(7 min) Ashamed of Your English Accent? Why Clarity Matters More Than Sounding Native | with Stefy Vaclavikova

Do you wish you could get rid of your accent when you speak English?

Today, I'm joined by Stefy Vaclavikova, an ICF-accredited coach who has helped thousands of teachers build their own businesses, to talk about her non-native English accent and the school director who wouldn't let her appear in promotional videos because of it. Stefy explains how she let go of trying to sound like a native speaker and made clarity her goal, which changed how she felt every time she spoke. Then we get into the moment that knocks so many people's confidence: someone saying "Sorry, can you say that again?" Stefy hears that question very differently. When someone asks you three times, it might have nothing to do with your English. They just really want to know what you've got to say.

This is the Speak English with Confidence podcast, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence.

More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

About Stefy Vaclavikova Originally from Slovakia, Stefy works with successful professionals as an Inner Wealth Coach, helping them build the confidence, clarity, emotional control and self-worth to handle pressure more easily. Her background brings together language and psychology: she has coached mental health professionals to run therapy sessions and give presentations in English, and supported young people's emotional development under the supervision of educational psychologists in London. She also co-founded the Bowei Strategy Teacher Academy, which helps language teachers become thriving entrepreneurs.

Find Stefy:

LinkedIn: Stefy Vaclavikova | LinkedIn

Get her FREE e-book: Grow Your ESL Teaching Career

YouTube: Bowei Strategy Teacher Academy

Connect with me on Substack: https://substack.com/@thecouragetospeak