The fear of speaking English can be strong, but there are ways to get around it.
The fear of speaking English can be paralyzing. It is the same for language learners and students in general. One thing to remember is that with language, you have to be wrong sometimes. That is the only way to learn.
Next time you make a mistake when speaking English, think about what you said and why it was wrong. The more mistakes you make, the more you learn! When you feel anxious because you have to make a presentation in English, or if you feel intimidated around native-English speakers, just remember that every mistake you make will get you closer to speaking English fluently.
It is easy to be at a loss for words when learning a new language, but donāt let that stop you!
One way to get over the fear of speaking English is to put yourself in situations where you feel uncomfortable. Volunteer to speak at some event, talk to strangers, speak nothing but English for a full day (or week). Just like jumping off a diving board for the first time, you will realize that the fear disappears immediately after you have done it.
You could also check this out:Ā Tips for Improving Your English Speaking: Part 1
Another way to get over the fear is to ask for help. Ask people to repeat themselves, or tell them that you did not understand. In doing this, you set up an environment where you can communicate with ease.
You can also record yourself speaking (audio or video). When you hear how you sound, you are less likely to feel fear when speaking to others. You will also see how important it is to speak slowly and clearly. It does not matter how you speak, as long as you get your message across.
Recording yourself is a great way to improve your speaking skills.
Finally, you should always remind yourself why you are learning English in the first place. Maybe you need it for a new job or want to get a degree in the U.S. When you recall your purpose, you fear of speaking English will magically evaporate.
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About the Author
Dagmawi is a man of many hats. He was written web content, as a journalist and creatively. An engineer by training, he also has experience with marketing and business development. But travel and writing are his two passions and he is always on the search for greater opportunities to express himself through the written word. Follow him on Twitter https://twitter.com/dgyntiso.
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