The Speak Confident English Podcast

Annemarie — Speak Confident English
The Speak Confident English Podcast

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 Ask for and Understand Directions | Travel English

    6D AGO

    How to Ask for and Understand Directions | Travel English

    Ever felt nervous or stuck when you needed to ask for directions in English? You’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’ll teach you exactly what to say—and how to say it—so you can ask for directions in English with confidence and ease. You’ll learn English travel phrases and English survival phrases that actually work in real-life situations. Whether you’re traveling abroad and need English for tourists or simply looking for English conversation practice, this episode is designed to help you speak clearly, politely, and naturally. Here’s what you’ll learn today: — Simple, natural ways to ask for directions in English — Common English phrases for travel that locals use — How to understand the answers people give you — What to do if you don’t understand or if your mind goes blank — Tips to feel calm, clear, and confident—especially if you’re shy or hesitant about speaking If you’ve ever felt nervous about using English travel vocabulary or asking for help in English, this episode is perfect for you. These practical tips are designed for shy speakers and English learners who want to sound polite and confident without feeling embarrassed. 🎧 Great for: — English-speaking tourists — Learners looking to improve their English conversation skills — Anyone who wants confident English speaking while traveling ✨ Challenge for You: After listening, try using one phrase from today’s episode when you ask for directions or in your next English conversation.   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 The Anxiety of Asking for Directions 01:46 First Steps for Asking for Directions — Natural Phrases 03:47 What You'll Hear from Native Speakers 06:55 How to Clarify the Directions 08:30 What If You Freeze? 11:31 What's Next   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/ask-for-directions-in-english 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 us a review! It really helps us get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    12 min
  2. Future Continuous and Future Perfect Forms | Advanced English Grammar

    JUL 2

    Future Continuous and Future Perfect Forms | Advanced English Grammar

    You know that moment when you're trying to set expectations with your team, make a professional commitment, or discuss long-term goals - and you feel limited by simple future tenses? When you want to say something like "By the time the project launches, we'll have been collaborating for six months" but you're not sure how to structure it correctly? In this episode, you'll discover: How to structure and use three advanced future tenses that make you sound more sophisticated The specific situations where future continuous helps you project assumptions and describe temporary events Why future perfect is essential for expressing expectations, hopes, and promises with confidence Real-life examples that show exactly when and how to use each form naturally Perfect for intermediate to advanced English learners who feel ready to move beyond basic future forms like "will" and "going to." If you've ever felt limited when trying to express complex future scenarios or wanted to sound more precise in professional conversations, this episode gives you the tools to do exactly that. This lesson builds on my popular episodes about future forms - but takes you to the next level with grammar structures that native speakers use daily for sophisticated communication. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 02:47 - Grammatical Structures 04:23 - Common Contractions Used 05:35 - Future Continuous 09:50 - Future Perfect 13:40 - Future Perfect Continuous 17:05 - Practice Quiz --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/future-continuous-future-perfect/ 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 us a review! It really helps us get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    19 min
  3. Sound Fluent & Professional: English Phrases for Meetings & Updates

    JUN 26

    Sound Fluent & Professional: English Phrases for Meetings & Updates

    Learn the most effective English phrases for meetings and professional updates so you can sound clear, confident, and fluent in every workplace conversation — no more awkward or overly formal English. In this Confident English lesson, you’ll get practical business English phrasal verbs that native speakers use every day in team meetings, project updates, and workplace discussions. Whether you're giving updates in English, describing progress, talking about delays, or wrapping up with next steps, this lesson gives you the tools to speak English for work fluently and naturally. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 The Right Language for Updates 02:13 Why Phrasal Verbs Are Important at Work 03:22 Phrasal Verbs to Start Meetings 06:00 Phrasal Verbs for Progress 09:59 Phrasal Verbs for Delays 13:17 Phrasal Verbs to Summarize --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-phrasal-verbs-for-meetings 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: 3-Steps for Clear Project Updates in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/give-a-project-update-in-english/ 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 us a review! It really helps us get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    18 min
  4. How to Give a Project Update in English at Work

    JUN 26

    How to Give a Project Update in English at Work

    Need to give a project update in English that gets attention? Master a 3‑step system to deliver a clear, professional project status update—so you can report progress, flag challenges, and impress your boss in every meeting. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00  Why project updates feel stressful 2:07  Common mistakes to avoid 4:20  What's possible when you have the right structure 5:18 IKEA‑inspired “headline first” strategy 5:50  Start with the headline 7:54 Use the Progress / Challenges / Next Steps template 10:40 Give clear expectations 12:50  Practice + free fluency training   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified. Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/give-a-project-update-in-english/ 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 us a review! It really helps us get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    15 min
  5. Master Spontaneous Speaking: Proven Strategies to Boost English Fluency

    JUN 19

    Master Spontaneous Speaking: Proven Strategies to Boost English Fluency

    Master your spontaneous speaking skills and enjoy fluent English conversations with strategies that help you respond quickly and feel more comfortable in the moment. If you've ever felt nervous in an English conversation, thinking • What if someone asks me a question? • What if I don't understand the question? • What if I feel stuck and don't know what to say? • What if I make a mistake? You're not alone. Speaking spontaneously can be a challenge for native and nonnative speakers, especially when the questions are unexpected. The good news is that these challenges are solvable! WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Do you ask these questions in English conversations? 02:21 Strategy 1: Shift the Listening Focus 04:36 How to Practice Strategy 1 08:12 Strategy 2: Focus on Flow 11:16 How to Practice Strategy 2 14:31 Strategy 3: Follow a Smart Structure 16:30 How to Practice Strategy 3 --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.  Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/master-spontaneous-speaking-in-english 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 us a review! It really helps us get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    19 min
  6. How to Describe Personality in English | Advanced Vocabulary

    JUN 19

    How to Describe Personality in English | Advanced Vocabulary

    Get the vocabulary you need to describe personality in English. In both personal and professional situations, it’s not uncommon to have questions that explore your personality and characteristics. That means you’ll need the right vocabulary to describe personality - how you typically think, behave, and feel. If you’ve ever felt unsure how to describe your unique qualities in an English conversation, a job interview, or even on your social media bio, you’re not alone. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 Personal/Professional Conversations on Personality 03:10 Sentence Starters to Describe Personality 05:05 Qualifiers Used When Describing Personality 08:13 Six Example Stories to Describe Personality in English 19:57 Practice: Describe Your Personality in English --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.  Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/describe-your-personality-english/ 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 us a review! It really helps us get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    22 min
  7. Master Workplace Networking in English | The Art of Coffee Chats

    JUN 19

    Master Workplace Networking in English | The Art of Coffee Chats

    Unlock the secrets of effective workplace English networking. In this episode, you'll learn how to network in English confidently, including mastering the art of coffee chats and informal informational interviews. This is your ultimate resource for understanding the nuances of English networking, providing practical tips and strategies to enhance your communication skills and build meaningful professional relationships. Whether it's a casual coffee chat, an informal informational interview, or a formal business meeting, understanding the art of networking can open doors to incredible career opportunities and enriching experiences. In this episode, we explore: Essential strategies for effective workplace English networking Tips on initiating and navigating coffee chats and informal informational interviews How to make a great first impression in any networking scenario Practical language phrases to use in networking interactions   WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Why 'Coffee Chats'? 02:29 English Networking Know-How 03:55 Cultural Expectations in Networking 06:58 Initiating Contact 13:12 Conducting the Conversation 15:35 Follow Up   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.  Get the full episode show notes at: https://speakconfidentenglish.com/workplace-english-networking 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 us a review! It really helps us get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    19 min
  8. Think in English and Speak Faster in Conversations | Stop Translating

    JUN 19

    Think in English and Speak Faster in Conversations | Stop Translating

    Transform how you think in English and speak faster in conversations with strategies you can start using now! Today, I'll guide you through the essential steps to stop translating in your head and start responding instantly in English conversations—no more lost opportunities to say what you want. In this detailed episode, we'll explore practical strategies to enhance your fluency and help you begin thinking in English, enabling you to speak faster and more naturally. You'll learn to navigate common conversational scenarios and how to respond without hesitation. We'll dive into several effective methods, including: 04:02 Strategy #1: Start Small — Learn to think about and name your immediate surroundings in English. 04:54 Strategy #2: Build Word Pictures — Enhance your vocabulary by connecting words to images and actions. 06:07 Strategy #3: Connect to the First Encounter — Attach new words to personal experiences to improve recall. 06:55 Strategy #4: Complete Your Thoughts — Practice forming complete thoughts and sentences in English to express yourself clearly. 08:34 Strategy #5: Dig Deeper & Apply — Understand the context of phrases and how to use them appropriately in conversations. 09:17 Strategy #6: Immerse Yourself — Fully immerse in the English language by adjusting your media and device settings. 09:55 Strategy #7: Dive Deep & Discuss — Engage with topics you love in English to build confidence and fluency. 12:11 How do you know you're making progress --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.  Get the episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/think-in-english-and-speak-faster 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 us a review! It really helps us get encouragement and actionable advice to nonnative English speakers around the world.

    16 min

Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
4 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

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