Speaking with confidence – doing does the trick

Here’s the thing: those students who are worried about ‘speaking confidently’ end up putting off till tomorrow what they could already be doing today.

What do I mean? Let’s take the example of someone who says they need to speak confidently to be able to talk with Americans and Brits and other foreigners in Prague or Brno.

The problem is that instead of simply going to English language events in the two cities, they remain in ‘study mode’ and stay at home. After all, they say, “I can’t speak to an American yet, I’m not confident enough.”

In contrast, the English learner who doesn’t care about confidence and simply does something with the language in real life ends up being more confident.

The first step is doing. Confidence comes later.

If you want to give presentations in English at work and feel confident, improving your skills with a teacher can definitely help you, but doing it in reality is what will give your confidence a big lift.

You might feel nervous beforehand, which is natural, but afterwards you’ll have that “I did it!” feeling.

Which is better: to say “I did it!” or to say “I’ll do it when I’m more confident”?

‘Doing’ does the trick

Go out there and simply DO what it is you would like to do in English.

It could be chatting to some Americans and making new friends. It could be going for a new job where English is essential.

Whatever it is, DO IT FIRST.

Put confidence in your ‘things to forget basket’.

Then after you’ve said to yourself “I did it” a few times, you may well find that your confidence is growing.

Word bank

here’s the thing – a phrase we use before making what we think is an important or valid point
put off – postpone
end up – to be in a particular place or situation, even though you didn’t exactly plan it that way
do the trick – to do exactly what is needed

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