Stepping out of your comfort zone is what you need to be doing to improve your English and CELPIP. In this episode, I talk about why pushing past that familiar bubble of safety is crucial for your growth.

After 17 years of teaching, I've seen time and again that the folks who dare to engage in conversations—mistakes and all—are the ones who progress the fastest.

I’m also sharing my own journey of stepping out of my comfort zone, from changing the name of this podcast to trying new formats and interview styles. So, if you’re ready to challenge yourself and see real improvement, let’s get into it and explore how taking risks can lead to significant strides in your English journey!

Takeaways:

• Stepping out of your comfort zone is crucial for improving your English skills.
• Making mistakes in conversation is a sign of progress and should be embraced.
• Engaging with English speakers is scary, but it can significantly transform your English skills.
• Why I changed the name of this podcast. (Stepping out of MY comfort zone.)
• Why I'm trying an experiment: Publishing episodes bi-weekly.
• Taking breaks is vital; it helps you recharge and improves your ability to use your English.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Take my 3 question survey and share your feedback with me.
• My previous episode: first interview in over a year with Ana Canseco

If you've ever found yourself racing against the clock during the reading section of the CELPIP exam, you're definitely not alone. Today, we dive into the essential skill of scanning, which can be a game-changer for your test performance. Instead of getting bogged down by every word, we’ll explore how to effectively hunt for key details like names, dates, and statistics that the questions specifically ask about. Scanning isn't just a skill; it's a mindset shift that will help you save precious time and enhance your score. So, grab a comfy seat and get ready for some practical strategies that will help you tackle the reading section with confidence!

Takeaways:

• Many candidates struggle with managing their time during the CELPIP reading section, leading to unfinished questions.
• Reading every word in the CELPIP reading section may actually hinder your ability to complete the exam.
• Scanning is a crucial skill that allows you to quickly find key information in texts without reading everything.
• To improve your scanning skills, focus on identifying keywords from the questions to streamline your reading process.

Links referenced in this episode:

Join the CELPIP Success School - 70% off deal: celpipsuccess.com/listener

• Butte College A skimming and scanning tip sheet.
• Podcast Episode on Skimming and Scanning
• CELPIP Success School

Stop stressing about that CELPIP score!

Focusing solely on chasing a specific number can lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, you should be concentrating on building your English skills through real-life use and conversation.

By tracking how often you engage in English each day, you can see real progress that will ultimately reflect in your test scores.

Stop aiming for a perfect score on the CELPIP! Instead of fixating on the elusive numbers like 9s and 10s, you should be focusing your energy on something much more impactful: your everyday English usage.

The CELPIP exam is designed to measure your current level of English, and no amount of cramming will magically elevate your score if your skills aren’t up to par.

It’s not about how hard you study; it’s about how effectively you use English in real-life situations.

A practical takeaway? Start tracking the number of times you engage in conversations in English daily. When you shift your focus from worrying about test scores to actively using our language skills, you will also be, over time, improving your scores on the CELPIP too.

Takeaways:

• Chasing a specific score on the CELPIP exam can lead to frustration; focus on improving your English skills instead.
• To increase your CELPIP score, prioritize using English in daily conversations rather than just studying harder.
• Track the number of times you use English each day; this metric is crucial for improvement.
• Adding details, examples, and personal stories to your conversations will enhance your responses on the exam.
• Pay attention to your tone of voice while speaking; conveying emotion is essential during the CELPIP exam.
• Break away from relying on crutch words; using varied expressions will make your speaking more dynamic.

Chapters

00:00 Chasing the Wrong Metrics

02:55 Building English Skills for Success

04:25 The Metrics You SHOULD be tracking

05:58 Practical Strategies for Everyday English Use

08:30 Expressing Emotion and Tone in English

10:56 Avoiding Crutch Words for Better Communication

14:00 The Importance of Consistent Practice

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. You'll also get weekly group coaching calls with me. By following this link, you'll also get a 25% discount for as long as you remain a member.

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. You'll also get weekly group coaching calls with me. By following this link, you'll also get a 25% discount for as long as you remain a member.

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. You'll also get weekly group coaching calls with me. By following this link, you'll also get a 25% discount for as long as you remain a member.