At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this initiative, we invited Praneeta Rebello, Communication Coach and Founder of Talk & Shine Academy, for an exclusive interview with BrilliantRead Media. Through her work, Praneeta is helping children and adults overcome hesitation, develop their English-speaking skills, and communicate with greater confidence and clarity. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey, experiences, and valuable advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Praneeta:
What inspired you to become a communication coach, and when did you realize that helping people find their voice was your true calling?
My interest in communication has always been there. Coming from a corporate background, I understood quite early that knowing something and being able to communicate it confidently are two very different things.
Later, when I started working closely with children and adults, I noticed something similar. Many of them knew what they wanted to say, but they struggled to express themselves because of hesitation, fear of making mistakes, or simply a lack of confidence.
What really connected me to this work was witnessing the transformation that happens when someone who was initially hesitant gradually starts opening up, participating, and speaking with confidence.
That was when I realised that I didn’t just want to teach English. I wanted to help people communicate better and become more confident in expressing themselves. This realisation eventually became the foundation of Talk & Shine Academy.
Many people understand English but hesitate when it comes to speaking. What do you believe are the biggest reasons behind this fear or lack of confidence?
One of the biggest reasons is the fear of being judged. People worry that they might make a grammatical mistake, pronounce a word incorrectly, or be laughed at by others.
Another common challenge is that people may know grammar and vocabulary but have not practised using them in real conversations. When they suddenly have to speak, they start overthinking every sentence.
I always tell my learners that you cannot become confident at speaking English simply by studying it. You have to actually speak it. Making mistakes is a natural part of that process.
The key is to create an environment where learners feel comfortable practising, experimenting with the language, and gradually becoming more confident without the constant fear of being judged.
You work with both children and adults. How does your approach to building communication skills differ across these two age groups?
With children, I try to make communication interactive and enjoyable. They learn through activities, storytelling, conversations, role-playing, presentations, and other experiences that allow them to express themselves without feeling as though they are sitting in a traditional grammar class.
With adults, the approach is a little different because their requirements are usually more specific. They may want to communicate effectively at work, attend interviews, speak confidently in social situations, or simply become more comfortable expressing their thoughts.
For adults, I focus on practical situations and conversations they are likely to encounter in real life.
However, the fundamental principle remains the same for both groups: they need opportunities to speak, practise, learn from their mistakes, and gradually build confidence.
In your experience, what are the most common communication mistakes people make while speaking English, and how can they overcome them effectively?
One common mistake is trying to translate everything from one’s first language into English before speaking. This can make conversations slower and sometimes unnatural.
Another challenge is worrying excessively about grammar while speaking. Grammar is important, of course, but if you are constantly asking yourself whether every sentence is grammatically correct, it becomes difficult to communicate naturally.
I also notice that people often rely on a limited vocabulary because they are afraid of experimenting with new words and expressions.
The most effective way to overcome these challenges is through regular speaking practice. Speak every day, listen to good English, learn phrases rather than just individual words, and do not be afraid of making mistakes.
You improve by using a language, not by waiting until your English is perfect.
Beyond grammar and vocabulary, how important are confidence, body language, pronunciation, and clarity in becoming an effective communicator?
These elements are extremely important because communication is not just about the words you use.
You may have excellent vocabulary and perfect grammar, but if you speak so softly that people cannot hear you, or if you struggle to express your message clearly, your communication may not have the impact you intend.
Confidence, voice, pronunciation, body language, and clarity all work together to make communication more effective.
It is also important to understand that confidence does not necessarily mean being loud or being the most talkative person in the room. To me, confidence means being comfortable enough to express your thoughts clearly and calmly.
The goal is not to change your personality but to help you communicate in a way that allows others to understand and connect with you.
What practical exercises or habits can parents, students, and working professionals incorporate into their daily lives to improve their English-speaking confidence?
The first thing I would suggest is to speak every day, even if it is just for ten minutes.
You can talk about your day, describe something you did, explain your opinion on a topic, or simply speak aloud while doing something at home. These small activities help you become more comfortable forming sentences and expressing your thoughts.
Reading aloud is also useful, especially for children, as it helps them become more familiar with words, pronunciation, and sentence structures. Listening to English regularly can further improve your understanding of natural expressions and pronunciation.
For working professionals, I recommend practising situations they encounter in their daily lives, such as introducing themselves, explaining an idea, participating in meetings, making phone calls, or expressing an opinion.
The most important factor is consistency. You do not need to spend two hours every day practising. What matters is making communication practice a regular part of your routine.
What is your larger vision for Talk & Shine Academy, and what transformation do you hope every learner experiences after working with you?
My vision for Talk & Shine Academy goes beyond simply teaching English.
Of course, I want my learners to improve their English-speaking skills. But more importantly, I want them to become comfortable expressing themselves.
Whether it is a child answering a question in class, a student speaking on stage, a professional sharing an idea in a meeting, or an adult having a conversation without hesitation, I want them to feel that they have a voice and that they can use it confidently.
I would love to see Talk & Shine Academy grow into a place where communication is treated as a real-life skill, not just another subject to study.
If someone completes their learning journey with me and thinks, “I can actually speak. I can express myself. I don’t have to be afraid of making mistakes,” then I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do.
Ultimately, I hope to help learners move beyond hesitation, recognise their potential, and communicate with greater confidence in every aspect of their lives.
At BrilliantRead, we don’t just share startup stories; we bring you journeys that challenge perspectives, spark ideas, and fuel ambition. Every story we feature is carefully chosen to add real value, inspire action, and ignite possibility within our growing community of entrepreneurs and dreamers.
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