Overcoming the Fear of Speaking English: Tips for Language Learners

As IELTS candidates, being anxious about speaking English is relatively standard. Achieving a high score requires a good command of English; for non-native speakers, familiarizing yourself with a new language is never easy.

Typically, you would search for IELTS prep programs with a proper English course for beginners to advanced pupils. But with a few practical tips, you can learn to speak the language without fear. Let’s break them down.

1. Set Achievable Goals

You need to set goals when learning to speak English, but don’t go overboard. Start with small and achievable goals to ensure steady progress. For example:

• In your next class, ask your teacher a question
• Initiate conversations by saying “How are you?” to a different student or your friends who speak English
• A short conversation in English with someone (simple and easy)
• Speaking in English over the phone.

2. Face Your Fears, but Gently

Speaking English may stress you out initially and cause you to avoid it altogether. Instead, it might be easier to do something different, like grammar exercises or reading an English passage. But avoiding it will just amplify the problem. So, start speaking a little every day. Practice your chosen words and tone, and talk slowly in the beginning. Also, try to speak in front of a mirror to identify what you need to work on. Practice, practice, practice, and you will overcome that fear.

3. Chase Fluency, Not Perfection

Most people, even those preparing for IELTS tests, chase perfection; they want to speak English proficiently. This aspect adds to their fear, but it’s important to remember that fluency matters more than perfection. IELTS examiners know that you’re an international student, and that your accent or how you speak English might be different. However, what truly matters to them is how well you can speak English.

Focus on being as clear and concise as possible, regardless of improper pronunciation. Learn how to read, listen, and write in English to expand your vocabulary and understand the language you speak.

4. Observe Native Speakers

Make it a habit to listen to and watch native English speakers. Doing this is one of the most practical ways to improve your English, as it gives you real-time information on how they communicate, the words and phrases they use, and their pronunciation. Begin watching English movies, television shows, and online video recordings, or listen to English music and digital recordings. The more you practice this, the faster you learn the language and lose your fear of speaking.

5. Embrace Your Mistakes

Everyone commits mistakes while learning something new; it is a universal truth. The same goes for learning English, as you can imagine. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities to improve your English fluency instead of being afraid of them. If there are mistakes, try to fix them while learning the language, through reading, writing, or listening.

6. Record Yourself Speaking 

While you learn and practice speaking English, it may be helpful to record yourself. When you listen back to your recordings, you will hear the mistakes or errors you may have inevitably missed as you focused more on the speech part earlier. Moreover, this little habit will make you more aware of your speaking patterns and let you work on specific areas to become more fluent. 

7. Practice Speaking Slowly and Clearly

You will undoubtedly make mistakes if you focus on appearing fluent and speaking fast. As a result, your fear of speaking English will simply compound. Instead, focus on speaking slowly but clearly. Doing this will ensure you get enough time to gather your thoughts, articulate your ideas well, and convey messages clearly understood by others. 

Wrapping Up

If you are learning a new language, it is essential to be optimistic. Mistakes will happen, and that is perfectly okay; all that counts is how you amend and move on to become a speaker of English. There is a lot of hesitation and fear in the beginning stage, which is fine, but when you practice and develop the proper habits to practice English, this fear will go away, and you will gain confidence. Following these pointers and making them habits will enable you to combat your anxiety in the long term and eventually speak English like a pro and ace your IELTS examinations!