You might have trained yourself to speak a foreign language, learn new words and grammar, and follow native speakers, but often, it has been seen that when the right situation arises, you reach a dead end. You might be unable to overcome the communication barrier.
You might even be equipped to read and write text in that language, but there are many reasons why a language barrier can occur and why it is also hard to overcome.
Most of the time, stress and anxiety can make you feel that you are not enough, and you then keep forgetting all the words that would form a perfect sentence. Here are a few tips you can implement to speak confidently in a foreign language when you work as an Au Pair.
- Practice with fellow students
If you feel that the way you are speaking a foreign language is not good enough, then it is time to practice with a fellow language learner first. Do not go to a conversation with native speakers who might not understand what you are saying. Look for a group of students trying to learn the same language as you. You can plan out practice sessions and go to a language cafe where you can practice maintaining consistency. You won’t feel intimidated when practicing with peers with the same language issue. So, after tackling your nervousness, you become more confident and start speaking with native speakers.
- Get involved with a social circle
Even if you feel shy while speaking a foreign language, you need to break the language barrier, jump into the deep ends, and connect with a social circle who can talk about this language fluently. This can be a challenging game, but you will feel more confident and less stressed as you start facing the challenges. However, it would help if you gave it some time with daily practice, and you will notice the change. You can also become part of an international culture program by becoming an Au Pair.
An expert AuPair lives with a host family who speaks the traditional foreign language, which will help you start talking it daily. You can also participate in a student exchange program or interact with the locals.
- Repeat the words out loud
When trying to learn a foreign language, making it a part of your daily life is essential. You must express yourself in a foreign language, read books, catch up with the news, or scroll through social media to polish your communication. You can also start binge-watching series in the native language, or you can listen to podcasts and keep saying the sentences out loud to hear and memorize them. It will also make your brain and tongue adjust to the new language, and you can easily make it a part of your daily routine.
Summing it up
It will take time to gain the confidence to speak a foreign language fluently, but with these handy tips, you can stay one step ahead in breaking the language barrier. You can also try out different native languages whenever you visit a new place.
