How To Boost Your Confidence In Speaking English?

Introduction

Learning a new language, at the initial stage, always breaks a person’s confidence due to myriad reasons. English is, in this competitive era, believed to hold the utmost significance. Not all individuals have faith in themselves while communicating in English. If you are the one who is failing to share your ideas properly in the English language, then this blog is what you need to go through. This write-up will inform you about the factors that hinder self-belief, strategies to build confidence, and some myths that prevail about being a fluent speaker.

Why is learning English mandatory?

Learning English has become extremely crucial for a number of reasons. People willing to advance their careers have to go through multiple stages in their professional lives, where they have to come across people from top management or from another country. In this situation, not being able to put your thoughts in an organized manner can cost you your whole career ladder. Also, improper communications lead to confusion, anxiety, and mental distress.
Nevertheless, those planning to pursue their higher studies abroad or migrating for work or residential purposes are required to display their command of the English language by taking IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL examinations.
Thus, English plays a vital role in both personal and professional life.

Factors that affect your self-confidence

There are varied reasons that impact your level of self-reliance. They are as under:

• Fear of public speaking: Some people are able to speak flawlessly in person but feel extremely uncomfortable when they see a lot of people. This obstructs their thoughts and leads to a reduction in faith. Fear of mockery: A person loses courage when he thinks that he is being judged by the way he speaks and hence, avoids speaking at all.
• Fear of mockery: A person loses courage when he thinks that he is being judged by the way he speaks and hence, avoids speaking at all.
• Mediocre level knowledge of grammar and vocabulary: Sometimes, when an individual has less or little grip over the formation of sentences that may cause inconvenience while communicating, which indirectly hampers the reliability.
• Lack of practice: Repetition is the mother of invention. Thus, speaking with confidence comes with continuous practice, and when this activity is ignored, the trust in oneself plunges.
• Scarcity of motivation: Many people often seek inspiration and need someone to keep them motivated. When they don’t see any source of encouragement around them that can give them a push, they tend to restrict themselves from speaking.
• No or minimal eye contact: It is vital to maintain eye contact with the second person. If this doesn’t take place, you lose both interest and trust in yourself.
• Type of audience: You may be habituated to talking with a limited or small group of people and hence, when it comes to addressing larger numbers, you become hesitant, and your confidence level lowers down.
• Understanding of the topic: To bring firmness in your speech, it is necessary to have proper knowledge of the topic that is being discussed. Lack of information also confines you from speaking while restricting your self-reliance.
• Personal factors: People may have some inherent medical conditions due to which they fumble naturally while speaking, and this characteristic of theirs makes them less assured of speaking in front of anyone. Unfortunate incidents of childhood also restrict the ability of a person to socialize much.
• Social or cultural background: Citizens from a non-native English-speaking country or state face huge trouble when speaking and learning the language. People, especially from Gujarat, stay in the surroundings where speaking English is limited only to the interview rounds and is not uttered otherwise. This leads to adverse impact on the spirit of talking in another language fluently.
• Comparisons: Finding flaws in yourself while comparing the potential of others with yourself descents your boldness to speak flawlessly. Avoid doing it, as one hat does not fit all heads. Remember, everyone is unique and possesses a distinct set of strengths and weaknesses. Learn and rise!

Strategies to build your courage

Firmness in speaking English can be gained by following the tips mentioned below:

• Trust yourself: The first and foremost step to build self-reliance is to have conviction in yourself. Positive thoughts and mindset help to improve rapidly.
• Be congruent:In order to speak in a free-flowing manner, your thoughts should share the same wavelength as your words. So, try to maintain symmetry between your words and viewpoints.
• Start small: Commence with speaking shorter but correct sentences rather than long and complex statements. This will help you boost your self-trust.
• Practice consistently: Practicing on a daily basis will aid you in sharpening your confidence and you will then be able to speak without any fear.
• Record yourself: When you practice speaking, try recording yourself. This will help you figure out your areas of improvement and work on them accordingly.
• Enroll yourself at an academy: Any spoken English institution or study abroad consultants will be able to fulfill your requirements. Getting guidance from an expert professional will assist you in reaching your aim faster.
• Learn grammar and vocabulary: Syntactical accuracy sparks interest in listeners. Using a range of words reduces repetition, thus keeping the audience engaged in your conversation.
• Understanding of the topic: To bring firmness in your speech, it is necessary to have proper knowledge of the topic that is being discussed. Lack of information also confines you from speaking while restricting your self-reliance.
• Engage with native speakers: Try to connect with people from different countries through various platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and so on. This will uplift your self-assurance and remove uncertainty while speaking.
• Read aloud every day: Reading is considered the best remedy to solve all your problems related to learning a language, especially English. This activity will open up your vocal cords and bring smoothness and rhythm to your speech.
• Focus on pronunciation: If you come across any new word that sounds alien to you and are unsure about its pronunciation, take the help of the internet and learn to utter it correctly. Knowing the proper pronunciation of words increases the chances of putting our point forward in a more confident manner. You can also listen to audiobooks.
• Use the internet productively:Instead of scrolling through reels and unnecessary videos for hours, use it for doing something fruitful. Watch English podcasts, web series, motivational videos, TED talks, and news.
• Prepare before you speak: If you know about the topic for discussion beforehand, you can make a note of it so that you don’t fumble and can present yourself with clarity and cogency.
• Seek clarity, NOT speed: Your ideas should be presented in a manner that influences people to listen to them. For this to happen, clarity is crucial than speed. Remember, clarity builds confidence.
• Use intelligent pauses: Using pauses wisely helps the audience connect with you and gives you some time to think about what's next to speak. This way, you will support yourself in being heard, which will give you assertiveness

Common misconceptions about speaking English fluently

After knowing the ways to strengthen your self-trust in speaking English, do not hold the following myths in your mind about people speaking English. The misbeliefs are:

• Some are naturally confident speakers : Just because they are born in an English-speaking country doesn’t mean that they are good speakers. People feel that many people have in-built confidence, but that’s not true at all. Multiple variables are linked, and hence, you can also become an eloquent speaker.
• Speaking fluently is speaking rapidly :Those who speak speedily are not always fluent. Fluency is when you connect with the audience using intelligent pauses and can articulate your words in an effective style.
• Speakers who are confident do not look for clarification: Sometimes, even people who speak confidently may not sound clear or may fail in expressing their notions. Clarity is on the greater side than speed.
• Self-assured speakers never experience setbacks:A favorite speaker of one may not be of another. This is due to the difference of opinion they hold, and hence, even the voluble speakers have to face negativity. Remember, each coin has two sides. Facing ups and downs is the pattern of life and everyone has to deal with it.
• One can either be or NOT be confident:This is a wrong notion held by many. Confidence comes with practice and positive thoughts. There is always room for enhancement and it can be done by taking help from others and building connections.

Conclusion

Speaking English is not rocket science, but augmenting your confidence is a matter of consideration. Once it is done, no one can stop you from being an excellent communicator of the English Language. Just keep in mind the ways described in the blog and act accordingly. For any further assistance, try visiting any IELTS coaching institutes in Ahmedabad Change your approach, think positively, and start your journey of learning a new language with precision and optimism.