❤ ENGLISH
Thoughts, observations and practical notes on English & communication.
 When you record yourself to practise, you probably focus on the message—how you structure it, the kind of phrases you choose. And that’s great! But here’s a little experiment: watch your video again, this time on mute. What do you see? What does your body say? Can we guess if you're enthusiastic? Focused? Unsure? Are you explaining something, thinking, maybe even switching between topics? Is your message still there, even without the words? It’s surprising how much we say without saying anything. So give it a try. Mute yourself and ask: What do I communicate with my body alone? And, some good news for my students, this will also be a part of your end-of-the-year assessment: I’ll ask you to watch your muted recording and comment on what your body is saying. Ta-dah!
 That’s not just a silly phrase--it’s actually part of a vocal warm-up I once heard about. The idea? Use it to drop your voice, slow your tempo, and relax your speaking muscles. Surprisingly, it works. Especially for learners of English whose first language is Polish. Here’s why lowering the voice often helps Polish speakers (and many others) sound better in English:
 During one of my classes today, I mentioned a simple tip: hold a pen while you speak. Nothing groundbreaking — just a small thing that helps more than you’d think. And while I’ve probably brought it up before (more than once, to be honest), I figured it deserves a quick reminder. So here’s a short post about why something as ordinary as a pen can make a real difference when you speak. It gives your hands something to do Let’s be honest: when we’re nervous, our hands go rogue. Grabbing a pen instantly reduces the chaos. It’s a subtle way to ground yourself. Holding something neutral, like a pen, gives them a job. It reduces awkward fidgeting and helps you stay more composed. It calms you down (surprisingly well) Having something small in your hand — a pen, a marker, even a paperclip — gives your brain a tiny physical anchor. It’s familiar, neutral, and unremarkable (in a good way). That alone can calm your nerves more than you'd expect. Think of it as a quiet support act that doesn’t demand attention. It helps you look less like a weather forecast presenter When you're holding something, your gestures slow down and become more deliberate. You’re less likely to flail and more likely to use your body to underline your message — not distract from it. It's a simple trick, but it works. And no, it doesn’t have to be a pen. Just... maybe not a rubber duck. Unless you’re teaching toddlers or entertaining your pup. Then go for it.
|