English Doesn’t Have to Hurt: Finding Joy in the Journey

If English has ever made you feel ashamed, small, or afraid, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Alone with English, Ruth and Jennie get real about the emotional fallout of traditional language learning. So many learners carry invisible scars from classrooms that punished mistakes, teachers who demanded perfection, or systems that made them feel like they were never enough.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

This episode is your invitation to break up with shame, and begin building a new relationship with English. One that includes curiosity, joy, movement, and permission to do things differently.

You’ll hear:

• Why even advanced learners feel “not good enough” and how to unlearn that

• The difference between knowing English and being able to use it freely

• How creativity and movement help English land more deeply

• Simple ways to build an “immersion zone” at home, no matter where you live

• Why experimentation beats perfection every time

Tell a story in just 3 words. Your worst night’s sleep while travelling, no grammar, no pressure. Just expression.

🎧 Listen-In Tip:

Take this episode on a walk. Let your body move while your mind reconnects, it’s how language is meant to work.

Resources & Links 🧠 Free Pronunciation Challenge — from Jennie 🌍 Blue Noun Language Holidays — real-world English in Scotland 🎙 Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts coming soon

For Audio + Transcript, click here.