Use common phrasal verbs to practice linking sounds in American English to improve your pronunciation. You’ll learn to link consonants to vowel sounds for smooth, clear speech.
Elicit vs Illicit. Ensure vs Insure. PREsent vs. PreSENT. Get clarity on the meaning and pronunciation of commonly confused words & word pairs.
![#249: The Schwa Sound [English Pronunciation Training]](https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-Schwa-in-English-Pronunciation-Training-1080x675.webp)
The schwa sound in English is essential for natural-sounding speech and it can help you to better understand fast English speakers. This English pronunciation training gives you everything you need to know about the schwa.
Assimilation in American English is the reason why the sentence “Nice to meet you” sounds like “nice to meetchu.” As part of the Confident English series on how to Understand Fast English Speakers, this pronunciation training lesson will highlight 6 clear examples of assimilation in American English.
Why does often sound like ofən? Or lightning sound like ligh’ning. The secret is the dropped t sound in English pronunciation. Learn common patterns of dropped sounds in this Confident English lesson.
Understand fast English speakers more easily and help your English speech to flow more naturally with these common reductions in American English.
Learn common American intonation patterns and how to use intonation to hold someone’s attention, express certainty in your ideas, disagree with someone politely, indicate surprise, and more.
Learn to correctly pronounce 25 common contractions and understand them in English conversation. Plus, learn when & why you should use them in English conversation.
Using word stress in English correctly is essential for clear, natural-sounding pronunciation in English. Learn what it is and how to use it easily.
Learn the RIGHT way to ask questions in English for clear communication using intonation. Plus one intonation pattern NOT to use (if you want to sound confident).
Build your English confidence and speak fluently — even if you feel shy, stuck, or nervous right now.
I’m Annemarie, the founder of Speak Confident English and an English fluency coach with 20+ years of experience. Every week, I share proven strategies to help you go from, “I understand English,” to “I speak it clearly and confidently.”
With every episode, learn exactly what to say — and how to say it — so you can speak with calm clarity at work, in conversations, and in everyday life.
🎧 Free Fluency Training →
speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english
Ever felt nervous or stuck when you needed to ask for directions in English? You’re definitely not alone.
In this episode, I’ll teach you exactly what to say—and how to say it—so you can ask for directions in English with confidence and ease. You’ll learn English travel phrases and English survival phrases that actually work in real-life situations.
Whether you’re traveling abroad and need English for tourists or simply looking for English conversation practice, this episode is designed to help you speak clearly, politely, and naturally.
Here’s what you’ll learn today:
— Simple, natural ways to ask for directions in English
— Common English phrases for travel that locals use
— How to understand the answers people give you
— What to do if you don’t understand or if your mind goes blank
— Tips to feel calm, clear, and confident—especially if you’re shy or hesitant about speaking
If you’ve ever felt nervous about using English travel vocabulary or asking for help in English, this episode is perfect for you. These practical tips are designed for shy speakers and English learners who want to sound polite and confident without feeling embarrassed.
🎧 Great for:
— English-speaking tourists
— Learners looking to improve their English conversation skills
— Anyone who wants confident English speaking while traveling
✨ Challenge for You: After listening, try using one phrase from today’s episode when you ask for directions or in your next English conversation.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 The Anxiety of Asking for Directions
01:46 First Steps for Asking for Directions — Natural Phrases
03:47 What You’ll Hear from Native Speakers
06:55 How to Clarify the Directions
08:30 What If You Freeze?
11:31 What’s Next
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Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.
Get the full episode show notes at: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/ask-for-directions-in-english
If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish
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MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU:
How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English (Free Fluency Training) → https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
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