5 Hidden Thoughts Blocking Your English Confidence — And How to Break Them Today

You’ve memorized vocabulary. You’ve watched Netflix with English subtitles. You’ve taken the tests. So why does your mouth still freeze?

It’s not because you "don't know enough English."

It’s because your mindset is blocking your mouth.

After 10+ years of teaching Korean professionals English — from executives to scientists — I’ve seen the same 5 negative thoughts again and again. Here's what they are, and how to break them starting right now.

1. “틀리면 안 돼” — I can’t make mistakes

Let’s get this one out of the way: mistakes are not failure. They are a sign you are learning.

If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not speaking.And if you're not speaking, you’re not improving.

Fix: Instead of saying “틀리면 안 되지…”, train yourself to say:

2. “다른 사람 앞에서 말하기 부끄러워요” — It’s embarrassing to speak in front of others

You’re not afraid of English. You’re afraid of judgment.

But here’s the truth: people aren’t thinking about your English. They’re thinking about their own.

Fix: Try this prompt out loud (even alone):

The courage to speak before you're perfect = real confidence.

3. “영어는 어려워요” — English is just hard

No language is hard when it matters to you.

Most learners feel this way because they've learned English as a subject, not a tool.

Fix: Tie English to something you care about:

• Your dream job

• A global hobby

• A travel plan

• A relationshipThis makes learning meaningful — and fast.

4. “귀가 안 열려서 들리지가 않아요” — My ears aren’t opening

There’s no switch. Your brain opens gradually — with repetition. It’s not magic. It’s science.

Fix: Instead of listening once, listen to the same clip 10 times. You’ll start hearing new things by round 4. The “귀열림” starts from there.

5. “이 나이에 영어가 될까?” — Is it too late for me?

Age isn’t the problem.

Avoidance is.

I’ve taught 50-year-old executives who became fluent in a year. I know 22-year-olds who still can’t say “How are you?” confidently.

Fix: Shift the question to:

Then take the smallest possible action today — even speaking alone for 60 seconds.

You Need More Than Grammar. You Need Grit.

Speaking English as a Korean adult is like running an ultramarathon.

You won’t win by reading the rules. You win by stepping onto the course — breathing deep, even when your legs burn.

You win by ignoring the voice that says “너무 늦었어… 틀릴까 봐…”

You win by speaking anyway.

Ready to Gain Confidence in English — For Real?

Join me this Thursday for the first-ever “끈기 English Lab” on Instagram Live (@pe.coach).

A space where we test, experiment, and build confidence — one sentence at a time.

We’ll laugh, practice speaking, and break old mindsets together — in both Korean and English.

If you're ready to rebuild your English with courage and persistence:

DM me “끈기” to get details about small group coaching or 1:1 sessions this January.

This isn't 공부 English. It’s skill-building. It’s mindset training. It’s 끈기.

Let’s make the end of 2025 the year English becomes your strength — not your stress.

Reflection Challenge:

What's one negative thought that blocked your English this week?

Write it down. Acknowledge it. Then speak anyway.