If you're on the hunt for the best way to improve your speaking skills for the CELPIP, this episode is just what you need.

Ready for a surprise? The answer is not more study time!

The real secret to stronger speaking skills that will give you stronger CELPIP test results come from more time connecting with others in real conversations!

Today I also tackle a FAQ from a reader about how long you should dedicate to studying for the CELPIP exam to see real progress.

Spoiler alert: cramming for the CELPIP won't help you. Listen to find out what will!

Takeaways:

• Improving speaking skills involves real interactions, not just studying from notes or books.
• Consistency in daily practice for two to three months is key for CELPIP preparation.
• A CELPIP prep course prepares you for exam format but won't drastically improve your English level.
• Stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for growth in language proficiency.
• Learn how to notice and celebrate your small achievements as you are using your English.

Join the CELPIP Success School, and we'll work together to get you ready for your exam.

Mentioned in this episode:

Let's work together to prepare for the CELPIP Exam

If you're tired of working on your own to prepare for the CELPIP Exam, and if you're looking for friendly personal support - then you need to check out this opportunity! You'll get weekly assignments that will help you practice each of the 4 skills tested on the CELPIP.

This episode tackles the deep connection between our self-confidence and your ability to speak English fluently.

We'll explore how negative experiences—like embarrassing mistakes or awkward moments—can really knock us down and make us hesitate to use our English again. I share some personal stories, drawing from my own struggles, to emphasize that you're not alone in feeling this way.

We’ll also discuss two actionable strategies to help you recover from those tough moments: expressing what you feel and a zero pressure strategy that will ease you back into speaking English in no time - no matter how bad an experience you've just had.

Takeaways:

• Building self-confidence in speaking English is a gradual process! It takes time and persistence.
• Negative speaking experiences can deeply affect your confidence, but they don’t define you.
• It's crucial to express feelings of embarrassment or shame related to speaking mistakes. Don't bottle them up!
• Engaging passively in conversations is a helpful step to rebuild confidence after a big failure.
• Talking about negative experiences can provide perspective, helping you to move on.
• Having a supportive buddy can make it easier to join conversations and regain your confidence.

Links referenced in this episode:

Join the CELPIP Success School - and let's work on your CELPIP prep together! celpipsuccess.com/listener

Quote:

Building self-confidence is crucial for improving your fluency skills and achieving better CELPIP scores.

In this episode, we dive deep into how a lack of confidence can hold you back from using your English effectively, ultimately stalling your progress.

Research indicates that a staggering 70% of students often struggle with self-confidence when it comes to their English skills. Today, we're exploring practical strategies to boost your confidence, emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people who encourage you.

As we'll discuss, taking action and practicing your English consistently creates a kind of positive feedback loop, where increased use leads to improved confidence, and vice versa.

Takeaways:

• Building confidence is essential for improving your fluency skills and achieving higher CELPIP scores.
• A significant majority of learners struggle with self-confidence in their English skills, which hinders progress.
• Positive influences from supportive people can dramatically boost your confidence and willingness to practice English.
• Taking action and using your English skills regularly is key to building confidence and fluency in the language.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Psychology Today: Confidence.
• Where Does Self-Confidence Come From? Dr. Glass.
• That New Yorker quote from Liza Donnelly
• School of Podcasting
• The epic 289 university student study!

If you need help with your CELPIP skills, and need some more positive support in your life as you do it, then look no further. Join me in the CELPIP Success School.

Mentioned in this episode:

Let's work together to prepare for the CELPIP Exam

If you're tired of working on your own to prepare for the CELPIP Exam, and if you're looking for friendly personal support - then you need to check out this opportunity! You'll get weekly assignments that will help you practice each of the 4 skills tested on the CELPIP.

Mindset plays a crucial role in how we engage in conversations, especially when it comes to using our English skills.

I’ve been reflecting on my own experiences as an introvert learning Spanish, and I’ve noticed that without making a conscious decision to participate, I often find myself lingering on the outskirts of discussions.

This tendency of not participating in conversations happening around us can hinder our progress and limit our opportunities for practice. By setting a simple intention before each interaction—like sharing at least one idea or opinion—we can break down those barriers and start building momentum. It’s all about taking that first step, which can lead to greater confidence and more meaningful interactions in English.

Takeaways:

• Your mindset significantly influences how you engage in conversations, especially in a second language.
• Choosing to contribute even once in a conversation can boost your confidence immensely.
• Introversion doesn't have to hinder your language learning journey; it can even offer unique advantages.
• Taking the initiative to speak, even just once, helps to create momentum for future interactions.
• Focusing on sharing one idea or opinion opens the door to more meaningful conversations.
• Every small step taken in using your language skills counts as progress, no matter how minor it seems.

Would you like to get even more tips and strategies for your CELPIP prep? Sign up for my free weekly newsletter, and I'll send them directly to your inbox! (It's free!)

Mentioned in this episode:

Will you take 1 Minute to give me your opinion?

I need your help! Would you mind taking just 1 minute to answer 4 quick questions about what you think of this podcast? This will help me help you!

Let's work together to prepare for the CELPIP Exam

If you're tired of working on your own to prepare for the CELPIP Exam, and if you're looking for friendly personal support - then you need to check out this opportunity! You'll get weekly assignments that will help you practice each of the 4 skills tested on the CELPIP.

Feeling stuck and overwhelmed? You’re definitely not alone, and today, we’re diving into a super simple strategy that can help you break free from that cycle that will take you just five minutes.

I'll be talking about how small actions like a brief 2 or 3 minute conversation, can help you get moving forward again.

It’s all about starting small. By following a few actionable steps, you can shift your mindset from inaction to progress,

Listen to today's episode and discover how just five minutes can spark a wave of momentum in your life.

Takeaways:

• Feeling overwhelmed often leads to inaction, but just five minutes of simple action can start momentum.
• Engaging in short conversations can lead to powerful results!
• Effective practice for language learning can happen in brief, focused sessions.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• LinkedIn post by James Clear

Many test-takers find themselves frustrated when they struggle to achieve the CELPIP scores they desire, especially when it seems like others breeze through without any preparation.

This episode dives into the harsh realities of the CELPIP exam and will help you think carefully about the claims of people who "seem" to succeed effortlessly on the test, while most others have to work hard for good results.

We explore the importance of proper preparation, highlighting the skills necessary to deal with distractions and improve listening abilities effectively. By immersing ourselves in practice that simulates real test conditions, you'll be able to handle any disturbance that comes your way!

Join us as we unpack practical tips to boost your CELPIP performance.

Takeaways:

• It's crucial to have a solid preparation strategy that focuses on real test conditions.
• Practice in noisy environments can help you improve your concentration and listening skills.
• Using the 5W's method for note-taking will improve your listening comprehension significantly.
• Don't fall for scams that promise high CELPIP scores without effort or preparation.
• Consistent short practice sessions are far more effective than occasional long study marathons.
• Remember, comparing yourself to others can lead to unnecessary stress and hinder your progress.

Links referenced in this episode:

Join the CELPIP Success School with this 70% special podcast listener discount: celpipsuccess.com/listener

CBC.ca

Entrepreneur Article: I Was Promoted 5 Times in 6.5 Years at LinkedIn. The Secret to My Success Was This 3-Step Meeting Prep Strategy

Not the golf article I was referencing, but it's similar.

Feeling mentally blocked or freezing when speaking English can be so discouraging, especially during the CELPIP exam.

Today, I dive into some solid strategies to help you break through those barriers and improve your fluency.

The key takeaway? Embrace the discomfort of stepping outside your comfort zone, even if it’s just a mini step. I share practical tips to engage in more conversations, like asking open-ended questions and sharing your experiences, which can make a significant difference in your speaking skills. By pushing yourself to use English in everyday situations, you’ll find that those frustrating moments of drawing a blank happen less often, ultimately boosting your confidence and performance on the exam and in your day-to-day useage of English.

Takeaways:

• To enhance your English speaking fluency, embrace discomfort by engaging in conversations regularly.
• Drawing a blank while speaking English is normal; everyone experiences it, so don't stress too much. Instead, take small steps to begin improving your fluency skills.
• Practicing speaking requires more than just studying; you must actively engage in real conversations.
• Start small by asking open-ended questions in casual conversations to build confidence in your speaking.
• Daily mini steps out of your comfort zone can lead to significant improvements in your fluency.
• Remember, the more you practice speaking English in everyday situations, the better prepared you'll be for the CELPIP exam.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Cambridge Dictionary definition of fluency.
• Join the CELPIP Success School and we'll work on taking those mini, small and big steps towards your CELPIP goals together.

Mentioned in this episode:

Let's work together to prepare for the CELPIP Exam

If you're tired of working on your own to prepare for the CELPIP Exam, and if you're looking for friendly personal support - then you need to check out this opportunity! You'll get weekly assignments that will help you practice each of the 4 skills tested on the CELPIP.

Finding enough time in our busy lives to prepare for the CELPIP exam can feel like an uphill battle, but you're not alone in this struggle.

We all have the same 24 hours, yet how we fill them varies significantly, impacting our outcomes. In this episode, we'll dive deep into the challenge of competing priorities—balancing responsibilities like work, family, and personal goals while ensuring we carve out time for important tasks, such as exam preparation.

We explore practical strategies for taking responsibility for our time management and recognizing which "quadrant" of our lives we spend the most time in. By understanding where our focus lies, we can make intentional shifts that lead us closer to our objectives and help us invest in what truly matters.

Takeaways:

• We all have the same 24 hours each day, but how we utilize them varies widely. And so do our results!
• Competing priorities often challenge our ability to focus on what matters most to us.
• Recognizing and taking responsibility for our time management is crucial for achieving our goals.
• Assessing which quadrant of time we're operating in can significantly impact our productivity and focus.

Links mentioned today:

Franklin Covey Website: Habit 3

From Purdue University: Prioritizing Your To-do's

John Maxwell: You Cannot Manage Time

Need help with your CELPIP Prep? Join the CELPIP Success School. (Get a special 70% off subscriber only deal with this link!)

You gotta focus on making the most of your time, not just cramming more into your already packed schedule. It’s all about finding ways to combine your English and CELPIP prep into what you're already doing each day, so you don’t feel like you're adding to your plate.

Think about your commute, breaks, or even what you watch on TV.

In today's episode, we’re diving into how you can turn those moments into opportunities for practice without the stress of traditional studying. By shifting your mindset, you can find ways to improve your skills while enjoying your day-to-day activities. Let’s explore how to make English a natural part of your life!

Takeaways:

• Are your daily activities moving your closer to or further from your English goals?
• Transforming your English and CELPIP skills doesn't require adding more to your busy schedule. Think differently about what you're already doing!
• Incorporate English practice into your daily routines instead of trying to add to your already busy schedule.
• Using commute time for audiobooks can help you learn without extra effort or time.
• Engaging in conversations over meals can significantly boost your English fluency and confidence.
• Reflecting on your weekly accomplishments can boost your motivation while helping you track your progress.

Previous Episode Mentioned today: Track your CELPIP Prep Progress

Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter right here.

This episode dives into the importance of actively recognizing your accomplishments, especially when it comes to language learning and preparing for the CELPIP exam. We explore how taking the time to jot down what went well this week, what you're currently working on, and any new ideas you'll try to use in the coming week, can transform your perspective and offer some badly needed encouragement when you realize you're doing more than you think!

Writing things down not only makes our achievements visible but also helps frame our challenges in a more constructive light. It’s a reminder that even small progress is worth celebrating, and that recognizing your wins can lead to a more positive mindset.

Takeaways:

• Recognize and document your achievements: you'll be surprised when you start noticing what you are actually doing to develop your language skills.
• Implementing the see-think-move method can make a big difference in your English skills by minimizing the gap between what you learn and how you apply what you learn.
• You have a unique writing voice when you write that needs to come out! Don't let AI tools turn your voice down.
• Focusing on a single task at a time is more productive than multitasking, especially when preparing for exams like CELPIP.

Links referenced in this episode:

To subscribe to my free newsletter just go to: celpipsuccess.com .

• Previous Podcast Episode: Speed Listening: How Fast Is Too Fast For Learning?
• From Psychology Today: The Power of Single Tasking
• From Entrepreneur.com: How to Get A Promotion Using A 3-Step Meeting Prep Strategy