A Real English Conversation about Speaking Up with Sima

Why You Should Talk About the Weather in English (Even If It Feels Pointless)

Talking about the weather in English can seem boring and pointless, right? But what if it's actually one of the easiest ways to feel more joy and connection in your day? In this episode, you'll learn what common weather phrases really mean, even when the words are simple and the meaning is not. You'll hear what to say when someone asks, "Cold enough for you?" or complains, "I'm so over this rain." You'll also learn why some weather comments are little jokes that mean the opposite, and how to respond without sounding flat or saying too much. And I share the surprising science behind why this kind of small talk can help you feel happier and less alone. At the end, I give you a simple challenge: make one small weather comment in a real conversation this week, and notice how often it comes up. It's a good one to listen to on a walk or your commute. Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/] Full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/respond-to-weather-small-talk [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/respond-to-weather-small-talk] This is a skill worth practicing, and it's easier than you think.   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish]   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/ [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/] If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to non-native English speakers around the world.   ----------------------------------------

A Real English Conversation about Speaking Up with Sima

What does English confidence really sound like? In this first episode of Confident English Conversations, I sit down with Sima, a member of my Confident Women Community since January 2024. Sima is from India and has lived in California for 19 years. In our conversation, she shares what has helped her feel more calm and confident when she speaks English — especially through regular practice with other women in a safe, friendly space. We talk about life in California, helicopter parenting, and one topic that became especially meaningful for her: how to disagree in English while staying polite, honest, and true to your values. You'll also hear what real conversation sounds like: easy moments, small mistakes, laughter, uncertainty, pauses, and searching for words. That's normal. It happens in every real conversation. Confident English Conversations is a monthly series where I sit down with women I know and talk in English, the way friends do. My hope is that you hear what English confidence can sound like — not perfect English, but real connection. If you'd like to practice English with other women in a safe, friendly space, join us inside the Confident Women Community: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/community/ [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/community/] Want a free first step? Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english]

How to Talk About the Past in English: Share Your Life Stories

Do you want to talk about your past in English? There are three easy ways to do it: used to, would, and the past simple. Each one is a little different. This lesson shows you when to use each one. "Used to" tells people that something has changed. "Would" brings an old routine back to life. And the past simple, with words like always and every summer, tells the simple facts. I'll also show you the most common mistake people make with "would." At the end, I share four things that make a memory feel warm and real when you tell it. Then it's your turn. Try telling a short story about a childhood memory. Listen on a walk or in the car, and say one story out loud before you finish. Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/] Read the full lesson here: https://speakconfidentenglish.com/talk-about-the-past-in-english [https://speakconfidentenglish.com/talk-about-the-past-in-english] Telling stories about your past is one of the best ways to connect with people in English. And it's easier than you think. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Sharing Your Past Memories 01:04 Used To 04:16 Would 09:28 Past Simple + Frequency Adverbs 12:21 Putting It All Together 13:40 Creating Nostalgia 16:06 Practice --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish]   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/] Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish]   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/ [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/] If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to non-native English speakers around the world.

How to Talk About Feelings in English: Belonging, Trust, and Connection

There's a feeling that says, "Yes, this is my place. These are my people." And there's the opposite, when everyone is kind to you but you're still standing on the outside of the conversation. This lesson is about how to talk about feelings like these in English: belonging, trust, connection, and what it's like to be left out. Here's what you'll learn: You'll get the phrases English speakers use to welcome someone in, like to make room at the table and to bring someone in. You'll learn the language of trust, including to let your guard down and to let someone in. And you'll get the words for the other side of the experience, when you feel shut out: to be on the outside looking in, to freeze someone out, to give someone the cold shoulder, and to put your walls up. Near the end, I'll give you a moment to stop and think about your own life: where you feel like you're on the inside, and whose circle you're in. Get my free training, Say What You Want in English: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/ [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/] Read the full written lesson: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-phrases-for-belonging [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/english-phrases-for-belonging] Once you have these words, you'll start hearing them everywhere. In a friend's story, a colleague's frustration after a meeting, a podcast, a song.   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Why Belonging & Trust? 03:28 Welcoming Others 06:18 Feeling Trust 08:30 Feeling Connected 11:59 Feeling Distance   --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish]   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/] Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish]   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/ [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/] If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to non-native English speakers around the world.

At the Grocery Store in English: Phrases You'll Actually Use

The grocery store is one of the first places you have to speak when you live in or travel to an English-speaking country, and it can feel stressful. This lesson gives you the real phrases people actually use at the grocery store in English, from making your list to asking for help to checking out. You'll learn natural ways to talk about what you're running low on and need to stock up on, how to ask someone to grab or pick up a few things, the casual phrases for inside the store (it's packed, it's dead, that's a rip-off, that's a steal), how to ask for help without feeling awkward, and exactly what to say to the cashier at checkout. And because knowing the words isn't the same as saying them out loud, here's a simple way to start practicing so these phrases feel natural, not memorized. ➡️ My free training, Say What You Want in English: [link]. Full written lesson: speakconfidentenglish.com/grocery-store-english-phrases/ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Avoiding stores? 02:16 Making the grocery list 04:44 Making requests 06:30 Going to the store 11:05 Asking for help 12:40 Checking out --- Thank you for listening! I share new episodes every Wednesday. Make sure you click the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/speakconfidentenglish]   COME SAY 'HI!' Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/speakconfidentenglish/] Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/speakconfidentenglish]   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/ [https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/] If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It really helps get encouragement and actionable advice to non-native English speakers around the world.