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Hello everyone. Welcome back to another exciting episode of our podcast.

Hi friends, I'm your host Jessica. Now Robinson, let me ask you something. Have you ever spent years learning English, mastered the grammar, and can read a whole book, but then the moment someone greets you with hello, your mind just goes completely blank?

Oh, absolutely. That used to happen to me all the time when I was learning English. But why do you bring this up?

Well, today we're going to break down the real reasons you're struggling with speaking and exactly what you can do to fix them.

But how, Jessica? Could you please tell us?

First off, let's dive into the core reasons why so many people struggle with speaking English. The first big hurdle is what I like to call the fear and mindset block.

That sounds interesting. Can you elaborate on that?

Absolutely. One major component of this block is the perfectionism trap. Many learners have this overwhelming desire to speak perfectly right from the start. They fear making mistakes or sounding silly, and that's completely understandable.

I get that. I used to feel like I had to eliminate every single mistake before I could even try to speak.

Exactly. But here's the thing. That kind of fear can paralyze you. The truth is, effective communication is way more important than speaking flawlessly. Even native speakers make mistakes all the time.

So, it's okay to mess up.

Absolutely. Making mistakes is part of the learning process. It helps you improve and become a more confident speaker. Now, the second aspect of this mindset block is what I call the FBI interrogation feeling.

That sounds intense. What do you mean by that?

Well, many learners feel like the entire conversation depends on them and they're being judged continuously. This pressure can lead to anxiety that makes it hard to engage in a natural chat. It's crucial to shift your goal from trying to impress others to simply connecting with them.

That's a great point. Instead of worrying about what others think, we should focus on just enjoying the conversation.

Exactly. Now, let's move on to the second part, the practice gap. Many learners spend years absorbing English through reading or listening, but spend very little time actually producing it, like speaking or writing.

That's a great analogy. It's like reading a manual on how to drive, but never actually getting behind the wheel.

Yes, precisely. Speaking is a physical skill, much like driving. You can only get better by practicing. Another thing to consider is the difference between passive and active learning. Watching Netflix with subtitles is passive, but summarizing what you just watched out loud, that's active learning.

I see. Engaging actively helps reinforce the concepts we've learned.

Exactly. And which brings us to the final issue, the knowledge application problem. Many people understand grammar rules and vocabulary, but when it comes time to apply that knowledge in conversation, they freeze up.

That's so true. I sometimes know what I want to say in my head but can't get the words out when speaking.

Right? It's essential to practice applying what you know in real life situations. So don't be afraid to speak, make mistakes, and actively engage with the language.

I love that. Those are some practical tips. I think it's all about changing our approach and mindset.

So those are some practical tips, but let's talk about another big hurdle: unrealistic expectations and environment.

Right. It can be so discouraging when learners compare themselves to bilingual or native speakers.

Exactly. That can really demotivate you. Instead of measuring yourself against someone who's been fluent for years, it's more beneficial to compare yourself to your past self. Look at how far you've come.

That's a great perspective. And it's also tough when there's a lack of a safe environment to practice. Sometimes we don't have anyone we feel comfortable speaking with.

Totally. Having a supportive environment is crucial. You don't want to feel judged when you're trying to get better.

So, what can we do to overcome these hurdles?

Great question. First, it's important to conquer your mindset. One actionable tip is to embrace strategic incompetence. Give yourself permission to be bad at speaking for a while. Your primary goal should be to communicate, not to be perfect.

That makes sense. If you allow yourself to make mistakes, it takes off a lot of pressure.

Exactly. Another helpful tip is to reframe your goals. Instead of setting out to have a perfect 30-minute conversation, aim for smaller achievable goals like successfully ordering a coffee and saying, "Have a nice day."

I love that. It's much more manageable.

Absolutely. Now, let's bridge the input-output gap. One helpful strategy is self-talk. As you go about your day, describe your actions in English. Say things like, "I am walking to the kitchen." Or, "I need to buy milk." It may sound a bit silly, but it's a great way to practice without pressure.

I can see how that helps. It keeps the language fresh in your mind.

Exactly. Also, consider shadowing. This involves listening to audio clips like podcasts or YouTube videos and then repeating after them to practice rhythm and intonation.

That's a smart way to improve fluency.

It really is. And that practice helps build what we call muscle memory for your mouth and brain. But there's another critical area we haven't touched on yet: cognitive load.

Cognitive load. That sounds a bit scientific. What does that mean for an English learner?

It's the mental effort required to speak. Think about it. You're trying to remember vocabulary, apply grammar rules, manage your pronunciation, and follow the conversation all at the same time. Your brain's RAM gets maxed out, and it just freezes.

Oh, that explains so much. It's not that we don't know the words, it's that our brain is doing too many tasks at once.