Are You Letting Fear Interrupt Your English Learning?

Nothing can be changed without some kind of effort. Let’s assume you’ve come to that stage in your English learning where you feel comfortable using your grammar and your vocabulary span is pretty decent. But when it comes to talking to native English speakers you freeze, and it seems like you are not able to say everything you want the way you want to say it, although you know it all!

Your goal is to be fluent in a way everybody can understand you and to be able to talk freely and openly on any given subject. Nice goal – and it is attainable, with just a little bit of effort.

So, what is it that you have to ask yourself and change in your learning routine to take that extra step and push the boundaries?

Ask yourself:

1. Am I intelligent enough to accomplish my goal?
Of course you are! You’ve already mastered so much, your only problem is getting out of that comfort zone and stop giving up!

2. What am I afraid of?
The answer is embarrassment. Like most people you don’t want to be in a situation where someone can’t understand what you are talking about, even though you’re giving your best. Worst case scenario – someone might even think you’re stupid. That fear is understandable but not valid. If you never go through it, you will never be able to make a change. Talk freely! You ARE a student. How many people speak your native language as a second one?

3. Why do I want to learn English?
This might be the crucial question. Admit to yourself why is it that you need to speak fluently and you will get your motivation. It might be because you are traveling abroad, to an English speaking country. Maybe you are looking for a job and your English has to be at a very good level. Or you might be an exchange student, so your knowledge will be tested both in classes and in social life? Or, perhaps you just want to learn English because it a lingua franca of today. English is everywhere and you think it is essential to master it. Whatever the reason take it as a motivation. Set your goal and stick to it.

How to do it?

1. Eliminate stress
If you are stressed you are probably trying to do much more than you can. Learning process is a step-by-step work and it takes time. The more thorough you are, the better your learning will go in the future.

2. Motivate yourself
Think about the reasons you want to learn, see yourself already speaking as you would like to. Never mind the present state, think about all the joys of already accomplished task.

3. Plan and organize
Set a time of the day when you are exclusively dedicated to practicing English. Set your working table and your surroundings to be pleasant and motivating. Let everyone know this is your time of the day when you are not to be disturbed. This way you will grow accustomed to the habit of studying and most probably will look forward to it every day.

4. Don’t be too hard on yourself
This might be one of the hardest things to do. You want everything to be perfect and every setback is getting you off the track. Well, stop it. If you are not successful at something, take a little brake and go the next thing. Be relaxed and have fun with the process. The more relaxed you are the better you will learn.