Effortless English Podcasts
Effortless English Chat
Stop Studying. Start Speaking!
Alex: Hi everyone, welcome back to Effortless English Podcasts.
Alex: I'm Alex.
Luna: And I'm Luna.
Alex: Today, our topic is: Why do many people still struggle to speak English after years of study?
Luna: This is something so many learners ask all the time.
Alex: Right. People go to school, take classes, memorize words…
Alex: But when it’s time to talk, they freeze.
Luna: Or they just smile and say, “My English is not good.”
Alex: Sounds familiar, right?
Luna: Super familiar. I’ve heard it like a million times.
Alex: The truth is, it’s not about how long you’ve studied.
Alex: It’s about how you study.
Luna: Exactly. Some people study five years and still can’t speak.
Luna: Others study one year and can have a real talk.
Alex: So what’s going wrong?
Luna: And how can we fix it?
Alex: We’ve looked at research, real learner stories, and tested methods.
Luna: And we’re going to break it all down for you today.
Alex: But before we start, just a quick note.
Luna: We know some of you like to read along.
Alex: So we’ve got a full script for today’s episode.
Luna: You can find the link in the description.
Alex: Plus, we also offer subtitles in many languages.
Luna: If you need them, just turn on the CC.
Alex: And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.
Luna: Because you don’t want to miss fun talks like this one.
Alex: Alright, ready to jump in?
Luna: Let’s go!
Alex: So let’s talk about why this happens.
Alex: Why do people study for years but still can’t speak English?
Luna: First, let’s look at how most people learn English.
Alex: Good idea. In many schools, the focus is reading and grammar.
Luna: Tons of grammar! And tests. So many tests.
Alex: Yeah. You learn how to pass exams, not how to talk.
Luna: I remember in school, we read books and filled in blanks.
Alex: But no one practiced speaking.
Luna: Exactly. We didn’t even do pair talks in class.
Alex: So the brain gets used to reading rules, not real use.
Luna: And when you want to talk, your brain gets stuck.
Alex: Right. You start thinking, “Is this past tense? Should I use ‘did’ or ‘was’?”
Luna: While native speakers just say what’s in their mind.
Alex: That brings us to the second problem—fear.
Luna: Oh yes, the fear of being wrong.
Alex: People don’t want to make mistakes.
Alex: They think others will laugh or judge.
Luna: I’ve seen students say nothing just because they’re scared.
Alex: But mistakes are part of learning.
Luna: Babies make mistakes all the time when they learn to talk.
Alex: That’s true. They don’t care, they just keep trying.
Luna: Adults overthink. They want to speak perfectly.
Alex: But perfect doesn’t help you speak.
Luna: It just keeps you silent.
Alex: And there’s one more big reason—lack of speaking practice.
Luna: Many learners only hear and read English.
Alex: But they never use it. No speaking, no writing.
Luna: Like watching a dance video every day but never moving.
Alex: Great example. Your body won’t learn the steps.
Luna: Same with your mouth and English.
Alex: If you don’t speak, your brain won’t build the habit.
Luna: I met a guy who watched English shows for 10 years.
Alex: Let me guess—he could understand, but not talk?
Luna: Yup. He said, “I know what they say, but I can’t answer.”
Alex: That’s input without output.
Luna: So we need both.
Alex: We also need a reason to speak.
Luna: Like making new friends, or needing English for work.
Alex: Motivation changes everything.
Luna: If you love K-pop, maybe you’ll want to talk to fans.
Alex: If you work in tech, maybe you want to join meetings.
Luna: No reason = no action.
Alex: No practice = no progress.
Luna: But the good news is, it can be fixed.
Alex: And that’s what we’ll talk about next.
Alex: Let’s dig into some science.
Luna: Oh no, are we going full nerd mode now?
Alex: Just a little. It’s actually super interesting.
Luna: Fine. But keep it simple, okay?
Alex: Deal. Let’s start with Krashen’s Input Hypothesis.
Luna: That’s the “listen a lot first” idea, right?
Alex: Kind of. He said language is learned by understanding messages.
Alex: Not by learning rules.
Luna: So, more listening, less grammar drills?
Alex: Exactly. He called it “comprehensible input.”
Luna: Which means stuff you can understand, even if it’s hard.
Alex: Right. You should understand most of it, but still learn something new.
Luna: Like watching a show with easy talk but some new words.
Alex: Yes. Or listening to podcasts like this one.
Luna: Nice plug.
Alex: Thanks. But here’s the catch. Input is not enough.
Luna: Why not? If I listen enough, shouldn’t I speak better?
Alex: Not always. Speaking needs output practice too.
Alex: And that’s where the affective filter comes in.
Luna: Affective what now?
Alex: It’s Krashen’s idea. When you’re nervous or stressed, you learn less.
Luna: Ohhh, like when I panic and forget everything?
Alex: Exactly. Your brain blocks input when you feel scared.
Luna: That’s so real. I blank out in job interviews.
Alex: That’s language anxiety. It’s a real thing.
Alex: Studies show it lowers speaking performance.
Luna: Even if you know the words?
Alex: Yup. Fear shuts down fluency.
Luna: So it’s not just about practice. It’s also about feeling safe.
Alex: Right. A relaxed brain learns better.
Luna: I totally get that. When I felt judged in class, I didn’t talk.
Alex: But when you're with friends, words just flow.
Luna: Or when I talk to my dog. He never judges me.
Alex: I mean, that works too.
Luna: So it’s not that we don’t know. It’s that we block ourselves.
Alex: Yes. Mental blocks are real.
Luna: I once tried to speak to a tourist and froze.
Alex: That happens. But if you keep trying, it gets easier.
Luna: You have to fail to get better.
Alex: And fail without fear.
Luna: So, how do we lower that fear?
Alex: Small steps. Safe places. Friendly partners.
Luna: And fun topics.
Alex: That helps too. Learning doesn’t have to feel like school.
Luna: It should feel like real life.
Alex: Exactly. And next, we’ll look at the myths that stop people from doing just that.
Alex: Alright, now let’s bust some myths.
Luna: Oh, I love this part.
Alex: Myth number one: The more words you know, the better you speak.
Luna: Ugh, I used to believe that!
Alex: Many people do. They try to memorize long word lists.
Luna: I had a notebook full of big words.
Alex: And how much did you use them in real life?
Luna: Zero. Not even once.
Alex: That’s the point. Knowing 5,000 words means nothing if you can’t use 500 well.
Luna: So fewer words, more practice?
Alex: Yes. It’s about high-frequency words.
Luna: Like “get,” “make,” “go,” “want”…
Alex: Exactly. The top 1,000 words cover most of daily English.
Luna: And they’re easier to use in conversation.
Alex: Right. Learn them deeply. Use them often.
Alex: Don’t just collect words.
Luna: Got it. Myth two?
Alex: “You should train all skills equally: listening, speaking, reading, writing.”
Luna: Sounds good, but…
Alex: In real life, that’s not how we use language.
Luna: Yeah. I don’t write essays at the coffee shop.
Alex: Or read news while talking to friends.
Luna: So if I want to talk, I should focus more on speaking?
Alex: Yes. Choose based on your goal.
Luna: Makes sense.
Alex: You can still read and listen, of course.
Luna: But don’t split your time just to be “balanced.”
Alex: Exactly. If speaking is hard, then speak more.
Luna: I wish someone told me this earlier.
Alex: Here’s another common trap: using the wrong tools.
Luna: Like what?
Alex: Apps that teach only flashcards or grammar drills.
Luna: Or ones that test you more than train you.
Alex: Right. If you only memorize single words, you miss context.
Luna: Like learning “apple” but never saying, “I want an apple.”
Alex: That’s it. You need full sentences.
Luna: So sentence patterns are better than word lists?
Alex: Way better. Sentences show how words really work.
Luna: I once watched a drama and copied the lines.
Alex: Great method. You learn how people really talk.
Luna: And it’s fun too.
Alex: Learning should be fun.
Luna: So to review: Stop hoarding words, stop splitting skills, stop using bad tools.
Alex: And start using smart, simple ways.
Luna: We’re not done yet though.
Alex: No, now we share our own stories.
Luna: Get ready to hear how we failed and got better.
Alex: So now it’s story time.
Luna: Oh yes. Time to expose ourselves.
Alex: I’ll go first. I tried to learn Spanish a few years ago.
Luna: Wait, you never told me that.
Alex: Yeah, because it was a mess.
Alex: I started with apps and flashcards.
Alex: I memorized 1,000 words in two months.
Luna: Sounds intense.
Alex: Yeah, but I couldn’t order food in Spanish.
Luna: Wait, what?
Alex: I went to a Mexican restaurant.
Alex: Looked at the waiter and forgot everything.
Luna: Classic.
Alex: That’s when I realized—knowing words is not enough.
Luna: What did you do next?
Alex: I changed methods.
Alex: I started shadowing podcasts.
Luna: That’s repeating what you hear, right?
Alex: Yes, word for word, in real time.
Alex: It was hard, but after two weeks, I felt progress.
Luna: Wow, that’s fast.
Alex: I also joined a Spanish chat group.
Alex: We met twice a week, just to talk.
Luna: So you forced yourself to speak.
Alex: Pretty much. At first, I made a lot of mistakes.
Luna: But you kept going.
Alex: And now I can hold a basic conversation.
Luna: That’s awesome.
Alex: Your turn.
Luna: Okay, my English journey started in high school.
Luna: I loved English songs and movies.
Luna: But I was scared to speak.
Alex: You? Scared?
Luna: I know, shocking. But true.
Luna: I always worried about my accent.
Luna: And my classmates laughed when I made mistakes.
Alex: That sucks.
Luna: So I stayed quiet for a long time.
Luna: Then I watched a drama where the lead girl was super confident.
Luna: Even with broken English, she just spoke her mind.
Alex: And that inspired you?
Luna: Totally. I started mimicking her lines.
Luna: I’d pause, repeat, act it out in front of the mirror.
Alex: Drama queen.
Luna: It worked, okay?
Alex: I’m impressed.
Luna: After that, I joined a fan forum.
Luna: We chatted about shows, all in English.
Alex: So fun beats fear.
Luna: Every time.
Alex: I think the key is doing what feels real and fun.
Luna: Not just what books tell you.
Alex: We both had to fail first.
Luna: But failure led to growth.
Alex: And here we are, sharing that with you.
Luna: So if you’re stuck, don’t worry.
Alex: We’ve been there too.
Luna: And you can get out.
Alex: Up next, let’s talk real steps.
Alex: Alright, now we get to the good stuff—real steps.
Luna: Yes! Things you can actually do today.
Alex: Step one: build an output habit.
Luna: What does that mean?
Alex: It means you speak, every single day.
Alex: Even just one sentence is a win.
Luna: Like saying “I’m tired” in English instead of my language?
Alex: Exactly. You turn small moments into practice.
Luna: That’s so doable.
Alex: The key is consistency.
Alex: One sentence a day becomes ten.
Luna: I used to say one line while brushing my teeth.
Alex: Great example. Daily habits beat long, rare study sessions.
Luna: But what do I say if I don’t know what to talk about?
Alex: That’s where the next step helps: mimic and repeat.
Luna: Ah yes, my favorite—copy like a parrot.
Alex: It’s actually super effective.
Alex: Find a short sentence you understand.
Alex: Repeat it aloud, with the same rhythm and tone.
Luna: So like shadowing, but simpler.
Alex: Yes. Don’t stress about being perfect.
Alex: Just get the flow.
Luna: I did this with movie lines.
Alex: Perfect. You build muscle memory.
Luna: I noticed my speaking got smoother after one week.
Alex: That’s because your brain starts predicting sounds.
Luna: And it feels more natural over time.
Alex: Exactly. It’s how kids learn.
Alex: Hear, copy, repeat.
Luna: But I want to say my own stuff too.
Alex: Then let’s use interest to drive output.
Luna: Yes please! No boring drills.
Alex: Try a voice diary.
Alex: Record yourself talking about your day.
Luna: Ooh, I’ve done that!
Luna: I just hit record and talk about what I ate.
Alex: That’s great. You hear yourself and improve.
Luna: And no one hears it but me, so no pressure.
Alex: You can also create fake conversations.
Alex: Pretend you're ordering coffee.
Luna: “Hi, I’d like a latte, please.”
Alex: See? Natural and useful.
Luna: What if I mess up?
Alex: Good. That’s how you learn.
Luna: So the rule is: speak badly first, improve later.
Alex: Exactly. Start small. Repeat often.
Luna: Do what you enjoy.
Alex: Let English fit into your life.
Luna: Not the other way around.
Alex: One line a day.
Luna: One line closer to fluency.
Alex: Start now, not next week.
Luna: Your future self will thank you.
Alex: And we’re not done yet.
Luna: Let’s help you get ready for the real world.
Alex: So, we’ve talked about building habits.
Luna: And now it’s time to practice in real life.
Alex: Let’s start with everyday situations.
Luna: Like buying coffee or asking for directions?
Alex: Exactly. These are chances to simulate real talk.
Luna: Even if no one’s around, I still do it.
Alex: Yes, it’s called self-role-play.
Alex: You can say, “Excuse me, where is the train station?”
Luna: Or, “Can I have two tickets, please?”
Alex: You picture the moment and speak out loud.
Luna: Like acting out a scene.
Alex: Right. It helps reduce fear.
Luna: Because when it really happens, you’re ready.
Alex: You’ve already practiced the words.
Luna: I did this before a trip to Japan.
Alex: That’s smart. Language is for real life.
Luna: Even in my room, I would “shop” and “order food.”
Alex: These mini-scenes train your brain.
Luna: And it’s more fun than textbook drills.
Alex: The next step—record yourself.
Luna: Oh boy. I used to hate hearing my voice.
Alex: Everyone does at first.
Alex: But it’s one of the best ways to improve.
Luna: True. I noticed my weak points that way.
Alex: Like mispronounced sounds or weird pacing?
Luna: Yep. I’d say a sentence, then check the recording.
Alex: Then repeat until it sounded better.
Luna: I also compared my voice to native speakers.
Alex: Great method.
Alex: You can listen to podcasts or videos.
Luna: Then record the same line and match it.
Alex: Like a singing cover, but for speaking.
Luna: I like that!
Alex: This gives you instant feedback.
Luna: And you can track your progress over time.
Alex: Save clips, listen again next month.
Luna: You’ll be surprised how much you’ve improved.
Alex: Now, what if you want real feedback from people?
Luna: That’s where apps and language exchange come in.
Alex: There are great apps that match you with partners.
Luna: I used Tandem to find a speaking buddy.
Alex: I tried HelloTalk for a while.
Luna: The key is choosing someone who’s active.
Alex: And who wants to learn your language too.
Luna: So both sides help each other.
Alex: You can chat, send voice messages, even do video calls.
Luna: I had a partner from Canada.
Luna: We talked twice a week about music and food.
Alex: That’s perfect. Use topics you enjoy.
Luna: And don’t worry about grammar too much.
Alex: Just focus on making meaning clear.
Luna: Real talk is messy but real.
Alex: And very effective.
Luna: So remember—practice real scenes, record yourself, and connect with people.
Alex: These steps take you from shy to confident.
Luna: Start with one. Add the rest later.
Alex: And now, let’s handle some questions.
Luna: Time for the FAQ.
Luna: Now let’s move to some listener questions.
Alex: These are problems many English learners face.
Luna: Let’s take the first one.
Luna: “What if no one around me speaks English?”
Alex: That’s a big one.
Alex: You may not have English speakers nearby, but you can still practice.
Luna: I always say, the world is your classroom.
Alex: First, use English in your phone and apps.
Alex: Change the system language to English.
Luna: Then even scrolling becomes practice time.
Alex: Watch YouTube videos in English.
Luna: Use subtitles at first, then try without them.
Alex: You can also talk to yourself in English.
Luna: I do that while cooking or walking.
Alex: Say what you’re doing out loud.
Alex: “I’m boiling water.” “I’m cutting carrots.”
Luna: It may feel weird, but it helps.
Alex: If you want more real interaction, use language exchange apps.
Luna: You don’t need people nearby anymore.
Alex: Apps like HelloTalk, Tandem, or Speaky can help.
Luna: You can send voice notes, text, or call.
Alex: It’s like having a practice partner in your pocket.
Luna: Also, join English speaking groups online.
Alex: Facebook, Reddit, even gaming chats.
Luna: Anywhere you can use English counts.
Alex: The key is using English every day.
Luna: Even five minutes is a win.
Alex: Let’s go to the next question.
Luna: “Every time I want to speak English, my mind goes blank. What should I do?”
Alex: Ah, the blank mind moment.
Luna: So common. I’ve had that too.
Alex: It happens because of pressure.
Alex: You want to say something right, and your brain freezes.
Luna: So first, reduce the pressure.
Alex: Practice with yourself or with friends you trust.
Luna: Start with set phrases you use often.
Luna: Like “My name is...” or “I’m learning English.”
Alex: Write down answers to simple questions.
Alex: Then repeat them daily until they stick.
Luna: When you’re ready, do mini role-plays.
Alex: Pretend you’re ordering food or asking for help.
Luna: Practice that same script over and over.
Alex: The goal is fluency, not variety at first.
Luna: You’ll feel more ready next time.
Alex: Also, slow down your thinking.
Alex: It’s okay to pause before speaking.
Luna: Breathe, think, then talk.
Alex: Short sentences are fine.
Luna: You don’t have to explain everything.
Alex: Just get your point across.
Luna: Let’s take the third question.
Luna: “My pronunciation isn’t perfect. Will people still understand me?”
Alex: Yes, they will.
Alex: You don’t need to sound like a native.
Luna: Clarity is more important than perfection.
Alex: Many English speakers have different accents.
Alex: Indian English, Singapore English—they all sound different.
Luna: But they all communicate clearly.
Alex: That’s the goal.
Luna: Start by listening to how words are said.
Alex: Use tools like YouGlish or Forvo.
Luna: Or even Google Translate voice.
Alex: Then record your voice and compare.
Luna: It’s a simple but powerful method.
Alex: Don’t worry about small mistakes.
Alex: Focus on making each word clear.
Luna: Use apps that give feedback on pronunciation.
Alex: Speechling, Elsa, or shadowing with podcasts.
Luna: You’ll hear and fix your sounds naturally.
Alex: Over time, your accent becomes easier to understand.
Luna: Remember, English is for connection, not perfection.
Alex: As long as you keep trying, you’ll improve.
Luna: And most people are kind and patient.
Alex: That’s right. Don’t be afraid to speak.
Alex: Alright, that’s a wrap on today’s topic.
Luna: We talked about a lot, huh?
Alex: Yeah, we went from why people can’t speak English—
Alex: —to what they can do about it.
Luna: I loved the part about talking to yourself.
Luna: I do that every day!
Alex: And the part about using what you love to drive your practice.
Luna: Right! Language learning doesn’t have to be boring.
Alex: It should feel like part of your life.
Luna: If you like music, use music.
Alex: If you like games, use games.
Luna: If you like talking to yourself in the mirror—
Alex: Then be your own best audience.
Luna: For me, the biggest thing today was this:
Luna: You don’t need to be perfect.
Alex: You just need to start.
Luna: Even one sentence a day can change things.
Alex: And with time, that one sentence becomes ten.
Luna: Then a conversation.
Alex: Then a job interview.
Luna: Then maybe even a podcast!
Alex: Alright, now it’s your turn.
Luna: We want to hear from you.
Alex: What was your biggest problem when learning English?
Luna: And what helped you get better?
Alex: Or what are you still struggling with now?
Luna: Leave a comment below this video.
Alex: Don’t worry about grammar.
Luna: Just share your thoughts.
Alex: Someone else might read it and feel better.
Luna: Or learn something from you.
Alex: We’ll be checking the comments too.
Luna: Yeah! We always do.
Alex: Also, remember—
Alex: The full script for this episode is linked below.
Luna: It’s in the description box.
Alex: You can read and follow along anytime.
Luna: And we have subtitles too.
Alex: So turn on the CC if you need it.
Luna: One more thing—don’t forget to subscribe!
Alex: That way, you won’t miss future episodes.
Luna: And we’ll know you’re enjoying what we do.
Alex: That’s all for today’s Effortless English Podcast.
Luna: Thanks for hanging out with us.
Alex: Keep learning, keep speaking, and keep showing up.
Luna: You’ve got this.
Alex: See you next time!
Luna: Bye!
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