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LIVE English Masterclass: Start Speaking Confident English

Join me in the "30 Day Speaking Challenge" for 20% OFF: http://www.speakenglishwithvanessa.com/live

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa’s live masterclass combines connected-speech and pronunciation practice with advice about speaking confidence, followed by a long demonstration and promotion of a 30-day speaking challenge and a conversation app. She opens by asking learners to identify the hardest part of speaking English. One pronunciation lesson focuses on the final T in “about”: Vanessa explains that it is often stopped in her American English model, while the T in “what is” links differently because the following sound is a vowel. Learners repeat the complete question, “What is the hardest part about speaking in English?” Later, she contrasts light L at the beginning of words with dark L, which often occurs at the end, and asks viewers to practise a sentence containing both.

The confidence discussion distinguishes technical ability—vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar—from the feeling of being judged or making mistakes. Vanessa suggests building an English-immersion environment through ordinary routines and describes ways confident communication could support travel, work, and relationships. Her message is that learners can communicate while still making errors; confidence is not the same as perfect English. She also emphasizes active practice: learners benefit from speaking themselves, not only listening to a teacher. The challenge’s advertised structure is “watch, quiz, and speak,” with everyday questions and opportunities to try responses aloud.

The recording then demonstrates a daily-routine lesson about breakfast, a vocabulary quiz, and AI-supported conversation. Vanessa models follow-up questions about eggs, oatmeal, and morning drinks, and discusses asking the tool for a word or another way to express an idea. The demo includes feature and usage-limit details that may have changed since recording. Useful expressions include “be perceived as,” describing how others may view someone; “in your toolbox,” a metaphor for a skill available when needed; and “walk into that meeting,” describing the moment of entering a meeting prepared to participate.

The final portion repeatedly promotes enrollment, a start date, and challenge details. Those are time-sensitive claims from the original livestream, not current instructions or a present offer. Check the provider’s current official terms before purchasing or relying on any app feature, price, or enrollment deadline. The lasting lesson is to choose a realistic daily speaking opportunity, practise a useful sentence pattern, and notice progress without expecting flawless speech.

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Speak English With VanessaAmerican English55:02

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Opening the live masterclass and previewing the speaking-confidence lesson

Hello hello Welcome to this live lesson here on the Speak English with Vanessa YouTube channel I'm so glad that you're here Thank you so much for to immerse yourself in English and invest in how you can speak fluent English Today we'll be talking about what I think is a wonderful way to help you actually be able to have confidence in the real world and be able to speak with other people because that's the whole goal of language is to be able to use it and speak So if you feel nervous about speaking if you have trouble finding the words that you want to say if your dream is to just be able to express yourself fully in English then you're in the right place I'm glad you're here and there are many of you who are already live with me so I want

Try it: Choose one English-speaking situation that makes you hesitate. Practise the question “What is the hardest part about speaking in English?” and describe one small daily action that could help. Treat the course and app offers in this recording as historical, not current enrollment information.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

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

28 phrases

Showing 28 of 28 phrases

taking time out of your day

Opening the live masterclass and previewing the speaking-confidence lesson · expression

Set aside some time for a particular activity.

Tone and use: Warm and conversational. Use it when thanking someone for making time to join or help.

May not fit: It can sound overly formal for a brief, casual interaction.

Example“Thanks for taking time out of your day to meet with me.”

the hardest part about speaking in English

Introducing the hardest-part question and a connected-speech example · expression

The aspect of speaking English that feels most difficult.

Tone and use: Neutral question pattern. Use it to invite someone to name a specific challenge.

May not fit: It is open-ended; offer examples if the listener needs help answering.

Example“What is the hardest part about speaking in English for you?”

gets cut off

Explaining how the final T in “about” is stopped · expression

Is stopped before it is fully released or completed.

Tone and use: Conversational phrasal verb. Use it to describe a sound that is not pronounced with a full release.

May not fit: Pronunciation varies by speaker and context; do not assume every T is omitted.

Example“The final T sometimes gets cut off in connected speech.”

surrounded by vowels

Contrasting the T sound in “what is” and “about” · expression

Having vowel sounds immediately before and after a sound.

Tone and use: Descriptive pronunciation terminology. Use it when explaining why a sound may link differently in a phrase.

May not fit: Base the explanation on sounds, not only written letters.

Example“The consonant is surrounded by vowels in this example.”

now it’s your turn

Practising the target question and reading learner responses · expression

It is time for the listener or another person to do the activity.

Tone and use: Friendly instruction. Use it when inviting someone to take the next action.

May not fit: Make clear what the person is expected to do.

Example“I’ll show one example, and now it’s your turn.”

be perceived as

Discussing fear of mistakes and how adults want to be perceived · expression

Be seen or understood by other people in a particular way.

Tone and use: Neutral, slightly formal phrase. Use it when discussing how actions or behavior may appear to others.

May not fit: Perception may differ from intention; do not treat it as objective fact.

Example“She wants to be perceived as thoughtful and reliable.”

English immersion environment

Suggesting an English-immersion environment for daily thinking practice · expression

A setting or routine that surrounds someone with opportunities to use English.

Tone and use: Language-learning phrase. Use it for intentionally adding English to daily life.

May not fit: Exposure alone may not provide enough active speaking practice.

Example“I created an English immersion environment by changing my phone settings.”

confidence level

Distinguishing technical English skills from confidence · expression

How assured someone feels about doing something.

Tone and use: Neutral and common. Use it when discussing assurance separately from technical skill.

May not fit: Confidence is subjective and does not by itself measure proficiency.

Example“Her confidence level improved after practising with a partner.”

language connects us

Explaining how language helps people form relationships · expression

Language helps people communicate and form relationships.

Tone and use: Warm and broadly applicable. Use it to describe the social role of communication.

May not fit: Connection depends on mutual interest and context, not language alone.

Example“Sharing stories in another language can help people feel connected.”

in your toolbox

Comparing two L pronunciations and their mouth positions · expression

Available as one of the skills or methods you can use when needed.

Tone and use: Common metaphor. Use it when describing a useful skill or resource.

May not fit: It is figurative; it does not refer to a literal container.

Example“A clear opening question is another tool in your toolbox.”

at the end of words

Teaching light L at the beginning and dark L at the end of words · expression

In the final position of a word.

Tone and use: Neutral pronunciation and spelling phrase. Use it to describe where a sound occurs.

May not fit: Spelling and pronunciation do not always match one-to-one.

Example“The letter often appears at the end of words in this pattern.”

don’t just listen to me

Practising the full sentence and encouraging active participation · expression

Do more than listen passively; take an active part yourself.

Tone and use: Direct, encouraging instruction. Use it to prompt practice or participation.

May not fit: A softer request may be better when speaking to a group formally.

Example“Don’t just listen to me—repeat the sentence aloud.”

on the right path

Introducing the 30-day speaking challenge and its daily practice · expression

Following an approach that seems suitable for reaching a goal.

Tone and use: Encouraging and common. Use it to reassure someone about their progress or plan.

May not fit: Say what goal the path leads toward when the context is unclear.

Example“A short daily speaking habit can put you on the right path.”

fear of embarrassment

Introducing the Speak with Vanessa AI practice app · expression

Worry about feeling ashamed or looking foolish in front of others.

Tone and use: Common and neutral. Use it when explaining why someone avoids speaking or trying something.

May not fit: Acknowledge the feeling without assuming everyone experiences it the same way.

Example“A fear of embarrassment kept him from asking a question.”

pass by in a flash

Describing how regular practice can make time pass quickly and reduce worry · expression

Seem to go by very quickly.

Tone and use: Conversational idiom. Use it when an enjoyable period feels shorter than expected.

May not fit: It describes perception of time, not its actual speed.

Example“The afternoon passed by in a flash while we talked.”

side benefit

Describing how regular practice can make time pass quickly and reduce worry · expression

An additional positive result besides the main one.

Tone and use: Common explanatory phrase. Use it for a secondary advantage of an activity or decision.

May not fit: Make clear which outcome is the main benefit.

Example“A side benefit of the walk was getting to practise conversation.”

focusing on communicating my ideas

Reading a learner testimonial and comparing AI practice with human conversation · expression

Give attention to expressing the intended meaning rather than worrying about every error.

Tone and use: Practical learning phrase. Use it to describe prioritizing clear communication.

May not fit: Accuracy still matters when a detail could change the meaning.

Example“During the meeting, I focused on communicating my ideas.”

at any time

Showing how a learner can ask for a word, correction, or alternative expression · expression

Whenever it is suitable or needed.

Tone and use: Neutral and common. Use it to describe flexible timing or availability.

May not fit: For an actual service, check whether access is truly unlimited.

Example“You can ask a follow-up question at any time.”

what’s another way to say this?

Showing how a learner can ask for a word, correction, or alternative expression · expression

A question asking for a different expression with a similar meaning.

Tone and use: Natural language-learning question. Use it when you know an idea but want another wording.

May not fit: Give the topic or sentence so the listener can suggest a relevant alternative.

Example“I know what I mean; what’s another way to say this?”

walk into that meeting

Encouraging practice before an important meeting · expression

Enter a meeting, often with an implication of being ready to take part.

Tone and use: Common conversational pattern. Use it when describing preparation before a meeting.

May not fit: The phrase itself does not mean the meeting will go well.

Example“I reviewed my notes before I walked into that meeting.”

Who usually makes breakfast in your house?

Introducing a daily-routine theme and a breakfast conversation prompt · expression

A question asking which person normally prepares breakfast at home.

Tone and use: Everyday routine question. Use it to start a conversation about household routines.

May not fit: “At your house” may sound more natural in some varieties and contexts.

Example“Who usually makes breakfast in your house on weekdays?”

which one should I choose?

Answering the breakfast question in the vocabulary quiz · expression

A question asking for help selecting among options.

Tone and use: Natural and conversational. Use it when comparing two or more choices.

May not fit: Name or show the available options so the listener knows what “one” refers to.

Example“There are three seats left—which one should I choose?”

give it a try

Demonstrating the speaking activity in the app · expression

Attempt something to see how it goes.

Tone and use: Common and encouraging. Use it before trying an activity or method.

May not fit: Consider the risks and costs before trying something consequential.

Example“I have never used the new app, but I’ll give it a try.”

on most mornings

Continuing a breakfast conversation with follow-up questions · expression

During most mornings, though not necessarily every morning.

Tone and use: Common frequency phrase. Use it to describe a regular but not universal routine.

May not fit: Use “every morning” only if there are no regular exceptions.

Example“On most mornings, I have tea before work.”

Can you give me some vocabulary?

Asking the AI for useful breakfast vocabulary · expression

A polite request for useful words related to a topic.

Tone and use: Direct and conversational. Use it when asking for words to discuss a subject.

May not fit: Specify the topic or situation to get more useful suggestions.

Example“Can you give me some vocabulary for talking about breakfast?”

Do you have any questions for me?

Pausing for audience questions about the program · expression

An invitation for listeners to ask the speaker questions.

Tone and use: Polite and common. Use it after explaining something or before ending a presentation.

May not fit: Allow time for a response after asking.

Example“Before we finish, do you have any questions for me?”

fully express yourself

Discussing hesitation when expressing complex ideas in English · expression

Communicate your ideas, feelings, or personality as completely as you want.

Tone and use: Common and encouraging. Use it when discussing someone’s ability to communicate freely.

May not fit: It is a broad phrase; specify what someone wants to express when useful.

Example“She felt more able to fully express herself in the discussion.”

day by day

Encouraging learners to notice progress day by day · expression

Gradually, with change or progress happening each day.

Tone and use: Common and encouraging. Use it to describe steady daily progress or change.

May not fit: Progress may not be identical every day.

Example“Day by day, I became more comfortable speaking up.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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What it means · “gets cut off”

If the final T in a word “gets cut off,” what happens?