Let me guess — you’ve been learning to code, maybe following something like The Odin Project or FreeCodeCamp, and now you’re thinking about going freelance. But there’s one big thing holding you back:
You can understand English just fine. Maybe even write it decently.
But when it comes to speaking... it’s a mess. You freeze up, you mispronounce things, or your mind just goes blank.
And now you’re wondering — “Is this going to ruin my chances of working online?”
Let’s talk about it.
You're Not Alone (And You're Better Than You Think)
There was a thread on Reddit where someone asked this exact question. They were from a non-English-speaking country, studying web development, and just wanted to earn around $200/month freelancing to get started. Nothing crazy.
They could read and write English, but speaking fluently? Not yet.
Time and money were tight. They couldn’t afford to wait months to improve their spoken skills.
And honestly? A lot of people jumped in to say: That’s okay.
Freelancing Isn’t Just About Talking
A lot of clients don’t care if you have a heavy accent or struggle with casual conversation — as long as you can understand instructions and deliver quality work.
In fact, one user said this:
“Your writing is clear. Just lean on that at first. Most stuff should be in writing anyway.”
Another one added:
“I’ve worked with people in your situation. For simple projects, chat is enough. For complex stuff, I’d want voice — but it depends on price and portfolio.”
So no, not speaking fluently isn’t a dealbreaker. Not even close.
Understanding Is More Important Than Speaking Perfectly
One thing that came up a lot was this: You don’t need to speak perfect English — but you do need to understand it.
If you can follow instructions, read emails, and understand what a client is asking for, you’re already 80% there.
Here’s a quick tip that surprisingly few people talk about:
🗣️ Start reading out loud.
Seriously, it helps train your brain and mouth to work together — even if you're just reading tutorials or blog posts.
Also, watch stuff like late-night shows or YouTube interviews. The casual tone is closer to how people actually speak than scripted language courses.
Be Mindful of Cultural Differences Too
This is one that doesn’t get talked about enough. Someone in the thread shared that even though a developer they worked with had great English, the way he spoke came off as rude — not because he meant to, but because he wasn’t used to American business norms.
So yeah, it’s not just language — it’s tone, nuance, empathy. Those are learnable too, and the best way to improve is just… working with real people and observing.
So, What Should You Do If You’re In This Situation?
Here’s a practical list based on what people suggested — and what I’ve seen work:
✅ Focus on small, text-based projects
Try platforms like Upwork or Fiverr where communication happens mostly through chat.
✅ Be honest about your English
Let clients know you prefer written communication. Many actually appreciate that.
✅ Practice speaking, even a little bit daily
No need for perfect grammar. Just speak. Even to yourself. It builds confidence.
✅ Don’t wait for “fluent”
Start now. Improve as you go. You’ll learn faster by actually doing real work.
✅ Build a portfolio, not just skills
Even if it's mock projects — something to show clients. It helps a ton.
Final Thoughts
If you're serious about freelancing and you can understand and write English reasonably well — you’re ready to start.
Your first clients might not be perfect. Your first conversations might be awkward. That’s fine. What matters is showing up, doing your best, and improving with each job.
As one commenter said:
“With your enthusiasm and writing skills, you’ll hit $200/month easily.”
So don’t let fear of speaking hold you back.
Start applying. Start practicing. And start freelancing.
You’ve got this.