Why Can't I Speak English? - Understanding vs Speaking | Easy English Podcast
Easy English Podcast: Learn English Through ListeningShow Notes
Get the full PDF workbook for this episode (full transcript, vocabulary practice, comprehension questions and activities) plus weekly bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver
You understand the film. You laugh at the jokes. Then someone asks, "What did you do at the weekend?" and your mind goes blank. Sound familiar?
In this episode of The Easy English Podcast, Oliver explains why you can understand English but find it hard to speak. You'll learn about passive and active vocabulary, why retrieving words is harder than recognizing them, and how time pressure and fear make you hesitate. Then you'll get four simple ways to practise speaking on your own. Perfect for intermediate (B1-B2) learners who want to speak more confidently.
Vocabulary in this episode: • gap — A space between two things • passive — You receive something, but you don't actively do or make it • to retrieve — To find something and bring it back • to hesitate — To stop for a moment before you do or say something, usually because you're not sure or a bit nervous • automatic — Done without thinking about it
More from Easy English Podcast: Learn English Through Listening
Get the full study guide for this episode on Patreon: the complete transcript to read along, vocabulary practice, comprehension questions and activities, plus bonus content every week. https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver
Bonus Episodes & Full Transcript PDFs, Vocabulary Flipcards Every Week on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver
Get the full transcript, downloadable vocabulary workbook, and this week's Patreon Deep Dive on native idiom upgrades: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver
🎓 Get the full transcript, downloadable vocabulary workbook, and this week's Patreon Deep Dive: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver
Bonus Episodes & Full Transcript PDFs, Vocabulary Flipcards Every Week on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiver "I'm just not a morning person." You've probably said it, or heard someone else say it like a fact. In this episode of Easy English, we look at where that idea actually comes from, what sleep science really says about it, and why treating it as a fixed identity might be exactly what's keeping it true. This episode is for intermediate (B1-B2) English learners who want practical vocabulary for talking about habits, identity, and everyday psychology, useful whether you're chatting with friends or explaining yourself at work. Five words to listen for: myth, identity, assume, flexible, habit. New episodes every Monday, real English, one everyday topic at a time.