Rick Moore sits down with Colin McLeod, the creator of the SpeakUp System, to discuss the challenges faced by intermediate language learners. Colin shares his extensive teaching background and explains why students often feel stuck at the B1 and B2 levels. The conversation focuses on practical strategies to bridge the gap between understanding English and speaking it confidently, emphasizing the necessity of daily speaking practice and the importance of community support for long-term progress.

• ✓Intermediate learners often plateau because they focus on niche vocabulary rather than mastering the language they already know.
• ✓B2 level is the functional sweet spot for effective communication in professional and social environments.
• ✓Productive output—speaking—is essential and distinct from passive input like watching videos or reading articles.
• ✓Fluency should be defined by the ability to communicate ideas and navigate breakdowns, not by achieving native-like perfection.
• ✓Language identity is built through consistent actions; viewing yourself as an English user rather than a student reduces performance anxiety.
• ✓The SpeakUp System encourages short, spontaneous daily recordings to build consistency and accountability.
• ✓Finding a supportive community provides a safe space for practice, free from the high-pressure environment of professional work meetings.
• ✓Fluency is gained through repeated, consistent effort over time, similar to physical training in a gym.

• English with Colin
  https://englishwithcolin.com

  English coaching and the SpeakUp System for intermediate learners.

• MiVoca
  https://mivoca.app

  AI-powered personal vocabulary system for language learners.