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Tell me if this sounds familiar, ssa. |
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You're at a get-together with a group of people. Everyone’s talking, laughing and sharing stories in English. |
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You understand everything well… surprisingly well, actually, and you feel proud. A few years ago, this wouldn’t have been possible. |
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Then someone mentions something, and it reminds you of the perfect anecdote. |
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You know what you want to say. In your head, it’s brilliant – sharp, funny and exactly right. |
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You open your mouth and you start to panic. The words are on the tip of your tongue but they aren’t coming out. You try to piece together a sentence using the vocabulary you know. And by the time you’ve figured it out in your head, the conversation’s moved on. |
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You missed your moment. And to be honest, it wouldn’t have come out right anyway. |
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Did I just describe what happened to me over and over again while learning Spanish? |
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Actually, one of my students put it perfectly: |
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“I have quite a big passive vocabulary, but when I have to say something, the best words and expressions don’t come to my mind.” |
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“I feel insecure when I try to express my feelings… it’s especially difficult when the topic requires advanced vocabulary that I know in my native language but not in English.” |
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Maybe you, too, have felt this frustration of not having the right words. Even after all your studying, it still feels like this level of effortless expression is out of reach. |
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So… what’re you doing wrong? |
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Trick question: you're not!
Here’s what I’ve learnt from working with thousands of students:
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You memorise vocabulary lists to pass tests, but no one shows you how to actually access those words when it matters most: in conversation, when your heart’s racing and everyone’s looking at you.
So right now, there’s a gap between your passive vocabulary (what you understand) and your active vocabulary (what you can actually say).
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But closing that gap is easier than you might think… |
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The frustration, the hesitation and the feeling of sounding less smart than you are can all change.
When you learn vocabulary the right way — in context, with repeated, meaningful use — everything shifts.
Your English becomes fluent, precise and natural. And you just… speak.
Over the next few days, I’ll show you how to make that shift. Because your thoughts deserve better words!
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Best wishes,
Lucy Bella Simkins
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P.S. Want to practise speaking English without pressure, and get instant feedback? Explore Langua, the world's most advanced AI for language learning. Try it here, and save 20% on Pro with the code LUCY20. |
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