English filler words: sound natural while you think
Native speakers pause all the time. The difference is what they fill the pause with: "well", "let me think", "that's a good question", "I mean". Learners fill it with silence, or with a filler from their own language, and the silence is what sounds like a struggle.
Useful English fillers, by purpose. To buy time: "Well…", "Let me think…", "That's a good question.", "Hmm, how do I put this…". To soften: "I guess", "kind of", "to be honest". To restart: "I mean…", "What I'm trying to say is…", "Actually…". To hold your turn: "and, um…", "so, basically…". Use one or two; ten in a row sounds nervous.
Practising them is easy: talk to Airi and deliberately use a filler every time you need a second. She'll tell you if it sounds natural or overdone. After a week, the pauses in your English stop being holes and start sounding like thinking — which is exactly what they are. Free to start.
A quick example with Airi
How to get the most from it
Replace silence, not thought
A filler buys a second; it shouldn't replace the answer.
Match the filler to the job
Buying time, softening, restarting — pick the right one.
Two is plenty
"Well, let me think…" then answer. More than that sounds nervous.
Start speaking today
Your first 300 credits are free — no credit card. Sign in and have your first conversation with Airi.
Start free with Google