English Podcast For Daily Life English Conversation | Talk About Yourself With Confidence

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:00]English Leap podcast >> from Speak English with Claus.

[00:00:05]Okay, Jake, quick question and I want you to answer it naturally. No thinking, just go.

[00:00:12]>> Oh, no. When you say no thinking, just go. It always ends badly for me.

[00:00:18]>> Ready? Tell me about yourself.

[00:00:20]>> I What?

[00:00:23]>> Go ahead. Tell me about yourself.

[00:00:25]>> I mean, I'm Jake. I work here. I like coffee. I have a cat named Gerald.

[00:00:34]>> Gerald.

[00:00:36]>> He's a very serious cat. Very professional. Very judgmental.

[00:00:41]>> So, even you, someone who talks for a living, froze when I said, "Tell me about yourself."

[00:00:48]>> Completely froze. And that is the most stressful question in the English language. It sounds so innocent, so easy, and then someone asks it and your brain just leaves the building, >> goes on holiday.

[00:01:03]Okay, before we go further, hey English learners, welcome back to the English Leap Podcast, your cozy little place to learn easy English through real everyday conversations. I'm Anna >> and I'm Jake. And we are so happy you are here today genuinely because today's episode is one of those topics that sounds simple but is actually incredibly useful.

[00:01:26]>> Yes, today we are talking about how to talk about yourself in English with confidence, with ease and without sounding robotic, boring or like you are reading from a job application.

[00:01:38]>> And here is our promise to you. By the end of this episode, you will know how to introduce yourself naturally, talk about your background, describe your personality, share your hobbies, and talk about your goals and dreams in real confident English, >> not textbook English, not rehearsed English, real English, the kind that makes people think, "Wow, this person is interesting. I want to keep talking to them."

[00:02:04]>> Which is the goal of every conversation really. And this is a B2 to early C1 level episode. So we will use natural English useful phrases and some stronger vocabulary, but we will explain everything clearly as we go.

[00:02:18]>> And later we will give you a full useful phrase round for talking about yourself in daily life. Simple phrases, but very powerful when you use them naturally.

[00:02:28]>> Yes. So by the end you will not just understand the idea, you will have real sentences you can copy, practice and use when someone asks you about yourself.

[00:02:39]>> And after that we will have our word tour section where we take the most useful words and phrases from today's conversation and show you how to use them in real life.

[00:02:50]>> So stay with us, get comfortable, and let's do this together.

[00:02:54]>> Okay. So why is this question so hard?

[00:02:59]Because honestly it should not be. You know yourself better than anyone?

[00:03:04]>> You would think so, >> right? You have been living in your own head your entire life. You are the world expert on yourself and yet someone asks tell me about yourself and the brain crashes.

[00:03:18]>> I think a big part of it is that the question feels too big like where do I start? Do I talk about my job, my family, my dreams, my whole life story?

[00:03:30]>> Do I mention Gerald the cat?

[00:03:33]>> Probably not on the first meeting, but you make a good point. The question has no clear starting point and that is what makes it feel overwhelming.

[00:03:43]>> There is also something else. A lot of people feel self-conscious when they talk about themselves.

[00:03:50]>> Self-conscious.

[00:03:51]Yeah. Say more about that. So self-conscious means you are very aware of yourself, how you look, how you sound, and what other people might think of you. You start asking yourself, am I saying too much? Am I boring them? Do I sound arrogant?

[00:04:09]>> And that makes everything harder.

[00:04:12]>> It does because instead of just talking, you are talking and judging yourself at the same time. And that is exhausting.

[00:04:20]And for English learners, there's an extra layer. You're thinking about what to say and how to say it in English.

[00:04:28]That's a lot happening at once.

[00:04:30]>> It really is. And I want to say this clearly, that nervous, slightly panicked feeling is completely normal. Even native English speakers feel it.

[00:04:40]>> Yes. So, the first thing we want to do today is take the pressure off. Talking about yourself in English is a skill.

[00:04:49]And like any skill, you can learn it, practice it, and get better at it.

[00:04:54]>> And that is what we're going to do step by step.

[00:04:57]>> Okay, let's start at the beginning, the introduction. You meet someone new. What do you actually say?

[00:05:05]>> Right? Because the version most people learn in English class is, "Hello, my name is Jake. I am 32 years old. I live in London. I am a podcast host." And then everyone just stares at you.

[00:05:20]>> Yes, it sounds like you're reading from a very serious application form.

[00:05:25]>> It does. In real life, it sounds robotic. It sounds stiff. And most importantly, it gives the other person nothing to react to. There's no personality in it.

[00:05:35]>> Right. A good introduction gives people something to hold on to, something to respond to. It starts a conversation, not just delivers information.

[00:05:45]>> Yes. So instead of "My name is Jake and I am 32," you might say something like, "Hey, I'm Jake. I'm actually from a small town in the north of England."

[00:05:55]Which surprises people because apparently I don't have the accent. And then you smile.

[00:06:01]>> See? Already interesting. Already a conversation starter. People are going to go, "Oh, really? We're from."

[00:06:08]>> And now the conversation is moving. That is all an introduction needs to do. Give people a thread to pull.

[00:06:15]>> A thread to pull. I love that. So, you include one small interesting detail, something that naturally invites a follow-up question.

[00:06:25]>> Yes. And the detail doesn't have to be dramatic. It doesn't have to be, I climbed Everest, or I once met a president. It can be small and human.

[00:06:35]>> Like, I'm Anna. I grew up in Italy, but I've been living abroad for about 6 years now, which means I spend a lot of time missing Italian bread.

[00:06:45]>> And that is a great introduction because it's warm, it's a little funny, it's personal, and now I want to know more, where abroad, what kind of bread, what do you do, where are you going next?

[00:06:59]>> All because of bread.

[00:07:00]>> Never underestimate bread. So, the formula, if you want to call it that, is your name, one sentence about your background or current life, and one small human detail that invites a response.

[00:07:14]>> And don't worry about being perfect. The goal is not to give the perfect introduction. The goal is to make the other person feel comfortable and curious, >> right? Because first impressions.

[00:07:26]>> Oh, first impression. Tell me what you mean by that.

[00:07:29]>> Sure. A first impression is the opinion or feeling someone forms about you the very first time they meet you. And it can happen quickly, sometimes before the conversation is even warmed up. So, what you say and how you say it in those first moments really matters.

[00:07:46]>> But here's the good news. A first impression doesn't have to be spectacular. It just has to be genuine, warm, real.

[00:07:55]>> Yes. And that's something anyone can do.

[00:07:58]>> Okay. So you've introduced yourself, the conversation is going and then someone asks, "So where are you from? What's your background?"

[00:08:07]>> M and again that is a big question.

[00:08:11]There's so many ways to answer it.

[00:08:14]>> Right? So let's start with the basics.

[00:08:16]Background in conversation means your history. Where you grew up, where you studied, where you have worked, and where you come from culturally or professionally. It is the story behind who you are now.

[00:08:30]>> Your origin story like a superhero but hopefully with fewer explosions.

[00:08:36]>> Hopefully. I would prefer a calm origin story.

[00:08:40]>> Same. So how do you talk about your background naturally? The key is you tell a short story not a list.

[00:08:49]>> What do you mean?

[00:08:50]>> So instead of saying I am from Egypt, I studied engineering. I worked in Cairo for 3 years. Now I live in Dubai. You might say something like, I grew up in Egypt, actually in Alexandria, which is this beautiful city right on the Mediterranean. I studied engineering there and then I ended up in Dubai a few years ago for work. And honestly, I love it here.

[00:09:16]>> See, that is the same information, but a completely different feeling. The first version is a list. The second version is a person talking.

[00:09:25]>> Yes. And notice the small additions.

[00:09:28]Actually, honestly, this beautiful city.

[00:09:33]Those little words and phrases give your speech personality. They make it feel natural.

[00:09:38]>> Right? So, a few phrases that help when talking about your background are >> I grew up in. This is a very natural way to talk about where you were raised. I studied or I have a background in. These are useful for your education or work experience.

[00:09:56]>> And I really like this one. I ended up.

[00:09:59]It suggests life took you somewhere.

[00:10:01]Maybe not by a perfect plan, but it worked out. I ended up in Berlin. I ended up in tech. It sounds real >> because life rarely goes exactly to plan.

[00:10:13]>> Almost never. and I ended up acknowledges that in a very natural way.

[00:10:19]>> You can also say I've been living in for your current situation. Or these days I'm like these days I'm working in marketing. These days I'm based in Seoul. Very casual, very current.

[00:10:32]>> Yes. And here's a useful tip. Connect your past and present. Show the journey.

[00:10:38]For example, I studied architecture, but I ended up going into project management. And actually, there's a lot of overlap.

[00:10:47]>> See, now I'm interested. What's the overlap? Tell me more.

[00:10:51]>> Exactly. That is the goal. Every sentence should open a door slightly so the other person wants to walk through it.

[00:10:59]>> So, tell your story like a conversation, not a biography.

[00:11:03]>> Beautifully said. Okay, here we go. One of the most cringe-worthy moments in English. Someone asks, "So, how would you describe yourself as a person?"

[00:11:15]>> Ah, yes. And somehow everyone says the same three things.

[00:11:21]>> I'm a hard worker. I'm very passionate.

[00:11:25]I'm a people person.

[00:11:26]>> A people person? What does that even mean?

[00:11:30]>> It means absolutely nothing at this point. It has been said so many times that it has lost all meaning.

[00:11:37]>> Right? So, how do you describe your personality in a way that actually sounds like you?

[00:11:43]>> The secret is show. Don't just tell.

[00:11:47]Instead of only saying I'm curious, you say something that shows it. Instead of only saying I'm funny, you give a small example.

[00:11:55]>> Yes. So instead of saying I'm funny, you might say, "I'm the kind of person who makes little jokes when the room feels too serious. I like making people feel comfortable."

[00:12:08]>> That tells me much more than just I'm funny. Now I can actually imagine you in a conversation.

[00:12:14]>> Exactly. It shows the personality instead of just naming it.

[00:12:19]>> Yes. And that is so much more interesting than just saying, "I'm funny." It is specific. It is visual. It makes people smile and it tells them something real about you.

[00:12:29]>> Right? So, let's give listeners a few phrases that help describe personality naturally.

[00:12:35]>> I tend to be, for example, I tend to be quite organized or I tend to overthink things. It sounds self-aware without sounding stiff.

[00:12:45]>> Nice. Another one is people say I'm like people say I'm easy to talk to or people say I'm a bit too honest sometimes. It sounds natural because you are showing how others see you.

[00:12:59]>> And another very useful one. I'm the kind of person who. For example, I'm the kind of person who makes a playlist for everything. Or I'm the kind of person who can't leave the house without a plan.

[00:13:10]>> Oh, I am definitely the kind of person who makes a playlist for everything. Of course you are.

[00:13:17]>> And notice all of these phrases are honest, specific, and a little bit personal. That combination is what makes a personality description feel real.

[00:13:28]>> Exactly. And you do not have to only talk about your strengths. You can mention something small you're working on or something a little imperfect. That actually makes you more likable >> because nobody connects with someone who sounds perfect. Yes, we connect with people who feel human, people who have little quirks, people who are a bit of a mess sometimes.

[00:13:50]>> Gerald the cat, for example, is a mess, but I love him.

[00:13:55]>> Gerald is a whole personality.

[00:13:58]>> A difficult personality, but still.

[00:14:00]>> And that is exactly the point.

[00:14:02]Personality becomes interesting when you give it a small scene, a small habit, or a small truth.

[00:14:08]>> So, don't just label yourself. Show us a little moment that feels like you.

[00:14:14]>> Beautifully said.

[00:14:15]>> Okay. Hobbies. This is where people either come alive or go completely flat.

[00:14:22]>> Flat how?

[00:14:24]>> Well, the flat version is I like reading, I like cooking, I like going for walks. Full stop. End of story. And then the other person nods politely and changes the subject >> because there's nothing to hold on to.

[00:14:40]>> Right. But if you talk about your hobbies the way you actually feel about them, it becomes completely different.

[00:14:48]>> Yes. And this is where a really useful phrase comes in. I'm passionate about.

[00:14:54]>> Passionate about. Yeah. What does that actually mean compared to just saying I like? So passionate about means it is not just something you enjoy. It is something that genuinely excites you.

[00:15:08]Something you care deeply about.

[00:15:10]Something you could probably talk about for a long time if someone let you.

[00:15:14]>> Right? So when you say I'm passionate about cooking, it tells a different story than I like cooking. It says this matters to me. I invest time in this.

[00:15:27]Ask me more.

[00:15:28]>> So let's practice. Jake, what are you passionate about? And don't say Gerald.

[00:15:35]>> Okay. Okay. Honestly, I'm passionate about music, especially old records. I spend some weekends going to small music shops, looking for albums I have never heard before. There's this whole little ritual to it, choosing the record, playing it at home, and just sitting with the music.

[00:15:55]>> See, now I'm interested. Now I want to know which music shops, which albums, what that little ritual feels like.

[00:16:03]>> Because I didn't just say I like music.

[00:16:05]I gave it color. I gave it texture.

[00:16:08]>> Yes. And that's all it takes. Add one or two specific details. Why you love it, how you got into it, a small memory or story around it.

[00:16:19]>> You might say, "I got into photography a few years ago, actually by accident. A friend lent me their camera for a trip and I never really gave it back.

[00:16:30]>> A very natural way to get into photography.

[00:16:33]>> Very natural. Maybe not very honest.

[00:16:36]>> True. Return the camera, Jake.

[00:16:40]>> Fair, but now there's a story, a friend, a trip, a camera that was never returned. I want to know more.

[00:16:48]>> So, the formula for hobbies is simple.

[00:16:51]Name it, add feeling, and add one specific detail.

[00:16:56]>> And don't be afraid to show a little enthusiasm. When someone talks about something they genuinely love, it's engaging. It draws people in.

[00:17:06]>> Yes, enthusiasm makes your English feel alive because people can hear that you really care >> and it's honest. And honest is always better than impressive, >> right? So instead of trying to sound special, just talk about what you really enjoy in a specific way.

[00:17:24]>> Small detail, real feeling, natural English.

[00:17:29]>> That is the sweet spot. Okay. Goals, dreams. This one can make people feel very vulnerable.

[00:17:38]>> It does, doesn't it? Because talking about your goals means letting people see what you want and then you start thinking, what if I don't reach it? What if they judge me?

[00:17:49]>> Yes. And that fear stops a lot of people from even saying their goals out loud.

[00:17:55]>> But here is the thing. Saying your goals out loud, especially in a conversation, can actually help you. It makes them feel more real. And sometimes it connects you with people who understand, support you, or even help you get there.

[00:18:10]And you do not have to say something huge like, "My goal is to be a millionaire by 30." You can be much more human about it.

[00:18:20]>> Thank goodness that sentence is a lot of pressure.

[00:18:23]>> It is. You can say things like, "I'm working towards." That sounds honest and active. I'm working towards getting my certification this year. Or I'm working towards moving abroad.

[00:18:36]>> Nice. Or something I really want to do is very natural. Something I really want to do is start my own business one day.

[00:18:45]>> Yes. And one day is useful because it softens the dream. It says this matters to me, but I am not pretending it's happening tomorrow morning.

[00:18:56]>> Tomorrow morning at 8:00, new business, full success.

[00:19:01]>> Exactly. Too much. Another good phrase is I'm at a point where I want to like I'm at a point where I want to go deeper into design or I'm at a point where I want to slow down and be more intentional.

[00:19:17]>> Intentional. Very modern.

[00:19:20]>> Very podcast friendly.

[00:19:23]>> True. But it works. And the key to talking about goals confidently is to connect your goal to your why.

[00:19:31]>> The why. Yes. Why you want it, what it means to you, not just I want to start a podcast, but I want to start a podcast because I love the idea of creating something that helps people feel less alone.

[00:19:45]>> That is immediately more powerful and more believable because now there is a reason behind it, a feeling >> and it opens the conversation. The other person can say, "Oh, what kind of podcast?" or "What made you think of that?" So goals with a why invite dialogue. Goals without a why just sit there.

[00:20:07]>> Exactly. And one more thing, you do not have to have everything figured out.

[00:20:12]>> That's important.

[00:20:13]>> It is. It is completely okay to say, "I'm not totally sure yet, but I know I want to move in this direction."

[00:20:21]>> That's honest. And it still sounds confident.

[00:20:25]>> Yes. Pretending you have all the answers is not confidence. Saying where you really are calmly and honestly is confidence.

[00:20:34]>> And sometimes saying a goal out loud is a way to put yourself out there.

[00:20:38]>> Put yourself out there. Good phrase.

[00:20:41]>> To put yourself out there means to show yourself, express yourself or share something about yourself even when it feels a bit risky.

[00:20:50]>> And in this case, it means you're not hiding your dream completely. You're sharing it in a calm, real way. Not shouting it from a rooftop.

[00:21:00]>> No rooftop required.

[00:21:02]>> Just one honest sentence is enough.

[00:21:05]>> Exactly. And that's a confident way to talk about your goals.

[00:21:10]>> Okay. This is the balance a lot of people struggle with. You want to come across as confident, but you do not want to sound like you are bragging.

[00:21:20]>> Yes. And come across is a useful phrase here, >> right? What does come across mean?

[00:21:27]>> To come across means how you appear to others or how people perceive you. For example, I want to come across as professional or she comes across as very warm. It is how people experience your words, your tone, and your energy.

[00:21:43]>> Exactly. So, the goal is to come across as confident but still warm and approachable. And the difference between confidence and arrogance is actually quite simple. Confident people can talk about what they have done. Arrogant people make it sound like they're better than everyone else because of it.

[00:22:03]>> Big difference between I'm proud of what I've built and I'm the best at what I do.

[00:22:10]>> Very big difference. One feels grounded.

[00:22:13]The other makes people slowly look for the exit.

[00:22:17]>> Right? And in conversation, confident people also listen. They do not just talk about themselves constantly.

[00:22:25]>> Real confidence includes asking about the other person, showing curiosity, being genuinely interested.

[00:22:32]>> A phrase that strikes that balance perfectly is, "I'm really proud of." You can use it for something you worked hard on, something that genuinely means something to you.

[00:22:43]>> Yes. Not I'm amazing, just I'm proud. It is personal and human.

[00:22:50]>> Or one thing I've learned about myself is this shows self-awareness. And self-awareness makes your answer feel mature and real.

[00:23:00]>> For example, one thing I've learned about myself is that I do my best work early in the morning, which is annoying because I also love staying up late.

[00:23:10]>> Real and relatable. Confidence also comes through in how you handle what you don't know.

[00:23:17]>> How so?

[00:23:18]>> Instead of pretending, you can say, "I'm not sure about that, but I'd love to find out." Instead of apologizing again and again for your accent or your English, you can just keep going.

[00:23:30]>> That's a big one.

[00:23:32]>> Confidence is not the absence of imperfection. It's continuing despite it.

[00:23:37]>> And here's a word that comes up a lot when we talk about this. Humble. Humble.

[00:23:43]What does that mean in this context?

[00:23:45]>> Humble means you are not arrogant. You are grounded. You don't think you are better than others. A humble person can talk about their achievements without making other people feel small.

[00:23:57]>> And being humble does not mean putting yourself down. That is a common mistake.

[00:24:03]>> Yes, humble is not, oh, I'm not that good. Honestly, >> humble is more like, "I've worked hard for this and I still have a lot to learn."

[00:24:13]>> That kind of person is easy to be around. They're confident and approachable.

[00:24:18]>> They make you feel like there is room for you in the conversation, too.

[00:24:22]>> And that is the version of yourself you want to present when you talk about yourself in English. Clear, warm, genuine, and grounded.

[00:24:32]>> Confident enough to share, humble enough to listen. And now that we understand the feeling behind it, let's give listeners something practical.

[00:24:41]>> Yes, real phrases, natural ones, phrases for when someone asks about you and you want to sound genuine, fluent, and relaxed.

[00:24:51]>> Right? And let's do this slowly because when you talk about yourself, you do not need one perfect speech. You need a few small sentences you can use in different situations.

[00:25:03]>> Beautiful. So let's begin with the first moment introducing yourself.

[00:25:08]>> First group simple introductions.

[00:25:11]>> Okay, I'll go first with a very natural one. Nice to meet you. I'm Anna. I'm originally from Italy, but I've been living in Dubai for a few years now.

[00:25:22]>> Nice. That gives your name, where you're from, and where your life is now.

[00:25:26]Simple, but complete.

[00:25:28]>> And here's another one. I'm based in London at the moment, but I'm actually from the countryside, which makes London feel a bit intense sometimes.

[00:25:37]>> London is a lot.

[00:25:39]>> It is so much.

[00:25:41]>> And if you want a simple work version, you could say, "I'm Jake. I work in media, mostly audio stuff, podcasts, that kind of thing."

[00:25:50]>> That sounds natural because that kind of thing makes it feel casual, not too formal. H. So once you introduce yourself, people often want to know a little more about your story, >> right? So let's move into background.

[00:26:05]>> Second group, talking about your background.

[00:26:08]>> Okay, here's a simple one. I grew up in a really small town, so moving to a big city was quite an adjustment.

[00:26:17]>> Good phrase, quite an adjustment. It means the change took time to get used to.

[00:26:22]>> And here's another one. I studied literature at university which surprises people because now I work in tech.

[00:26:30]>> Nice. That gives contrast and contrast makes your background more interesting.

[00:26:36]>> H you could also say I've worn a lot of hats over the years.

[00:26:41]>> Worn a lot of hats. Very visual.

[00:26:44]>> Yes. It means you have done many different things. Maybe different jobs, roles or responsibilities. And another warm one is, I ended up going into teaching completely by accident and it turned out to be the best accident of my life.

[00:27:00]>> That one sounds lovely. It has a little story inside it.

[00:27:03]>> So now we have introduced ourselves and we've talked a little about background.

[00:27:08]The next thing people may notice is personality.

[00:27:11]>> Yes, how you describe the kind of person you are.

[00:27:15]>> Third group, talking about your personality. I tend to be quite quiet when I first meet someone, but I warm up pretty quickly.

[00:27:23]>> Very useful. Warm up means you become more comfortable and relaxed.

[00:27:28]>> Another one. I'm the kind of person who makes a list for everything, even a list of lists.

[00:27:35]>> A list of lists. That is a personality and a warning sign.

[00:27:41]>> Maybe both.

[00:27:42]>> You can also say people say I'm easy to talk to, which I hope is true. and not just something they say.

[00:27:49]>> Very self-aware.

[00:27:51]>> And this one is simple but honest. I'm a bit of an overinker. I'm working on it.

[00:27:56]>> That feels real. A little imperfect, but not too heavy.

[00:28:00]>> And once people know a little about your personality, hobbies are a very natural next step.

[00:28:06]>> Yes, because hobbies make the conversation warmer.

[00:28:10]>> Fourth group, talking about hobbies and interests. I'm really into photography.

[00:28:16]Street photography especially. I love capturing small everyday moments.

[00:28:22]>> I'm really into is a very natural phrase. It means you are interested in something and enjoy it.

[00:28:28]>> Another one. I've recently gotten into baking, which was terrible for everyone in my house.

[00:28:36]>> Delicious problem though. Or you could say, "I've been playing guitar for years, but I'm still not great. I think the joy is in the playing, not the performing."

[00:28:47]>> That is lovely. It also shows humility.

[00:28:50]>> And one more. Cooking is kind of my way of unwinding. After a long day, being in the kitchen is almost meditative.

[00:28:59]>> Good one. Unwinding means relaxing after stress or work. So hobbies show what gives you energy, peace or joy.

[00:29:08]>> And goals show where you are going.

[00:29:11]>> Nice. Let's move to goals.

[00:29:13]>> Fifth group talking about goals.

[00:29:17]>> Something I'm working towards this year is learning Spanish or at least the basics.

[00:29:24]>> Nice. Working towards sounds active. It shows progress.

[00:29:29]>> Another one. I'd love to travel more, especially to places I've never been.

[00:29:35]That's sort of my big dream right now.

[00:29:37]>> Sort of makes it sound casual and gentle, very natural.

[00:29:42]>> You could also say, "I'm at a point where I want to focus more on the things that actually matter to me, which sounds vague, but feels very clear when I think about it."

[00:29:53]>> Beautifully said and very relatable.

[00:29:56]>> And one more. One day I want to write a book. I have no idea what it will be about, but the feeling is very strong.

[00:30:05]>> Same. So many people have this dream.

[00:30:08]>> Now, after you talk about yourself, you also need phrases that help the conversation continue.

[00:30:14]>> Yes. Because the goal is not to give a speech. The goal is to keep the conversation alive.

[00:30:21]>> Final group phrases to keep the conversation going. One, it's a long story, but the short version is this is useful when your background is complicated.

[00:30:32]>> Two, I couldn't pick just one thing.

[00:30:35]Honestly, use this when someone asks what you love, what you do, or what you are interested in, and there are many answers.

[00:30:44]>> That's actually a really good question.

[00:30:47]This buys you a moment to think, and it sounds natural, >> but do not overuse that one.

[00:30:54]Definitely not for every question.

[00:30:57]>> And it's funny you ask that because this is a smooth way to bring in a story or an example.

[00:31:04]>> And remember, all of these phrases are not script. They are tools. Take the ones that feel like you, practice them out loud, and use them in your own way.

[00:31:16]>> Yes, you do not need to sound like Jake.

[00:31:18]You do not need to sound like me. You need to sound like yourself just with better phrases.

[00:31:24]>> Right. And that is the whole point of this episode.

[00:31:27]>> Yes. And before we close, let's take some of the most useful words and phrases from today's conversation and make them easier to remember.

[00:31:36]>> H welcome to the word tour. In this section, we'll repeat each word or phrase, explain it simply, and give you examples you can use in real life. So listen, repeat if you want and try to imagine where you could use each one in your own conversations.

[00:31:54]>> Okay, let's begin with a word for that uncomfortable feeling when you are speaking and suddenly thinking too much about yourself.

[00:32:02]>> Self-conscious.

[00:32:04]>> Yes, self-conscious means you feel very aware of yourself, how you look, how you sound, and what other people might think of you. You can say, "I feel self-conscious when I speak English in front of new people."

[00:32:17]>> Or, "He became self-conscious during the interview and started speaking too fast."

[00:32:23]>> So, self-conscious is that feeling when you're not just speaking, you are also judging yourself while speaking.

[00:32:30]>> Nice. Let's repeat it. Self-conscious.

[00:32:33]>> Self-conscious.

[00:32:34]>> Now, let's look at a phrase for the first feeling people get when they meet you.

[00:32:39]>> First impression.

[00:32:40]>> Yes. A first impression is the first opinion or feeling someone forms about you when they meet you.

[00:32:47]>> You can say, "I want to make a good first impression at my new job."

[00:32:51]>> Or, "Her first impression of him was that he seemed quiet but very kind."

[00:32:56]>> So, a first impression is not your whole personality. It is just the first feeling people get from your words, your tone, and your energy.

[00:33:05]>> Good. Let's repeat it. First impression.

[00:33:08]>> First impression. Now, let's take a word we used when talking about your story, where you come from, and what shaped you.

[00:33:16]>> Background.

[00:33:17]>> Yes. Background means your personal history, your education, your work experience, your culture, or the things that helped make you who you are.

[00:33:28]>> You can say, "My background is in engineering, but now I work in project management."

[00:33:34]>> Or, "We come from different backgrounds, but we have a lot in common." So background is not just your country. It can include your studies, work, family culture, and life experience.

[00:33:47]>> Nice. Let's repeat it. Background.

[00:33:50]>> Background.

[00:33:50]>> Now, let's look at a phrase for how other people see you or feel about you when you speak.

[00:33:56]>> Come across.

[00:33:57]>> Yes. Come across means how you appear to other people. It is the impression your words, tone, and behavior give. You can say, "I want to come across as confident but not arrogant."

[00:34:10]>> Or, "She comes across as warm and easy to talk to."

[00:34:14]>> So, come across is not always about what you mean inside. It's about how other people receive you.

[00:34:21]>> Good. Let's repeat it. Come across.

[00:34:24]>> Come across.

[00:34:25]>> Now, let's take a word for confidence that doesn't feel loud or arrogant.

[00:34:30]>> Humble.

[00:34:32]>> Yes. Humble means you know your value but you do not act like you are better than everyone else.

[00:34:38]>> You can say she is very successful but she is still humble.

[00:34:43]>> Or I'm proud of my progress but I try to stay humble and keep learning.

[00:34:49]>> So humble does not mean weak. It means grounded. You can be confident and humble at the same time.

[00:34:57]>> Nice. Let's repeat it. Humble.

[00:35:00]>> Humble. Now, let's look at a phrase for something you really care about, not just something you casually like.

[00:35:08]>> Passionate about.

[00:35:10]>> Yes. If you are passionate about something, you feel strong interest, excitement, or love for it.

[00:35:17]>> You can say, I'm passionate about helping people learn.

[00:35:21]>> Or he is passionate about music and spends hours listening to old records.

[00:35:27]So passionate about is stronger than I like. Use it when something really matters to you.

[00:35:35]>> Good. Let's repeat it. Passionate about.

[00:35:38]>> Passionate about.

[00:35:40]>> Now let's take a phrase for those moments when you share something about yourself even though it feels a little scary.

[00:35:47]>> Put yourself out there.

[00:35:49]>> Yes. To put yourself out there means to show yourself, express yourself, or try something in front of others even when you feel nervous.

[00:35:59]>> You can say, "Joining a new English group helped me put myself out there."

[00:36:05]>> Or, "She put herself out there by sharing her goal with the team."

[00:36:10]>> So, putting yourself out there does not mean being loud. Sometimes it just means saying one honest sentence when you usually stay quiet. Nice. Let's repeat it. Put yourself out there.

[00:36:23]>> Put yourself out there.

[00:36:25]>> Now, let's look at a phrase for becoming more comfortable after a little time.

[00:36:30]>> Warm up.

[00:36:32]>> Yes. To warm up means to become more relaxed, friendly, or comfortable in a situation.

[00:36:38]>> You can say, "I'm quiet at first, but I warm up once I feel comfortable."

[00:36:42]>> Or, "He warmed up after a few minutes and started joining the conversation."

[00:36:47]So warm up is useful when you were talking about personality. Maybe you're shy at first, but after some time people see more of the real you.

[00:36:56]>> Good. Let's repeat it. Warm up.

[00:36:59]>> Warm up.

[00:37:00]>> Now let's take a phrase for a goal you are slowly trying to reach.

[00:37:04]>> Working towards.

[00:37:06]>> Yes. If you are working towards something, you are making effort and progress step by step. You can say, "I'm working towards speaking English more confidently."

[00:37:17]>> Or, "She is working towards starting her own business one day."

[00:37:20]>> So, working towards is useful because it sounds active. It shows you aren't just dreaming. You are doing something little by little.

[00:37:28]>> Nice. Let's repeat it. Working towards.

[00:37:31]>> Working towards.

[00:37:33]>> And finally, let's end with the word at the heart of today's episode.

[00:37:37]>> Confidence.

[00:37:38]>> Yes. Confidence means trusting yourself enough to speak, try and continue even if you are not perfect.

[00:37:47]>> You can say the more I practice, the more confidence I feel.

[00:37:51]>> Or she answered the question with calm confidence.

[00:37:54]>> So confidence is not about sounding perfect. It is about believing you can handle the conversation even if you make a small mistake.

[00:38:02]>> Good. Let's repeat it. Confidence.

[00:38:05]>> Confidence.

[00:38:06]>> Beautiful. These words and phrases can really help you talk about yourself in a more natural, confident way.

[00:38:13]>> Yes. And remember, you do not need to use all of them at once. Choose one or two, practice them, make them yours.

[00:38:20]>> Little by little, your English starts to sound more like you.

[00:38:24]>> And that is a wonderful kind of progress.

[00:38:27]>> So today, remember this. You do not need one perfect answer. You just need a few real phrases, a few honest details, and the courage to begin.

[00:38:38]>> Now, write one sentence about yourself in the comments. Simple is perfect. We would love to read it.

[00:38:44]>> If this episode helped you, share it with another English learner.

[00:38:47]>> Keep practicing. Keep showing up and keep putting your real self into your English.

[00:38:52]>> Take care of your English >> and take care of your heart. This is Anna >> and this is Jake >> and you have been listening to the English Leap podcast. Bye.

[00:39:05]Your progress doesn't end here. To continue advancing your English skills, click on the next video or explore the additional videos we've thoughtfully selected for you.