🗣️ How can I speak English with more confidence?
Speaking a language is more than remembering rules. It’s about connecting ideas, people and cultures. But sometimes, we hesitate. Do I sound natural? Am I making mistakes? Will people understand me?
At ECS Scotland, we hear these questions every week. So if you’ve ever felt unsure about how to really speak English, this post is for you.
We’ll explore how language works in real life, how your brain already knows more than you think and how to practise speaking in a way that’s practical, personal and a little more enjoyable.
💡 What really helps you speak English better?
There are lots of ways to practise speaking English but not all of them work the same for everyone. At ECS Scotland, we recommend a combination of strategies that suit your level, your interests and your goals.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Focus on communication, not perfection
- You don’t need to speak in perfect sentences to be understood. Start by saying what you can and build from there. Even native speakers make “mistakes” — but they keep going.
Try this: Learn useful chunks of language, like
– “I’m not sure how to say this, but…”
– “What I mean is…”
– “Can you explain that another way?”
These expressions help you stay in the conversation — even when you’re not sure of every word.
- 2. Talk about things that matter to you
Think about your everyday life.
What do you talk about? What stories do you tell your friends? What problems do you solve at work?
If you can speak about the topics that matter to you, you’re more likely to remember the words, ask better questions and grow your confidence faster.
Try this: Write a short list of your most common topics.
Example: food, travel, my job, childhood, films, health, the news.
Then check if you have the vocabulary to talk about each one clearly. Add 2–3 new words a week.
- 3. Learn by doing things in English
We don’t just learn to speak by studying — we learn by doing.
The more English you use in your real life, the more fluent you’ll become.
In Edinburgh? Go to a museum and talk to the guides. Go to the pub to meet and talk to local people. Join drop in gym or dance classes. Find meet up groups, our students often go to board game weekend events or evening activities..
At home? Join an online book club. Do a hobby in English. Watch videos, comment, share your ideas. Join an app to meet and exchange speaking practise. For example, Tandem.
Every time you use English to do something, you’re building real fluency.
- 4. Find a speaking partner
You don’t need a classroom to speak English. What you need is someone to speak with.
Find a language exchange in your town or online.
Look for someone who:
– is a similar level to you (or a bit higher)
– wants regular practice
– is patient and supportive
Once a week is enough. You’ll be amazed what 30 minutes of focused speaking can do.
- 5. Don’t be afraid of mistakes — learn from them
Every mistake is a clue. If someone misunderstands you, that’s feedback. If you say something awkward, now you’ve learned how not to say it.
Keep a small notebook or notes app. After a conversation, jot down:
– a word you didn’t know how to say
– something you said well
– a mistake you want to fix
Your mistakes are your most honest teachers.
📚 At ECS Scotland, speaking is the heart of learning
Whether you’re studying on our General English, Communication at Work, or Experience Edinburgh course, you’ll be speaking from day one.
Small groups (maximum 5 students) give you time to practise, get feedback and feel heard.
We focus on real-world language — useful, flexible and designed for speaking confidently.
🎥 WATCH: Does grammar matter?
This animated talk introduces the idea that there’s more than one “right” way to use a language. It explains the difference between prescriptivism (rules) and descriptivism (real usage) in a clear and interesting way.
Does grammar matter?
👉 While you watch, answer these questions:
- 1. What example does the speaker use at the beginning of the video?
– The speaker describes a situation where you’re telling a friend an exciting story and your friend interrupts to correct your grammar: “The alien and I,” not “Me and the alien.”
- 2. What is the difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism?
– Prescriptivism believes that language should follow consistent, established rules.
– Descriptivism studies how people actually use language, recognising that variation and change are natural and useful.
- 3. Why did written English become more standardised?
– As writing became more important and societies became more interconnected, written language was standardised to improve communication across different regions.
- 4. How do people learn to speak compared to how they learn to write?
– People learn to speak through unconscious habits, intonation and natural repetition — often at a very young age.
– Writing is typically learned later, and involves memorising formal rules and structures.
- 5. Why might language variation be a good thing?
– Variation shows how language adapts to real-life situations. It reflects creativity, cultural diversity and how people naturally evolve communication to suit their needs. Descriptivism values this flexibility.
✏️ Optional Task
- Think of a sentence you often use in English that might not be “perfect” — but people understand you. Would you change it to follow a rule or keep it as it is?
