If you struggle with just getting your CELPIP Speaking task answers started, you need today's episode.

Spending too much time on polite, flowery introductions with your speaking task answers will steal valuable time from you - and they are just not necessary!

Instead, you need to do what I share in today's episode! Get straight into the main content of your answer!

You'll also learn about

• Why building momentum with your answer matters so much.
• Being loud and proud with your answers.
• Efficient 'in the middle of things' openings for various CELPIP speaking task types.

Key Link: Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter where you'll get additional tips and strategies to help you develop your English skills.

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Starting Right

02:03 Welcome to Speak English Fearlessly

03:29 Why Politeness Can Be a Pitfall

05:36 Get to the Point: Strategies for Effective Answers

07:42 Practical Examples and Tips

10:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

11:05 Subscribe for More Tips

Have you been wondering why your English skills are not developing as quickly as you'd like them to be?

It might just be because you're not using one or all of these three simple, but not always easy, strategies.

1) Going where the action is,

2) Engage!

3) Put in the reps.

I will tell you an inspiring story that has been happening at my workplace that will help you see how you can apply these three steps in your own life.

Don't forget to subscribe to my free weekly newsletter where you'll get a recap of this podcast + additional tips and strategies to help you develop your English skills. Go to: https://celpipsuccess.com/subscribe/

00:00 Introduction: Transform Your English Skills

00:45 Welcome to the Speak English Fearlessly Podcast

02:26 A Story from Work: Building Community

05:04 Strategy 1: Go Where the Action Is

06:41 Strategy 2: Engage Actively

11:15 Strategy 3: Put in the Reps

12:24 Conclusion and Newsletter Invitation

Don't Try To Set More Goals To Improve Your English. Do This Instead!

If you know you are working hard to improve your English skills, but you're still not getting the results you want to be getting, then this episode is for you.

Together we're going to talk about the power of systems and specifically, we're going to talk about how your system is the problem AND your system is the solution to helping you start making progress again with your English or CELPIP prep.

If you're stuck right now, even though you're working harder than you ever have to make progress: then you need to hear this!

It's not about working harder.

It's not about setting better and more goals.

It's not about blaming a lack of people you can practice with.

Progress with English is completely under your control - and today you're going to learn what you need to actually be working on in order to get yourself and your English unstuck!

You are invited to join a three-month book club program to work on developing effective systems for language improvement.

Forget About Setting Goals. Focus On This Instead. - By James Clear. This is the article I quote in the podcast. Please do take a moment to read through it if you are at all interested in what you can do to begin transforming your results with your English or CELPIP prep.

Join my new bookclub! We're going to study James Clear's book: Atomic Habits - as mentioned in the episode. Together we'll work on developing your English and CELPIP learning system so that it produces the results you need.

00:00 Introduction: Struggles with Practicing English

01:38 Welcome to the Speak English Fearlessly Podcast

03:06 Common Challenges in Practicing English

04:39 The Danger of Excuses and Obstacles

06:45 A Realization: The System is the Problem

09:35 Changing the System for Better Results

20:16 Invitation to Join the Book Club

23:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Are you struggling to just get started with your CELPIP Speaking practice? Then this episode is for you!

If you know that you need to be practicing for the Speaking section of the CELPIP exam, but you have no idea how to even get started, then listen closely and follow along with this episode. My personal guarantee for you is if you follow these four simple steps, you'll find yourself actually starting to make progress with your practice!

• Pick a task. (Today we're going to focus on Speaking Task One!)
• Write down the problem.
• Notice how you gave that advice.
• Use English and record your answer.

00:00 Introduction: Overcoming the Speaking Section Struggle

01:23 Welcome to the Speak English Fearlessly Podcast

02:51 The Pain of Feeling Stuck

05:02 The Batman Analogy: Climbing Out of Despair

08:52 Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Unstuck

09:20 Step 1: Pick One Task

14:22 Step 2: Write the Problem Down

17:54 Step 3: Notice Your Answer

20:33 Step 4: Use English

21:38 Step 5: Record Your Answer

23:39 Conclusion: Keep the Momentum Going

Follow along with me by using this free cheat sheet.

How To Master CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Tips and Strategies

In this episode, you will get a walk through of CELPIP Speaking Task 2, which involves sharing a personal experience.

You'll learn about the importance of brainstorming, we'll focus on the past tense, as well as practical tips for practicing the past tense which include journaling and discussing daily activities with family.

I also discuss using your voice memo app for practice and reviewing your answers to strengthen your responses. How? Stay tuned for that too - I'll give you an insider's look at some of the key filters used by CELPIP raters, including content, listenability, vocabulary, and task fulfillment.

00:00 Introduction to CELPIP Speaking Task 2

01:08 Welcome to the Speak English Fearlessly Podcast

01:48 My own Personal Experience in Canada

04:59 Tips for CELPIP Speaking Task 2

06:28 Practicing Past Tense Verbs

10:17 Using Voice Recorders for Practice

18:04 Understanding CELPIP Raters' Lenses

37:48 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

39:18 Subscribe for More Resources

Important links mentioned:

Get your free class on speaking task one.

Previous episode: How to Master Brainstorming for The CELPIP Exam

In this episode, I'm talking about how you can improve your brainstorming skills.

If brainstorming is hard for you, know that you're not alone! Many test takers report this as being one of their pain points!

The episode revisits key concepts from a previous discussion on mindset and creativity and offers practical tips to improve brainstorming under pressure.

We'll also cover the importance of generating multiple ideas, avoiding the pursuit of the perfect idea, and using strategies like bullet points, shorthand, and symbols during brainstorming.

I also talk about a fun game that you can play that will help you practice your brainstorming and quick thinking skills.

00:00 Introduction to Brainstorming Challenges

00:56 Mindset and Creativity in Brainstorming

01:00 Overcoming the Pressure of Perfection

02:23 Generating Sparks and Idea Flow

04:14 Practical Tips for Brainstorming

04:42 Welcome to the Speak English Fearlessly Podcast

06:29 Common Brainstorming Problems

08:19 Developing Your Creative Muscle

09:49 Class Clip: Strategies for Speaking Task 1

13:08 Effective Brainstorming Techniques

18:23 Fun Game to Boost Creativity: Scattergories

22:29 Conclusion and Resources

Links Mentioned:

Go to my free resource section to watch the class and clip I shared in the podcast about brainstorming and CELPIP Speaking Task One.

Previous Episode where I talked about brainstorming and overthinking.

Why You Should Avoid Using Templates for CELPIP Preparation

This episode of the Speak English Fearlessly podcast discusses the pitfalls of using templates for CELPIP exam preparation.

You've likely heard or read about templates before - they are easily available online.

But just because you can easily get one, does that mean you should use it?

NO!

Templates may offer an easy way out, but they are not what CELPIP test raters look for, which are original, unassisted, and spontaneous responses.

Using templates can risk having your answers voided and can misrepresent your actual language abilities, potentially harming your job search or success in the job you currently have.

Instead, learn useful transition words and phrases, and engaging with English speakers around you to adopt new expressions in a natural and effective manner. This episode will show you how to do that.

00:00 Introduction to CELPIP Preparation

01:38 The Temptation of Templates

03:25 Risks of Using Templates

05:28 Effective Strategies for CELPIP Success

06:58 Engage with English Around You

08:22 Conclusion and Final Tips

Helpful Links:

Grab your free list of 39 common transition words and phrases right here.

From celpip.ca:

Using CELPIP Sample responses in the classroom.

Preparing for the CELPIP test: Test Integrity

In this episode of the Speak English Fearlessly podcast, you will learn a practical process for self-study that will transform the way you prep for the CELPIP!

Key strategies include:

• Using a voice recorder to review and critique performance,
• Understanding the timing for brainstorming and recording responses, and creating outlines for answers.

I'll also talk about the importance of using varied vocabulary, adding emotions, and ensuring responses are interesting and on-topic.

A free checklist is available right here.

What I talk about:

00:00 Introduction and Listener's Question

00:53 Host Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:35 Challenges of Practicing Speaking Alone

02:29 Skiing Story: Overcoming Fear and Learning

08:02 Practical Tips for Self-Feedback

16:22 Detailed Feedback Checklist

25:48 Conclusion and Resources

Links mentioned:

Grab your free checklist right here.

The "Um" and "Uh" episode.