Before You Speak Fluent English, You Need to Think Like Someone Who Can

ByDharmendra Sheth

June 2, 2025

Most English learners chase fluency as if it were a finish line. They think one more grammar rule, one more vocabulary list, one more YouTube video will finally make them “ready” to speak.

But the truth is: Fluency isn’t about speaking perfectly. Fluency is a mindset.

It starts when you stop asking, “Do I know enough?” And start saying, “I can use what I know to speak with confidence.”

Most professionals already know enough English. What’s missing is the confidence to use it.

You become fluent by thinking like someone who believes they can speak—and then choosing to speak.

In this article, we’ll explore the mindset shifts that can unlock the fluent speaker already within you.

Mindset Shift #1: Embrace a Growth Mindset

(Believe You Can Get Better)

Before you focus on grammar rules or vocabulary lists, ask yourself one simple question: Do you believe you can become fluent in English?

If your answer is “Maybe, but I’m not sure,” it’s time to shift your mindset.

There are two types of mindsets when it comes to learning new things.

  1. Fixed mindset
  2. Growth mindset.

What’s the difference?

A fixed mindset says:

“I’m not good at English.” “Other people speak better than me.” “I’ve always been bad at languages.”

This mindset treats your ability like a fixed limit—you either have it or you don’t. And if you make mistakes, it feels like proof that you’ll never improve.

Now compare that to a growth mindset, which says:

“I can get better with practice.” “Mistakes help me learn.” “Every day, I’m improving—even if it’s slow.”

This mindset treats learning like a journey. It believes that progress is possible with effort, time, and the right strategies.

Mindset Shift #2. Focus on Communication, Not Perfection

(Speak to Connect, Not to Impress)

Many English learners believe they must speak perfectly to be taken seriously.

No grammar mistakes. No pauses. No wrong words.

But the truth is, Fluency is about connection, not correctness.

Good communication means:

  • You say what you mean.
  • The listener understands you.
  • The message gets across.

Perfect grammar is helpful, but it’s not the goal. Connection is.

Stop trying to be a Perfectionist

Trying to be perfect all the time creates pressure. It makes you overthink every sentence. You pause too much. You hesitate. And worst of all, you stop speaking altogether.

Why? Because you’re scared of making mistakes. And this fear keeps you stuck.

What matters most is your message.

Instead of thinking, “Am I saying this perfectly?” Ask yourself, “Am I saying something meaningful?”

Here’s the shift: Don’t speak to impress others with perfect English. Speak to connect, share, and express what’s on your mind.

Consider a Real-life example.

You might say:

“I go market yesterday.”

That’s not grammatically perfect. But it’s clear.

The listener understands: you went to the market yesterday. That’s communication. That’s success.

And the more you speak like this—imperfect but confident—the faster your fluency grows.

Mindset Shift #3. See Mistakes as Essential to Learning

(Mistakes = Progress)

Most people feel embarrassed when they make mistakes in English. They stay quiet because they don’t want to sound wrong. But the truth is, if you’re not making mistakes, you’re not learning.

Mistakes are part of the process

Think about how a child learns to speak. Do they get everything right on day one? No. They try. They mess up. They say funny things. And they keep going. That’s exactly how you should learn, too.

Mistakes are not failures. They are signs that you’re doing the hard work of learning something new.

Mistakes show you what to fix

Every time you make a mistake, it points to something you can improve.

  • If you mix up verb tenses, now you know to practice that.
  • If your sentence doesn’t sound right, you can check and fix it next time.
  • If someone doesn’t understand you, you can try a different way to say it.

Mistakes give you direction. They make your learning smarter.

A relatable example

One of my students used to say,

“He don’t go to the office on Sunday.”

He spoke this sentence many times. And every time, he made the same mistake, and I had to correct that as a teacher. But instead of feeling bad, he laughed and said,

“Ah! I always forget ‘doesn’t!’ Okay—I’ll remember now.”

And he did. Why? Because the mistake helped him learn the right form in a real-life moment.

The key is to keep going

Don’t let mistakes stop you. Let them guide you. Speak. Mess up. Learn. Try again.

That’s the cycle that builds fluency.

Mindset Shift #4. Challenge Yourself Regularly

(Get Comfortable with Discomfort)

Fluency doesn’t grow in comfort. It grows when you do things that feel a little scary but exciting.

Growth lives outside your comfort zone

If you always stick to what feels easy—reading quietly, watching videos, or thinking in English—you’ll stay safe, but you won’t stretch. To improve, you need to step into situations that make you slightly uncomfortable.

That’s how confidence is built.

Try small with daily challenges.

Here are some simple challenges that push you gently:

  • Ask a stranger for directions in English.
  • Join a group video call and introduce yourself.
  • Answer one question in English during a team meeting.
  • Record a 30-second voice note talking about your day.
  • Order your coffee or lunch in English.

These are real-world, low-risk ways to use your English. And every time you complete one, you’ll feel more capable.

Discomfort is a good sign

You might feel nervous or unsure. That’s okay. That’s your brain learning something new. The more often you sit with that feeling, the faster it disappears.

Discomfort means growth is happening.

So instead of avoiding it, walk toward it. Speak even if your voice shakes. Try even if you’re not sure. That’s how fluency is built—one bold step at a time.

Mindset Shift #5. Use Positive Self-Talk and Affirmations

(Encourage Yourself with Positive Self-Talk)

What you say to yourself shapes how you learn. If you keep saying, “I’m bad at English,” your brain starts to believe it. But if you say, “I’m getting better every day,” your brain starts to believe that too.

Change the way you talk to yourself

Many learners speak English better than they think. But negative self-talk holds them back.

Replace:

  • “I always mess up.” → “Mistakes help me learn.”
  • “I can’t speak fluently.” → “I’m improving every day.”
  • “Others are better than me” → “Everyone has their own pace.”

This small shift builds confidence and keeps you motivated.

Say it till you believe it

Try repeating affirmations like these:

  • “I’m becoming more fluent every day.”
  • “I enjoy learning English.”
  • “I can express myself clearly.”
  • “Speaking English feels easier now.”

Say them in the mirror. Write them in a notebook. Say them in your mind before a conversation. You’re training your brain to believe in your progress.

Visualise your success

Imagine yourself speaking English clearly in a meeting. Or having a smooth conversation with a friend. Visualisation makes your brain more familiar with that experience; so when it happens, it feels natural.

Confidence starts from within

You won’t feel confident overnight. But your words have power. Speak kindly to yourself. Fluency follows those who believe in their own journey.

Remember, your journey is unique. And the way you express yourself in English is part of your personality.

So, use it.

And never forget—you’re improving every day.

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