Hello Reader,

It can feel impossible to improve your speaking and vocabulary skills in English sometimes, can't it? Like no matter how hard you try, you stay stuck (or feel like you do) at the same place, with you using the same words and expressions you're always using.

Is there any way out of this?

Good news:

Feeling stuck like this is normal. It happens to everyone. (And if anyone tells you they've never felt stuck like this before, they are lying my friend.) Getting stuck is normal.

Here's what will help you get unstuck:

Think about HOW you are practicing your speaking skills.

I've heard people say that they use English everyday, but they still feel stuck in the same place no matter what.

What's going on here?

One idea? Ask yourself if your everyday conversations are always with the same people, and about the same things?

If so, this might be one of the biggest reasons you're feeling stuck! Your conversations need to pull you into using English you don't normally use, which will force you to have to learn new words or phrases to actually engage in that conversation!

It will feel awkward, and maybe a little embarrassing because you'll be in mid conversation and suddenly not know how to express what you want to say in order to keep the conversation going.

Most English learners try to avoid moments like these AT ALL COSTS, which is a huge mistake.

Instead, train yourself to think differently about awkward moments. When you get stuck, you've actually just struck gold!

You've discovered EXACTLY what vocabulary word or phrase you need to learn next in order to build your fluency skills! And the next thing you do in this moment can have a massive impact on your progress.

Option one: try to disappear. I get it. Moments like these SUCK big time. I've been in PLENTY of them in both English AND Spanish! Your natural response is to hide. (Or try to.) The next bad move? Fall silent and refuse to try again because you don't want to feel that way again.

Again...totally understandable - and I've done it. But this response will keep you frozen at your current fluency level indefinitely. (That's a real long time!)

Instead, go for option two: Discover! Right in the moment tell your conversation partner that you got stuck. See if they can help you figure out the missing word or phrase that will help you say what you're trying to say. (Most people will gladly do this! I've asked for help MANY times when it happens to me in Spanish. I've also done it many times in English, too. ) When your person helps you figure out what was missing, of course thank them, and then immediately try to continue your conversation and use the new word or phrase you just learned. Repeat it a few times, and move on.

Need more ideas to build your fluency and vocabulary skills? Listen to this week's podcast! ​

Over to you: Do you have moments when you run out of English IN THE MIDDLE of a conversation you're trying to have? Hit reply and tell me YES or NO - and if you want to share a little more, I will gladly read every word and reply to you.

Well, that's it for today! Thank you for reading, and have a great week!

Aaron