10 simple strategies to become confident speaking a foreign language
Over the past few years, I’ve delivered more than 6,000 English lessons to learners around the world. Most of them were adults, and most came in with a common concern — confidence. At first, I underestimated just how central it was to the learning process. Fluency without confidence is like a car without fuel: functional, but not moving.
Here are the key patterns I’ve seen, along with simple strategies that helped even my shy learners grow confident and get their language engine running.
1. Confidence is a pattern of evidence
Many adult learners believe that confident language use is something you feel first and then do. In practice, it’s the reverse.
Confidence often arises not from a shift in mindset but from a string of small wins. One correct answer is enough to boost confidence. One successful pronunciation. One full sentence spoken without hesitation. When these “micro wins” are noticed and acknowledged they start forming a track record that clearly says, “You can do this.”
One of my students, a woman from Turkey, began with almost no English. Our first sessions were slow and full of miscommunication. Many times we had to revert to translation tools and restart tasks. But from the beginning, I made it a point to acknowledge every improvement. Whether it was a clearer “th” sound or remembering a word from the previous lesson.
That focus on small wins made a big difference. Within a matter of weeks, her progress accelerated because she no longer feared trying. She smiled more, volunteered more, and even joked in English — something unimaginable in week one.
She didn’t become confident first and then speak well. She spoke a little, got some proof she could, and confidence followed.
2. Adults carry fear of mistakes into the classroom
Children acquire languages through immersion and trial and error. Adults, on the other hand, come into language learning with emotional baggage: school memories, harsh correction, fear of embarrassment, and perfectionism.
In lessons, these fears show up in very specific ways:
- Long pauses before answering
- Excessive apologies for small mistakes
- Reliance on first language for reassurance
- Hesitation to ask questions or initiate conversation
Most of this anxiety stems from internal pressure to be perfect — or at least correct. But confidence can’t coexist with the fear of being wrong.
In my classes, one strategy I’ve found helpful is making imperfection part of the process. I use phrases like “We’re getting better at this” or “That’s exactly the kind of mistake we want! Now we know what to work on.” These small changes in perspective help learners accept that confusion, pauses, and errors are a normal part of progress, not signs of failure.
Once a learner sees mistakes just as learning cues, they become more willing to take risks, which is where growth really begins.
3. Meaningful interaction builds fluency
Many learners think their problem is grammar when what they really lack is the confidence to use what they already know.
Early in my teaching, I had a habit of overloading grammar explanations. I thought that a clear rule would solve the confusion. But over time, I noticed something: even understanding a structure perfectly, many learners still froze when they had to use it in conversation.
That’s because fluency isn’t built through passive understanding; it is built through active, low-pressure use.
What works better:
- Guided dialogues using the target structure repeatedly
- Realistic speaking tasks with supportive correction
- Personalised sentences learners actually want to say
When learners feel the grammar working — instead of just knowing the rule — it sticks. And more importantly, they begin to trust themselves to speak spontaneously, even if it’s not 100% perfect.
4. Confidence grows through structure
It’s a paradox I see often. To handle real conversations, learners need to face unexpected questions, changes in topic, and the natural messiness of speech. But if they face too much unpredictability too early, they may freeze or withdraw.
On the other hand, lessons where every answer is predictable may feel safe, but they risk creating dependency. Progress stalls when learners stop being challenged.
The key is finding a balance: enough structure to build confidence and enough variety to prepare for the real world.
The solution? Progressive challenge. Start with predictable prompts, then gradually add variation:
- Week 1: “What did you do yesterday?” (repeat answer patterns)
- Week 2: “Tell me about your weekend — but this time, lie!” (adds play and unpredictability)
- Week 3: “Ask me the questions” (flips the roles, adds cognitive load)
By building confidence through repetition first, learners are more prepared to take on spontaneous tasks later.
5. Lessons shouldn't feel like an exam
Many adult learners arrive with an assumption: “The teacher is here to correct me.” That assumption makes the learner passive and defensive.
If learners see the lesson as a space to explore ideas and work together — not just prove what they know — they're much more likely to take ownership of their learning.
For example, instead of waiting for the teacher’s approval, they start noticing their own mistakes, asking more questions, and even correcting themselves mid-sentence.
One technique I use is saying things like:
- “That was 90% perfect! Want to hear a little tweak?”
- “Hmm, that works...but we can make it smoother. Any idea how?”
- “I love what you’re trying to say. Let’s polish it.”
These cues show that we're working with their effort, not against it. And a shift from teacher-as-judge to teacher-as-coach often unlocks the learner’s full potential.
6. Leaners need emotional safety
Speaking a new language takes courage. You’re often trying to express something meaningful using tools that don’t yet feel natural. It’s like trying to paint a portrait with your hands handcuffed.
This can feel frustrating or even paralysing, especially for adult learners who are used to feeling competent in other areas of life. That’s why creating a safe, encouraging learning environment is essential.
When mistakes are treated as a part of the process, learners are more likely to take the risks needed to grow.
One of the biggest predictors of breakthrough moments in my classes has been emotional safety. The learner feels:
- Not rushed
- Not judged
- Not interrupted unnecessarily
- Seen as a person, not just a level
I had a student from Brazil who froze up during free speaking tasks for weeks. He clearly had the vocabulary and grammar. The block was emotional. So I started using simple warm-ups: talking about his dog, his weekend, his favourite foods — nothing “academic”. In time he relaxed and slowly started taking more linguistic risks.
Two months later, he gave a 3-minute spontaneous talk about his hometown. No notes, no script, and very little hesitation.
7. You need a reason to keep showing up
Many adult learners feel they’re too busy to make progress. But in my experience, consistency beats intensity every time.
Some of my most successful learners did just 20 minutes a day, but they:
- Enjoyed the lessons
- Had specific short-term goals (e.g., “I want to order fluently at my favourite café”)
- Tracked their progress (journaling, apps, or just noticing what felt easier)
When learners care about what they’re saying and feel progress, even in small doses, they return. Progress takes time, but returning after a tough lesson is half the battle.
8. Confidence is contagious
If there’s one thing 6,000 lessons have taught me, it’s this:
Learners often borrow the teacher’s confidence before they develop their own.
If you believe in them, they’ll start believing in themselves. If you treat their progress like something exciting and worth celebrating, they’ll do the same.
This doesn’t require cheerleading. It just requires attentiveness, sincerity, and consistency.
The student I mentioned earlier — the one who began with almost no English — now smiles during our lessons, laughs when she makes a mistake, and celebrates when she understands a full sentence. She’s not “fluent” yet by most definitions. But she’s confident. And that confidence is what’s propelling her forward more than any drill or textbook could.
9. Passive correction builds trust
One thing I’ve done since my earliest lessons is take detailed notes during class. Rather than interrupting the flow of conversation to correct every mistake, I type quietly in the background. Then, at the end of each lesson, I send a short, encouraging message: a quick reflection on their progress and a few areas to focus on, without pressure to review unless they want to.
This creates a win-win:
- The learner stays immersed and confident during the session
- They get personalised feedback to review in their own time
- And they know I’m fully present — not just listening, but paying attention to them
It’s a quiet kind of support, but it builds trust. And when learners feel supported, they stay committed.
10. How to build confidence on your own
If you’re learning English independently, confidence might feel like the hardest part — but it’s something you can build little by little. Here are a few ways to start building confidence:
- Speak out loud every day, even just for a few minutes. It helps reduce hesitation.
- Record yourself talking about a topic and listen back — not to criticise, but to notice progress.
- Shadow native speakers in videos or podcasts — repeat what you hear to improve flow and pronunciation.
- Choose a song you like in English and listen to it every day. As the lyrics become familiar, try singing along — start with the chorus, then the whole song. This can be fun.
- Celebrate small wins — maybe you understood a podcast, ordered coffee, or didn’t freeze during a conversation. That’s real progress.
- Keep a language journal — jot down phrases, new words, or moments when you felt confident using English.
The key is consistency, not perfection. Keep showing up — your confidence will catch up with your effort.
Final Thoughts
Confidence isn’t a luxury in language learning. It’s the foundation. And like most foundations, it’s not built in a day.
It’s built through:
- Small, acknowledged wins
- Safe spaces to fail
- Personal goals that make the effort feel worthwhile
- A teacher or partner who treats effort as progress
Every learner’s journey is different, but confidence is always the key that unlocks fluency.
And after over 6,000 lessons, if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s this:
If you help learners believe they can speak — they will.