What if the biggest obstacle to speaking English confidently has nothing to do with grammar?
In episode 174 & 175, I sat down with Rachel Tobol — a multilingual English coach who works with international professionals, entrepreneurs, and expats who already know English, but still don’t feel natural using it.
From the very first minutes, Rachel flipped the usual narrative on its head.
Instead of drills, worksheets, and endless corrections, she starts with something far more powerful: mindset.
“Confidence doesn’t come after perfect English,” she said. “It comes from using the English you already have — today — and trusting yourself.”
And honestly? She’s right.
Why Grammar Alone Keeps You Stuck
Rachel has seen what many teachers see but rarely say aloud:
A lot of learners hide behind grammar because it feels safe.
Perfect tenses. Perfect structures. Perfect sentences. But when it is time to speak in real life — at work, in meetings, or in conversation — fear takes over.
So instead of forcing perfection, Rachel creates what she calls “safe speaking spaces” — places where mistakes are not just tolerated, but expected.
We talked about:
why some advanced learners are actually afraid of feedback,
how constantly correcting yourself kills fluency, and
how to train your brain to let conversations flow.
Her rule of thumb is simple:
Communicate first. Correct later.
And it works.
Accent, Identity, and the Voice You Bring to English
One of my favorite parts of the conversation: accents.
Rachel doesn’t sugar-coat it — yes, accents can make learners feel judged. But the solution is not to erase them.
It’s to own them.
Because your accent tells a story: where you’ve lived, what languages have shaped you, and how your brain organizes the world.
We explored how multilingual speakers often feel slightly different in each language — more direct in one, more emotional in another, more professional in a third. And instead of seeing that as confusion, Rachel sees it as an upgrade:
“Multilingualism lets you build the best version of yourself from every culture you’ve touched.”
That idea alone is worth the listen.
Real-World Strategies You Can Actually Use
Rachel also shared practical tools she gives her students — not theory, but daily habits that build confidence:
journaling (even two sentences a day),
mirror practice to train clarity and presence,
describing your daily life out loud, and
immersive activities outside the classroom, like joining groups, clubs, or classes.
We even laughed about those moments when languages get mixed up — speaking Hebrew, thinking in Spanish, replying in English — and how normal that is for polyglots.
And yes — we talked about plateaus, frustration, and wanting to give up.
Her advice?
Breathe. Take baby steps. Stay consistent. And if the method or teacher doesn’t feel right — change it. That’s not quitting. That’s strategy.
A Space to Practice — Without Pressure
Before we wrapped up, Rachel shared something exciting: her new Conversation Lounge — a supportive online space where learners practise real-life English with real people. No spotlight. No stress. No “performing.”
Just conversation.
We also discussed how learners can connect with her through different platforms and how she’s helping professionals worldwide speak more naturally — not like textbooks, but like themselves.
Why You Should Listen to This Episode
If you’ve ever thought:
“I know English, but I freeze when I speak.”
“My accent embarrasses me.”
“I study a lot… but I still don’t sound natural.”
This episode is going to hit home.
It’s not about magic tricks. It’s about shifting the way you think about language — and yourself.
And honestly, it may be the most important mindset conversation we’ve had on the show so far.
👉 Get ready for the full conversation with Rachel Tobol — and start rethinking how you learn English.