How to speak English more confidently: practical tips for adults
Many learners ask us, “How can I speak English better?”
The simple answer: by speaking as much as possible. But if you’re not living in an English-speaking country, that can feel easier said than done. Here are some practical ways to improve your spoken English, build confidence and make faster progress — wherever you are in the world.
1. Speak English wherever and whenever you can
If you live in an English-speaking country, make the most of everyday situations — in the shop, on the bus or at your favourite café. Try to start conversations, even short ones. Don’t worry about mistakes, it’s more important to keep speaking.
If you don’t live in an English-speaking country, try these ideas:
- Find a language exchange partner. Meet once a week to speak half in English, half in your language.
- Ask a friend or colleague to chat with you in English once or twice a week.
- Join an online conversation group or take part in discussion forums.
2. No partner? No problem. Speak to yourself.
It might feel strange at first, but speaking to yourself is a great way to practise:
- Look in the mirror and describe what you see.
- Talk about your day out loud while cooking or walking.
- Try repeating short phrases from a podcast or video.
You can even record yourself on your phone or tablet. Listen back: Can you understand yourself? Are there any sounds or stress patterns that need work?
3. Take a short course in an English-speaking country
From our experience, the fastest way to improve spoken English is to join a short, intensive course in a native-speaking country like Scotland. Why? Because you live the language every day — in class, in the streets and in conversation.
At ECS Scotland, we offer:
- Small group classes (maximum 5 students) to give you more time to speak
- Friendly, expert teachers who focus on pronunciation, natural communication and vocabulary building
- Personalised learning with topics that matter to you — work, travel, everyday life
Many of our students tell us they make more progress in 2–3 weeks than in months of evening classes.
4. Case study: How Patricia gained confidence
“At first, I was nervous to speak in class. I thought, I would make mistakes or say the wrong thing. But the small group made it easier. After two weeks, I felt much more confident. I started speaking to people in cafés and shops — and I understood their replies!”
— Patricia from Spain, General English student
5. Try this 5-minute speaking activity
📌 Activity: The Daily Snapshot
Each evening, take 5 minutes to say out loud.
- What you did that day
- One thing you liked
- One word or phrase you want to remember in English
You can record yourself and listen back the next day — it’s a great way to track your progress and build fluency.
