Beginners often freeze up when it comes time to speak.
I’ve taught hundreds of people who have a mental block around speaking. Here are some common traits I’ve noticed for those who struggle with this:
They primarily use self-study tools such as apps, textbooks, or podcasts to learn a language
They feel anxious and self-conscious to speak
They have nobody to practice with OR are too self-conscious/nervous to practice with the native speakers that they do know
They often feel more confident with other aspects of language learning such as grammar, writing, reading, and/or listening
The good news is that there’s a simple solution. It costs anywhere from $0 to $50 per month.
The solution is to talk to a private tutor who is patient and makes you feel at ease. Talk to this person twice a month for 30 minutes. That’s it. Such a tutor will know how to make you feel comfortable, encourage you, and patiently converse with you even if you feel like you don’t have the ability to hold a conversation.
If you want to, you can increase the frequency of your lessons with this instructor. You would, naturally, notice faster results.
There are three websites/apps I would recommend looking for a tutor like this. Two of the three cost money, one is free.
Option 1: italki ($12.50 to $25 per lesson)
Pros: Wide selection of languages, thousands of instructors on the website, user friendly website, affordable rates
Cons: You may need to shop around to find a tutor who understands how to help you with the particular challenge of being a beginner who freezes up
Option 2: My business, the Calgary Language Nerds ($25 per lesson)
Pros: We have instructors who know exactly how to help beginners who freeze up - you will not have to shop around
Cons: We don’t have much space left for new students, we offer fewer languages than italki, and we would charge you $25 per 30-minute lesson (i.e., you might find someone cheaper on italki)
Option 3: HelloTalk (free)
Pros: It’s free!
Cons: I’ve talked to at least 100 people who have used the app and at least half of them don’t like it. I personally like it and have used it before, hence why I put in on this list
Neutral: It’s a language exchange app, so you’d be helping someone practice your first language and in exchange they help you practice theirs. Some people like this aspect and others do not
Finding a private tutor to help you break through your mental block around speaking works because…
You’re in a low-pressure environment that encourages you to speak
You build a genuine relationship with a native speaker. As you do that, you’ll feel at ease with them, making it easier to have conversations
Side-note: Freezing up tends to happen way more frequently with people you don’t have rapport with, not with those you like and trust
The tutor becomes your language parent
You get your nose out of the books/apps and start interacting with a real person
If you have any questions about this, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Contact me at https://azrenthelanguagenerd.com/contact. This is a struggle I understand deeply.
Gracias Azren
Me gustan muchos tus sugerencias . Me ayuda mucho.