English is the most widely spoken international language, serving as the medium of communication in academia, business, travel, and technology (Crystal, 2012). Yet, many learners struggle with fluency and confidence when speaking it. A common fear is: “Everyone will laugh at my English!” This anxiety is understandable, but also unnecessary. If you reflect on your life, you will realise that you have already overcome far more complex challenges. Mastering spoken English is simply another journey. The more you practise, the more your confidence grows.
This article offers practical strategies—supported by research—that can help you transform hesitation into fluency and speak English Fluently and Confidently.
1.0 Believe in Yourself
The first step is to trust your ability. According to Bandura’s (1997) concept of self-efficacy, individuals who believe they can achieve a goal are more likely to persevere until they succeed. Studies confirm that learners with higher self-belief in their speaking ability make faster progress in oral fluency (Bayat & Erlindawaty, 2025).
For example, a university student in Thailand reported that once she stopped worrying about her accent and simply spoke, her interactions with international peers became much easier (Khemavamsa, 2025). Confidence is not something you wait for—it is built through action.
2.0 Listen, Speak, Read, Write
Effective language learning combines input (listening and reading) and output (speaking and writing). Krashen’s Input Hypothesis argues that language acquisition happens when learners are exposed to meaningful input slightly above their current level (Uddin, 2025). At the same time, Swain’s Output Hypothesis stresses that speaking and writing are essential for language processing (Lightbown & Spada, 2013).
- Listen: Watch English news, films, or podcasts with subtitles. Research shows that media-rich exposure enhances comprehension and vocabulary retention (Muna, Mardhiah & Setiyana, 2025).
- Speak: Engage in conversations whenever possible. Even peer tutoring and partner dialogues significantly improve speaking skills and reduce anxiety (Nurfitria, 2025).
- Read: Reading English texts strengthens vocabulary and sentence structure. Reading aloud also trains pronunciation and rhythm (Nation, 2013).
- Write: Regular journaling or online posting in English develops grammar accuracy and expressive ability. Writing emails or comments is a practical way to integrate English into daily life.
A balanced cycle of listening, speaking, reading, and writing transforms passive knowledge into active fluency.
3.0 Keep Your Ears Open
Language surrounds us daily—through music, social media, advertisements, and conversations. According to Syahputri and Yulianingsih (2025), students who paid attention to everyday English around them reported greater vocabulary growth than those who limited learning to textbooks. This suggests that attentive listening can be just as powerful as formal study.
For instance, when watching YouTube, pause to repeat phrases or note down new words. Gradually, your ears will adapt to different accents and speeds.
4.0 Find the Answer Inside the Question
Communication is a two-way process. If you listen carefully to a question, you will often find the structure of your answer hidden within it. Research on classroom speaking strategies shows that focusing on interactive questioning boosts learners’ ability to respond appropriately and with more confidence (Nisak & Masruroh, 2025).
For example:
- Question: “Where did you go yesterday?”
- Answer: “I went to the library yesterday.”
Mirroring the question provides both accuracy and confidence.
5.0 Make the Mirror Your Best Friend
Practising in front of a mirror—known as self-modelling—is a proven technique for reducing hesitation. Wahyuni, Ariyani & Sakkir (2025) found that storytelling exercises performed alone significantly enhanced speaking fluency and self-assurance among university students.
By speaking to your reflection, you become aware of your expressions, gestures, and pronunciation. This builds comfort with your own voice and reduces self-consciousness when speaking publicly.
6.0 Speak Full Sentences
Many learners shorten their speech due to fear of making mistakes: “Had lunch? Done it?” However, fragmentary sentences limit fluency and reinforce bad habits. According to Rahmani (2025), using complete sentence structures in practice helps learners internalise grammar naturally.
Instead of saying: “Done homework?” say: “Have you finished your homework?” Complete thoughts train your brain to process English as a whole system rather than disconnected words.
7.0 Stay Calm, Don’t Overthink Grammar
Fluent speakers sometimes break grammar rules in casual conversation. What makes them fluent is not perfection, but communication. As Ullah (2025) notes, learners who obsess over correctness often speak less, while those who focus on expressing ideas improve fluency faster.
Think of small children: they speak before learning grammar rules. Similarly, fluency develops through usage, not over-analysis.
8.0 Learn One New Word Daily
Expanding vocabulary reduces hesitation. According to Nation (2013), learning 1–2 new words daily adds up to over 700 words a year, greatly boosting speaking ability. In today’s digital age, learners can simply search pronunciation and meaning on Google or YouTube.
For example, if you learn the word “resilient”, practise saying:
- “She is very resilient after challenges.”
- “Resilient people never give up.”
This ensures new vocabulary becomes part of your active memory.
9.0 Use New Words Before Forgetting
La’ia (2025) stresses that immediate application of new vocabulary is vital. Learners who use new words in sentences within 24 hours retain them longer than those who only memorise definitions.
If you learn “optimistic”, create quick sentences:
- “I feel optimistic about my exams.”
- “He has an optimistic attitude.”
By applying new words, you transform them into tools for real-life communication.
10.0 Practice, Practice, Practice—As Long As It Takes
Language learning is not a shortcut journey. Consistency matters more than talent. A case study in Indonesia showed that students who practised speaking daily for one year achieved significant fluency, regardless of initial skill (Nurpadillah, 2025).
The secret is persistence. Just as athletes train every day, language learners must practise continuously. Even 15 minutes of daily speaking practice accumulates into hours of progress.
Speaking English fluently and confidently is not about talent—it is about belief, exposure, and practice. By listening attentively, speaking actively, reading widely, writing consistently, and keeping your confidence strong, you can transform fear into fluency.
Remember: fluency is built step by step. Do not give up after small mistakes. Every word you speak brings you closer to mastery. With patience, persistence, and positivity, you will not only learn English—you will own it.
References
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: Freeman.
Bayat, P. & Erlindawaty, E. (2025). Enhancing EFL Thai Students’ Speaking Skill Through International Teaching Programmes. Journal of English Language and Education. [Available at: https://jele.or.id/index.php/jele/article/view/1367].
Crystal, D. (2012). English as a Global Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Khemavamsa, A. (2025). Enhancing English Speaking Skills Through Role-Playing Activities. Journal of Asian Language Teaching and Learning. [Available at: https://so10.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jote/article/view/2974].
La’ia, P.C. (2025). Descriptive Analysis on Students’ Speaking Ability in Dialogue. International Linguistics and TESOL. [Available at: https://pusatpublikasi.com/index.php/tesol/article/view/249].
Lightbown, P.M. & Spada, N. (2013). How Languages are Learned (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Muna, H., Mardhiah, A. & Setiyana, R. (2025). Video-Based Project in Speaking for General Communication. EnJourMe Journal. [Available at: https://jurnal.unmer.ac.id/index.php/enjourme/article/view/15684].
Nation, I.S.P. (2013). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Nisak, K. & Masruroh, L. (2025). An Analysis of Teachers’ Strategies in Teaching English Speaking. PROJECT Journal of English Education. [Available at: http://journal.ikipsiliwangi.ac.id/index.php/project/article/view/27345].
Nurfitria, F. (2025). Implementing Peer Tutoring Method in Developing Speaking Skills. Repository Universitas Galuh. [Available at: http://repository.unigal.ac.id/handle/123456789/7176].
Nurpadillah, N. (2025). Investigating English Tutors’ Strategies in Teaching Speaking. UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Repository. [Available at: https://digilib.uinsgd.ac.id/116660/].
Syahputri, V.N. & Yulianingsih, L. (2025). Empowering Students’ Speaking Ability by Technology Utilisation. Seumike: Society Progress Journal. [Available at: https://bansigom.org/jurnal_seumike/index.php/jurnal/article/view/28].
Uddin, M.J. (2025). Exploring the Role of Learning vs Acquisition in Speaking Proficiency. Journal of Research and Innovation. [Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394035672].
Ullah, A. (2025). The Impact of Early Bilingual Education on Language Acquisition. ASSAJ Journal. [Available at: https://assajournal.com/index.php/36/article/view/819].
Wahyuni, I.Y., Ariyani, A. & Sakkir, G. (2025). Enhancing Speaking Skills through Storytelling. ARRUS Journal. [Available at: https://jpabdimas.idjournal.eu/index.php/soshum/article/view/4024].
