6 Ways Shy Learners Can Become Fluent in English [Updated]

Different people have different strengths and weaknesses, and for some, being talkative and outgoing doesn't come naturally. 

But that's OK, because even introverts can become great English speakers. All you need to do is use learning strategies that are especially useful for shy or quiet people. Here are six examples you can start using today.

1. Start with Text Conversations

Communicating with others is the ultimate goal of learning any language. But if you'd prefer fewer direct chats with others as you learn, there are other things you can do.

One example is text conversations; instead of talking to someone face-to-face, you chat through text messages.

The free language learning app Hello Talk lets you find language-exchange partners and communicate through a built-in messaging system. 

As another option, you can start by learning with an AI chatbot. Engoo has its own chatbot that you can talk with in several different real-world situations, such as eating in a restaurant or going shopping.

When you're ready to chat with others, look for online message boards and communities related to your hobbies. This way, you can enjoy conversations with people who are interested in the same things you are. Remember: connecting English to your interests is a great way to stay motivated!

2. Speak Out Loud (Even to Yourself!)

While text conversations are great, you should still practice saying things out loud if you really want to become a better English speaker. Here are some speaking exercises for shy students:

• Read everything aloud
• Talk to yourself
• Record yourself
• Send voice messages

You can turn anything into a speaking exercise. For example, read your text conversations from tip #1 above out loud. If you’re watching a movie, try to repeat after a character when they say lines that you find interesting.

You can also talk to yourself. This might sound strange, but many language learners find it helpful. Besides, many of us already talk to ourselves in our native languages anyway (“Where did I put my phone?”)!

If you want to hear how you sound, you can record yourself. Listening to the recordings will help you find areas where you might need to improve, such as in the pronunciation of certain words or sounds.

If you want corrections from a native speaker, you can post a recording on the free language-learning app HiNative and receive suggestions for improvement from other users. 

Finally, take advantage of the voice message feature common in many apps. Use them to send English voice messages to your friends, language exchange partners or teachers.

3. Practice with Voice-Only Calls

If you feel comfortable speaking but are still not ready for a full face-to-face conversation, find a language partner online and talk to them without turning on your camera. 

Many students on Engoo prefer to study this way, particularly if they are shy. This way, you still get to practice your speaking (and listening) skills without needing to think about how you appear to your conversation partner.

When you're eventually ready for video, simply click a button to turn it back on. The choice is yours!

4. Learn with Other Non-Native Speakers

Shy learners are often nervous about making mistakes when talking with native speakers. Well, they shouldn't be because making mistakes is OK!

However, if it will help you to feel less pressure, you can practice talking with other non-native speakers. This can be a friend, classmate, coworker or anyone you feel comfortable with.

Also, don't forget about learning with tutors who are non-native English speakers themselves! One reason non-native tutors are popular with students is because people often feel more comfortable speaking with them. Plus, they are able to give lots of good tips for learning English since they had to learn it themselves.

Engoo has thousands of non-native tutors, so do a search and find one for you!

5. Practice Basic Conversation Topics

A good way to boost your confidence as an English speaker is to practice talking about topics that appear often in conversations. This means you’ll want to get very comfortable talking about things like:

• Yourself
• Where you’re from
• Your family
• Your job
• Why you’re learning English

You’ll also want to be able to ask your conversation partner about these topics. To learn the perfect words and phrases for these situations, try our Conversation materials.

6. Listen to Lots of English

In addition to speaking, listening is a skill that all English students need to practice. Simply listening to a lot of English can help prepare you for real-life chats, and there are plenty of choices for things to listen to, such as: 

• Movies
• TV shows
• Videos on YouTube and other social media platforms
• Podcasts

No matter which you choose, pay close attention to the words, phrases and sentence patterns people use. Make sure to write down and review words that you might be able to use in your own conversations. 

Wrap-Up

If you try the tips above, we’re sure that you can find a language-learning style that fits your personality; it may be speaking with a conversation partner right from the beginning, or instead practicing with AI or language apps first to get comfortable.

Any method is OK as long as it works for you!