Facing Our Fears: The Anxieties of Speaking Another Language
Hello Super Learners,
Embarking on the journey of learning a new language comes with its share of fears and anxieties. It's normal; we've all had them. To move past these fears, the best strategy is to face them head-on. Let's dive into some common fears and how to transform them into stepping stones for learning.
The Fear of Making Mistakes
The first fear many encounter when tackling a new language is the fear of making mistakes. Do you never make mistakes in your native language? Know that mistakes are your best teachers in language learning. They pinpoint exactly where your understanding needs a little work. As a tutor, I love when my students make mistakes—it shows me where we need to focus our efforts. So go ahead, make mistakes; they will lead to great improvements.
The Fear of Ridicule
We've touched on this before, but it bears repeating: the only people who laugh at someone trying to speak a new language are those who don't understand the courage it takes to try. You never look foolish for trying to express yourself in a language that isn't your first. It's far more foolish to mock someone else's attempt. I admire every single person who tries to speak Spanish, no matter how many times they have to stop and search for the right word. It's a brave and commendable effort.
Speaking Anxiety
This fear is closely related to the first two. Sometimes, the conversation might be tough, and it's okay to admit when you don't understand something. As someone who also experiences this anxiety, I often have to ask people to repeat themselves or speak more slowly—and that's perfectly fine!
The Fear of Not Understanding
It's common to not catch every word someone says in their native tongue; it's not always the listener's fault—sometimes it's the speaker's! Over time, this fear diminishes. And there's a funny side to it: by nodding and agreeing, you might seem to understand everything! When I struggle with English, I politely ask for slower speech. Sometimes, I still don't catch every word, and that's okay.
Cultural Anxiety
You might understand the language and speak it well, but grasping the culture, jokes, and social cues is another layer of challenge. This anxiety is all in your head—it's not as significant as you might think. Immersing yourself in the culture and interacting with native speakers can help alleviate this anxiety.
The Fear of No Progress
Some days you might feel like a language genius, and others as if you've regressed. We all experience this. I've had days when my English flows effortlessly and others when I can't find the words. It feels like I've made no progress in years. The key to overcoming this? Practice daily and understand that everyone has off days, even in their native language.
Embrace the Journey
Remember, language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Be kind to yourself and recognize that each day brings you closer to fluency, no matter how small the step. The fears and anxieties are part of the process, and facing them is part of the adventure.
Keep learning, keep speaking, and turn those fears into fuel for your language learning journey.
Until next time,
Hasta luegorrrrr!
Spanish Super Tutor
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