Have you ever been in a conversation where you know exactly what you want to say, but can’t find the right words in English?
Perhaps you start thinking about your answer in your own language, try to translate it into English and then worry about whether your grammar is correct. By the time you’ve figured out what to say, the conversation has already moved on.
It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve spent so much time learning English.
You might think, “I need to learn more vocabulary” or “My grammar isn’t good enough.”
And while improving your vocabulary and grammar is important, there’s another skill that deserves just as much attention: practising how to use what you’ve learned in real conversations.
Why is speaking English harder than understanding it?
When you’re reading, listening to a lesson or completing a grammar exercise, you usually have time to think. You can reread a sentence, look up an unfamiliar word or work out the correct grammar.
Real conversations happen much faster.
You need to listen, understand, find the right words and put them into a sentence, often within just a few seconds.
That’s a lot to think about!
Understanding English and speaking English are different skills. Recognising vocabulary or understanding a grammar rule doesn’t always mean you can immediately use it when speaking.
That’s something you develop through practice.
Why do I keep translating in my head?
Many English learners think about what they want to say in their first language before translating it into English.
The problem is that translating every sentence can make conversations feel slow and stressful.
One way to become more comfortable speaking is to practise familiar phrases and sentence structures that you can use in different situations.
For example:
“I think that…”
“In my opinion…”
“I’m not sure, but…”
“What I mean is…”
“That’s a good question.”
The more often you use these expressions, the more familiar they become. Over time, you may find it easier to respond without translating every single word.
What if I can’t remember the right words?
Have you ever learned a word, understood its meaning and then completely forgotten it when you needed to use it?
That’s because recognising vocabulary and recalling it during a conversation are different skills.
The same applies to grammar. You might understand the past tense in an exercise but hesitate when describing what you did yesterday.
Speaking practice gives you opportunities to use vocabulary and grammar in real situations, helping you become more comfortable recalling words and forming sentences.
And when you forget a word, remember that you can often explain what you mean using simpler English.
Good communication isn’t always about finding the perfect word. Sometimes it’s about finding another way to express your idea.
How can I become more confident speaking English?
Confidence doesn’t mean never making mistakes. It means becoming more comfortable communicating, even when you’re unsure.
Here are four simple ways to practise:
1. Speak regularly. Even short conversations give you opportunities to use what you’ve learned.
2. Practise everyday situations. Talk about your day, your weekend, your work or your interests.
3. Use simple conversation strategies. Try Answer. Add. Ask. Answer a question, add one detail and ask something back.
4. Don’t wait for perfect English. Mistakes are part of learning, and every conversation gives you an opportunity to improve.
The more you practise speaking, the more familiar English words and sentence structures can become.
Start speaking English with greater confidence
At Lilypad English, we believe learning English is about more than memorising vocabulary or understanding grammar rules.
It’s about being able to use what you’ve learned in real-life situations.
Our approach combines vocabulary, grammar and practical speaking opportunities to help adult learners become more comfortable expressing themselves in English.
Whether you want to communicate more confidently at work, while travelling or in everyday conversations, we’re here to help.
You don’t have to wait until your English is perfect before you start speaking. Practising speaking is part of how you improve.
Ready to practise your English?
Get in touch with Lilypad English to learn more about our English lessons and start building your speaking confidence.