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Reasons why your brain goes blank when you try to speak another language!

Weekly Topic: Something I learned during the summer

Yannaty Mira

Every time you try to speak English (or any new language), does your head suddenly go blank? Or you start a sentence... and then you have no idea how to finish it?

Is this you?

Before I explain, let me tell you something: I speak 4 languages, and yes — this still happens to me too!

So let's get right into the reasons.

1. You never speak out loud

You might think I'm crazy. Maybe I am. But this is true.

You need to speak out loud the expressions you learn. Try making sentences with the new words you pick up. Your own brain and your own ears need to actually hear this new "code" — that's how the habit gets built.

2. You're not immersing yourself in the language enough

This probably makes you think of listening to music. But no — that's not quite what I mean.

Listening to music can help, sure. But think about it: even if you listen to tons of Lady Gaga or Bruno Mars, are you actually going to use those lyrics in real life? Come on... "bad romance"?

What you actually need is podcasts, documentaries, or anything with real-life conversation. And start reading too — even children's books work great, and they're full of cultural references.

3. You're not building the habit of acquiring the language

To really acquire a language, you need to slowly start thinking in it. It doesn't need to be complicated — you can literally just look at your hand and say "hand" in the language you're learning.

4. And finally — train with a good teacher

Find someone who actually understands what it's like to learn a new language themselves. That experience matters. A teacher who's been through it can actually support you the right way.

Thanks for reading! If you're interested in my lessons, come check them out.

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This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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English for Life & Work

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