Tips To Reduce Language Anxiety

So, what can you do to reduce your language anxiety? Well, there are a few things that can help.

First, try to relax and remember that making mistakes is a natural part of learning a new language. Nobody is perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect either. Most people are already quite impressed and pleased if you make an effort to communicate in their native language and most will understand the struggle to do so. Try to put it in this perspective a bit and you’ll notice your stress will reduce instantly.

The second one is a bit less handy when you already are in an actual situation in which you have to speak a foreign language. But as the saying goes: Practice makes perfect. The more you practice speaking in the language, the more comfortable you will become. Find someone who speaks the language fluently and practice with them regularly. The more you speak, the more natural it will feel and the more confidence you will have when having to communicate in this language. And don’t forget that language learning is a process. Small mistakes and setbacks are included in every process. Just don’t be too harsh on yourself.

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If all these tips do not do the trick for you, we want to share one last piece of advice. Just have a drink. Or two. Or even more, we don’t mind. Alcohol will reduce your self-awareness and will make you forget your nerves for a while. But keep in mind: too much alcohol will decrease your general speaking abilities, let alone speaking in a foreign tongue.

In conclusion, language anxiety is a real thing that can be a major obstacle to language learning. But with a little bit of practice, patience, self-confidence, and a cold beer, you can overcome it and become fluent in every language you see appropriate to communicate in or impress your newly made holiday friends.