Why Your Mindset Matters More Than Talent (Especially When Learning English)
Welcome to another episode of Real Talk: English for Life & Self-Development — my English podcast for people who want to feel more confident, more expressive, and more like themselves in English. Whether you're here to practise your listening skills, learn new vocabulary, or explore big ideas in a gentle, thoughtful way, you're in the right place.
This episode is all about something I believe can make a huge difference, not only in your English but in many areas of life: mindset.
Listen While You Learn
If you’re looking for an English podcast that goes beyond grammar tips and textbook examples, this episode offers a more meaningful kind of English speaking practice. You’ll hear real language, useful expressions, and ideas that help you grow as a communicator and as a person.
You can listen to the full episode below on YouTube.
Free PDF Download
You can download your free PDF here. It includes:
A full transcript of the episode
Vocabulary explanations
Extra journaling prompts
Further reading
What Is a Growth Mindset?
You might have come across the phrase growth mindset before — especially in self-development books or coaching podcasts — but what does it really mean?
The idea comes from psychologist Dr Carol Dweck, who studied how people respond to challenges. She discovered that the way we think about our abilities can deeply affect what we achieve.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
A fixed mindset is the belief that your abilities are set. You're either good at languages, or you’re not. You're a confident speaker, or you're not.
A growth mindset is the belief that you can develop your skills over time with effort, strategies, and the right support. You might not be fluent yet, but you trust that with consistent practice, you’ll get there.
And the best part? A growth mindset is something you can practise and strengthen — just like a language.
Real-Life Mindset Shifts for Language Learners
Here are some everyday examples of how your mindset shows up when you're learning English:
Fixed mindset: “I always mess up grammar.”
Growth mindset: “I’m still working on my grammar, but I’ve already made progress.”Fixed mindset: “I’m terrible at small talk in English.”
Growth mindset: “I find small talk difficult, but I’m practising when I can.”Fixed mindset: “I just don’t have a knack for languages.”
Growth mindset: “This doesn’t come easily to me, but I can improve with time and practice.”
What the Research Says
A recent article from The Conversation titled Learning a new language? Your mindset matters more than having a knack really confirmed what I’ve noticed in my students — and in myself.
It explains that language learning success isn’t all about talent. What really matters is your mindset. People who believe they can improve are more likely to practise, take risks in conversation, and bounce back after mistakes.
And if you think about it, that’s exactly what successful learners do — not perfectly, but consistently, step by step.
A Personal Story
When I started making English content online, I was full of self-doubt. I thought things like:
“Who am I to do this?”
“What if nobody watches?”
“I’m too old to be on YouTube.”
All those thoughts come from a fixed mindset. But I decided to shift my thinking. I reminded myself that I was learning something new. That I wouldn’t get everything right — and that’s okay.
Instead of waiting until I felt confident, I gave myself permission to be a beginner, to get things wrong, and to grow. And slowly, with practice, I started to feel more comfortable. Eventually, I set myself the challenge of starting this podcast.
It’s the same with speaking English. You can study grammar forever, but confidence comes from doing — and yes, making mistakes along the way.
Learning Mandarin at 53
This year, I also decided to start learning Mandarin Chinese. At first, I told myself all the usual stories — “You’re too old,” “It’s too hard,” “You’ll never keep up.”
But I decided to try anyway. I’m not expecting big progress quickly. But I’m enjoying the process, and it’s helping me connect even more with what my students experience. I’m proving to myself that age isn’t a reason not to start something new.
Useful Expressions for Talking About Growth in English
Here are five expressions you can use when talking about your own learning journey:
I’m a work in progress – I’m still growing and learning, and that’s completely okay.
I’m stepping out of my comfort zone – I’m doing something new or scary in order to grow.
I don’t know how to… yet – The word yet turns a limitation into a possibility.
Mistakes are part of the process – A reminder to be kind to yourself when things go wrong.
I’m practising whenever I can – Focusing on effort rather than perfection.
Verbs for Talking About Mindset in English
If you like journaling or reflecting in English, try using some of these verbs to describe your experience:
To overcome – “I overcame my fear of speaking in meetings.”
To push yourself – “I’ve been pushing myself to use more English at work.”
To stay consistent – “I’m showing up every day, even when I feel stuck.”
To bounce back – “I made a mistake, but I bounced back quickly.”
To believe in yourself – “I’m learning to believe in myself more when I speak English.”
Reflection Prompts for Your Journal or Next Conversation Class
Use these prompts to practise your English and explore your mindset:
Can you describe a moment when you surprised yourself by doing something difficult?
What does growth mean to you in your life right now?
What beliefs do you have about learning English? Are they helpful or holding you back?
Do you believe you can improve your English with practice? Why or why not?
When you make a mistake, what do you usually say to yourself? Could you reframe it more positively?
What’s one area of English you’re actively working to improve?
How do you measure your progress — and how can you celebrate your small wins?
What advice would you give to a friend who feels discouraged about their English?
You can write your answers, record yourself speaking them aloud, or use them in your next lesson. It’s a great way to combine self-awareness with language learning.