Help! What to Do if You Get Nervous When Speaking Spanish

Do you get nervous when you have to speak Spanish, even if you’ve taken months — or years — of classes or lessons? You’re not alone. Read on as Spanish tutor Emmanuel N. shares his tips for battling your nerves and becoming more confident…

 

When it comes to speaking a language, there are two ways of being good at it – the more scholastic way (reading, writing, and speaking all ‘by the book’) and the more layman’s way (mostly conversation-centered, using the common vernacular of a region or country). In other words, you can be good at Spanish by knowing how to do everything by the book, or you can be good at Spanish by knowing how to have real person-to-person conversations.

Most people who know how to speak Spanish as a second language tend to be the former. Natural Spanish speakers tend to be the latter. This tends to be the pattern because people who learn Spanish as their second language tend to learn only by the book, while natural Spanish speakers learn by the book, as well, but mainly by speaking it with everyone they know. This is why I believe that people who are learning Spanish as their second language tend to be very good at it scholastically, but very subpar when it comes to natural, flowing conversations.

How Do I Start Speaking Spanish?

Learning a new language can be daunting, but with a little effort anyone can start speaking Spanish. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Start by learning some basic phrases. Greetings, introductions, and common courtesies are a good place to start.
• Practice your pronunciation. A good way to practice is to find Spanish-language material (songs, TV shows, books, etc.) and try to mimic the pronunciation of the native speakers.
• Make conversation partners. Language learning is much more effective when it’s done interactively. Find a friend or family member who speaks Spanish and have conversations with them on a regular basis. You can also join a meetup group or take a Spanish class.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to speaking Spanish like a pro in no time! Ask your Spanish teacher for recommendations and be sure to take advantage of online Spanish lessons, which offer a myriad of benefits like what you see in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRWdgMUWM-M 

Speaking Spanish: Where to Start When You’re Nervous

I’m pretty certain you don’t want to dive right in and start speaking Spanish to people who are fluent, and that’s understandable. However, I do believe that when you push your limits, you learn more. Instead of speaking purely in Spanish, or with people who will speak only in Spanish, I recommend speaking ‘Spanglish‘ – a mixture of Spanish and English where you use English words when you don’t know how to say something in Spanish. Aside from that, here’s what I recommend you do:

Know That Everyone Feels Nervous

Taking the time to learn to speak Spanish can be a real asset, whether you’re traveling to a Spanish-speaking country or trying to communicate with friends or family who don’t speak English. 

But if you’re not fluent in Spanish, it’s natural to feel nervous about speaking the language. After all, you don’t want to make any mistakes. 

However, it’s important to remember that everyone feels nervous when speaking a foreign language, even native speakers. The best way to overcome your nerves is to relax and take your time. Don’t worry about making mistakes, and focus on communicating your message. 

With practice, you’ll become more confident and will be able to hold a conversation in Spanish like a pro.

Take Deep Breaths and Relax

When you’re nervous, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. 

This causes your heart rate and blood pressure to increase, your breathing to quicken, and your muscles to tense up. In other words, you’re not in a state that’s conducive to speaking another language. The first step to calming nerves is therefore to take some deep breaths and relax the body. 

Once you’ve done that, it’s important to focus on the task at hand: communicating with another person. This means making eye contact, speaking slowly and clearly, and being willing to make mistakes. 

Remember, the goal is simply to have a conversation, not to give a perfect speech. If you can keep that in mind, you’ll be much more likely to relax and enjoy yourself – even if you do make a few errors along the way.

Pronounce Words Slowly and Clearly

Try to pronounce words slowly and clearly. This will help your listener to understand you better. Secondly, use simple words and phrases rather than long, complicated sentences. Thirdly, gestures and body language can be very helpful in making yourself understood. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask your listener to repeat something or to slow down their speech. With a little practice, you’ll be speaking Spanish like a native in no time!

Use Hand Gestures

When you’re nervous about speaking in a foreign language, it can be helpful to use hand gestures. Even if you don’t know the words for what you’re trying to say, gesturing can help to convey your meaning. 

For example, if you want to ask someone for a pen, you can hold out your hand and make a writing motion. Or, if you’re trying to indicate that something is hot, you can wave your hand back and forth in front of your face. 

In addition to being a useful communication tool, using hand gestures can also help to boost your confidence. 

Speaking with your hands can help you to feel more expressive and alive, which can in turn help to calm your nerves. So next time you’re feeling unsure of yourself, try adding some hand gestures to your speech. You may be surprised at how much they help.

Repeat As Needed

Just relax and take your time. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it. Just keep repeating yourself until you get it right. With practice, you’ll be speaking like a native in no time.

Practice Often

When it comes to learning Spanish, or any language for that matter, practice is key. The more you use the language, the more comfortable you will become with it. If you’re nervous about speaking Spanish, start by practicing at home with family or friends. 

Once you feel more confident, try going out into the community and using the language in everyday situations. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the more fluent you will become. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, either. Everyone makes them when learning a new language. With enough practice, you’ll be speaking Spanish like a native in no time.

Have full-blown conversations in Spanglish with anyone you know who speaks a moderate amount of the language. It’s better if they know more than you.

Be Exclusive

Try your best to speak only in Spanish with a friend or family member for a whole hour. Even if you have to translate for them, it’s alright. The important thing here is to force yourself to speak only Spanish.