In this article, I chose not to use any tool to improve my English, because the topic itself is about daring to speak. More precisely, it is about the fear of speaking a language that is not our native one. This reflection comes from a conversation I had with a friend whose native language is Dutch. She speaks English and French, and since I am French, I often tell her that she could practice her French with me. However, even if she really wants to, she does not dare to speak it.
This conversation made me realize how common this fear is. Many people are afraid of speaking another language because they are scared of making mistakes, having a strong accent, and not sounding fluent enough. I experienced the same feeling when I arrived in Jönköping in August. From the first day, speaking English was necessary just to communicate and interact with people. At the beginning, this situation was very stressful for me. My accent is noticeable, and I often felt like my English was not good enough. I was afraid of making mistakes, of being judged, or of not being taken seriously. Even simple conversations could feel intimidating.
Now, after several months of speaking English every day, I can see that I am improving. However, the fear has not completely disappeared. My accent is still strong, and speaking English in front of many people can still make me feel uncomfortable. What I find interesting is that every time I talk about this feeling with others, they tell me the same thing, that they understand me perfectly, and they do not notice my mistakes as much as I do myself.
“People do not hear your mistakes as loudly as you do, they hear your effort.”
If I am writing this article, it is not only to talk about my own experience, but to share something that many students can relate to. The message may sound cliché, but remains important: if you are afraid to speak another language, do it anyway! People do not hear your mistakes as loudly as you do, they hear your effort. Speaking another language is not about being perfect, but about trying, communicating, and learning.
So, dare to speak! Your accent, or your mistakes are not a problem, they are just your language wearing a cool outfit. Worst scenario, you invent a new word and make someone smile.
Writer: Lylia Snoussi
