5 ways to boost your confidence when you speak English

You know the right words to speak, the correct expressions to use, and you know everything there is about English grammar, all thanks to your English course in Melbourne.

And yet, there are moments when you’re about to say something and in the end decide against it because you feel a bit hesitant to express yourself.

Don’t worry, we understand why you feel this way – knowing how to say something and having the confidence to speak up are two different things!

You get nervous, stutter, and even go blank when someone expects you to answer them in English.

This is normal, especially if you are not a native English speaker (and in fact, some native speakers experience this sometimes, too!)

Luckily, there are ways to boost your confidence when speaking English – and we’re sharing tips you can start using immediately!

How to feel more confident when you speak English

Practice, practice, practice

Getting more confident using the English language starts with practise. The more you use the language, the less anxious you will feel when speaking.

Yes, it really is that simple!

For many international students, they feel nervous because they’re worried that they might get something wrong and feel embarrassed.

Best of all, it’s easy to bring into your routine!

Using English more in your conversations, replying in English, and even just spending a couple of minutes each day practicing pronunciation makes a huge difference in making you comfortable with listening, comprehending, and then speaking English.

Set aside 15-20 minutes each day to practice pronunciation and keep doing it every day – you’d be surprised how much this can help you!

Stay calm and speak slowly

You don’t need to rush to give your response – slow down your speech and give yourself the opportunity to find the right words!

Trying to talk faster than you can think of the words can make you feel nervous and affect your ability to form sentences. It can even leave you feeling a little flustered or dejected!

Need a tip? Breathe!

You can start by practicing breathing exercises, especially when you feel a bit anxious about speaking.

Breathing forces you to slow down, giving you an opportunity to think before you speak. It’s perfectly fine to want to slow down the conversation, especially if you’re talking with a native English speaker.

Remember that the textbook isn’t the only English resource you have

Familiarising yourself with the English language means making use of everything that can help you get acquainted with it.

And we aren’t just talking about the textbook.

While the textbook can teach you English grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, you can look elsewhere for tips, hints, and inspiration.

We’re talking about media like videos, podcasts, movies, and even songs.

Listening to these teaches you pronunciation, which can help improve your speaking skills.

Not only that, but it can also improve your understanding (conversation is about speaking and listening, after all!)

It’s a simple habit to start. You can spend just 30 minutes a day watching and listening to English speakers to familiarise yourself with the language – eventually, you’ll notice your speaking improve.

Practice speaking with other non-native speakers

Do you feel uncomfortable around native speakers? Practice with non-native speakers instead!

If you’re nervous, just remember that other non-native speakers are probably just like you.

They won’t care if you get something wrong – in fact, they may not even notice because they’re too focused on ensuring that they get their English correct.

For some students, knowing that their “audience” is in the exact same boat as them (a phrase which means to be in the same circumstances or situation as others) can be a huge confidence boost.

Do you have some time after your English class is over? Organise a practice session with some of your fellow students.

Not only will you be able to practice your spoken English, but you’ll also make some great friends!

Reward yourself and recognise your achievements

Did you get something right? Did you just confidently talk to a native speaker? Are you using longer sentences in conversations?

Reward yourself!

Celebrating small milestones can help you gain confidence with your spoken English. 

Whenever you see yourself improving word usage or sentence construction, recognise your achievement and make a mental note to congratulate yourself!

You may even want to record it by writing it down or typing out a note in your phone. These simple reminders show you how far you’ve come and keep you moving forward!

Boost your confidence with our English courses in Melbourne!

Attention Melburnians who speak English as a second language: there’s a way to improve your English and become more confident!

Our English courses in Melbourne are designed to help you speak the language confidently.

With a number of NEAS-endorsed – what that is that we’re a national leader in the English Language Teaching (ELT) sector.

We are committed to helping students from all walks of life improve their language skills as they learn English in Australia!

Our English courses suit all levels of learning. Explore each below…

General English (GE)

Easily communicate with others using the English language through our General English (GE) course.

Improve your English language skills by improving all of the essentials.

This course will help you thrive in Australia, teaching you how to fluently pronounce words, expand your vocabulary and improve your ability to form sentences without second-guessing yourself.

Of course, it isn’t just your speaking (though that’s a large part of it) – as part of General English, you’ll also work on your everyday reading and writing too.

With classes for every fluency level, General English is just what you need to make your life in Australia easier.

Explore our General English course today.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Are you aiming to qualify for an Australian University? Plan ahead and enrol in our English for Academic Purposes!

Before you start studying properly, English for Academic Purposes prepares you by:

  • Teaching you how to write essays and reports
  • Expanding your vocabulary
  • Teaching you how to understand academic sources and studies
  • Preparing you for oral presentations and speeches

Be confident – and competent – at the same time. English for Academic Purposes prepares you to write reports, answer essays, and make presentations using the English language.

A high grade here will translate into higher grades at university!

Find out more about studying English for Academic Purposes.

English for IELTS preparation

Want to work or study in Australia or other parts of the world?

If so, you may need to sit the IELTS exam first.

This test includes all aspects of English, including a spoken component.

If you want to get the score you need to pass your immigration test, be accepted into an Australian university or apply for a job, this course is just what you need.

Ace your IELTS exam – our courses help you prepare for the exact IELTS band you need.

Find out more about our English for IELTS.

Study English in Melbourne with Academia

Now taking enrolments for Semester 2!

You want to improve your English. Specifically, you want to become a more confident English speaker.

While these tips can help, the best way to improve your speaking long-term is by choosing an English course in Melbourne at an institution that wants to see you succeed!

Academia’s English courses in Melbourne have helped thousands of second-language speakers like you improve their English confidence.

If you want to study English in Melbourne, you can get started by getting in touch with us today. Our friendly staff are happy to assist!
Call our Melbourne campus on (03) 9671 4755 or reach out to us online.