Gone are the days, where you had to enrol in language learning classes to learn a new language. Learning a language is as easy as playing a game daily, with language apps. However, there arises a new challenge: People just unlock new levels, and forget to practise it in daily life. Sounds familiar?
Well this blog is right for you then. Learning a new language, such as French, Japanese, Chinese, or Spanish does not only mean stocking up on new vocabulary. You have to be able to use the language in real life, outside of the app. In this blog, let us understand the steps to build actual confidence in speaking a new language.
How Can You Overcome Confidence Block While Learning a New Language?
Have you ever felt you knew the language perfectly until a native speaker actually spoke with you and you blanked? Then you are not alone. A study in Cambridge shows that several learners of a second language could know words passively but they themselves would be able to participate in the reality.
Here are the ways, you can increase your confidence when you are learning a new language online:
Step 1: Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes
You don’t have to be perfect from the get go. Of course, you will not be able to speak in a nuanced manner that native speakers do. Therefore, don’t put exceptionally high expectations around yourself. In fact, count on your mistakes to gain confidence, as it will teach you what’s wrong and right.
Step 2: Don’t Think, Just Speak
One of the common problems that people have is that they think whatever they say has to be perfect. This creates a mental block where you don’t speak at all unless you have all the right words and grammar. Instead, you should practice saying the language out loud without thinking about how it sounds.
Step 3: Make Communication Your Goal
The point of learning a new language is not to get an arsenal of words, but to use them to form coherent sentences. Why? Because, language is a means of communication. Therefore, when you get nervous, thinking that you cannot form a sentence, you can re-think that your main goal is to communicate your needs to others.
Step 4: Practise Speaking Basic Phrases
Suppose you are learning Spanish and you want to introduce yourself to someone. You’d say ‘Yo soy (your name)’. These simple phrases seem like they are very easy and don’t need practice, but saying these out loud increases your confidence. You can also learn a language with italki and get someone to converse with you.
Step 5: Track Progress Weekly
Finally, you will be able to conquer your fear of speaking once you start measuring your progress each week. For instance, if during the course of the week you find yourself being able to say hello to someone or introduce yourself and manage to make 3-4 sentences that make sense, you will be happy. Eventually you will notice that you can speak the language!
Why Do People Feel Nervous Talking in a Foreign Language?
Now that we know about the ways you can gain confidence while speaking, a question may arise, ‘Why do people feel nervous talking in a language they are already learning?’ here are the plausible reasons:
Getting Lost in Translation
Your brain often thinks in your native language and then translates. However, different languages follow different grammatical rules. Thus, many people get lost in translation and ultimately feel nervous when talking.
Fear of Being Judged
Most people think that if they speak wrong, other people may judge them. Or they constantly compare themselves with people who are experts at the language. Both these create barriers in speaking the language.
Not Enough Preparation
Lastly, you may not be able to speak the language you are learning because you don’t know how to. Many people avoid speaking as they think that they are prepared enough for that.
Final Thoughts
Learning a new language means being able to speak it as well. Learning a language from an app may be convenient, but if you don’t speak it, you won’t be able to communicate. Ultimately, languages help us to communicate. Therefore, practise daily and ditch the fear of being judged. Happy learning.
