While you are studying English, courses seem clear— grammar rules understood, considerable vocabulary learnt and good participation in class. Yet, all this seem to be in vain at the moment you meet a native speaker. You are nervous to show your language level then you try to speak but nothing comes out of your mouth; you finally discover your fear of speaking English. The speaking skill is totally different from other language skills; indeed, it depends closely on the speaker’s ability, courage and willingness to take risks.
1- Stop worrying
Most English learners worry about their language. Their biggest fear is what others will think, feel or say. They can’t have a simple conversation with their teachers or a native speaker. They feel their English is not good enough. They feel stressed and their anxiety suddenly increases. They are afraid of making mistakes, so they prefer to keep silent.
Do you feel that?
I never hear this. Well, it's time stop. How? Just keep reading and we'll figure it out together.
You believe in yourself and try to control your emotions. “No man is an island”, so take action and be the first who start conversation. You know that non-native English speakers outnumber natives in the world and you've probably heard some people who speak weird English in YouTube or elsewhere. Can you do the same? Bear in mind that they don’t care what you may think, feel or say about them; they know there is someone who will understand them, so they keep up. And now, it is time for you to step towards mastery of your fears by practicing with your friends in class or joining discussion groups. However, if you can’t handle it yet, try to practice with someone you feel more comfortable with. Personally as a non-native speaker, I say what I have to say. I am absolutely sure I’ve made mistakes, but next time I will say better. And once I enjoy doing it, I never stop; that is my way to improve my English.
2- You don’t need perfect English to communicate
You think your English should be perfect to communicate well, it could be true; but the goal of communication is a mutual understanding between speakers. You will make mistakes, of course, but others will understand you. So, keep communicating whatever matters and avoid awkward silence. Meanwhile, your brain unconsciously will store each weird sentence you say; giving you the opportunity for a further review of your mistakes.
3- You don’t need too much vocabulary to speak English better
It is impossible to learn all the words of a given language besides remembering all what has been already learnt. You don’t need all of that vocabulary, just use cleverly what you have in mind according to the situation or environment you’re in and then figure out what words lacks you to plan a slow learning process with practice. That is, learn some few needed words and try to use them in situations. The more you practice the better you remember, so practice is very important. Imagine you learn and practice 3 words a day; it is 21 words a week and over 7000 a year. Hence, my teacher’s friend uses each new learned word in ten sentences which he writes on his notebook. What a toughest chore!! Personally, I connect my vocabulary learning to my daily life. For example, after going shopping or doing some stuff, I write down all what I did in English just like a short diary.
4- Do Copy Paste task
Have you ever ask yourself how the words of your first language (native language) go together, what is first and what is next. Of course not, it is something you have acquired from your parents since your early age. However, when you are studying English as second language, you are facing this kind of confusion related to the grammar of the language. In this case you need to learn from native speakers by having regular conversations with your native friends or by following your preferred character’s interviews, speeches or movies and try to copy the words or expressions you hear in English and use them as your own with the same accent and pronunciation. I love TV shows, because I see there the real use of the language with emotions of happiness, anger and sadness, so I hear the appropriate comment or compliment for the appropriate context with the appropriate body language then take notes mentally to use them in similar situations.
I hope enjoyed this article! I would love to hear from you in the comments. How is your experience with English speaking? How did you master your fear and develop confidence?
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