The Speak Confident English Podcast

Annemarie — Speak Confident English
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Language Learning
  • Updated Weekly

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. At the Grocery Store in English: Phrases You'll Actually Use

    3d ago

    At the Grocery Store in English: Phrases You'll Actually Use

    The grocery store is one of the first places you have to speak when you live in or travel to an English-speaking country, and it can feel stressful. This lesson gives you the real phrases people actually use at the grocery store in English, from making your list to asking for help to checking out. You'll learn natural ways to talk about what you're running low on and need to stock up on, how to ask someone to grab or pick up a few things, the casual phrases for inside the store (it's packed, it's dead, that's a rip-off, that's a steal), how to ask for help without feeling awkward, and exactly what to say to the cashier at checkout. And because knowing the words isn't the same as saying them out loud, here's a simple way to start practicing so these phrases feel natural, not memorized. ➡️ My free training, Say What You Want in English: [link]. Full written lesson: speakconfidentenglish.com/grocery-store-english-phrases/ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Avoiding stores? 02:16 Making the grocery list 04:44 Making requests 06:30 Going to the store 11:05 Asking for help 12:40 Checking out --- 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 non-native English speakers around the world.

    15 min

  2. May 20

    How to Interrupt Politely in English | In-Person & Online

    You're on a call. The conversation is moving, you only have 40 minutes, and you need to say so without sounding rude. Or someone is sharing a long story and you have a question that can't wait. Learning how to interrupt politely in English changes how comfortable you feel in those moments, at work, in meetings, and in everyday conversations. In this episode, you'll get: 5 tips for stepping into a conversation without sounding rude, including timing, tone, body language, and a cultural note that makes everything else easier 11 polite English phrases you can use right away, sorted by situation What changes when you're on Zoom or Teams You'll also learn the visual signs that tell you whether someone is finished talking or just thinking. Once you can read those, the words come easier. Listen on your next walk or commute, then try one or two of the phrases in a real conversation this week. 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/interrupt-someone-politely-in-english/ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Interrupt politely? How? 01:18 Cultural tips 02:17 Tip 1: Reasons 03:01 Tip 2: Politeness 03:41 Tip 3: Tone 04:39 Tip 4: The moment 07:08 Tip 5: Signals 08:40 11 Ways to Interrupt 13:25 Interrupting online   --- 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 non-native English speakers around the world.

    17 min
  3. Handle Interruptions in English — The Best Ways to Respond

    May 13

    Handle Interruptions in English — The Best Ways to Respond

    Have you ever been interrupted in English and frozen, lost your thought, or felt like you couldn't get your turn back? Knowing what to say when someone interrupts you in English depends entirely on what kind of interruption is happening. In this episode, you'll get five specific responses matched to five different situations. Some interruptions are collaborative and show active listening. Some are confused and need clarification. And some are blatant attempts to talk over you. Each one calls for a different response, and most advice on interruptions misses that completely. You'll learn: How to tell which kind of interruption you're dealing with What to say to acknowledge enthusiasm and still finish your thought How to clarify and continue when someone is confused How to hold your turn calmly when someone tries to talk over you How to address a persistent interrupter directly Two simple strategies to prevent being interrupted in the first place Plus you'll get specific phrases to practice, so the next time it happens — in a meeting, a presentation, or a conversation with a friend — you know exactly what to say. Episode Timestamps:  00:00 Interrupt? Not so fast. 01:58 Not always equal 04:23 Response 1 08:19 Response 2 10:57 Response 3 12:07 Response 4 14:18 Response 5 16:39 Prevent interruptions   Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ Full written lesson with all five responses and practice prompts: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/respond-to-interruptions-in-english/https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/respond-to-interruptions-in-english/     --- 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.

    20 min
  4. Polite English Phrases for Daily Life: Ask Someone to Move

    May 6

    Polite English Phrases for Daily Life: Ask Someone to Move

    "Please move." It sounds polite. It isn't. Even "excuse me, please move" still comes across as a command in English. So what do native speakers actually say when someone is standing in your way at the grocery store, sitting too close on the bus, or blocking the hallway? In this episode, you'll learn the polite English phrases for daily life that turn a demand into a real request; the small words and phrases that most English courses never teach. You'll learn: ▪️ How to ask someone to scoot over or slide down when you need a little more space ▪️ How to politely squeeze past or slip past someone blocking your path ▪️ How to reach across or around someone without it feeling intrusive ▪️ When to use "sorry" and when to use "excuse me" Each phrase comes with real-life examples — on the subway, in a hallway, at a busy meeting — plus a chance to practice using them yourself. Episode Timestamps:  00:00 Why not "Please move"? 01:41 From rude to polite 03:18 Ask someone to move 05:42 Squeeze past someone 07:38 Reach across someone Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/polite-english-phrases-for-daily-life-ask-someone-to-move Get my free training, Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ These small phrases make a bigger difference than you'd expect and they're easier to use than you think.   --- 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.

    11 min
  5. Fear of Speaking English? Here's What to Do

    Apr 29

    Fear of Speaking English? Here's What to Do

    You've studied English for years, and the fear of speaking is still there. The fear of freezing in the moment, of making a mistake, of not being understood. And the truth is, more studying isn't going to fix it. In this episode, you'll learn why the fear of speaking English is physiological, not a sign that your English isn't good enough. You'll find out what's actually happening in your brain when your mind goes blank, why perfectionism quietly keeps you stuck at a lower level than your real ability, and the difference between a skill gap and a trust gap (and how to know which one is yours). You'll also get a simple record, evaluate, and pivot practice you can do anywhere, even between meetings or on your commute. It only takes a few minutes and gives your brain real evidence that your English works. Episode Timestamps:  00:00 It's not your English level 03:08 The fear of freezing 07:05 2 steps to control fear 13:57 The fear of mistakes 18:23 What helps with mistakes 21:16 The fear of not being understood 27:20 Close your trust gap 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/fear-of-speaking-english Fear isn't a sign that something is wrong with you. It's something you can work with, and it gets smaller every time you do.

    30 min
  6. 4 Steps to Find Flow and Enjoy Your English Practice

    Apr 22

    4 Steps to Find Flow and Enjoy Your English Practice

    If you've lost motivation, then it's time to find flow and enjoy your English practice. To find flow means being so focused, so immersed in an activity that you begin to lose time, distractions, and self-doubt. And ultimately, you experience joy in what you're doing. You might be familiar with flow state learning and finding flow with hobbies such as painting, singing, playing piano, or running.  You can also find flow in your English language practice to spark motivation and renew your focus. The goal of this Confident English lesson is to share 4 steps to help you enjoy your English practice through flow state learning. Get the full lesson or watch the video at the Speak Confident English website: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/find-flow-english-practice   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - The power of flow state 01:34 - Flow State & Your English Practice 03:09 - Examples of Being in Flow 04:30 - Benefits of Flow State 06:17 - Step 1 for Finding Flow in Your English Practice 07:47 - Step 2 for Finding Flow in Your English Practice 11:30 - Step 3 for Finding Flow in Your English Practice 15:14 - Step 4 for Finding Flow in Your English Practice 16:30 - 2 Strategies for Common Struggles to Find Flow   --- 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.

    20 min
  7. Sound More Expressive in English | Humor and Hyperbole

    Apr 15

    Sound More Expressive in English | Humor and Hyperbole

    Think about feeling tired after working 9 hours, answering 47 emails, and sitting in traffic for 1 hour after work. You could go home and say, "I'm really tired." But is that what you would say in your native language? Probably not. My guess is there would be a fun way to express yourself in a more intense way, showing your strong feelings at the moment. That's what this is about. How to be more expressive in English. English speakers exaggerate constantly, and it's one of the biggest reasons their conversations feel warm, even slightly funny. To do that, we use hyperbole. And once you understand how it works, you'll start hearing it everywhere. And you'll have the words to do it yourself. 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/sound-more-expressive-in-english-humor-hyperbole   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Be funnier & more expressive in English 02:09 Why hyperbole? 04:00 Hyperbole for taking too long 08:23 Hyperbole for extremes 12:33 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.

    14 min
  8. How to Talk About Aging in English | Vocabulary for Honest Conversations

    Apr 8

    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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

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
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Annemarie — Speak Confident English
  • Show Website
    The Speak Confident English Podcast

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