Immersive B1 English Story Challenge #day2

What changes when you stop waiting for perfect. You speak first. You present without apologizing. You sound like the leader you already are in your native language. Not because your English improved overnight—because your identity shifted. That’s the work.

You’re not bad at English. You’re stuck in “student” identity. You know grammar. In meetings, you freeze. Your brain says: “Not fluent enough.” That’s not a language problem. It’s an identity problem. Leaders don’t wait for perfect. They speak before ready. Harvard Business Review found it through analyzing women & men in career transition. The pattern is the same.

Questions for English language learners: What do you struggle with the most in regards to speaking American English with native English speakers? Is it coming up with words to say? Is it saying enough so you don't sound limited or be able to give enough variety in your responses so you don't sound repetitive? Is it phrasal verbs? Do you use them? Do you understand them? Do you know how many there are? What about your confidence? Do you second guess yourself when you speak English? Do you have a lot of 'ums' and 'uhs' when you speak American English? Do you repeat words and phrases? Do you have long pauses in between your words and phrases? Do you translate in your head before you say it? Do you depend on translating? Do you say the bare minimum which is only the few things you know how to say but if someone asks you to 'say more.' you'd have difficulty? Are you not really sure where you struggle? Have you ever had someone from the United States... a tutor or teacher really judge your speaking and give you feedback?

Vocab Challenge (B2) #day13

English tutor Alice here: Question for ESL students: What is your goal with improving your spoken English skills? What will you do with that knowledge that you gain? Is it for work? For travel? For something else?