260. Will reading books help you get fluent?

260. Will reading books help you get fluent?

Author: Hadar Shemesh October 18, 2022 Duration: 13:23

Have you ever had this feeling while reading a book that you're really making progress? That if someone were to start a conversation with you, all those words and grammar structures you've read would be there for you, and come out of your mouth effortlessly? But has that ever happened? Probably, reality hit and you realized that it doesn't work that way!

In this episode I explain why reading books in English, as wonderful as it is, is not enough if you want to become fluent. I'll also share 5 tips on how you can use books effectively to improve your fluency. Because books should definitely stay a part of our practice, but in a way you might not know about.

How To Learn New Vocabulary? Build Pronunciation Confidence 🔥 https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-learn-new-vocabulary/
Feel Stuck in English? Here's Why (The Illusion of Learning) https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/the-illusion-of-learning-english/


Hadar Shemesh hosts The InFluency Podcast, drawing from her own journey from an intermediate English speaker to a recognized pronunciation expert and fluency coach. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical, empathetic guide for anyone who feels stuck in their language learning. Hadar's conversations and solo episodes delve into the tangible strategies that actually work for acquiring an American accent, building unshakeable confidence, and moving beyond textbook English to authentic, fluid speech. You'll hear a blend of mindset shifts, technical pronunciation breakdowns, and stories from a global community of learners. The focus is always on the human side of fluency-how it connects to identity, courage, and communication. Each episode of this podcast feels like a direct coaching session, offering actionable steps that address the real frustrations and aspirations of students and teachers alike. Hadar's approach demystifies the process, making the path to speaking English with assurance feel not only possible but deeply personal. Tune in for a resource that understands the journey because the host has lived it, creating a space where progress is celebrated over perfection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 508

The InFluency Podcast
Podcast Episodes
17. The R in English: The most in-depth lesson you'll ever hear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:14
To download the practice sheet click here: https://hadarshemesh.com/the-r-in-english-podcast-freebie/ Many non-native speakers of English struggle with the R in English. Not only that this sound is challenging to pronoun…
16. Personal Things You Wanted To Know About Me | Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
A few months ago I invited you to ask me PERSONAL questions. I didn't think I'd get many questions but I was surprised to have received dozens of awesome questions, and in this episode, I'm going to answer a bunch of the…
14. Contractions in English: Your Essential Pronunciation Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
Download the English contractions practice sheet and the audio: https://hadarshemesh.com/contractions-freebie/ Contractions are words and phrases that are shortened by dropping sounds (in writing and in speaking). Contra…
13. How to effectively practice your intonation in English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:49
In this podcast episode I elaborate on how to practice it effectively and integrate it into your day-to-day speech. Because forming a sentence is not enough. And making the right sounds isn't enough. It's the intonation…
12. American Intonation: What They Don't Teach You In School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:23
Why is it SO HARD to understand native speakers? And what do you HAVE to know to improve your spoken English and get your point across clearly and confidently? In this episode, you will learn the 3 fundamentals of Americ…
10. Ten Pronunciation Mistakes Brazilian Portuguese Speakers Make [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:36
In this episode, you'll learn the 10 most common mistakes Brazilian Portuguese speakers make, and understand why these sounds are difficult for you, but more than that – you'll learn how to improve your American English…
9. The Schwa: How One TINY Sound Can Make a HUGE Difference [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:37
I mention the schwa almost every time I speak about American English. That's because this vowel is all over the place, and once you hear it, you never stop hearing it The schwa is a very short and "relaxed" kind of vowel…
8. Google corrects your pronunciation and tells you how to improve [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:56
Learning to speak a new language can be challenging, no doubt about that. Especially English. All those funky words like knight, laugh, paradigm and psychology that have all these letters that are not pronounced. And wha…