Sound More Professional in English | 5 Phrases for Difficult Conversations
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Release Date: 11/05/2025
When 'Why' Sounds Rude in English → Here's What to Say Instead
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Does the question “why?” sometimes feel too strong or uncomfortable in English? In this episode, we talk about why “why” can sound rude in English and what you can say instead to keep conversations comfortable and natural. You’ll learn six gentle alternatives that help you ask about personal choices, life changes, and meaningful stories without putting pressure on the other person. These simple questions make it easier to stay curious, build trust, and speak confidently in real conversations. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why “why” can sound judgmental or demanding • How...
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Be Direct in English — 4 Ways to Sound Confident, Not Rude
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Being polite in English is important — but sometimes, clarity is kindness. In this episode, you’ll learn how to be direct in English without sounding rude, harsh, or impolite. We’ll explore the right times to use direct communication in English and the grammar tools that help you sound clear and confident at work — not cold or aggressive. You’ll discover how to: ✅ Use imperatives, simple statements, and modal verbs effectively ✅ Give feedback and set boundaries with professionalism ✅ Communicate deadlines and instructions with confidence ✅ Improve your English communication...
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Sound More Professional in English | 5 Phrases for Difficult Conversations
The Speak Confident English Podcast
When English conversations get tense, your words can decide whether things end in frustration or progress. In this episode, you’ll learn how to sound more professional in English with 5 powerful “were” phrases that help you: Disagree politely without sounding rude Offer feedback and advice clearly Keep your tone calm, confident, and professional These simple professional English phrases will help you handle difficult conversations at work and speak with clarity and respect in any situation. 💬 Try this: Practice one phrase this week and notice how it changes the tone of your...
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4 Steps to Control Your Voice and Sound Confident in English
The Speak Confident English Podcast
The secret to never sounding nervous in English? Controlling your voice. Have you ever listened to a coworker or friend speak English who sounds perfectly confident, even though she felt nervous inside? How did she do it? The key is to control your voice so you sound confident in English. Controlling your voice and projecting confidence when you speak helps to engage your listeners and inspire trust. And the strategies you'll learn here will help you give a formal presentation to a room of 537 people or speak in a meeting with 3 coworkers. Use these 4 simple steps to reduce the nervousness of...
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Explain a Decision in English Clearly | Leadership English Lesson
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Learn how to explain a decision in English clearly and confidently in this practical leadership English lesson. You’ll discover a simple 4-step method to organize your ideas, express your reasoning, and speak with clarity. Perfect for professional English communication and meetings. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: ✅ Share your thought process naturally ✅ Use key decision-making vocabulary in English ✅ Speak clearly in meetings and interviews ✅ Build confidence through real-world examples This Confident English lesson is part of our ongoing series to help you...
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Conversations on Personal Growth in English | 12 Phrasal Verbs
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Talk about your personal growth in English using 12 powerful phrasal verbs. In this English phrasal verbs lesson, you’ll discover natural ways to describe life changes, mindset shifts, and new beginnings — perfect to improve speaking confidence and express yourself more naturally. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: • Talk about new beginnings and letting go • Describe identity and mindset shifts • Express slow, steady personal growth in English This self-growth English lesson will help you find the right words to describe your journey — in life and in English. 🌐 Learn...
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Better English Conversations | Vocabulary for Major Life Changes
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Have you ever made a big change — moving to a new country, starting a new job, or beginning again? In this episode of Better English Conversations, you’ll learn English vocabulary for life changes — including how to talk about moving, new jobs, and starting over with confidence. You’ll discover how to: ✔ Describe emotional transitions with natural, everyday English vocabulary ✔ Use expressions like make a fresh start, take the plunge, and turn over a new leaf ✔ Talk about big decisions and changes in your life — clearly and naturally Whether you’re moving abroad, changing...
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How to Give Compliments in English at Work (with Examples)
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Have you ever wanted to give a compliment in English to a colleague or manager — but stopped yourself because you weren’t sure what to say? Maybe you worried it would sound awkward or too personal. In this episode, I’ll show you exactly how to give compliments in English at work with confidence. You’ll learn two simple formulas you can copy, plus real examples of workplace English compliments that sound natural and professional. Here’s what you’ll discover in this lesson: Why compliments matter in English-speaking workplaces 2 clear structures for professional English...
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English Confidence: How to Increase It In 3 Steps
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Do you ever wonder why you know English but don’t feel confident speaking it? Here’s the truth: English confidence isn’t a feeling. It’s a skill you can build — and in this episode, I’ll show you how. You’ll learn: Why waiting to “feel confident” keeps you stuck How to overcome nervousness in English and use it as fuel The two main reasons confidence falls apart — and how to fix them A 3-step process to build real, lasting English speaking confidence By the end, you’ll know how to act with confidence in English — even when your heart is racing. Want to...
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What to Do When Your Forget Words in English While Speaking
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Ever start speaking English… and suddenly forget the word you need? Your mind goes blank. You freeze. And it feels like your confidence disappears. In this episode, you’ll learn what to do in that exact moment — so you can recover quickly and keep going with calm, clarity, and confidence. What you’ll learn today: – Why freezing doesn’t mean your English is bad – The 3 Rs: a proven method to recover when your mind goes blank – Real recovery phrases fluent speakers use in everyday conversation – How to stay focused under pressure (without striving for perfection) This...
info_outlineWhen English conversations get tense, your words can decide whether things end in frustration or progress.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to sound more professional in English with 5 powerful “were” phrases that help you:
-
Disagree politely without sounding rude
-
Offer feedback and advice clearly
-
Keep your tone calm, confident, and professional
These simple professional English phrases will help you handle difficult conversations at work and speak with clarity and respect in any situation.
💬 Try this: Practice one phrase this week and notice how it changes the tone of your next meeting.
Free Training:
Want more strategies like this? Join my free video training:
Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English
👉 https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/say-what-you-want-in-english/
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Why the pillow?
01:50 Why you need 'were'
03:43 If I were to...
04:58 If I were in your situation...
06:19 Practice
06:54 I wish it were...
08:23 Suppose we were...
09:51 I'd rather it were...
11:42 Practice
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