Speak English with Confidence | More Than Words

You already know English. So why does something stop you the moment it matters? In this six-minute conversation, I'm joined by master coach Peter Freeth to talk about what's actually happening when you freeze - the inner critic, the fear of embarrassment, the perfectionism that feels like it's protecting you. Because it is. That's the problem. This is More Than Words, previously 'From Lost to the...

You've studied English for years. You know the grammar. So why does speaking it at work still feel so hard? In this four-minute conversation, finance manager Nines López talks about what English learning got wrong - too much grammar, not enough real conversation - and what actually helps professionals stop freezing and start speaking with confidence. Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish. Thi...

You understand more than you speak. You freeze in meetings. You know the grammar but can't get the words out in the moment. In this seven-minute conversation, language coach Nacho Fernández - who works with CEOs and senior professionals on exactly this - talks about what actually unlocks speaking confidence. The shift from grammar to communication. The fear of judgement. Why correction and critici...

Many Spanish professionals have the certificates — B1, B2, even C1 — but still struggle to speak English confidently in real conversations. Why? Because the system teaches you to pass exams, not to communicate. In this episode of More Than Words 'From Lost To The River', English teacher Alba Guerrero González returns to unpack the difference between Exam English and Real English. We explore how 't...

Many people speak English well, yet still panic when someone says, “Sorry, could you repeat that?” In this short episode of More Than Words 'From Lost To The River', I explain why these moments often have nothing to do with your English level. You’ll learn the hidden variables in communication that affect understanding: background noise, distractions in the listener’s mind, technical issues on vid...

You're mid-sentence and someone's face changes. Suddenly everything you know disappears. In this seven-minute conversation, language coach, author and podcast host Daniele Ponzo talks about exactly that moment -- and what it taught him about confidence, imperfection, and what communication is actually for. His story of being sent to fix a client problem in Barcelona, in his third language, is wort...

  Most people who freeze when speaking English have already done everything they were supposed to do. The classes, the grammar, the certification. And it still wasn't enough. In this three-minute clip, language coach and author Daniele Ponzo talks about the moment he realised perfectionism was the problem, not the solution - and what actually shifted when he stopped trying to sound perfect and sta...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. If you’re a driven Spanish professional who freezes in English or fears being judged, this episode is for you. Daniele Ponzo, former IT manager turned language coach and author, explains how to swap perfectionism for presence so you can speak naturally, be heard in meetings, and lead with confidence. Daniele and I explore the emotional side of l...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com: I used to stress over every word, constantly worrying that my Spanish wasn’t “good enough.” In this episode, I explore how to reframe that fear and build confidence by focusing on what you can already do. When language is used as a tool to communicate (rather than to prove yourself) everything starts to flow more naturally. We look at why perfec...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com: Hoy, me acompaña Nacho Fernández, coach de español. Hablamos sobre bloqueos mentales como el miedo y el perfeccionismo, y exploramos cómo el coaching, la escucha pasiva y hablar desde el primer día pueden ayudarte a ganar verdadera confianza, rápidamente. I speak Spanish on this one too! If you're ready for personalised support then you can reac...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. I’ll never forget the day the Amazon delivery guy asked, “¿Quieres ver mi carne?” 😮 Fresh in Spain and still learning Spanish, I thought he wanted to see… my meat! What followed was a hilarious mix-up that taught me a big lesson: mistakes aren’t just inevitable, they’re essential for growth. In this episode, I share how embracing language mista...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Here is a funny story from my early days in Spain when my basic Spanish skills led to a hilarious mix-up at the butcher's! It’s a lighthearted reminder that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and often leads to the best memories. Watch it with subtitles here on YouTube What You’ll Learn in This Episode: I share how everyday language m...

Most Spanish professionals already know English — but speaking it confidently is another story. Perfectionism, fear of mistakes, and the pressure to “sound correct” can make even simple conversations feel stressful. In this short episode of More Than Words 'From Lost To The River', I talk with English teacher Alba Guerrero González about why fluency matters more than perfection and how to overcome...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. In this deeply personal ‘off-camera’ conversation with Sarah Smit, I share how the pandemic forced me to rethink my path. How my frustrations with Spain brought out a darker, more negative side of my personality. And how transforming this negativity has shaped me, allowing me to ultimately find my purpose: helping others break free from their fe...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Here’s an extract from my conversation with Sarah Smit, a polyglot and language expert who knows firsthand what it takes to go from zero to fluent, because she did just that while living in the Netherlands for over a decade. We discuss the mindset shifts that truly build confidence in a second language and how my empathy for my clients’ experien...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Today, I’m speaking with my client, Miguel Ángel Carrasco Delgado, COO of PRG (Toys R Us & Prenatal), who has nearly 40 years of experience working with top brands like Sephora. He shares how he overcame the fear of making mistakes and built confidence in using English for business. We explore the key mindset shifts that boosted his confiden...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com.  Struggling with your accent? You’re not alone. In this episode, we break down why perfection is overrated and how real communication is the main objective. Hear insights from Alberto Rodríguez on the Spanish-English pronunciation clash and why confidence matters more than flawless speech. Follow me on Linkedin for more English confidence tips!...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com.  In this episode, I talk about how perfectionism can stop us from improving in a new language. I’ll share my personal journey of accepting my accent and occasional mistakes in Spanish, and how this mindset shift can help you embrace your unique voice in English. When you accept your English as it is today, you’ll feel more confident, speak up mo...

Many people speak English far better than they think, yet still feel a wave of fear the moment someone doesn’t understand them. In this short episode of More Than Words ‘From Lost To The River’, I explore how fear creates stories in our mind that feel true even when they’re not. You’ll hear the acronym F.E.A.R — False Evidence Appearing Real — and how it shapes the way we interpret other people’s...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com.  En este extracto del primer capítulo, abordo la lucha de sentir que "no eres lo suficientemente bueno" ("not good enough") al hablar inglés y por qué es hora de cambiar esa mentalidad. A continuación, algunos puntos claves que aprenderás: Tu nivel de inglés es mejor de lo que piensas. La comunicación es más importante que la perfección. El impa...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com.  Listen to why others’ reactions affect our confidence when speaking English and how many communication factors are beyond our control. Learn why mutual effort matters, why fears about mistakes are often false, and how to reset your perspective. Plus, language expert Lauren Martin shares insights on smoother communication. Enjoy practical tips a...

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com.  In this episode of From Lost to the River, I talk about why perfectionism can block your progress and how embracing your accent and your mistakes can actually help you connect with confidence. You'll hear a Spanish speaker’s perspective on letting go of shame when speaking English. Follow me on LinkedIn for daily confidence tips.  Watch 'From L...

This is where it started. The first episode, recorded with man flu, no script, and no interest in following anyone's template for how a podcast should sound. In this seventeen-minute introduction, confidence coach Richard Marshall explains why so many people who already speak English well still freeze when it matters, why the traditional grammar-heavy approach to language learning creates shame ra...