Page 38 - Young Wise

Arzu ŞENTÜRK YENIÇERI ACADEMIC CORNER

but

I Can Can’t
nderstand Speak

You can understand your teacher, a tourist, follow videos, and even enjoy English songs. But when it’s time to
speak, the words just don’t come out. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone! Many language learners face a
similar situation: they understand English well but struggle to speak it confidently. This is not a sign of failure,
lack of intelligence, or poor language ability. In fact, it is a natural step in the language learning process.

The good news is this: If you can WHAT CAN LEARNERS DO TO 4. Create safe speaking spaces
understand English, you are already much OVERCOME THIS? Choose situations in which you feel
closer to speaking it than you think. In Understanding English is a strong comfortable making mistakes:
this section, we will explore common foundation, but speaking develops only
myths about speaking English and, most through action. The key is not to speak • Speaking to yourself
importantly, what students can do to more perfectly but to speak more often. • Recording your voice
turn understanding into speaking. Here are some practical and realistic • Practising with a close friend
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT steps students can take: Confidence grows in safe environments.
SPEAKING ENGLISH 1. Start small, but speak every day 5. Increase your speaking exposure
Learners who struggle to speak often
You don’t need long conversations to
believe certain ideas that actually make In many classrooms, students listen and
improve. Even speaking for one or two
the problem worse. Let’s look at some read far more than they speak. Without
minutes a day can make a difference. Talk
of the most common myths. regular speaking practice, confidence
about your day, describe what you see
“I need perfect grammar before I speak.” cannot develop. Try to create more
around you, or explain your thoughts out opportunities to speak, even in small and
No, you don’t. Grammar improves loud. Consistency matters more than length.
through speaking, not before it. simple ways. Speaking is like a muscle—if
Communication comes first; accuracy 2. Use ready-made expressions it is not used, it does not become stronger.
follows. Fluent speakers do not construct every 6. Accept mistakes as part of learning
“Good speakers never make mistakes.” sentence from the beginning. They rely on Mistakes are not signs of weakness; they
common phrases and expressions such as: are signs of progress. Every mistake shows
No. In reality, any speaker makes
mistakes all the time—they just keep • Let me think… that you are actively using the language.
going. Mistakes are a natural part of • What I mean is… The more mistakes you make, the closer
learning. • I’m not sure, but… you are to fluency.
“I don’t know enough vocabulary yet.” Using these expressions helps you gain REMEMBER

No. You can communicate with a small time and confidence while speaking. Understanding is the first step,
number of words if you use them 3. Stop translating in your head but speaking is the goal. You don’t
effectively. Fluency is about using what need to be perfect. You just need
you know, not knowing everything. Try to think in simple English, not perfect to start. Every time you speak,
sentences. Focus on meaning, not even for a few seconds, you are
“If I make mistakes, people will judge me.”
grammar. Speaking slowly but directly in improving. So take a deep breath,
No. Most listeners focus on meaning, English is far more effective than silently accept your mistakes, and speak!
not mistakes. Speaking imperfectly is translating full sentences.
far better than not
You don’t need perfect English to start
speaking at all.
speaking—you need to speak to improve your English.
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