(4 min) F.E.A.R: False Evidence Appearing Real | Why You Think Your English Is Worse Than It Is

Many people speak English far better than they think, yet still feel a wave of fear the moment someone doesn’t understand them. In this short episode of More Than Words ‘From Lost To The River’, I explore how fear creates stories in our mind that feel true even when they’re not. You’ll hear the acronym F.E.A.R — False Evidence Appearing Real — and how it shapes the way we interpret other people’s reactions. A distracted listener, a noisy room, a moment of stress… we often turn these neutral situations into “proof” that our English isn’t good enough, even though nothing has changed about our ability. This episode helps you reset your perspective, breathe, and recognise when your mind is inventing a problem that isn’t really there. It’s a simple reminder that your English doesn’t suddenly disappear just because someone asks you to repeat yourself. If this resonates, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Losing the fear will help you speak up, and from there you’ll improve. Here are a couple of free speaking clubs to get you started: Speaking Club - Practice Speaking English online for FREE Intercambio de idiomas en España | Encuentra compañeros de intercambio de idiomas con Tandem