Firstly, if you want to practise key vocabulary and read this article using the Duocards app (where you can tap on a word you don’t understand and it will show you the meaning), you need to join my email list. I will share these links there. Join here.
Vital words for understanding
Passive knowledge – Understanding a language without being able to actively use it (e.g. in speaking or writing).
Active knowledge – The ability to use language skills in real time, like speaking or writing.
Input – Language you receive and understand (listening, reading).
Output – Language you produce (speaking, writing).
Neuroscience – The scientific study of the brain and nervous system.
Procedural memory – Memory system for skills and habits that work automatically (e.g. riding a bike, speaking fluently).
Prefrontal cortex – The part of the brain responsible for decision-making, attention, and recalling information.
Overloaded – When your brain has too much to process at once, causing mental blocks.
Mind map – A diagram used to visually organize ideas around a central topic.
Shadowing – A technique where you repeat what you hear in real time to improve fluency.
Muscle memory – The ability to perform tasks without thinking, because you’ve done them many times.
Fluency – The ability to speak a language easily, smoothly, and without hesitation.
Repetition – Doing or saying something over and over to help learning stick.
Awareness – Knowing and noticing what’s happening in your learning or language use.
I can understand you. I understand films, videos, even articles! But when it comes to speaking – I freeze.
Are you like that?
If so, you’re not alone. This is a common experience for English learners, even those who study regularly. You buy textbooks, take courses, study grammar rules and maybe even read novels in English. But when it’s time to speak, your brain goes blank. You struggle to find the right words and it feels like all your effort has been wasted.
But it isn’t. You’re just stuck in the passive knowledge trap.
What’s happening is simple: you’re taking in a huge amount of input – listening, reading, grammar explanations. This builds up passive knowledge, which means you understand the language. But if you don’t produce English on a regular basis – by speaking or writing – your active knowledge remains weak.
Imagine training for a marathon by watching only YouTube videos about running. You’d know the theory, but your legs wouldn’t carry you past the first mile.
What’s going on in the brain? Neuroscience gives us a clue.
- Comprehension (passive skills) uses different neural pathways than production (active skills). Understanding a word doesn’t mean your brain has the connections to retrieve and use it in real time.
- Speaking requires rapid access to vocabulary, grammar structures, pronunciation and social context – all at once. That’s procedural memory, built by doing, not studying.
- Your brain prioritises what it practises. When you’re just typing, your brain becomes good at decoding, not expressing.
- Under pressure (like speaking in real time), your prefrontal cortex (which handles decision-making and recall) can become overloaded – leading to a mental void.
But there’s good news: you can train your brain to speak more fluently.
Focus on topics, not grammar first
Instead of starting with rules, build mental islands of fluency around familiar topics like food, work, holidays. Create mind maps:
- start simple: I like pasta.
- build up: I like Italian pasta.
- extend: I like eating pasta in Italy with my friends when I’m on holiday.
Now, when the topic of food comes up, your brain has ready-made sentences to use.
👉 Use this site for phrase ideas: Ozdic Collocations Dictionary
Speak to yourself – aloud
Yes, really. Talk to yourself while cooking, walking, or cleaning. Say what you’re doing or describe objects. This strengthens the brain’s speaking circuits and lowers your fear of making mistakes. The key is repetition + low pressure.
Shadowing technique
Listen to native speakers and repeat what they say at the same time, without pausing. This activates both your listening and speaking centres, and builds muscle memory in your mouth and brain. It’s like language karaoke for your brain so you can totally use music.
Combine and create sentences
Once you learn a phrase like go for a walk, experiment:
- I go for a walk every day.
- My sister doesn’t go for a walk.
- Would you like to go for a walk later?
This is how fluency grows: by using what you already know in new ways.
Record yourself speaking
Record yourself on your phone talking about your day or describing a photo. Then listen back and ask:
- Did I hesitate?
- Which words were missing?
- Can I say that better next time?
This builds awareness and confidence.
You’re not bad at English. Your brain just hasn’t had enough output practice. Understanding is a fantastic first step – now it’s time to unlock your ability to speak. And remember: you don’t need perfect grammar to speak. You need courage, consistency, and conversation.
Your tiny speaking challenge:
👉 I will talk to myself about food for 3 minutes tonight while doing the dishes.
Write your version and share it with me in the comments.