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Why I Freeze When Someone Asks Me a Question in English

English with Ruby & Max

🎙️ Join Ruby and Max at the kitchen table for an easy, friendly English lesson. Max shares his own story, and you practice with them.

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VideoA1

Why I Freeze When Someone Asks Me a Question in English

English with Ruby & Max

🎙️ Join Ruby and Max at the kitchen table for an easy, friendly English lesson. Max shares his own story, and you practice with them.

Modalità immersiva
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Hello, everyone, and welcome to "English with Ruby & Max"!
Easy English, one conversation at a time.
I'm Ruby.
Hi, everyone!
I'm Max.
I'm happy to be here.
Max, how was your week?
It was good, Ruby.
But I have a small story.
Oh, I want to hear it.
On Tuesday, I was at the store.
The woman at the desk asked me, "Do you need a bag?"
That's an easy question.
Yes!
But my mind went blank.
I said nothing.
I just looked at her.
Oh no.
What happened next?
She asked again, and I said, "Uh... yes."
Later, in the street, I thought, "I know this!
I can say 'Yes, please.'"
Max, this happens to many learners.
Really?
I thought it was only me.
Not only you.
So today we have five small ways to help you when you freeze.
Five ways!
Good.
I need all five.
Before we start, please like this video and subscribe to the channel.
And remember, there are free lessons and practice at www.nativas.app.
Yes, they're free.
Okay, let's begin.
First, let's find the right words.
When your mind goes blank, we say, "I freeze."
"I freeze."
Like ice?
Yes, like ice!
Your body stops, and the words don't come.
We also say, "My mind went blank."
"My mind went blank."
That's my store story!
It is.
You can say, "I froze at the store."
"I froze at the store."
Is "froze" right?
Perfect.
"Freeze" is now, and "froze" is before.
Why does it happen, Ruby?
There are three simple reasons.
One, you feel "nervous."
Your body thinks, "Danger!"
"Nervous."
Yes!
My hands are cold, and my heart is fast.
Two, you want a perfect answer.
So you wait and wait.
That's me.
I want no mistakes.
Three, you think in your language first.
Then you change the words to English.
That takes time.
Ah, so my head is very busy.
Very busy.
So when you freeze, it doesn't mean your English is bad.
That makes me feel better.
I freeze, but my English is not bad.
Right.
And you can say kindly to yourself, "It's okay.
I'm nervous."
"It's okay.
I'm nervous."
I like that.
You can also make "a small pause" before you answer.
A pause is not a mistake.
"A small pause."
So I can stop for a second and then speak.
Exactly.
You do not need to answer in one fast moment.
Sometimes I think the other person is waiting for a perfect answer.
Most people are just waiting for your answer.
They do not need a perfect answer.
That is good to hear.
My answer can be simple.
Yes.
You can say, "I need a second," and then choose your words.
"I need a second."
That sounds useful.
I can say, "I need a second.
Let me think."
Very good.
You are naming the feeling and making space for your answer.
So, "I freeze," "My mind went blank," and "It's okay.
I'm nervous."
And "I need a second."
These words can help you start again.
Chapter two.
When you freeze, you need a little more time.
So use a small phrase.
Like what?
Like "Let me think."
Or "Just a moment."
Or "Good question."
"Let me think."
That's easy!
Let's try a scene.
I ask, "What do you want for lunch?"
Hmm.
"Let me think."
Sure.
Take your time.
"Take your time."
Is that a phrase too?
Yes.
People say it when they are happy to wait for you.
So nobody is angry.
No, nobody.
Try again.
"What do you want for lunch?"
"Good question.
Just a moment."
Hmm...
"Rice and chicken, please."
Very good!
And "um" and "uh" are okay.
Native speakers say them too.
Really?
I thought "um" was bad.
No, it's normal.
It just gives you time.
Let's try "Good question" with another question.
"What do you do after work?"
"Good question.
Let me think."
I watch a show after work.
Nice.
You used two time phrases, and then you gave a clear answer.
Can I use only one phrase?
Of course.
"Just a moment" is enough.
You can also say, "Let me think."
"Just a moment.
I take the bus home."
Great.
You can put the small phrase first, before your real answer.
It feels easier when I say something first.
That is the idea.
The first phrase helps your brain start.
So I do not need to stay silent while I think.
Right.
Say, "Let me think," or "Good question," and then answer.
I will remember "Let me think."
It helped me with the lunch question.
Chapter three.
Sometimes you freeze because you don't understand.
Then it's okay to ask again.
How do I say it?
Say, "Can you say that again, please?"
"Can you say that again, please?"
Again, I like it.
You can also say, "Can you speak more slowly?"
"Can you speak more slowly?"
Is that rude?
Not at all.
Most people are happy to help.
Good.
Let's act it.
You are at the desk.
Okay.
"Would you like a bag for that?"
And I say it very fast.
Sorry, can you say that again, please?
Of course.
"Do you need a bag?"
Yes, please!
Thank you!
Wonderful.
One more phrase is "What does that word mean?"
"What does that word mean?"
So I can ask about one word.
Yes.
Then you don't lose the whole sentence.
This is a big help.
Now I have three phrases: "Let me think," "Can you say that again, please?"
and "What does that word mean?"
Good.
"Can you say that again, please?"
is for the whole sentence.
And "What does that word mean?"
is for one word.
Exactly.
"Can you speak more slowly?"
is also good when the person talks fast.
Let me try.
You ask me something fast.
"What time does the bus leave?"
Sorry, can you speak more slowly?
Sure.
"What time does the bus leave?"
Can you say that again, please?
I heard "bus," but I need the question again.
Very clear.
The person can repeat it, and you can answer.
"The bus leaves at six."
Great.
Asking again is not failing.
It is a smart way to keep the conversation going.
I can ask again instead of looking down and saying nothing.
Yes.
You are still having the conversation.
Chapter four.
Your answer can be very short.
Short?
Like one word?
Yes!
"Yes, please."
"No, thanks."
"I think so."
"I'm not sure."
"I'm not sure."
That's good when I don't know.
Exactly.
Then you can add one more small piece.
Let's try.
"Do you like coffee?"
"Yes, I do."
Now add something.
"Yes, I do.
I like it a lot."
"Yes, I do.
I like it a lot."
See?
Short, then a little more.
That's enough.
I don't need a long answer?
No.
A short answer is a real answer.
Let me try another scene.
You are my neighbor.
Okay.
"Did you have a nice weekend?"
"Yes, I did.
It was good."
Great!
And now you can ask back.
"How about you?"
"How about you?"
That is a nice way to give the question back.
Yes.
Then the other person talks, and you can relax.
Ha!
I like this plan.
Let's try a question when you do not know the answer.
"Do you cook at home?"
"I'm not sure."
Wait, I do cook sometimes.
Good.
You started with a short answer, then added information.
"I'm not sure.
I cook on Saturday."
That works.
You can also say, "I think so," when your answer is yes, but you are not completely sure.
"I think so.
I think the store is open."
Nice.
Short answers give you time, and extra words can come later.
So I can start with "Yes, please," "I'm not sure," or "I think so."
Yes.
Start small, and let the conversation grow.
Chapter five.
The best help is practice.
And you can do it alone.
Alone?
Who asks me the questions?
You do.
Read an easy question, and say your answer out loud.
Like "How are you?"
Yes.
Or "What's your name?"
Or "What do you want to eat?"
Out loud.
Not in my head.
Right.
Your mouth needs practice too.
One minute a day is enough.
Can I use a mirror?
Yes, a mirror is great.
Or your phone.
We talked about a morning routine before.
Can I use those questions?
Good idea!
"What time do you get up?"
is a perfect practice question.
"I get up at seven.
Then I drink coffee."
Nice!
Practice makes it easier.
And you can find free practice at www.nativas.app.
Okay, I will practice every day.
Small steps.
Make a small practice list with three questions.
Read each question, pause, and answer.
I can write, "How are you?"
"What do you do?"
and "What do you like?"
Perfect.
First, try to answer without help.
If you freeze, say, "Let me think."
Then I say a short answer, like "I'm good," or "I like music."
Exactly.
You can practice the same question two or three times.
The first answer may be slow, but the next answer may be easier.
Yes.
Repeating the answer helps your mouth and your mind work together.
And I can practice "Can you say that again, please?"
too.
You can.
Say the phrase out loud, so it feels ready when you need it.
"Can you say that again, please?"
Now it feels less scary.
That is the goal.
Small practice can make a real question feel familiar.
I do not need one long study time.
I need one small minute every day.
Let's go over everything once more, quickly.
Chapter one.
Say the feeling: "I freeze," and "It's okay.
I'm nervous."
Chapter two.
Get more time with "Let me think" and "Take your time."
Chapter three.
Ask again: "Can you say that again, please?"
Chapter four.
Start small: "Yes, I do.
I like it a lot."
Chapter five.
Practice out loud, a little every day.
Here is a thought for today.
Every small answer you say makes your voice a little stronger.
I love that, Ruby.
Now, your 24-hour challenge.
Answer three easy questions out loud, and use "Let me think" one time.
Three questions, one "Let me think."
I can do it!
I know you can.
Ruby, next time at the store, I won't freeze.
I will say, "Yes, please."
And if you do freeze, you know what to say.
"It's okay.
Let me think."
Now a question for you, listeners.
When do you freeze?
Tell us in the comments.
And please like this video and subscribe.
Then practice for free at www.nativas.app.
Thank you for being here, everyone.
See you in the next conversation.

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