The Speak Confident English Podcast

Annemarie — Speak Confident English
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Build your English confidence and speak fluently — even if you feel shy, stuck, or nervous right now. I'm Annemarie, the founder of Speak Confident English and an English fluency coach with 20+ years of experience. Every week, I share proven strategies to help you go from, "I understand English," to "I speak it clearly and confidently." With every episode, learn exactly what to say — and how to say it — so you can speak with calm clarity at work, in conversations, and in everyday life. 🎧 Free Fluency Training → speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english

  1. How to Talk About Aging in English | Vocabulary for Honest Conversations

    3 DAYS AGO

    How to Talk About Aging in English | Vocabulary for Honest Conversations

    Getting older comes up in conversations all the time (at least for me!) with friends, with family, with colleagues.  So let's talk about the real English expressions for conversations about aging — what you're noticing, what you're not sure about, and how to be there for a friend going through the same thing. Not just "I feel old." Expressions covered include: the march of time, take a toll, keep your wits about you, gain some distance, come into your own, and more. Practice these expressions with my free training — Say What You Want in English → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ Full lesson and transcript → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/how-to-talk-about-aging-in-english/   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Getting older... 😬 02:03 Noticing aging 05:27 Uncertainty about aging 08:05 Reflecting on aging 11:14 Supporting others in aging   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    15 min
  2. English Phrases for Building Trust at Work

    1 APR

    English Phrases for Building Trust at Work

    If building trust in an English-speaking workplace has ever felt harder than it should be, there's a reason for that — and it's not your language skills. It's culture. In this episode, you'll learn six specific ways to build trust and influence in English-speaking professional environments like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. These aren't generic communication tips. Each step comes with the exact English phrases you need and an explanation of why these behaviors matter culturally — so you can make informed choices about how you communicate. You'll walk away with phrases for showing genuine interest in your colleagues, listening in a way that builds real connection, owning mistakes with confidence, sharing credit specifically and effectively, setting honest expectations without disappointing people, and leading by example. This is a lesson worth listening to more than once — keep a notebook nearby the first time through. Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-phrases-for-building-trust-at-work Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Trust — a superpower 01:28 Invest time in each person 06:55 Listen to understand 11:06 Own mistakes 15:20 Share credit 17:08 Keep promises 20:00 Lead by example 22:30 How to practice   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    24 min
  3. How to Best Group Words & Pause for Clear English

    25 MAR

    How to Best Group Words & Pause for Clear English

    Sounds natural, more fluent, and clearer when speaking English with this one technique. One of the biggest challenges in English fluency is knowing how to group words and pause for natural-sounding English. If your speech feels too slow, too fast, or choppy, learning thought groups will help you master English pronunciation, improve English rhythm, and develop connected speech. In this lesson, you'll learn: ✔️ What thought groups are and how they improve English speaking practice ✔️ How to group words together to avoid awkward pauses ✔️ Where to pause naturally to improve stress and intonation ✔️ How to use English prosody for smooth, natural English speech If you've been struggling with speaking clearly in English, this lesson will show you exactly how to group words for fluency and confidence. Watch now to start improving your English communication skills and speak English fluently today! 🚀 Get the full lesson at https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/group-words-for-natural-sounding-english  And then practice using my FAVORITE speaking technique. You get it here for free: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ Also mentioned in this video: How to Think in English ➡️ https://youtu.be/Qop4k6m8gF0 Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Too fast or too slow? 02:00 What are thought groups? 03:25 How to identify thought groups 03:40 Pattern 1: Don't pause here 05:09 Pattern 2: Keep these together 07:08 Pattern 3: Use these to start groups 08:16 Pattern 4: Separate here 09:13 Pattern 5: Set these apart 10:03 Pattern 6: Extra info 11:51 Practice   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    15 min
  4. Stop Making This Common Grammar Mistake Speaking English | Word Forms

    18 MAR

    Stop Making This Common Grammar Mistake Speaking English | Word Forms

    Have you ever said "I want to improve my confident" or "she's a very competition person"? This is one of the most common grammar mistakes in English — using the wrong word form — and it's more fixable than you think. In this episode, you'll learn why this mistake happens even at an intermediate or advanced level, how English suffixes and word endings signal whether you need a noun or adjective, and one simple question that helps you choose the right word form every time. You'll also get three practical strategies to make the right choice automatic before you need it in a real conversation. This is a skill worth practicing — and once you see the pattern, you'll start noticing it everywhere. Find the full written lesson with word family examples and practice strategies at https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-word-form-mistakes-noun-adjective-suffixes Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Should you care about mistakes? 01:57 Mixing word forms 03:24 Suffixes (the fix) 05:02 Noun suffixes 07:25 Adjective suffixes 08:54 Word families 10:42 Choose the right form 14:56 Clues for quick decisions 19:44 Extra practice   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-word-form-mistakes-noun-adjective-suffixes If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-conversation-practice-film-awards If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    24 min
  5. English Conversation Practice on Film Awards | Oscars, Golden Globes & More

    11 MAR

    English Conversation Practice on Film Awards | Oscars, Golden Globes & More

    Even if you never watch the Oscars or Golden Globes, you're going to hear about them — at work, on social media, in the news. And the language people use in those conversations is full of idioms, phrasal verbs, and phrases that can catch you off guard. In this episode, you'll get the vocabulary you need to join any conversation about film award ceremonies — before, during, and after the show. You'll learn how to talk about predictions and pre-awards buzz (frontrunner, dark horse, gaining momentum), discuss nominations and who deserves to win (up for an award, overdue, big break), react to ceremony moments, and join post-show debates about who was snubbed, robbed, or swept the awards. Every phrase comes with clear examples so you can hear how native speakers actually use them — at a coffee break, in a text to a friend, or scrolling through social media the morning after. Ready to feel confident joining these conversations in English? Press play. Get the full lesson and transcript at https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-conversation-practice-film-awards Episode Timestamps: 0:00 English conversations on films 1:20 Pre-awards buzz 6:13 Nominations 8:55 Predictions 10:31 Performances 12:20 The awards ceremony 14:55 Reactions 17:56 Post-awards 20:13 Practice   ---   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-conversation-practice-film-awards If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-conversation-practice-film-awards If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    22 min
  6. 11 English Idioms for Work: Sports-Related Phrases You Need to Know

    4 MAR

    11 English Idioms for Work: Sports-Related Phrases You Need to Know

    English idioms for work are full of sports language — and if you've ever nodded along in a meeting without fully understanding what someone meant, this episode is for you. In this lesson, you'll learn 11 of the most common sports-related phrases used in professional English conversations — including "knock it out of the park," "the ball is in your court," "down to the wire," and more. You'll discover not just what each idiom means, but when to use it, when to avoid it, and how power dynamics can change the meaning entirely. You'll also get practical guidance on which three idioms to start with and a simple approach for moving from understanding these phrases to using them naturally and confidently yourself. Find the full written lesson at https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-idioms-for-work-sports-phrases This is the kind of vocabulary that makes real conversations click — and easier to build than you might think. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 The power of idioms 02:28 Idiom: Game plan 04:45 Idiom: Kick things off 06:44 Idiom: Be on the same team 09:01 Idiom: Level the playing field 11:45 Idiom: Ball is in your court 13:44 Idiom: Step up to the plate 15:40 Idiom: Take eyes off the ball 17:15 Idiom: Play hardball 18:56 Idiom: Move the goalposts 20:29 Idiom: Down to the wire 22:36 Idiom: Knock it out of the park 24:00 How to learn & use     --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-idioms-for-work-sports-phrases If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → ⁠https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    31 min
  7. You Understand English But Can't Speak Fluently — Here's Why

    18 FEB

    You Understand English But Can't Speak Fluently — Here's Why

    You understand English, but speaking still doesn't feel fluent? If you've studied for years and still can't speak English fluently when it matters, this episode will help you understand why, and how to start changing it. A lot of English learners can follow meetings, podcasts, and videos, but speaking feels different. Speaking is real-time. You have to find words fast, build sentences, and keep going even when you're nervous. That skill doesn't grow from understanding alone. It grows from the right kind of practice. In this episode, I explain 4 reasons you can understand English but can't speak fluently: You believe you need to study more before you can speak You believe confidence should come first You believe you're too busy to practice You believe you need a native speaker to practice with As you listen, you'll get simple practice steps you can use this week to start building your English fluency. Also, if Fluency School is the right next step for you, get the details here: speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Is your English speaking level stuck? 01:37 Reason 1 06:46 Reason 2 11:10 Reason 3 15:55 Reason 4 21:48 What if you're highly shy in English? 23:44 Your next steps   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/you-understand-english-but-cant-speak-fluently-heres-why If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → ⁠https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    25 min
  8. Making Plans in English Conversation: Essential Phrases

    11 FEB

    Making Plans in English Conversation: Essential Phrases

    Making plans in English conversation can feel awkward, especially when someone says, "We should get together sometime," and then nothing happens. In this episode, you'll learn how to make plans in English with a simple 6-stage process, so you can invite people naturally, read the signals, and follow through with confidence. You'll learn how to: start casually: "Are you free this weekend?" / "What are you up to this weekend?" use natural invitations (inviting in English): "How about we…?" and "I was thinking we could…" understand we should get together meaning (warm politeness vs real interest) understand let me check my calendar meaning (often not rejection) get specific with time + place so plans actually happen decline politely in English and how to reschedule in English send a simple follow up text in English before you meet   Related lesson: https://speakconfidentenglish.com/yes-no-maybe-in-english   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Missed opportunities? 02:44 Initiating plans 04:40 Suggesting plans 07:43 Reading unspoken signals 13:53 Determining time/place 16:15 Responding to invitations 19:45 Finalizing plans 20:29 Following up 22:20 Recap   Want to learn with me? My next Fluency School program is coming soon. Get all the details here: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/ --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/making-plans-in-english-conversation If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠   MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → ⁠https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    25 min
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About

Build your English confidence and speak fluently — even if you feel shy, stuck, or nervous right now. I'm Annemarie, the founder of Speak Confident English and an English fluency coach with 20+ years of experience. Every week, I share proven strategies to help you go from, "I understand English," to "I speak it clearly and confidently." With every episode, learn exactly what to say — and how to say it — so you can speak with calm clarity at work, in conversations, and in everyday life. 🎧 Free Fluency Training → speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english

Information

  • Creator
    Annemarie — Speak Confident English
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Annemarie — Speak Confident English
  • Show Website
    The Speak Confident English Podcast

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