English
日本語
한국어
简体中文
繁體中文
Italiano
español
Deutsch
Русский
One of the most frustrating moments in English is this:
You are speaking.
You are confident.
You know exactly what you want to say.
And then…
The word disappears.
Your mind goes blank. You pause. You apologise. You switch to your first language. Or worse — you stop speaking altogether.
Many learners think fluency means “knowing every word.”
It doesn’t.
Real fluency means knowing what to do when you don’t know the word.
Remember: Don’t stop communicating. Instead, adapt.
So, the real question is not:
“How can I learn more vocabulary?”
It is: “How can I keep speaking when vocabulary fails me?”
Here are some ways to try to recover yourself :
· Describe the idea instead of naming it ("It's the person who checks your passports at the airport")
· Use comparisons (“It’s like…”/ “It’s similar to….”)
· Paraphrase your thoughts
· Ask confidently (“What’s the word for ....?” / "I can't remember the term for....")
· Keep speaking instead of stopping
This is a skill — and it can be trained.
Many students freeze because they focus on perfection. But communication is about clarity, not flawless grammar. The ability to explain, rephrase, and adapt in real time is what makes someone sound confident and professional.
In structured speaking classes, we practise:
· Thinking aloud
· Explaining ideas in different ways
· Recovering smoothly when vocabulary fails
· Speaking under gentle, guided feedback
Why Many Learners Freeze:
The real issue is not vocabulary. It is fear.
Many intelligent professionals struggle because they believe:
“If I cannot say it perfectly, I should not say it.”
This perfectionism causes silence.
But communication is not a grammar test. It is an exchange of meaning.
Confidence grows when learners practise speaking imperfectly — in a safe space.
If you often hesitate because you can't find the right word, perhaps the goal isn't more vocabulary , but stronger speaking strategies. And that's something we can practice together! Learn to recover yourself quickly when you speak in our classes. Check my lesson list for more or click on the link below.
