Learning English is not as simple as learning English grammar or learning new words. It involves a level of confidence that is necessary for fluency, yet it is also one of the most elusive skills to acquire. Certain language learners can even exhibit a solid knowledge of the language but lack the confidence to speak out. What is the reasoning behind this? And, even more, crucial, how is it possible to transcend this limitation?
Always wish to stand out from the crowd with your unique spoken English? In this lesson, you will learn how to gain the confidence to speak English and why we often do not speak aloud when we should.
The Emotion Of Speech: What Affects Your Ability To Speak
The usual suspect when diagnosing the problem of a learner's lack of confidence is fear. This fear, however, springs from self-doubt, the surroundings or a combination of both. Defeating these feelings requires as much practice as change of mindset.
The Situation: It's Complex, There's a Solution.
One of the underlying reasons of caution amongst the learners when speaking English is fear of articulating wrong English. It could either be using the incorrect tense, improper pronunciation of a term or get stuck somewhere trying to build the right structure of the sentences, the thought of passing a wrong statement can be paralyzing. Surprisingly, this very reluctance is exactly what hinders all progress.
Solution
Understand that nobody's perfect, errors are the best possible way to learn. Even native speakers have their mistakes; not everybody can sound perfectly right from the very start. Instead of seeking to be perfect, aim to be able to communicate. The more you accept your bad mistakes, the better chances you get to learn and grow.
Give this a try: Make it a point to say at least one thing in English, however simple it may be, once every day. If they can, try to find someone who can help but knows that the other person is a beginner and will not concentrate too much on mistakes. The most important issue is 'saying it nicely,' but rather the consistency.
Accomplishing Something One Step at a Time
Overconfidence is something that is not gained as easily as it may seem, however, there is always a chance to develop it in small steps. One of the reasons learners feel overwhelmed is because they set goals that are too broad or too ambitious.
The Problem: Failure to Describe Goals Vertically
Many learners have a desire to "speak fluently" but this can be seen as a goal that is rarely practical and very vague. Without smaller levels and manageable goals, one will only feel that fluency is a more or less far-fetched and unrealistic goal.
Solution
The first step towards successful oral ability is breaking down fluency into sub-skills. Pick one area and work on it. For instance, if you struggle with modules in English where you have to talk about yourself, target this module and keep on working on it until it becomes habit.
The Problem: Taking Too Long Before Making Below the Line Call
Many learners are guilty of thinking that they need to prepare first so that they can utter words without making grammar mistakes. They drill grammar, memorize vocabulary, and try their hands on the drill of reading but when it comes to actual speaking practice, they are nowhere to be found. As a result, this leads to poor readiness for real speaking tasks, since they didn't practice before the actual performance.
Solution
The very first interaction that you want to have in the target language should be verbal communication and should be the first activity that learners do the moment they start the course. Focus on speaking right about every event that comes to your mind. As you describe what you see, rehearse dialogues with your reflection or converse with an online language partner, make attempts to discuss in English. Speaking becomes effortless with such practice.
Explore an activity called "speaking shadows": Look for short videos in English and repeat as quickly as possible whatever the speaker is saying. This makes it easier for you to learn how to speak without contemplating too much about the structure and the words that you use. Rather than drown in accuracy here, the focus is getting the feel and the sound of speaking English.
Practicing the Power of Celebration: Exhaust the Small Wins.
One of the commonest learners' difficulties seems to be the anxiety users caused by their focus on what they are still unable to do in English. Change your mindset – don't dwell on the limitations and concentrate on what you can do and this will instill confidence and help develop good habits.
The Problem: Internal Negative This "Vanity "
It's very easy to become one's own enemy. The learners are generally quick to pen their mistakes and/or the areas of weakness thereby dismissing the possibility of ever making any progress. For example, "I cannot speak english well" or "I am going to make a mess of everything," and such statements do reinforce negativity in one's self thereby increasing fear in attempting to speak.
Solution
Positive self-reinforcement. Focus on improvements because they are progress to be made and achieved. Did you pronounce a complicated syllable accurately? Or perhaps you were able to ask something in english without waiting for a prolonged moment? These minor issues should be acknowledged and through recognition the individuals confidence will be able to move forward.
Here's how you can proceed practically: Maintain a journal in which you register the best moments when using English while speaking. When you hold a conversation each time and every time there is a practice session, you are supposed to count in your head at least one thing you did right, no matter how negligible it is. So gradually, you will begin to witness changes which will inspire further development.
Listening and Imitation: The easiest way of developing self-confidence
Self-confidence is mostly developed through exposure. The more you expose yourself to the sounds, patterns, and grammatical forms of English, the more confident you become when speaking it.
The Issue: Pronunciation and Grammar are hurdles in fluency of speech
Most of the learners are very much hesitant to speak because they are trying to pronounce the words in their minds or think about the grammatical rules. These aspects are important but still the speech cannot be monotonous and is supposed to be focused around the elements and rules.
Ways to enable correct pronunciation
You need to immerse yourself in English such that you get exposed to the language regularly. Look for material that sounds authentic such as: Podcasts, television series, interviews, and everyday conversations. Furthermore, do your best to mimic how native speakers pronounce, say words, and phrases. Listen to how they say sentences by focusing on their stress, beat, and how they complete the sentences.
A very fruitful exercise is known as `shadowing`. Listen to a segment of a native speaker, wait until they completely stop, and repeat the sentence as verbatim as possible. Absorbing not just the phrasing but also pace and voice of a native speaker encourages fluency and confidence.
Expanding your comfort zone: Not everything is as it seems
Lack of practice in unfamiliar scenarios in English will breed a reluctance to stock the needed vocabulary or structures for different exchanges. It is paramount for one to expand their comfort zone if they're to be able and confidently speak English under various environments and situations.
The problem: Adhering to non-controversial subjects
Most of the learners feel more comfortable bringing up some self-introduction or their work, or simply some routine topics, hence avoiding many interesting yet less habitual themes. While this is a good place to start, staying in this comfort zone makes it hard for you to gain confidence when discussing other, more interesting topics.
Solution
You could begin at your own pace and expose yourself to new and interesting topics. This could be in talking about a piece of news, teaching someone a difficult topic, or even meeting a new person and trying to make small talk. You can also give yourself a test and talk about various things in different environments.
The Importance of Feedback: Feedback Should not be Taken as Criticism
Many of the learners are discouraged from obtaining feedback due to possible criticism or being corrected too much. However, constructive feedback is crucial for development and for building self-esteem.
The Problem: Not Getting any Feedback
In the absence of feedback, it is difficult to determine what practices are effective and what practices require modification. A good number of students ignore feedback altogether or tend to be overly reliant on self-feedback which is often inaccurate.
Solution
Get feedback from an English teacher, a language partner, or a native English-speaking friend. The strategy is to specifically ask for constructive criticism and not just sweeping statements such as "You are doing well." For instance, request your conversation partner to pay attention to whether you are overemphasizing or mispronouncing some words or using awkward sentence constructions.
As always, speaking in English with self-assuredness is not a destination but a process that takes time to unfold, imagination, and most importantly, one's willingness to leave their comfort zones.
