Welcome to your first lesson!
Today we’re going to work on something a lot of people find difficult: speaking up in meetings. Maybe you have a good idea, but when it’s your turn to talk, you stay quiet. Don’t worry — this is very common, and it’s exactly what we’re going to work on together. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have some simple phrases and a little more confidence to say what you think. You’ve got this!
Take your time and go step by step. There’s no rush. Ready? Let’s start.
Talk about it
Before we read, think about these three questions. You don’t need to write anything — just think about your answers, or say them out loud:
- How do you feel in meetings — relaxed, or a little nervous?
- Have you ever had a good idea in a meeting but said nothing? What happened?
- Do you think native English speakers feel nervous in meetings too?
Keep these in your mind as you read. You might be surprised by the answer to the last one!
Predict the article
In a moment you’ll read a short article called “Speaking Up with Confidence in Meetings.” It has four parts:
- It’s normal to feel nervous
- Why it matters
- Prepare before the meeting
- Speak early and slowly
Look at these four titles. What do you think the article will say? Will it be positive or negative? What advice do you expect? Have a quick guess before you read — it helps your brain get ready, and it makes reading easier. Don’t worry about being “right” — just guess.
Read the article
Read the article below once, from start to finish. Don’t worry if you don’t understand every single word — you really don’t need to. Just try to understand the main idea of each part. When you’ve finished, come back and we’ll check your guesses.
Speaking Up with Confidence in Meetings
It’s normal to feel nervous
Many people feel nervous in meetings — even native English speakers, not only learners. Maybe you worry about mistakes, or you feel that everyone else speaks better than you. This is very common. The good news is that confidence in meetings is a skill, and you can learn it step by step.
Why it matters
When you stay quiet, your good ideas are never heard. Other people make the decisions, and your work is not noticed. When you speak up, people see that you are interested and that you can help. Speaking up is important for your job and your future.
Prepare before the meeting
Confidence comes from preparation. Before the meeting, read the agenda if you have one. Choose one or two points you want to make. Write down a few useful phrases — for example, how to give an idea or ask a question — and say them out loud at home. When you prepare, speaking in the meeting is much easier.
Speak early and slowly
Try to say something in the first few minutes — even a small question. After you speak once, it becomes easier. Speak slowly and clearly; this actually sounds more confident. And remember: nobody expects perfect English. People care about your ideas, not perfect grammar. If you make a mistake, correct it and carry on.
Were your guesses right? Take a moment to compare the article with what you predicted. Well done — reading a whole text in English is an achievement in itself.
Based on ideas in Jo Barrett’s article “How to Speak English Confidently in Work Meetings” (Learn English With Jo). Full link at the end.
Check you understood
Now let’s check the details. Read the article one more time, a little more slowly. Then go to the short quiz after this lesson. There are some true/false questions and a short summary with gaps to fill in. Don’t rush — you can look back at the article as much as you like. That’s not cheating; that’s good reading!
Useful phrases
The article gave you an important tip: prepare a few useful phrases before your meeting. So let’s learn some now. Here are three groups.
To get into the conversation
Can I add something here?
Can I say something?
I’d like to make a point.
To give your idea
One idea is…
I think we should…
What about…?
To ask to finish
Sorry, can I just finish?
I’d like to finish my point.
Read each phrase. Which ones feel useful for you? Choose two or three you’d really like to remember. You don’t need all of them — just the ones that fit how you speak.
Complete it, then say it out loud
This is the most important part, so please don’t skip it! We’ll practise in three small steps.
1. Complete the phrase
Say the missing word out loud:
• Can I ______ something here?
• One ______ is to start earlier.
• Sorry, can I just ______ ?
(Answers: add · idea · finish)
2. Repeat
Say each full phrase out loud three times. Yes — really out loud, even if you feel a little silly! Saying a phrase out loud helps it stay in your memory, so it comes to you easily when you really need it.
3. Put it together
Say this out loud, slowly and clearly:
“Can I add something here? I think we should…”
…and finish the sentence with your own idea. Try it two or three times, with a different idea each time. Speak slowly — a slow, clear voice sounds confident. You’re doing really well!
The speaking task
Now you’re ready to use it for real. Go to the assignment after this lesson — “Say Your Idea” — and record a short voice note (about 30 seconds). Prepare one idea for your next real meeting, and say it out loud using a phrase from today. Don’t worry about being perfect — I just want to hear you try. I’ll listen and send you feedback.
A quick think
You finished the lesson — well done! Before you close it, take a moment to think about these:
- What did you learn today?
- Which phrase do you want to use in your next meeting?
- What will you try to do next time you’re in a meeting?
Small steps make a big difference. Every time you speak up, it gets a little easier — I promise.
Want a little more?
This lesson was based on a lovely article by Jo Barrett. If you’d like a few more tips, read her full article here:
How to Speak English Confidently in Work Meetings
See you in Lesson 2, where we’ll learn how to respond to other people’s ideas and ask questions. Bring one idea with you to share!