English opens doors. Don’t let hesitation keep you from entering them.

Don’t let hesitation keep you from entering. One small hello can be the beginning of a conversation you would otherwise miss. Think of a situation where you usually hold back, then prepare one sentence that could help you take part. It might be a greeting, a question, or a request for clarification. You don’t have to know how the whole conversation will go. Taking that first step gives you the chance to see what comes next.

Try this today: prepare a simple greeting and a follow-up question for someone you would like to speak with. A conversation can begin with a very small step. You can decide what to say next once it has started.