Does speaking English give you anxiety?

When speaking in English, many people experience a feeling of discomfort that arises from the disability express yourself with the same fluency that you have when speaking your own language and automatically the fear of doing the ridiculous. It is normal for this to happen since, beyond the study hours dedicated to learning, to to be able to function naturally in a second language, it is necessary to practice it, hear it and get used to it to the. But also, it is necessary to know what are the factors that can worsen this feeling of defect when trying to communicate in English. Once you are aware of why, it will be much easier to master your fears.

In this Psychology-Online article, we will see 5 aspects to consider to control the fear of making a fool of yourself and how to lose that fear so that speaking in English does not give you anxiety.

Index

1. You think too much
2. You do not study
3. You don't practice
4. You are afraid of being wrong
5. You constantly compare yourself

Oral communication is characterized by being spontaneous. Talking about a topic is not the same as writing about it. Therefore, if every time you want to say something, you hold back and begin to think about whether sentence construction is correct or if you could conjugate the sentence in a better way, you are limiting. Try not to analyze everything that comes out of your mouth, or at least don't do it beforehand. If the person you are talking to is able to correct you, ask them to do so and that way you can learn while you practice without losing spontaneity.

Many times we complain that something does not go as we would like. In these cases it is necessary to confront our expectations with the time we dedicate to the activity. If my goal is to achieve a bilingual command of the language, I will inevitably have to dedicate time and effort to it. Currently, there are many alternatives when it comes to studying. From the possibility of being able to study virtually through the internet, the limitations of schedules and distances are no longer an excuse. If you decide take English classes online, for example, on platforms like Preply, you will have the possibility to study at your own pace following a program developed according to your needs. On the other hand, if you are not willing to dedicate time to study, then it is best to relax and not pretend excellence.

Studying is essential, but then it is necessary to come to reality and practice. It is advisable to add moments of practice outside the scope of study, that is, to go out in search of people who speak English either native or who are learning like you and try have a conversation in real life. Talking about how you feel, what plans you have, or expressing your opinion on a current topic will allow you to incorporate the new language into your life organically. Another option is to talk to yourself out loud. Whether it's a description of what you're doing, or a seemingly meaningless cluster of thoughts, it can help you because by being alone, the pressure to make mistakes will be less and you may find that you are better than you you believed.

Perhaps this is the most determining factor when it comes to expressing yourself fluently. If you are constantly thinking that there is a possibility that you will make a mistake, you probably will. The funny thing is that you will do it anyway, because it is normal to make mistakes when one is learning something new, but when focusing In error, blur everything else and anxiety takes over your mind 2 times: previously and then once you have already made a mistake. Of course, making a mistake when talking to a friend does not have the same impact as if the same thing happens in another area, be it work or professional. But it is necessary that as human beings we understand at once that errors are necessary to be able to advance in the study of any subject. We recommend you consult this BBC article where they present the 6 reasons why being wrong is fine.

It is not a competition with others, but with yourself. If every time you participate in a conversation, you are focusing on how much better others express themselves, instead of in validating yourself and everything that you have learned in whatever time you have been trying, you are lost. Each person has their own learning times, and it is essential to know your own and respect it. This is not a race, there is no rush. The important thing is to be able to enjoy progress, laugh at mistakes and thus nurture self-confidence. In the following article, you will find more information about How to have confidence in yourself.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Does speaking English give you anxiety?, we recommend that you enter our category of Cognitive psychology.