Hello Reader,

I'm pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone again, and I'm doing it in a variety of ways.

Before the summer I was working, semi regularly, on creating youtube videos to help you with your CELPIP prep.

But I stopped because my family and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Mexico to visit family.

Two months vanished.

And I didn't make any videos OR audio podcasts.

Guess what happened?

When I started making them again, I felt a little rusty.

I made way more mistakes.

I felt nervous again.

My solution? I decided to increase the number of audio only podcasts I was publishing - from once every two weeks, back to weekly episodes.

The result? My comfort level has gone way up again.

With video....well, that's still a work in progress. Here's one I made this week - what do you think?

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I want to listen to you! I am working hard to serve you better, and would really like to get on a zoom call with you to talk about your CELPIP journey so far. Zero sales. I won't be offering you anything other than my full attention so I can learn ABOUT YOU and what you need the most to get ready for the exam. If you haven't already, please set up a call with me here.​

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⏲️ Does the timer on the CELPIP stress you out? If you've been struggling to start your speaking task responses on the CELPIP - especially when the clock starts ticking, then I made this short video for you:

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Full confession: making videos is still hard for me to do. I get nervous. I don't like my video thumbnails - and have even published a bunch of videos without them!

But yeah, I still have a difficult time making these videos. It's a new skill for me, and it feels awkward still.

But here's what I've learned from creating an audio only podcast for the past 3 years that has helped with with video - and will help you with your CELPIP prep:

💡 You need to get your reps in. That just means: I need to get more episodes out. The more episodes I create, the more my skills and comfort level will grow.

This totally applies to your CELPIP speaking skills, too!

To get better at speaking on the CELPIP, you must give yourself (or create!) way more opportunities to speak with other people who only speak English.

I bet that if you've been feeling like your speaking skills are stuck, you'll also find that the number of 'English only' conversations you get into each day and week is low or next to none.

That's where you need to focus.

Increase the number of times you talk with other English speakers, and you'll start to see some pretty exciting things happen with your self-confidence, your vocabulary, and your ability to think quickly and express your ideas.

But those things won't happen if you don't use your skills.

Thanks for reading, and if you check out the video - please do write back or leave a comment and tell me what you think and what you'd like me to talk about next, ok?

Have a great week!

Aaron

Ps. Here's how I can help you get ready for your CELPIP exam:

Get help with your speaking skills: join my 30 day CELPIP Speaking skills bootcamp. ​

Did you know: I can also help you with your CELPIP writing skills.​

And you get a 10% discount if you decide to work on both your speaking AND your writing skills. ​