Reducing B2 language learning anxiety
I am B2 (upper-intermediate) in two different languages, Mandarin and Gujarati, and A2 (upper-beginner) in Ukrainian. I experience a different kind of speaking anxiety depending on my level.
A2 anxiety is more like fear
In Ukrainian, the anxiety is logical. There is so much I don’t know that I am genuinely afraid to talk to native speakers. I know the odds of miscommunication and embarrassment are high.
B2 anxiety is like imposter syndrome
I remember being with a native Mandarin speaker in a board game cafe. She went to the bathroom and asked me to set up one of the games we were going to play. When my friend came back from the bathroom, she was baffled that it was taking me so long to get it set up. This is the source of my insecurity. People view me as much more proficient than I am. They overestimate my skills.
Another way this experience rears its head is through an innocent question: “why are you still learning Mandarin?” When native speakers talk to me, they view me as a Mandarin speaker, not learner, and don’t understand why I still choose to study the language. This happens to me in Gujarati as well.
Lastly, I don’t fully feel like myself. I get my point across just fine, but there are finer shades of meaning that I just can’t convey on the spot. Native speakers may not notice because I still look and sound confident, but I know inside that I modified my speech due to a vocabulary or grammar gap.
How to reduce B2 anxiety
I feel there are two approaches. The first is to solidify your level and get it to C1. You see, C1 is just a tightened up version of B2. You make fewer mistakes, flow a little better, and require far less effort to understand the target language. The increase in skill may be enough to reduce the high cognitive load B2 learners experience.
However, sometimes even C1 (and even C2 learners) feel self-conscious. I’ll never forget a few years ago sweating through my clothes out of nerves at a networking event for Francophones in Calgary. Despite my C2 level, I still felt afraid. In such situations, what has worked for me is preparation.
An example of preparation
I’m considering making more content in Spanish, but I’m a little afraid. I know it’s irrational; I am advanced in Spanish and have been for a very long time. To help reduce my nervousness, I am looking at taking 1-1 lessons specifically for people who want to make online content in Spanish.
This could provide me with extra confidence.
Another example
I recently met up with an old friend who I met in an intermediate Mandarin class years ago. Both of us went through a period of our lives where we used Mandarin regularly at work. To reduce our nervousness, we had notebooks with high-frequency phrases each of us needed to use with clients. The preparation calmed us down.
Nerves are normal
I don’t think there’s a way to completely get rid of nervousness. Language learning anxiety is something to manage, not eliminate.
Thanks for reading!
Azren
Calgary Language Nerds owner
https://azrenthelanguagenerd.com