How to Overcome Language Anxiety

Public speaking is known to be one of the greatest fears humans face. Rosetta Stone language
Speaking in a group in a foreign language multiplies the effect. Many people experience a fear of learning and speaking another language for fear of having a "foreign accent" or saying something embarrassing by mistake. They feel vulnerable that others may ridicule them. Language is one way we control our environment. When you learn another language your command and control is lessened at first as you move toward mastery. There are many things you can do to lessen the anxiety of language learning.Difficulty:Moderately ChallengingInstructions Things You'll NeedTape recorderMirrordictionaryTapes or compact discs1Focus on communication rather than perfect pronunciation. Work with a teacher, tutor or conversation partner that will give you positive feedback when you communicate basic messages to them in the new language. When they understand what you are telling them you are achieving success.2Listen carefully as your live source of language produces the sounds. Use tapes and compact disks to supplement your listening skills. The more you hear the language spoken well the faster you will acquire a near native accent. Language learning, according to Stephen Krashen is a matter or acquisition. "Acquisition requires meaningful Rosetta Stone Arabic
interaction in the target language - natural communication - in which speakers are concerned not with the form of their utterances but with the messages they are conveying and understanding."3Build a positive trusting relationship with a person who knows the language well. A teacher, tutor, or conversational partner who is fluent with a native or near native accent is ideal. This natural bond will reduce the resistance to language learning. This process is known as lowering the "affective filter" according to Krashen's model. It works in the same way mothers teach children language.4Talk and listen about subjects and topics you know and care about. The main reason why learning a foreign language can be boring is because it is foreign. Talk about topics that are familiar and known. Foods, sports, music, family and school are familiar topics to start with. The more background knowledge you have in your native language about these topics the more you will acquire the vocabulary needed to talk about them in the second language.5Practice speaking and reading in front of a mirror at home. You will see yourself as others see you. It will not be half as bad as you think. You will gain confidence to speak and read out loud as you realize that you do not look different or weird in the process.6Realize that you have what it takes to learn and speak the new language. There are no sounds that the native Cheap Rosetta Stone V3
speakers can make that you cannot, due to some genetic advantage. They learned to pronounce the words. So can you.