Hello friends! Welcome back to English with Janet! Today, I want to talk about something that holds so many English learners back—the fear of making mistakes. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been learning for a while, the fear of messing up can make speaking in English feel daunting. I get it! We all want to communicate clearly, sound natural, and avoid embarrassing ourselves. But guess what? Mistakes are a natural part of learning any language, including English!
In this post, I’ll share why it’s okay to make mistakes, how to overcome the fear of speaking, and tips to help you boost your confidence. Let’s dive in and learn how to embrace those mistakes!
Before we talk about how to overcome the fear, let’s understand why it happens. Here are some common reasons:
The truth is, all of these feelings are valid, and many English learners experience them. But the important thing to remember is that mistakes are part of the process.
I know it sounds strange, but mistakes are your best friends when it comes to learning a language! Let’s look at why:
Now that we’ve established that making mistakes is okay (and even good!), how do we overcome that fear? Here are some tips to help you feel more confident in your English speaking journey.
The first step to overcoming the fear is to change how you think about mistakes. Instead of viewing them as failures, see them as opportunities for growth. Every time you make a mistake, you’re learning something new!
A helpful technique is to tell yourself, “Mistakes mean I’m making progress.” When you shift your perspective, you’ll feel less anxious about messing up and more open to trying.
One of the best ways to build your confidence is by practicing English in a comfortable, low-pressure environment. You don’t have to start by speaking to native speakers right away. Instead, find a language partner, join a study group, or practice with friends who are also learning English.
These safe spaces can help reduce the fear of being judged, and you’ll feel more relaxed when speaking.
The goal of speaking English is to communicate, not to be perfect. Ask yourself: Did the person understand what I was trying to say? If the answer is yes, then that’s a success, even if you made a few mistakes.
Language is about connecting with others, not getting every single word and sentence right. Focus on the message you want to deliver rather than trying to speak flawlessly.
Sometimes, we get so caught up in the mistakes we make that we forget to celebrate our progress. Every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating! Did you have a conversation in English, even if you struggled? Amazing! Did you learn a new word or phrase? Fantastic!
Give yourself credit for every win, and don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go perfectly. Progress is progress!
What you say to yourself matters. If you keep telling yourself things like, “I’m bad at English,” or “I’ll never be able to speak fluently,” then you’ll start to believe it. Instead, use positive affirmations like:
These simple statements can help boost your confidence and make you feel more capable.
When you do make a mistake, try not to dwell on it for too long. Instead, learn from it, correct it if possible, and move on. Obsessing over errors will only make you more nervous the next time you try to speak.
A good technique is to keep a language journal where you write down mistakes you’ve made and the corrections. This way, you can track your progress without feeling overwhelmed by them.
Having a supportive community can make a big difference. Whether it’s a group of fellow learners, a teacher, or even online forums, being surrounded by people who encourage you can help ease your fears.
You can also follow English learning channels (like English with Janet 😉) for inspiration and tips. Seeing others make progress can motivate you to keep going!
Let me share a quick story. I remember when I was learning a second language, I once used the wrong word in a conversation and ended up saying something totally embarrassing. I was mortified! But, the person I was speaking to just laughed and corrected me in the most friendly way. That moment taught me that most people are kind and understanding when you’re trying to speak their language. They appreciate the effort!
Even today, when I make mistakes in other languages, I remind myself that it’s all part of the journey. The important thing is to keep trying and not give up.
So, if you’ve been holding yourself back because you’re afraid of making mistakes, it’s time to let go of that fear. Remember that everyone makes mistakes—it’s how we learn! The more you practice speaking, the more confident you’ll become, and the fewer mistakes you’ll make over time.
Embrace the learning process, surround yourself with support, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. You’re doing amazing, and I’m so proud of your progress!
If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with fellow English learners. And as always, keep practicing, keep learning, and keep speaking! Until next time, happy learning!
Warmly, Janet
English with Janet
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