I recorded this episode from a work retreat using only my cell phone — and things don't go smoothly. My phone falls off its makeshift stand (a board game) multiple times mid-recording, but I refuse to stop. I use this messy, unscripted experience as a living illustration of the episode's core message: stop relying on templates and start practicing your answers 'freestyle.'

The episode centers on a question from listener Yash, who is stuck at CLB 8 on the CELPIP speaking section. Yash's dilemma: when he follows structured templates, he can start well but falls apart when it's time to go into detail. When he avoids templates, he rambles and can't finish on time. I'll talk about why this happens and offer some practical advice.

• [0:00] – Recording on the road
• I'm at a three-day work retreat with only my phone. I made a promise to myself not to hit stop, no matter what — and my phone falls three (or four) times during recording.
• [5:36] – Listener question from Yash
• Yash shares his struggle: stuck at CLB 8, templates help him start but fail when it's time to elaborate, and going template-free means he can't finish on time.
• [6:30] – Why templates fall short
• Templates give you a "runway" — a smooth start — but once those scripted words run out, you're on your own to fill in the details. If you're not used to freestyling, (speaking without a template) you stall.
• [8:00] – My own struggle with freestyling
• This recording was my fourth attempt. I normally script everything word-for-word and read it. Going unscripted is genuinely hard for me — and that's the point.
• [11:00] – The #1 thing you should do
• Get into real, unscripted English conversations - it's great for your general English skills and the CELPIP exam! This is how you learn to think on your feet and express ideas without a template.
• [13:20] – Honest self-assessment
• Look back over your week: how many actual English conversations did you have? If you're repeatedly scoring CLB 8, it may simply reflect your current level — and that's not a failure. Or it may mean you need more daily, real-world English practice.
• [15:30] – A real-life template example
• I share a story from my work retreat about a "family of origin" discussion exercise. A template ("I grew up in a family of…") got the first 10 seconds — the remaining 15 minutes were entirely up to me to fill in.
• [19:30] – How to stop rambling: practice with a timer
• For the problem of finishing on time without a template: set a timer for your target duration (e.g., 1 minute), record yourself answering the same question repeatedly, and keep going until you can contain your answer within the time limit.
• [22:30] – Free CELPIP Clarity Call
• Join me for a free 30-minute one-on-one call to review your CELPIP prep strategy. No sales, no pressure — just a conversation about what's working and what might be holding you back. Book your free call right here: https://tidycal.com/m29kqn1/meeting

1. Templates are a runway, not a flight plan. They help you take off but won't keep you airborne. Once the scripted opening runs out, your real speaking ability takes over.
2. The only way to get better at speaking without a template is to actually do it. Regular, unscripted English conversations are the best practice.
3. Being stuck at a score might just be your current level — and that's okay. Use it as a signal to either practice your general English skills more or adjust your approach.
4. To finish on time without a script, practice with a clock. Repetition under a time constraint is the fastest way to learn to contain your answers.
5. Keep going when you make mistakes. Just like I kept recording after my phone fell, keep talking through your errors in real conversations.

Book your free call right here: https://tidycal.com/m29kqn1/meeting