I was scrolling through Twitter earlier today and came across this tweet.
The tweet inspired me to record a podcast episode to share my opinion. I will share a summary of my answer to her question below, but you can listen to my podcast for a more in-depth and nuanced reply.
Is it normal to feel anxious when speaking another language?
Absolutely! It’s normal. Take comfort in the fact that literally millions of people have faced and overcome this challenge. You are not the first to feel this way.
Why is it so scary to speak in another language?
Anytime you venture into the unknown, you will potentially feel anxious. Take it one step at a time and go slow. You do not need to speak immediately from day one. Focus more on reading and listening. Over time, gradually incorporate speaking into your practice/study schedule in a way that you are comfortable doing.
Is it harder to learn a language for adults than it is for kids?
Let’s say you took an adult and a child, and both of them dedicated the same amount of time to learning a language per week. Let’s also assume that they both used the most optimal learning methods. In most circumstances, the adult will acquire the language faster. In addition, in my experience both kids and adults have a tendency to feel self-conscious when speaking another language. The key to reducing the anxiety/nervousness is to ensure an environment where the learner feels safe to make mistakes and fully engage in the learning process.
As I said before, I did elaborate further on this question in my podcast. Have a listen when you have a moment!