Mindset played a significant role in my IELTS journey. A few years ago, I sat in front of a mirror, holding my phone to record a practice IELTS Speaking answer. I hit “record,” started talking… and then froze. My mind went blank.
The words were there—I had studied them, memorised them, even written them in essays. But somehow, when it came time to speak, all I could hear was that little voice in my head saying, “You’re not good enough. You’ll never sound fluent. You’re going to fail.”
Sound familiar?
I spent a long time believing those thoughts, thinking my English just wasn’t strong enough. But over time—through a lot of trial, error, coaching, and honest reflection—I realised something big:
👉 The problem wasn’t my English. It was my mindset.
And once I changed the way I thought about myself and the test, everything else started to change, too.
Now, I help students like you do the same—but with a faster route than the one I took. That’s why I recently sat down with my good friend – a Learning Mindset Coach – Learn with Feds (Follow Feds on social media @learnwithfeds) to have a real conversation about the real issue that holds most people back in the IELTS Speaking test: their beliefs about themselves.
This blog post is a summary of that conversation—full of practical tips, mindset shifts, and things I wish I had known earlier.
Let’s dive in.
How to Ask for a Question Again in IELTS Speaking (Without Losing Points!)
“I Don’t Think My English Is Good Enough…”
Let’s get something clear: you probably already know enough English to do well on the IELTS test. The issue? Those sneaky, negative thoughts are convincing you otherwise.
If you believe you’re not ready, not fluent enough, or just “not a good speaker,” that belief can easily become your reality.
Fun fact: A good speaker requires more than knowledge of a language. It’s more about communication skills than language foundations.
Common IELTS-Limiting Beliefs (and Why They’re Lies)
Let’s break down some of the most common mindset traps and give them a little reality check:
❌ “I’ll never sound like a native speaker.”
✅ You don’t have to! IELTS is not a test of accent—it’s a test of communication.
❌ “I make too many mistakes.”
✅ Everyone does. Even native speakers! The key is how you respond and keep going.
❌ “I’m just bad at speaking.”
✅ No, you’re just out of practice. Speaking is a skill you can train and improve. (Yes, even talking to your dog helps!)
How to Flip the Script
When self-doubt creeps in, don’t ignore it—reframe it. Here’s how:
❌ “I’m terrible at speaking under pressure.”
✅ “I’ve handled pressure before. I can do it again.”
❌ “I don’t know enough words.”
✅ “I can express myself clearly using the words I do know.”
This simple shift from fear-based thinking to fact-based thinking is powerful—and totally doable.
Practice with Purpose
Once your mindset is on your side, practice becomes more effective. Try this:
- Talk to yourself daily in English—out loud.
- Listen to different accents (podcasts, YouTube, etc.) to train your ear.
- Simulate test conditions. Record your answers and listen back. You’ll probably be surprised by how well you actually do!
Why the Right Training Makes All the Difference
I did figure this all out by myself, but it did also take a lot of time—but you don’t have to.
An IELTS Trainer isn’t just there to fix your grammar. The right training helps you build real confidence, keeps you accountable, and gives you the mindset tools to stay calm under pressure
That is why I’m partnering with Learn with Feds to bring you the best IELTS Preparation Services in the market that tackle not only the technicalities of the exam but also assist you in reframing your mindset so you can achieve your target IELTS band score as soon as possible.
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start showing up as your best self on test day, we’re here to help.
Final Thought: Your Mindset = Your Score
Your IELTS Speaking score isn’t only about English—it’s about believing in yourself, managing your nerves, and speaking with purpose.
So next time you think, “What if I mess up?”, try asking yourself:
👉 “What if I actually do better than I thought?”
Trust yourself. You’ve got this.
Ready to Transform Your Mindset (and Your Score)?
If you’re serious about improving your IELTS Speaking performance and want a coach who understands both the language and the mental game, I’d love to work with you.
💬 Book a 1:1 IELTS consultation session with me: Click here to book a session
💬 Book a 1:1 Mindset coaching session with Feds: Click here to book a session
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