Discover How to speak on any topic in English

You may not know how to speak on any topic despite having a good command of the English language.

When you start learning English, you aim to speak on a variety of topics to leave a lasting impression. If this goal is not achieved, you might feel frustrated and incapable.  It is easy to place blame on your surroundings or teacher for your failure, but doing so will not contribute to your growth.

Here are some powerful tips of tips so that you know how to speak on a topic without facing failure and setbacks.

Why You Should Learn to Speak English Confidently

Are you wondering how to speak on any topic in English with confidence?
The first and most important step is this: develop your English speaking skills.

Without this foundation, even the best tips, tricks, or presentation strategies will fail you. It is impossible to present any topic confidently in English unless you can already speak the language with ease.

Think of how you learned your mother tongue:

• You began with the easiest and most familiar things.
• Later, you moved on to social discussions.
• Only after building fluency did you start talking about technical or abstract topics.

💡 You would never imagine learning your native language by starting with missile technology, cooking methods, or teaching pedagogy. You started simple — and that’s exactly how you must approach English.

Many students make the mistake of jumping straight into serious or technical topics. The truth is this: once you build fluency and confidence, you can speak on any topic in English — provided you also know the subject well.

How to Speak on Any Topic – The Biggest Challenge

💡 If you ever get stuck when asked to talk about something new, you’re not alone. Every learner feels this.

Good speaking skills have limitations. Proficiency in English alone doesn't mean you can speak on every topic without preparation.

Imagine someone suddenly asks you to talk about air traffic control. Even if your English is excellent, you may freeze — not because of language, but because you lack knowledge of the subject.

Before you lose confidence, ask yourself this:

• Can other educated people discuss the same topic confidently without prior knowledge?
• Can your teacher, even with excellent communication skills, explain how the air traffic control system works without research or experience?

The answer is clear: No. Speaking confidently on any topic requires not just language skills but also subject familiarity.

In other words, without relevant knowledge or experience, it’s almost impossible to present a topic well.

👉 Question: What is the biggest challenge in speaking on any topic in English?
Answer: The biggest challenge is not language — it’s the lack of knowledge or familiarity with the subject.

So how do you prepare yourself to speak on any subject in English? Let’s look at the method.

How to Speak on Any Topic in English – The Method

Speaking English fluently is just the beginning. To deliver a truly captivating presentation, you need more than language skills — you also need knowledge, experience, or research on the topic.

Step 1: Build Knowledge

Imagine you want to discuss corporal punishment, but you don’t know much about it. What should you do?

• Watch talk shows, debates, and expert discussions.
• Replay them 3–4 times for better understanding.
• Note down new ideas, concepts, and vocabulary.
• Read famous books or popular blogs related to the topic.

This focused practice will help you understand the subject deeply and prepare you to speak with confidence.

Step 2: Make Your Video Recording

Once you note down the key ideas, present the topic in front of a camera. Watch the recording carefully and notice both your strengths and weaknesses. Strengthen your strong points and improve your weak areas until you feel satisfied with your performance.

Remember, the hardest person to satisfy is often yourself. If you are pleased with your performance, others will also appreciate it. And if someone gives negative feedback, you’ll already know your weak spots — so you can thank them for their honest opinion and use it to grow.

👉 Question: How do I build confidence for presentations in English?
Answer: Record yourself, observe your strengths and weaknesses, improve, and repeat until you feel confident.

Step 3: Experiment with the Idea

Go one step further to exceed your audience’s expectations. If possible, experiment with the idea before presenting it. Success or failure doesn’t matter — what matters is that you bring authenticity to your speech. You will automatically sound more confident because you truly understand the idea inside out.

Here are a few examples:

• You try out a time-management technique and actually improve your productivity. Imagine the level of conviction you will have while presenting it.
• You experiment with a 30-day diet plan to boost energy levels, but see no improvement. You can then confidently speak against the idea and explain why it doesn’t work.
• You challenge yourself to wake up at 5 a.m. for three months, but instead of feeling energized, you end up tired and sleepy throughout the day. When you oppose this idea, your honesty and firsthand experience will easily convince others.

How to Start a Presentation in English

When you begin a presentation, your first goal is simple: grab the attention of your audience. Without this, even the best content may go unnoticed.

1. Start with a Question

You can instantly engage people by asking a relevant question. When you ask a question, the audience naturally starts thinking about the answer. This creates immediate participation.

👉 Example:
“If I asked you to describe your daily routine in one sentence, what would you say?”

2. Use a Story or Personal Experience

Many great speakers use stories to start their presentations. A personal story or experience that connects to your topic builds trust and makes your audience curious about what comes next.

👉 Example:
“When I first started learning English, I couldn’t speak even two sentences in front of my colleagues. But one incident changed everything for me…”

3. Make a Surprising or Contradictory Statement

Another powerful technique is to challenge a common belief. A surprising or contrary statement makes people sit up and listen.

👉 Example:
“Everybody knows we should drink 8–10 glasses of water every day. But what if I told you this is one of the biggest mistakes you make daily? Do you know why?”

With this approach, you already have the audience’s attention — and now they’re ready to hear your explanation.

A Word of Caution

Attention is only the beginning. Once you have it, you must deliver value. If your only aim is to shock or entertain, your presentation will fail. To be remembered, you must share insights that make people see you as a trusted advisor.

How to Speak Without Preparation

Sometimes you are asked to speak on a topic on the spot. Here is your step-by-step guide to make an extempore speech:

Meaning of Extempore Speech, Tips & Best Topics

Extempore speech explained with meaning, useful tips, and best topics to help you speak fluently and confidently.

English Speaking for BeginnersYogesh Vermani

How to Speak on Any Topic – Conclusion

So, can you really speak on any topic in English?

✅ Yes — but only if you have the right to speak: knowledge, experience, or research.

🚀 Beginners’ Tip: Start with familiar topics — family, hobbies, or work. Build fluency first. Then move on to unfamiliar subjects with preparation.

This step-by-step approach will help you speak confidently on any topic in English.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How can I quickly improve my English speaking skills?
A: Start with daily practice, focus on fluency, and record yourself to track progress.

Q: What is the biggest challenge in speaking on any topic in English?
A: The lack of subject knowledge or familiarity, not just language skills.

Q: Can I really speak without preparation?
A: Only if you already have knowledge or experience with the topic.

Q: What are easy topics for beginners to practice English speaking?
A: Family, hobbies, school memories, job profile, or life lessons.

Meet the Author – Yogesh

• ✅ A Qualified Chartered Accountant helping professionals and jobseekers speak English confidently for over 15 years.
• 🏢 Founder of Urcareer, one of the most trusted institutes on Google for learning English-speaking skills.
• 📚 Author of 7 books, including 2 bestsellers: Learn English Through Hindi-English Translation and English Speaking Practice.
• 🎓 Creator of English Speaking Mastery Course for Beginners, with 7,200+ students from over 110 countries.
• 💬 His language tips and answers have received over 1.5 million views on Quora.