Do you feel as though you have studied English for half of your life and are still unable to speak it? Does it seem like no matter how hard you study grammar, you can never get comfortable speaking? A language barrier is something that many learners of foreign languages struggle to overcome. Maria Sukhova, DevRel EPAM, believes that it is indeed surmountable.
There are objective linguistic causes for a language barrier, including a limited active vocabulary and insufficient conversational practice. However, psychological factors, such as the fear of making a mistake, failing to understand the other person, or being incomprehensible, have even more impact.
Face your fears
One effective way to deal with fears is to imagine that the worst has already happened. Then you realize it's not the end of the world. And here's why.
"I'm afraid to make a mistake."
Anyone who has never made a mistake in a conversation with a foreigner has never learned a foreign language. Unfortunately, your previous learning experiences might instill a lifelong fear of making mistakes. It is worth remembering that the person you are talking to is not there to test your ability to use the Present Perfect or assess your knowledge.
"I have an accent."
Yes, you do have an accent. So do I. And so do Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and Jackie Chan. Speaking English will become easier once you understand that native speakers do not expect perfect pronunciation from you. While you should still work on it, even a strong accent has never been an insurmountable obstacle to communication.
"I will be unintelligible."
Insecurities about mistakes, an accent, or insufficient vocabulary often feed into the fear of being unintelligible. Eventually, someone might have trouble understanding you, but let's admit, this can happen even when you're speaking your native language. In such a situation, don't be embarrassed; keep it simple and try to get your point across using simple structures, words, gestures, and even facial expressions.
"I won’t understand."
Native speakers tend to speak too fast, using slang and idioms. In addition, there are around 50 different English accents. It is no wonder that you may not understand something. Prepare helpful phrases for such situations in advance:
«Sorry, I didn’t catch that.»
«Could you repeat it, please?»
«Could you speak slower, please?»
Practice makes perfect
The main goal of mastering a language is not to learn it flawlessly but to learn how to express your thoughts with it. Most of the time, your conversation partners are prepared for your mistakes and will still comprehend you. If you want to improve your speaking skills and overcome the language barrier faster, here are three simple life hacks.
- Learn the words. Don't let the grammar slow you down. Expanding your vocabulary for real-life conversations in English is much more important. No amount of intricate tenses and gerunds will help you tell what you did over the summer if you don't know how to say vacation or barbecue. Focus on learning new words and phrases, and the grammatical structures will fall into place as you start practicing regularly.
- Listen more. Few students enjoy listening, but it's worth practicing so you can better understand your conversation partner and feel more confident when speaking English. Today, there are many fun ways to practice your listening skills: you can improve your English with audiobooks, listen to podcasts and radio, and watch movies, TV shows, and videos on YouTube.
- Speak. The most apparent and handy tip is to speak English as much as possible, even if it means talking to your reflection in the mirror. Practice pronouncing common expressions and phrases you might use in a conversation. Repeat the lyrics to your favorite songs, quotes from books, or lines from TV shows you watch in English. Get used to the sound of yourself speaking English.
Go for it!
What do you think of people from other countries learning your native language? You probably admire their bravery and determination. Native English speakers feel the same about you. They understand and appreciate the fact that you speak a language that is not your mother tongue. Don't be too hard on yourself for making mistakes, treat them with a bit of humor, practice frequently, and you will succeed.
