502. Fluency isn't A1-C2: The 5 speaking stages no one talks about

502. Fluency isn't A1-C2: The 5 speaking stages no one talks about

Author: Hadar Shemesh March 3, 2026 Duration: 19:26

Take the quiz and find out your stage: https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0

Want to move up and need a boost to make it happen? Join Beyond Community? https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N

For years, we've been told that fluency is measured from A1 to C2.

But those levels measure grammar and comprehension.
They don't measure how you show up when you speak.

You can be "B2" and still avoid conversations.
You can understand everything… and still feel anxious when it's your turn to talk.

So what if fluency isn't about levels…
but about stages of speaking confidence?

In this video, I introduce a different way to think about fluency! With the 5 Speaking Stages. 

1️⃣ The Avoider
2️⃣ The Anxious Speaker
3️⃣ The Brave Speaker
4️⃣ The Challenger
5️⃣ The Influencer

✨ Want to find out YOUR stage?

Take the Speaking Stage Quiz here! https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0


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: en-us Episodes: 100

The InFluency Podcast
Podcast Episodes
479. 4 true stories of English transformation that will inspire you [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:28
Join me to get inspired by REAL students who have seen REAL results! I'm interviewing some very special New Sound alumni students! In this live, you'll get to hear stories from Yessika, Alejandra, Monico, and Robin about…
478. Level up your English with these advanced techniques [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:23
If you've been studying English for a long time, you may be looking for creative and challenging ways to get to the next level. This episode includes new strategies and techniques that I use with my advanced students to…
477. How She Stopped Avoiding English and Started Thriving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:46
"Difficult doesn't mean impossible, and direction is more important than speed." That's a quote from the wonderful interview I'm having today with my dear student, Luciana! Her story will inspire you to keep going, no ma…
473. Build your English confidence step-by-step [7-day challenge] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:49
Confidence doesn't magically appear overnight, it's something you build, one step at a time. The truth is, confidence is a skill, and just like any other skill, you can learn it, practice it, and get better at it. In thi…
472. Pronunciation practice in a song: Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:26
Have you ever used music to boost your English pronunciation? 🎶 In this week's video, I'm introducing you to Olivia Rodrigo's song Traitor to practice the different T sounds in American English… especially the Flap T! I'…
471. How to pronounce pronouns correctly in real life English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:41
Pronouns in English: I, you, he, she, we, they: It's one of the first things we learn when starting to study English, but do you know how they are REALLY pronounced? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, we'll…