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Back to Speak English With Vanessa

Learning Foundations

Dear Japanese English Learners

Build a kinder, more realistic view of your English progress and practise encouraging ways to describe what you can do.

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa speaks directly to Japanese learners of English about a discouraging habit she has noticed: judging their ability too harshly and overlooking how much they have learned. The lesson is relevant to learners beyond that audience as well. Its practical focus is not a promise that positive thinking alone will produce fluency; it is a way to describe progress more fairly and stay willing to practise.

She begins by asking learners how they would describe their English. Some answer that their English is poor or that they are not good speakers, even after studying for a long time. Vanessa says learners may underestimate their own ability. She encourages them to compare their current understanding with an earlier point, when they knew only a few basic words. Now, they may understand part or even all of a lesson. Her example “you have come so far” recognizes progress already made instead of measuring oneself only against a distant goal.

Vanessa then models “even though” statements. The phrase connects a difficulty or contrast with another fact: even though someone has studied for a long time, they have learned vocabulary; even though they feel nervous with native speakers, they are excited to be speaking; even though they are unsure they can improve, they are willing to try. These examples offer a useful structure for describing mixed feelings without denying the challenge. Learners can adapt the pattern to their own experience, while keeping the statement honest rather than forcing a positive claim that does not feel true.

In the final part, Vanessa contrasts discouraging self-talk with a realistic, encouraging view of future progress. She suggests thinking positively about the ability you have and the progress you can still make. She asks viewers to leave a positive comment, offering examples such as speaking with a teacher for 25 minutes or understanding much of a video. Learners can practise by naming one specific improvement, then pairing it with a realistic next step. Expressions such as “think about the positive side,” “willing to try,” and “progress much faster” help talk about effort and development. The central takeaway is to notice evidence of growth, acknowledge nervousness when it is present, and keep taking manageable opportunities to use English.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:02

Vanessa introduces the audience and the self-assessment habit she wants to challenge

Hi, I’m Vanessa from Speak English with Vanessa dot com, where you can have natural conversations in English without stress. Today’s video is for my Japanese friends who are learning English. I want to talk about the biggest mistake I see my Japanese students make. Whenever I meet someone who wants to learn English, I ask, ‘?’ I want to understand how they see their own ability. , learners tell me, ‘My English is poor. My English level is bad. I’m not a good English speaker.’

Try it: How would you honestly describe your current English ability in one sentence?

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

12 phrases

Showing 12 of 12 phrases

time and time again

Vanessa introduces the audience and the self-assessment habit she wants to challenge · expression

Repeatedly or on many separate occasions.

Tone and use: Emphatic but conversational. Use it to stress that something has happened again and again over time.

May not fit: Avoid it for a single event.

Example“Time and time again, regular practice has helped me feel more confident.”

what do you think your English level is

Vanessa introduces the audience and the self-assessment habit she wants to challenge · expression

A direct way to ask someone how they assess their current English ability.

Tone and use: Neutral and conversational; the answer is subjective. Use it to invite someone to describe their own sense of their language level.

May not fit: Do not treat the answer as a formal test result.

Example“What do you think your English level is after taking the course?”

underestimate their own ability

She explains how learners can overlook evidence of their own improvement · expression

Judge their skill or capacity as lower than it really is.

Tone and use: Reflective and cautionary. Use it to describe someone who discounts what they can already do.

May not fit: Do not use it to dismiss real difficulties.

Example“New employees sometimes underestimate their own ability to solve unfamiliar problems.”

come so far

She explains how learners can overlook evidence of their own improvement · expression

Make substantial progress from an earlier point.

Tone and use: Warm and encouraging. Use it to recognize how much someone has improved over time.

May not fit: Avoid it when you mean only physical distance.

Example“You’ve come so far with your listening since the beginning of the year.”

think about the positive side

She explains how learners can overlook evidence of their own improvement · expression

Pay attention to the hopeful or beneficial part of a situation.

Tone and use: Encouraging; it suggests a perspective, not a denial of problems. Use it to help someone notice a constructive part of a difficult experience.

May not fit: Do not use it to tell someone to ignore a serious problem.

Example“The course was challenging, but think about the positive side: you learned several new strategies.”

even though

Vanessa models even-though statements that acknowledge challenges alongside progress · expression

Introduces a fact that contrasts with the main idea: even though X is true, Y is also true.

Tone and use: Neutral; it often helps express a balanced view. Use even though + clause to acknowledge a difficulty while adding a contrasting fact.

May not fit: Do not leave the contrast unfinished.

Example“Even though I was nervous, I asked a question in English.”

progressed pretty far

Vanessa models even-though statements that acknowledge challenges alongside progress · expression

Advanced a considerable amount or made substantial progress.

Tone and use: Informal and positive; pretty softens the emphasis. Use it to describe meaningful progress toward a goal.

May not fit: Avoid it when you need a precise measurement.

Example“I’ve progressed pretty far since I started practising every day.”

willing to try

Vanessa models even-though statements that acknowledge challenges alongside progress · expression

Ready to make an effort even when success is uncertain.

Tone and use: Open-minded and determined. Use it to show you are prepared to attempt something despite uncertainty.

May not fit: It does not mean you are certain to succeed.

Example“I’m willing to try speaking first, even if I make a few mistakes.”

think positively

She contrasts discouraging self-talk with a realistic, encouraging view of future progress · expression

Choose an encouraging, constructive way to view a situation.

Tone and use: Supportive and motivational. Use it to describe looking for realistic possibilities or progress.

May not fit: It should not mean denying a problem or blaming someone for feeling discouraged.

Example“I’m trying to think positively while I prepare for the interview.”

progress much faster

She contrasts discouraging self-talk with a realistic, encouraging view of future progress · expression

Improve or advance at a noticeably quicker rate.

Tone and use: Optimistic; Vanessa presents it as a possibility, not a guarantee. Use it to compare the rate of progress in two situations.

May not fit: Avoid promising a particular technique guarantees faster results.

Example“With regular feedback, she began to progress much faster.”

leave me a positive comment

Vanessa invites viewers to share concrete examples of their English progress · expression

Write an encouraging message for the speaker in the comments section.

Tone and use: Friendly invitation to an online audience. Use it to invite viewers to share an encouraging response or specific achievement.

May not fit: Do not imply someone must hide difficulties or report progress they have not made.

Example“Leave me a positive comment about one thing you learned this week.”

I want to hear

Vanessa invites viewers to share concrete examples of their English progress · expression

A friendly way to invite someone to share information or an experience.

Tone and use: Warm and interested. Use it before asking someone to share their thoughts or experience.

May not fit: In formal settings, consider ‘I’d be interested to hear’ for a softer tone.

Example“I want to hear how your first English conversation went.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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What it means · “underestimate their own ability”

What does it mean to underestimate your own ability?