71 / JAM: The 60-Second Habit That Builds Real Confidence in Speaking
My Story with JAM (with a little gift inside)
Over the past month, I’ve been refining a new tool to improve spoken English: JAM. It officially launched two weeks ago, and today I’d like to share the story and the thinking behind it.
When I arrived in a new country at the “mature” age of 35, I had no connections, no work experience locally, and my English was clumsy at best. A few years later, I was working in one of the top tech firms and invited to speak on stage at international forums — all in English. How did that transformation happen? One simple method made the biggest difference. That method is now distilled into this app. I believe it can help others make the same leap.
One-Minute Practice Broke My Communication Barrier
When I first moved to New Zealand, I managed to find a job — but speaking was a real hurdle. My words were slow, heavily accented, and hesitant. Worst of all, I often resorted to saying nothing but “yes”, because I simply didn’t catch what people were asking.
Once, at the bank, the clerk asked if I wanted to cancel my card. I didn’t understand, felt embarrassed to ask again, and said “yes”. Walking out, I discovered my card had actually been closed. I had to shuffle back in to re-apply, red-faced.
That was when I realised the real barrier wasn’t vocabulary, but having the courage and fluency to speak out loud.
Later I joined a Toastmasters club, where I learned a simple but powerful exercise: pick a random topic and speak for one minute without stopping. The content didn’t matter — the point was to keep talking.
I began recording myself two or three times a day. After about a hundred rounds, something clicked: I stopped fearing mistakes. My English became more fluid. This single exercise helped me crush the biggest mental block — the fear of being wrong.
Traditional English learning is a bit like trying to master swimming on dry land — you might know the strokes, but the moment you get in the pool, you panic.
Most learners cram vocabulary and grammar, but when it’s time to speak, the mind goes blank. It’s not a lack of knowledge. It’s a lack of practice in real situations.
So I turned the method that worked for me into a tool: JAM (short for Just a Minute).
JAM is designed to prioritise speaking over memorising. Each session is just 60 seconds of talking, training your courage to speak and your improvisation skills. No need to wrestle with grammar first — you can start straight away. Afterwards, the AI gives you tailored feedback on what you actually said. With repeated practice, you break down that invisible wall of fear around speaking English.
And now, with a full English-language interface, JAM also works as a quirky speaking warm-up for native speakers — a way to stretch your improvisation muscles. Of course, it’s still most transformative for learners who want to finally break through.
Many people assume their English isn’t “good enough”, but often it’s already better than they think. What’s missing is the chance — and the nerve — to speak. JAM exists to create that chance. Each 60-second burst is a small but powerful step forward.
From “too shy to speak” to “speaking whenever you want” — that’s the shift JAM aims to make possible.
How JAM Helps You Build Spoken Confidence
JAM is a speaking practice app that turns spare minutes into mini speeches. Open the app, get a random topic, and talk for one minute. When you’re done, your AI coach, Jammy, instantly analyses your pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and fluency — and offers a polished example answer. Do it daily, and you’ll find yourself speaking with confidence in real conversations.
How it works
Open JAM, get a random prompt (e.g. “Describe your favourite travel memory”), and speak non-stop for 60 seconds.
Receive your score and a clear visual report.
Read Jammy’s corrections and model response, then practise shadowing it.
Repeat daily — just one minute — and your fluency will climb naturally.
Who it’s for
People living, studying, or working abroad — anyone who needs to adapt quickly to an English-speaking environment.
Professionals — for meetings, presentations, or client calls.
Exam candidates — sharpening speaking skills for IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.
Travellers — wanting smooth, stress-free exchanges on the road.
JAM is a paid app, but it costs less per month than two cups of coffee. Compare that to private tutoring — a single session with a native speaker might set you back hundreds of pounds. Jammy, your 24/7 AI coach, is there whenever you want, at a fraction of the cost.
A Gift for Newsletter Readers
For subscribers of this newsletter, I’ve set aside a special treat: a free one-month JAM membership(worth £4). Practise as many times as you like, wherever you are, with instant AI feedback.
It’s more than just a free code — it’s a 30-day speaking challenge. Before claiming, you’ll write down a pledge: to practise at least once a day, and to leave yourself a short note of encouragement. The app will generate a unique “learning contract” just for you.
In other words, I’ll cover the cost — you bring the consistency. Stick to it for 30 days, and your English confidence will leap forward.
Click to join the challenge. A month from now, you’ll thank your past self.
Link: https://Jamtalk.co/free
On the App Store: search “JAM English Speaking” or download directly here: https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/jam/id6749299926
Fluency doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from speaking. Your first 60 seconds start today.
Hello, I’m Bear—a product designer, UX mentor and an award‑winning bilingual podcast host, currently living in Auckland, New Zealand. I enjoy sharing insights from my work, life, and study, helping all of us grow together.
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