Becoming Brave in English—This Is How It Happens
It’s September and for many around the world, that means it’s back to school! For this month’s Confident English Spotlight interview, I chat with Aide from Ecuador who lives in the United States as a graduate student.
We talk about the ups and downs of living in a new country, the process of learning how to live in a new country, and how she became brave in English.
One of my favorite things about this interview with Aide is when she described how she used to feel in English. She said, “I thought I was so weak; I wasn’t professional; I wasn’t brave enough.”
That is exactly how I used to feel in my second language when I felt so shy and embarrassed to speak. And it might be how you feel in English right now.
The good news is, in this interview, Aide shares how she stopped feeling that way.
If this is your first time joining me for a Confident English Spotlight Interview, in 2018 I’m interviewing a woman in my Confident English community every month. I’m interviewing women who have developed a successful career, are doing amazing work for others, are doing something inspiring and have overcome challenges in English. In each interview, I also ask how they became more confident and fluent in English.
And I want to share their stories with you for inspiration and motivation.
If you’ve missed previous episodes of Confident English Spotlight, you can find them here:
If you feel discouraged, it’s okay. But don’t let it stop you.
Lesson by Annemarie
“We are in this whole world to grow. And sometimes we fail. Sometimes things don’t go well but we are brave enough to keep continuing on our journeys.” – Aide on how to get the motivation to keep going in English
Notes from Today’s Confident English Spotlight with Aide
In this interview, Aide shared that her experience in Fluency School was the clear turning point for her confidence in English. She can see a clear before and after.
Fluency School is my 1-month intensive speaking course. It includes live small group classes and personalized training. And the number one focus is to overcome fears and shyness in English, develop confidence, and improve fluency. I only offer Fluency School 3 times per year. The next one is coming up in November 2018.
Join the waiting list so you don’t miss your opportunity to learn with me and become brave in English.
Now that you’ve watched my interview with Aide, I’d love to hear from you. Review my two questions and share your answers in the comments section below.
- Aide said, “It’s always about working hard. It’s always about committing to what you want. If English is something that you really care about, if it’s something you really want to improve or even learn, I think it’s important to take a risk, take a chance.” Do you agree with Aide? Why or why not?
- What is one risk you can take in your English today? Is there something new you can try? Someone you can talk to in English for the first time? Share your risk with me and then take it today! You can totally do it. I know you can.
The best place to share with me is in the comments section, which you can find at the bottom of this lesson. I read and give feedback to comments, plus it’s a great way to learn from others in the community. I look forward to hearing from you.
~ Annemarie
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After watching your interview with Aide and listen to her. She has some much confidence in her to speak and I love that. I am an accounting assistant, but I always feel stuck. After listening to this interview . Its okay to take the risk. When Aide mentions that she sees the difference in her self how she speaks English before and after. It got me more wanted to learn more English. Especially my pronunciation. Thank you for sharing all your video and your kindness heart help change people life. You’re amazing ❤️
Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for your comment. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this interview with Aide and that it motivated to continue working on your English. That’s awesome. And thank you for your kind words about my lessons. ❤️
For question #1: I do agree with Aide. If you want to achieve something in life like have a career you wanted you to have to work towards it. That comes from determination and commitment. One should be focusing on achieving these by learning and relearning throughout life. Especially when it comes to speaking in English that can be only developed by talking with native speakers or who is very well versed in the English language. My English was very weak at the beginning of my life in the USA. I believe it got better by reading news and having… Read more »
Question #1. I am totally agreed with Aide. If you want something you must work for it. Commit yourself to it and when you see the result you will feel so proud of you.
Question #2. The risk I will take today is to commit with your method for at least 21 days and see the results.
Oh, I love it, Kelly! What a great risk to take. Can I ask, why 21 days? 🙂 I hope you’ll share with me how it goes.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!!
Hello both Aide and Annemarie, Firstly, I am admirative about Aide’s experience and pluck. I wonder human have to take risks, also take a chance, whereas people would have been doing the exact same things that their parents had been done. As a result, new ideas, new technologies, space exploration, and speakconfidentenglish.com would have never come up. Thus, I agree with what Aide said. Secondly, you’ll understand me about this feeling, when you’ve something you really care about, not only being fluent in English but also waking up with a commitment, a goal, a project; you feel like you’re invincible,… Read more »
Hi Oliver,
Thank you for such a thorough and thoughtful reply! I loved your use of the word “pluck.” 🙂 I think you’re totally right about feeling invincible when you really want something and you’re ready to do whatever you need to get it.
How did your conversation with the hotel guest go? Did you get some good English practice? I hope so. That sounds like the perfect opportunity.
Hi Annemarie, Thanks for your interest, As you said, it was the perfect opportunity. Chaitrali is a very friendly and helpful girl, I learnt a lot about her and her country. We went to a bar together yesterday night and we get along pretty easily because we had affinities and she loves wine and coffee as I do. Best things, she’ll be staying in France for a year and she’s as old as I’m. We exchange numbers and we’ll see each other next Sunday. I live in Bordeaux, so we’ll drive together to the Road of Wine. Of course, I… Read more »
Wonderful, Olivier. Sounds like a great experience and opportunity to speak in English! And I’m envious of your upcoming weekend on les routes des vins de Bordeaux! 🙂 Have fun!
For your no.1 question – I do agree with Aide! I am also the one who has been taking care about English language in my life and still trying to be better of it. As I would like to be a writer who will publish by English version and even make movies as well, English language is totally needed to be really good. To be honest, while I am working this comment right now here, I feel something fear about my writing skill. For no.2 question – The risk I took today is that I made a decision to give… Read more »
❤️❤️❤️ Monica, I love your comments so much. Thank you for sharing them. And thank you for taking time today to read my email, listen to this interview with Aide, and to spend some time focused on your English. I’m thrilled to read your comments. And I know Aide will be happy to read them as well.
What an awesome goal you have to publish and make movies in English. That’s so cool. And it’s totally possible. As Aide said in the interview, it means commitment and hard work, but it’s 100% possible.
Thank you again for sharing.