I loose all my confidence and go blank when I start to communicate in english

by Unknown

Hello Robbie,

I came to England 5 years ago. I'm a teacher by profession but have lost all my confidence since I came here. Children and elders mock my accent. Now I go completely blank when I try to speak and doesn't understand what other say to me.

I've gone into depression. I'm hesitating in applying for my teacher training to be qualified in u.k. I need help and support.

- Frustrated

Comments for I loose all my confidence and go blank when I start to communicate in english

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Jan 30, 2014
 Great Advice Pammy
by: Diana Tower

What great advice Pammy! Talking to your pets. They can't talk back or make fun of you so why not strengthen your skills in a "safe" way.

Also, making sure that you don't focus so much on the opinions of others is very important. It doesn't matter what other people say or think.

Only YOU can let someone upset you. So turn it into a joke or laugh with them. Try not to let them effect you and work hard to improve your skills.

I have faith in you!
Jan 25, 2013
 Don't give up!
by: Diana Tower

Dear Frustrated,

I just realized that your question never received an answer. As he no longer has time, Robby has stopped answering questions here. He might start again in the future but I know he is working on a couple big projects so it will not be very soon.

I wanted to take a minute to say that I am so sorry you are feeling this way. I know what it is like moving to a different country and not knowing the language. I moved to Spain 7 years ago and it took me about 5 years before I felt truly comfortable speaking Spanish.

To this day I make LOTS of mistakes and I know my Spanish is not perfect but it is good enough for me.

People comment on my accent all the time. I am Canadian and I also live in the south of Spain. This has given my Spanish a Canadian...southern Spanish accent.

When I speak I sound like someone from Andalusia...but then people keep listening and they realize I'm a foreigner as well.

I wouldn't say people mock my accent but they do comment on it. It is interesting for them. Children on the other hand can be quite cruel and mean.

I wish I could tell you something that would make it all better but I can't.

What I can suggest is two things.

1) Try to improve your self-esteem and self-worth. It really does not matter what people say or do. They are external and if you are ok with yourself and confidant then it does not matter what people say or do to you. (Easier said than done though).

2) You could try working on your English. Remember...you will always have an accent (Where are you from?). Accents can be quite pretty and attractive. Do not totally hate your accent. It is unique and that is a good thing. The only problem with accents is when you accent is so strong that no one can understand you.

If you have a very strong accent I would suggest listening to more English and also speaking as much as you can. Surrounding yourself in English will influence how you speak.

I hope that your situation has changed and improved. Let us know and keep us posted. :)

All the best,
Diana

PS: If you are looking for a course to help improve your fluency, check out Robby's "English Harmony".

Robby Kukurs is the creator of www.englishharmony.com, a website he created in 2007 to help struggling foreign English speakers gain real English fluency.
Mar 19, 2012
 Heres what you should do:
by: Your helper

I was you. I was mocked for my Accent and slowly lost confidence. This is what i did: first of all your accent will never be rid of but if people mock you turn the conservation around and describe where your from proving its not ur fault to have an accent. Next gain confidence! Start by talking to your pets ( they cant talk back .... Remember that) talkk as if your talking to someone. Practice your speech and read books and start talking to people who dont think ur accent is weird

Hope this helps

Sorry for any missed grammer ( im 13)

Sincerly,
Pammy
Jul 12, 2011
 Hi
by: Anonymous

Where were you from previously?? Accent is really difficult to get rid of.

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