1. Confidence (noun) – The feeling of being sure about your abilities.
   • Example: “Speaking with confidence makes people take you more seriously.”
2. Intonation (noun) – The rise and fall of your voice when speaking.
   • Example: “A confident speaker uses intonation to express emotions and emphasis.”
3. Filler Words (noun) – Words like “um,” “uh,” and “like” that people use while thinking.
   • Example: “Using too many filler words can make you sound unsure.”
4. Pacing (noun) – The speed at which someone speaks.
   • Example: “Speaking too fast can make you seem nervous, while speaking too slow might sound unnatural.”
5. Pronunciation (noun) – The way words are spoken.
   • Example: “Clear pronunciation helps others understand you better.”
6. Body Language (noun) – Non-verbal communication through gestures, posture, and facial expressions.
   • Example: “Good body language, like standing up straight, makes you look confident.”
7. Mindset (noun) – A way of thinking that affects behavior.
   • Example: “A positive mindset helps in overcoming fear of speaking.”
8. Assertive (adjective) – Expressing yourself confidently without being aggressive.
   • Example: “Being assertive helps you sound more natural in conversations.”
9. Rhythm (noun) – The pattern and flow of speech.
   • Example: “Native speakers have a natural rhythm when they talk.”
10. Authenticity (noun) – Being real and genuine.
    • Example: “Authenticity makes your communication more relatable and trustworthy.”

Phrases for Sounding More Confident

1. “That’s a great question! Here’s what I think…” – Helps you sound prepared when answering questions.
2. “I believe that…” – Shows confidence in your opinion.
3. “Let me explain…” – A natural way to introduce an idea.
4. “Here’s an example…” – Helps keep your listeners engaged.
5. “That’s an interesting point, but I see it this way…” – A confident way to disagree politely.
6. “What I mean is…” – Helps clarify your thoughts without hesitation.
7. “To put it another way…” – A smooth way to rephrase something.

Bonus Tips for Practicing Confidence

• Mirror Practice: Speak in front of a mirror and observe your body language.
• Record Yourself: Listen to how you sound and adjust your intonation and pacing.
• Slow Down: Speaking a little slower can make you sound more in control.
• Expand Your Vocabulary: The more words you know, the easier it is to express yourself.
• Practice with Native Speakers: Join language exchange groups or online conversations.

This study sheet is designed to help you follow along with the episode and practice the skills we discussed. Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll sound more confident and natural in English!

Enjoy the episode and happy learning! Full transcripts are available on Patreon.