AEE 2457: Can You Relate? How to Speak Up with Confidence in a Meeting

How to Speak Up in Meetings: Practical Piggybacking Phrases

Feeling a pause before you speak in a meeting or class is common for advanced English learners. This episode teaches a simple, repeatable strategy—piggybacking—to help you link your idea to a prior speaker, build rapport, and gain confidence in group conversations.

Why linking ideas matters for classroom and workplace discussions

Linking to a previous speaker signals that you are listening and respectful, and it prepares listeners for your contribution. Whether you’re in a graduate seminar, a team meeting, or a Zoom discussion, connecting ideas helps conversations feel cohesive and purposeful.

Key piggybacking phrases to try

• “Piggybacking on that…” — an easy transition that attaches your idea to the previous point.
• “Just to piggyback on what [name] said…” — use names to increase credibility and warmth.
• “I can add to that…” — a direct way to expand or introduce supporting evidence.
• “Extending from what [name] said…” — useful for summarizing and taking discussion forward.
• “I’ve had a similar experience / I can relate” — connects personal anecdotes to the topic.

When and how to use these linking strategies

Start with piggybacking when you feel unsure—it’s a gentle introduction that shows you listened and gives your idea context. These phrases are especially effective in groups of three or more, but they can also work in one-on-one meetings or small project teams. Using these transitions in video calls helps show you were paying attention rather than multitasking.

Practical role-play examples and benefits

The hosts role-played classroom and hiring meeting scenarios where piggybacking made comments smoother and more persuasive. The immediate benefits are: stronger cohesion, higher perceived respectfulness, and a small confidence boost that makes future contributions easier.

Bottom line: If you want to sound more fluent and connected, practice these linking phrases. They are simple, culturally appropriate, and give you a clear entry point to participate without feeling like your comment comes out of nowhere.