The real you just doesn't come out.

Don't worry everyone, you don't have to be someone else when you're speaking in English.

You can just be you.

Being an introvert is a personality trait and in this video I'm going to give you some learning methods and also some tips on what to say as an introvert.

And don't forget to watch till the end of the video because I have a lovely word of the week for you today.

It's a great one, trust me.

Okay then so shall we get started?

By the way we're going into autumn now so I've got my lovely seasonal mug.

Isn't it just so beautiful?

It gives me so much joy.

I'll link it in the description box if you're interested in having one.

So are you an introvert?

I'm guessing you probably are if you clicked on this video.

Are you someone that would rather keep your thoughts inside rather than project them out to others?

You prefer to observe people rather than being the centre of attention.

You're probably less interested in small talk and more interested in deeper conversation with substance and purpose.

Here's an extrovert's reaction to an invitation.

Hell yeah let's do it, I'm there with bells on.

I'm there with bells on is a really enthusiastic way to say yes I'll be there, I'm so up for that.

An introvert's reaction to an invitation.

Thank you so much but tonight I'm staying in and organising my bookshelf and catching up on some reading.

Oh that sounds like a heavenly way to spend an evening.

Here are some methods for learning English as an introvert.

My first tip is to record yourself.

Review the recording and give yourself a score.

Introverts quite like to be in control of something so if you can manage that data yourself, review it yourself and give yourself a score it can help you feel more in control.

Tip number two is to find a safe space with people you know where you can practice English.

Introverts are really good one-to-one you see and they love that deeper connection that you get when it's one-to-one communication.

I know I do.

Tip number three don't forget to recharge your energy after you have a conversation.

For introverts it's more difficult to have conversation because it requires more energy.

Maybe we even need more calories, energy drinks and okay I'm not sure there's any research to back that up it's my theory.

Even in your mother tongue as an introvert it's difficult sometimes to have conversation so if you manage to do that in English pat yourself on the back.

That means tell yourself that you did a really good job.

How to handle small talk.

I really like having deep conversations and sometimes I just get bored having too much small talk.

For example at a wedding when you don't know anyone and everyone's just mingling with each other, I find that a little bit artificial and sometimes I try to ask the new person that I'm talking to a deeper question like what do you think the meaning of life is?

Sometimes because they've had a drink of Prosecco usually at this point they're quite excited to give a good answer but sometimes this doesn't go down well.

How can we survive small talk as introverts?

Try to be the one asking the questions.

This will help you stay in control of the conversation and give that safe feeling that you really want.

Prepare for it.

You can create a list of questions and answers and just have them roughly in your head prepared if someone asks you that question.

If you're anything like me I always write everything down manually because I'm quite old school but you do you and what works best for you.

Practice at home.

This takes the pressure off.

You're in the comfort of your own home.

This requires no improvisation right?

Because improvisation is something I think introverts fear a lot.

Having to come up with something on the spot when maybe you're feeling quite nervous and you're not sure what the English even is.

So practice at home in your comfort zone.

Try to be positive about it.

Try not to fear it because a new conversation with a human being could lead to opportunities.

Every time we interact with another human being it can lead to brilliant things so try to enjoy the process.

And also everyone don't hide behind the label of introvert.

When I say hide I mean hiding behind the label, calling yourself an introvert, meaning if you're introvert you don't have to do anything scary or I'm an introvert so I don't go out or I'm an introvert so I don't socialise.

No, that isn't going to help you.

Of course you can identify as an introvert but you still want to improve your English right?

That's still the goal.

So it's important you don't use introversion or your personality as an excuse.

I mean that in the kindest way possible.

Okay what to actually say.

Introverts tend to be a bit more reflective.

In they need time to think especially when they've just been asked a question and they want to give a considered response not just an impulsive quick response.

An extrovert's response in conversation is a little bit more quick fire.

They're very good at improvising and coming up with responses really quickly but an introvert might just need a little bit of time to think.

So use fillers.

Fillers are things like um uh well I suppose you know I mean kind of.

What these do is they give you valuable time to think.

Trust me they are so useful.

Adding and things and stuff etc just gives you even more time at the end of a sentence before you start your next sentence to think about what you're going to say.

Introverts tend to be more vulnerable and kind of honest with their responses.

For example if someone does something really nice for you and you want to thank them, an introvert will probably say I don't know what to say but I truly appreciate this.

This is basically saying I'm completely overwhelmed by this.

I'm so touched.

Thank you so much and I'm being honest here.

I don't know what to say.

It's lovely.

It's honest.

It's vulnerable.

It's real.

This is what you want when you're speaking English.

You want to always be authentic.

What to say when you feel under pressure in an extroverted environment.

Like a party with lots of people.

Bear with me for a second.

Bear with me.

That means just give me a second I'm thinking about my answer.

It's on the tip of my tongue.

It's on the tip of my tongue.

That means I know it but I can't remember it right now.

Sometimes when you're feeling nervous you know something but you just can't get it out in that moment and that's a really useful one to say when you feel like that.

Oh that rings a bell.

That rings a bell.

Someone has asked you about something.

Maybe they've asked you if you've seen a film or if you know a particular person and you can just say oh that that title rings a bell or that name rings a bell or that rings a bell.

It just means I've heard about that before but I'm just not quite sure in the moment right now and I can't be remember 100%.

Phrases for deeper conversation.

Come on guys this is the stuff that you love right?

Introverts love deeper conversation.

Learning something, getting a little bit philosophical, finding out someone else's views on something that might even influence your own.

Sometimes when you don't know what to say and you don't know how to articulate something accurately you can use a quote.

This is why quotes exist.

It's for introverts like us.

In the middle of What a lovely quote.

Meaning when things get really difficult use that energy to find the strength to get through it, turn it into something positive and great.

When you use a quote in deep conversation you can say well you know what they say and then you say the quote or it has been said or you can say they do say and then the quote and after that you can just say and I agree and I agree with that quote and that reflects my opinion perfectly or and that's what I'm all about.

Whatever you do, do it well.

Whatever you do, do it well and that's my motto in life.

I walk slowly but I never walk backwards.

This could be a deeper conversation about strategy for work, working on a new project and trying to improve and be successful in life.

You could say that.

That quote is perfect for that.

Basically the quote does all of the work so that you don't have to.

How could I forget the word of the week?

Baffling.

Baffling.

What does it mean?

It means confusing.

What?

Like that's baffling.

I don't understand.

You can also say I'm baffled.

I'm completely baffled by that.

This is just a beautiful word and I love to include these kinds of advanced level words in my videos.

You can add that one to your advanced level vocabulary bank today.

The other day a bird flew into my mum's window and it survived.

It survived and flew off.

That is absolutely baffling.

How did the bird survive that?

Miracle bird.

If you enjoyed my video please click subscribe because honestly it really helps.

It helps to grow my channel which I'm trying to do at the moment.

You can follow me on Instagram as well.

I post about my life on there and just thank you again as ever for all your support.

I'm so grateful as usual and I love reading all your comments.

I'm wishing you a gorgeous weekend, really cozy as we go into autumn and I'll see you next Friday.

Bye!