Mindset Changes Before and After Public Speaking

Dialogue script

Each entry shows the English sentence first, with the translation on the line below it. To practise speaking, cover the translation and repeat after the audio.

1. Tom 0:00

   Before my public talk, my hands were shaking so much.

   Line 1
2. Emma 0:03

   What worried you most, forgetting lines or being judged?

   Line 2
3. Tom 0:07

   Mostly judgment, since my last presentation had awkward silence.

   Line 3
4. Emma 0:12

   That memory can stick, but it doesn't predict this audience.

   Line 4
5. Tom 0:16

   I thought they wanted perfect language, which made me rush.

   Line 5
6. Emma 0:20

   Maybe they wanted clear ideas, not flawless delivery.

   Line 6
7. Tom 0:24

   My first strategy was rehearsing slides aloud with a timer.

   Line 7
8. Emma 0:28

   Another strategy is pausing after key points to breathe.

   Line 8
9. Tom 0:32

   I used both, and the pace felt calmer yesterday.

   Line 9
10. Emma 0:36

    Nice, who can give feedback before your next talk?

    Line 10
11. Tom 0:40

    I'll ask Mia to watch a rehearsal on Tuesday.

    Line 11
12. Emma 0:42

    Perfect, then you'll improve step by step, not by luck.

    Line 12

Native audio, line-by-line recording and pronunciation scoring for this dialogue are in the EngTalk app.

Key vocabulary

Content words from this dialogue, ranked by the CEFR level at which they appear across the whole 500-dialogue library. Function words and proper nouns are excluded.

• mostly /ˈmoʊstli/ adverb

  mainly; for the most part

• judgment /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/ noun

  the ability to make considered decisions or form sensible opinions

• awkward /ˈɑkwərd/ adjective

  causing or feeling embarrassment or inconvenience

• silence /ˈsaɪləns/ noun/verb

  quietness; to make quiet

• memory /ˈmɛməri/ noun

  the ability to remember, or something remembered

• thought /θɔt/ noun

  an idea or opinion in the mind

• language /ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/ noun

  a system of words and grammar used for communication

• made /meɪd/ verb

  past tense of make; created or caused

• strategy /ˈstrætədʒi/ noun

  a plan for achieving a goal

• felt /ˈfɛlt/ verb

  experienced a feeling; past tense of feel

• ask /æsk/ verb

  to pose a question or request information

• improve /ɪmˈpruv/ verb

  to make or become better

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