Language anxiety is a common challenge that many language learners encounter, rooted in both psychological and cultural factors. This anxiety can manifest in various ways, often stemming from fears of judgment, self-doubt, or the pressure to perform well in a new language. Despite the prevalence of this issue, there are effective strategies and resources available to help individuals overcome these barriers and build confidence in their language abilities. Having personally experienced language anxiety, I understand the struggles it presents and the importance of finding ways to navigate through it. In this blog, we will explore the causes of language anxiety and share practical approaches to manage and ultimately conquer it.
Causes of Language Anxiety
Self-Doubt
Once we start to develop language anxiety it can fuel our self-doubt further as it can be harder to believe that we can realistically do it, especially as time goes on. The worry can take over the very things we love and enjoy about the language and the fundamental reasons we want to learn it. The goal of this blog is to help you gain back that control and enjoyment of the language.
The Perception of the Challenges Ahead
The more we delve into the grammar and complexities of a language rather than immersing ourselves in the language itself, the more we fuel our language anxiety by worrying about how much there is to learn rather than taking the steps everyone takes in language learning which is learning through immersion.
Limited Active Vocabulary
Our native language makes up a large part of how we choose to portray ourselves to the world as well as our ability to relate with others. When speaking another language we experience things in the world around us differently and it becomes harder to articulate our true feelings and emotions.
In our native language, there are many words we understand the meaning of but don’t use often, if ever. We have a storage bank of words and phrases that we instinctively use when needing to express our feelings, emotions, and opinions. This is considered our active vocabulary. In the language we are learning this storage bank of words is significantly smaller and therefore it will take longer to form the words or phrases needed to say what you want to say accurately.
Most of our personality traits are conditioned by the linguistic culture we grew up in. When learning a language, we are putting ourselves out there in a vulnerable setting which can make it harder to feel confident to take the time to express ourselves.
Fear of Making Mistakes
When speaking a second language to strangers or in an unfamiliar environment it is easy to get the idea in your head that you need to communicate perfectly rather than having the goal of simply being able to understand one another. A fear and reluctance to speak in the language you’re learning impacts both your performance and the enjoyment you get out of the learning journey.
I have dealt with severe language anxiety while on my journey learning Japanese. Not being in an environment of active and native speakers, I spent most of my time learning vocabulary and grammar and not much time seeking to speak and write in Japanese in real-time. When the opportunities did arise for me to speak the language I would freeze up and feel as though I could not speak the language at all.
Now I can hold conversations well and without an overwhelming fear of making mistakes. Below are the strategies and resources that I used plus some that come highly recommended from language learners from all over the world.
Strategies to Overcome Language Anxiety
Below are some strategies and resources accompanying them to help you overcome the fear and anxiety with second language interactions so you can propel your way to confident and natural speaking!
Find a Language Exchange Partner
Finding someone who is learning your native language and a native speaker of the language you’re learning is a great way to practice speaking in a more comfortable, low-pressure environment. The person your language exchange with will understand and be going through a lot of the same or similar struggles on their language learning journey. You will be able to offer each other mutual support as well as allow both partners to learn from each other’s mistakes and successes. Visit HiNative or
r/languageexchange to find a language partner today!
Set Achievable Goals
When setting language learning goals, it can be easy to think big and set unrealistic goals for yourself and struggle to stay motivated. Instead of aiming to become fluent overnight, break down your language learning into smaller, achievable targets. Celebrate your growth and successes every step of the way and adjust your goals when necessary.
Therefore, it is important to have the mindset that every step no matter how small is a step forward in your language learning goals. Setting yourself goals and being flexible and understanding with yourself and the situations life throws at you is key to continue moving forward with reduced language anxiety. This incremental approach can make the learning process feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
Solo Practice and Embracing Written Skills
Saying things out loud or writing down your thoughts and actions is another great way to gain confidence and broaden your active vocabulary as the more you repeat phrases or structures the more natural they come to you. Start a journal in your target language, participate in online forums, or use social media to engage with native speakers. Writing allows you to organize your thoughts and express yourself without the immediacy of spoken conversation.
Another way to practice alone is by shadowing. This is where you mimic a native speaker’s pronunciation and intonation. About TV shows movies or someone they want to sound like.
Supportive Environment
Creating a supportive environment is crucial for overcoming language anxiety. Surround yourself with encouraging friends, family, or classmates who understand your journey. Join language groups, either locally or online, where members are focused on mutual support. Engage in language meet-ups or workshops that foster a positive atmosphere. Sharing your experiences and challenges with others can help normalize feelings of anxiety and create a sense of community.
Test Yourself
Testing yourself can be a useful way to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement. Take the Proficiency Test to find out your English Level.
By understanding the causes of language anxiety by implementing these strategies and utilizing available resources, you can significantly reduce language anxiety and enhance your learning experience. Remember that language learning is a journey, and every step you take is a step toward greater fluency, confidence, and new experiences!
