Breaking Through The Difficulty Of Learning Spanish
I have been learning Spanish for the past year and I am not able to speak. I feel like this is a problem because my Spanish grade dropped from an A to a B. It's kind of embarrassing, but luckily, there are tips and things that help with this issue!
As with other languages, one of the most draining factors for those in the early stages of their language learning journey is overcoming their fear of speaking. This fear can manifest itself as severe fear of public speaking or as mild panics while in a class setting. One way to avoid this difficulty is by breaking down complex tasks into simpler steps that can be built upon over time (i.e. the easier it is to recognize chunks of a language, the easier it will be to begin speaking). But this is easier said than done. If you're having trouble with this, here are some tips I have found useful.
1. Practice speaking in classes
It may sound obvious, but if you aren't able to speak in your classes for whatever reason (fear of speaking broken Spanish and being laughed at, etc.), you won't be able to practice and get used to that feeling of speaking. And even if you are in a class where everyone speaks English, you might find it useful (and fun) to try your hand at Spanish or the other foreign language being taught there occasionally. Just remember that you shouldn't speak to the point of becoming too comfortable since you want to avoid this feeling of speaking in a class.
2. Don't get overwhelmed by learning how to speak
As with any other language, speaking is an extremely difficult and nuanced thing. There are many dynamics that you need to grasp in order for the actual ability of it all to start falling into place (and for the process not be too arduous). In order for these steps to work well in your favor, it's important not to waste time on problems that are too complex or daunting. It's better to take baby steps than try and jump everywhere at once.
3. Don't give up on speaking because it's too hard
Speaking is a daunting task of self-expression and communication. Learning how to do this in a language that you don't have some background in is a difficult thing to do—even for the native speakers. But keep in mind that if you don't give up or make any excuses regarding your ability to speak, you will get better with time. You might not be able to say anything too complicated at first, but native speakers are used to dealing with foreigners with broken Spanish (and other languages). They'll understand if you can't formulate what you want to say in Spanish right away, so there's no need to worry about how others will perceive your speaking abilities.
4. Remember that others are struggling, too
It's good to remember this the next time you get frustrated with yourself or begin to doubt your ability to speak Spanish. Remember that other people are out there struggling with learning how to speak in a language, so don't beat yourself up anymore than you already do!
5. Try mimicking native speakers and movies
When you're just starting out, it can be easier said than done to start speaking in Spanish. That's why it might help for you to put yourself in the mindset of what it would be like if you were actually speaking the language. To help with this process, watch movies (in Spanish) or attempt to mimic what native speakers say. Where you stand with your speaking ability won't really influence what is said in movies or in real life, so you shouldn't worry too much about exactly how your stuttering and stammering and the like will be perceived.
6. Break down complex tasks into simpler ones
As mentioned before, if you have trouble with this, breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps that are easier to build on is a good way to start. The key is knowing when to stop focusing on things that are more difficult or complicated (since there's no need to get frustrated). It will be a lot easier to do this if you have watched a lot of Spanish movies, have learned some slang and colloquialisms (this will also help with step 5), etc.
7. Just go for it!
Like with anything else, the more you talk and try to communicate in Spanish, the easier it will get. Sometimes you just have to jump in and give it a shot even at the beginning stages while knowing that your attempt might not be perfect or that there are other people out there who are still struggling with learning how to speak in Spanish as well. Just roll with it, and you'll be fine! A lot of people have done it before you.
8. Don't be afraid to speak in Spanish even when other people are speaking in English
As mentioned before, don't let the fear of being laughed at or making a fool of yourself keep you from speaking in those times when everyone is speaking in English. Sure it can be uncomfortable to break the ice sometimes, but if you want to learn how to speak Spanish, it's nice to know that even though you might make mistakes and not feel confident enough at all times while talking, others will still appreciate your efforts!
9. Don't let the lack of native speakers in classes prevent you from learning how to speak Spanish
Sometimes it can be difficult to get into a class with very few native speakers in it. But keep in mind that speaking up and trying your hand at Spanish can still be worthwhile despite knowing that it won't be as effective as speaking to a group of fluent Spanish speakers. And again, if you worry too much about being misunderstood or not having your speech trimmed down to perfect English, you might find that you're making it harder on yourself than what's actually necessary considering the other people out there still trying to learn how to speak!
10. Listen to music in Spanish
While this tip may seem obvious, a lot of people overlook it, so it's still a good one to include. After trying to mimic Spanish speakers and native speakers who are speaking in Spanish, you might find yourself gravitating more towards the stuff you actually like. No matter what genre or kind of music or radio show you listen to while you're studying and learning how to speak Spanish, listening to something in the language (even if it's not a language that you speak) can help improve your comprehension and listening skills.
11. Practice writing in Spanish
Another good way to improve your fluency is by practicing writing in Spanish. This does a lot for you because it helps with spelling, grammar, using the different verb tenses (collections, difference between common and proper nouns), and other skills that can help lead to being able to speak more freely without having to pause as much as you might otherwise have to.
12. Don't give up!
As mentioned before, in order to learn how to speak Spanish or any other language, you have to keep practicing and working at it even when it doesn't seem effective or worthwhile at times.
Conclusion
Like with anything else, you will get better at speaking Spanish the more you practice. There are a lot of things that can help with this, but if you have the right mindset and attitude about learning how to speak Spanish, it can make it a lot easier for you to learn the language compared to when you try to rush with learning how to speak Spanish without having it make much sense. And again, don't be afraid of making mistakes or being looked down upon because of them—it will not only help you out in the long run but will also be appreciated by native speakers who are familiar with those trying to learn how to speak their language.