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Paula
My fear of speaking English Hi, my name is Paula and I’ve been trying actively to learn english since about one year ago, but I think I didn’t find the right method (I used Duolingo and similar apps) and I didn’t want to step out of my confort-zone so I didn’t learn a lot. I’m going to change my plan: I’ve done a schedule where I have written the whole necessary matters to learn a language (not only reading and listening which are the only ones that I have been studing until now ). I’m going to practice three days a week for two hours each day. And each day I’m going to study one of the matters: writting, listening, gramar, listening, pronunciation, reading and the most feared by me: speaking :$. I fear it because I’m not very outgoing in my own language so you can imagine in one that I don’t speak well talking with somebody I didn’t know… I have spoken english when I traveled to foreign countries and I have no other alternative to speak. But nothing else. And here in Spain when a friend of mine has tried to speak in english with me to practice, I don’t Know why, my mouth is locked, even if I know the answer and I understand everything, I don’t know what happens that I can’t talk. It's not rational. The feeling is similar to jump from a springboard. You see it from a lateral view and think “bah It’s not too high” but when I am above it and the more think about jumping, the more my body get stucked and I just don’t dare. So I’m going to sing up for clases. The spent money may be enough motivation to take the plunge.
Nov 6, 2016 9:16 AM
Corrections · 9
1

My fear of speaking English

Hi, my name is Paula and I’ve been actively trying actively to learn English since about one year ago[".. for about a year" is better.], but I think I didn’t find["haven't found"] the right method (I used Duolingo and similar apps) and I didn’t want to step out of my confort-zone so I didn’t learn a lot.[.. so I haven't learnt much.]

I’m going to change my plan: I’ve done a schedule where I have written all the whole necessary matters to learn a language (not only reading and listening, which are the only ones that I have been studying until now ).
I’m going to practice three days a week for two hours each day. And Each day I’m going to study one of the matters: writting, listening, grammar, listening, pronunciation, reading and the most feared by me: speaking :$.

I fear it because I’m not very outgoing in my own language so you can imagine in one that I don’t speak well talking with somebody I didn’t know… [so the thought of using one I don't know well with a stranger...]

I have spoken English when I travelled to foreign countries and I had no other alternative to speak, but nothing else.
And here in Spain when a friend of mine has tried to speak in English with me to practice, I don’t know why, my mouth is locked, even if I know the answer and I understand everything, I don’t know what happens that I can’t talk. It's not rational. The feeling is similar to jump from a springboard. You see it from a lateral view and think “bah It’s not too high” but when I am above it and the more think about jumping, the more my body get stucked and I just don’t dare. [we 'freeze']

So I’m going to sing sign up for classes. The spent money may be enough motivation to take the plunge.

I think all that is very common, Paula. I like helping people with English, and I have had offers of help with other languages, but I am making very little progress in any of them. I suspect that any use of the language helps, but maybe classes that we choose to take might be the right commitment.

I can't recall any of the Spanish that I learned at school! (I never used it.)

Have you asked for help here on italki!

Den.

November 6, 2016
Eva, your video is very funny. I'm pretty sure that I will also hear the end of the ninth of Beethoven in my mind (or similar song) when I finally get english speaking jajaja. Bill. I am writting down your useful and good advices. Thank you very very much!
November 6, 2016
Paula, I remember my first time on Skype. I was riddled with fear and I looked for advice. The advice was 1) Cheat 2) Only have a first chat for half an hour, half in your language and half in theirs To Cheat. Write out all the phrases you are going to use. My name is, where I live, how I work etc etc. You'll find in the first 15 minutes you'll only need 15 phrases at a maximum. Then when you get lost in your words, you cheat After that, it is all the fun of meeting a new person, smile, breath and go for it, like jumping into a cold swimming pool. :-)
November 6, 2016
I have, and have had, the very same problem. It's easier if using the language as a bridge to other foreigners, but if someone has a pronounced English accent (English as in England) I feel rather intimidated. I liked the way you liken it to a springboard. Here's a film you might enjoy, about just that (they don't speak much, the images speak for themselves, so anybody can watch): http://www.svtplay.se/video/8120137/hopptornet/hopptornet-avsnitt-1?info=visa
November 6, 2016
Thank you both for your answers! RAY Nex week I'm going to a school near my house to sign up for english conversation and I hope in a few months I can practice my english here in Italki. For the moment I'm just going to use Italki for writting. MONICA my situation is like yours. I learned reading and grammar at school but nothing about speaking Just "My name is Paula, I'm from Spain, I'm a student, Yes I do and no I don't" and nothing else. But thanks God I don't have any speking exam right now! so I can taking it easy. :)
November 6, 2016
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