact of your message and give you time to think, reducing the pressure to "perform."


These small adjustments can significantly improve confidence in spoken English over time!

 


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This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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Afrikaans   Fluent

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