Expert · Fluency and confidence · topic 59 of 59 · 16 min
Speaking with confidence
Explanation
Many learners know enough English but stay silent because of fear (डर): fear of mistakes, of an accent, of someone laughing. The truth is simple. Communication is more important than perfection. Native speakers also make mistakes, pause and restart all the time.
When you forget a word
Do not stop. Describe it. Say what it looks like, what it is used for, or what it is similar to. Very often the other person will give you the word.
It's the thing you use to open a bottle.
Say it: its the THING yoo YOOZ to OH-pen a BOT-ul
वह चीज़ जिससे बोतल खोलते हैं।
The magic pattern: "It's the thing you use to..." / "It's a kind of..." / "It's like a..., but smaller."
Sorry, what's the word? It's a kind of vegetable, like a big green chilli.
Say it: SOR-ee, wots the WURD? its a KYND ov VEJ-tuh-bul, lyk a BIG GREEN CHIL-ee
माफ़ कीजिए, शब्द क्या है? यह एक तरह की सब्ज़ी है, बड़ी हरी मिर्च जैसी।
The answer here is "capsicum" (Indian and British English) or "bell pepper" (American English).
Buying time and fixing mistakes
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| You need a few seconds to think | That's a good question. Let me think for a second. |
| You said something wrong | Sorry, I mean... / Let me say that again. |
| You did not understand | Sorry, could you say that again, a bit more slowly? |
| You want to check your meaning | What I'm trying to say is... |
| You are nervous at the start | Please bear with me; I'm still improving my English. |
That's a good question. Let me think for a second.
Say it: thats a GOOD KWES-chun. let mee THINK for a SEK-und
अच्छा सवाल है। मुझे एक पल सोचने दीजिए।
Sorry, I mean he goes there every Sunday.
Say it: SOR-ee, ai MEEN hee GOHZ thair EV-ree SUN-day
माफ़ कीजिए, मेरा मतलब है वह हर रविवार वहाँ जाता है।
Fix it quickly and keep going. No long apology needed.
What I'm trying to say is that we need more time.
Say it: wot aim TRY-ing to SAY iz that wee need MOR TYM
मैं यह कहना चाह रहा हूँ कि हमें और समय चाहिए।
Body and voice
- Stand or sit straight, shoulders relaxed. Look at the person's eyes for a few seconds at a time.
- Speak a little slower and a little louder than feels normal. Nervous speakers rush and whisper.
- Breathe out slowly before you start. Smile when it fits.
- Tell yourself: "I am learning, and I am improving every day." Self-talk changes how you feel.
Watch the lesson
Speaking with confidence · 1/7
Hello! This is the last lesson of the course, and it may be the most important one: confidence.
Prefer a video by a teacher? Find free videos on “how to speak english confidently without hesitation in hindi” on YouTube ↗
In real life: A nervous moment at a hotel front desk
Guest: Hi, could you tell me how to get to the old fort? Faizan: Of course, sir. You go straight and then... sorry, let me say that again. Turn left at the main road, and it's about two kilometres. Guest: Great. Can I get there by bus? Faizan: Yes, take the bus from the... what's the word... the small shelter where people wait for the bus, near the gate. Guest: Oh, the bus stop? Faizan: Yes, the bus stop! Thank you. Bus number twelve goes there. Guest: Perfect, thanks so much. Your English is very clear. Faizan: Thank you, sir. Enjoy your visit!
Practice (0/4 done)
Buy time calmly, then answer.
That's a good question. Let me think for a second. I would say my biggest strength is patience.
अच्छा सवाल है। मुझे एक पल सोचने दीजिए। मैं कहूँगा कि मेरी सबसे बड़ी ताक़त धैर्य है।
Listen and type the sentence.
Choose five objects at home whose English names you do not know or forget. Describe each one in English without using its name, as if asking a shopkeeper for it. Then say your two favourite confidence phrases aloud three times.
In a conversation, you realise you said "She don't like it." The best move is...
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