How to Combat Your Language Learning Anxiety

Learning a new language can be very daunting. I remember when I felt this way the first time I wanted to learn a new language, you fear that you will pronounce something incorrectly or that you’ll say something wrong, and the people you try to communicate with will take offence. This feeling is quite normal because learning a new language is a bit harder than learning how to ride a bike for the first time. It will take a lot of practise, but the most important part is to remember that even if something feels impossible, anything is possible as long as you try your best.

A new fear unlocked

I will now share with you my own personal experience of learning a new language, why I wanted to learn it, and the benefits I gained from it. I went overseas in 2017 and saw quite a bit of Europe. I never really saw the need to learn because I never really knew the benefits of being able to communicate in a different language. Once I got overseas, a new fear unlocked inside me, the fear of not being able to communicate at all and also not understanding what was being said from their side to mine. This new fear unlocked a drive inside me to at least try and learn the basics, for example, how to ask for directions and say thank you. Knowing where you’re going and being friendly will get you a long way. This brings me back to my first point people are much nicer than you think, especially because they respect your efforts to try and communicate with them in their own language. A few other tips I can share is that you need to realise that Rome was not built in a day, and you also won’t be able to learn a new language overnight. So allow yourself some time and start with the basics. Accept that you will make mistakes, and do not be so hard on yourself. The main aim of communicating in a different language is to get ideas across, not to be perfect. Most importantly, stay positive as you keep learning remind yourself that every day you learn is a day you know more than you did yesterday.

Make steps to conquer your fear

By taking the first step, you have already conquered your fear. By deciding to take charge and learn, you’ll realise that the more you focus on your goal, the less your anxiety will become until you’ve eventually reached your goal and your anxiety disappears completely.