How to Cope with Foreign Language Anxiety as a Non-Native English Speaker
Sweaty hands, racing heartbeat, mind going blank, uneasy, nervous, embarrassed… If you speak English as a second language, the above might not sound unfamiliar to you, especially if you are caught on the spot, struggling to figure out what words to use to save your face. Nevertheless, the person in front of you gets more and more confused…
While speaking one's native language seems so natural and easy, trying to command a foreign language requires extra mental resources — finding the right words and calming foreign language anxiety (FLA).
What is Foreign Language Anxiety?
Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) is a situation-specific anxiety arising from the uniqueness of the learning of a foreign language. Caught up in FLA, you may feel uneasy, worried, nervous, and apprehensive. You may experience FLA on either side of the communication – in speaking and writing (producing) or in reading and listening (receiving).
What causes FLA?
Language connects people. It is through language that individuals express their feelings and thoughts. When we lose the ability to communicate ourselves with ease, a sense of losing control triggers us, generating anxiety and stress—no wonder one would feel nervous and even lost navigating through a foreign language.
You may imagine that if a non-English speaker can speak English very well, they won't have FLA. While it is true that FLA is associated with the ability to speak a foreign language, it is also true that evaluation of such ability is very subjective. You might notice some non-native English speakers keep making mistakes here and there while speaking English yet still communicating confidently. In contrast, some others seem to have a higher level of English proficiency but are more nervous and quieter when speaking English.
Apart from perceived language proficiency, culture also plays a big part in FLA. If you come from a culture that emphasizes group over individual interests, you might feel embarrassed to look "bad" or cause “inconvenience” to others. Such embarrassment may contribute to increased stress and anxiety.
Another factor is self-esteem. A person with higher self-esteem might not associate their FLA with who they are as a person. Therefore, they acknowledge FLA but are not “triggered” (“I feel anxious, but it is normal, and it is ok.”). On the contrary, a person with lower self-esteem may translate their FLA into negative self-perception (“What’s wrong with me? I’m so dumb…”), thus having a harder time soothing anxiety.
Last but not least, although the U.S. is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, for many, English is still the language most associated with authority, power, higher socioeconomic class, higher level of education, etc. In other words, FLA reflects the power dynamics in our society. Internalization of such power dynamics may contribute to feeling inferior when speaking with a native English speaker.
How Do You Cope With Foreign Language Anxiety?
Since FLA is associated with perceived language proficiency, you may find certain learning strategies helpful. However, as a mental health counselor, I would like to share some tips to address the trickier part – the mindset.
1. Normalization
First, normalize FLA. Like I said earlier, it is only natural to feel anxious when experiencing a loss of control. It is normal to feel that way. Allowing yourself to struggle and practice self-soothing is a way to show yourself compassion.
2. You are not alone
While one may be caught up in FLA and feels that they are the only person in the room that causes “inconvenience”, another way to look at it is that you are not alone. 1 out of 5 individuals speaks a language other than English at home. 1 out of 4 students in the U.S. is an English learner (EL).
Moreover, you are less and less alone. According to the Department of Education, between the 2009–10 and 2014–15 school years, the percentage of EL students increased in more than half of the states, with increases of over 40 percent in five states.
3. Share and support
Knowing that non-native English speakers are a big population, you might find it helpful to seek support from those experiencing similar language challenges. Simply sharing with others (either in your native language or in English) your FLA experiences makes you feel understood and supported. Sharing coping strategies, encouraging each other, and sometimes maybe just laughing off silly mistakes would calm the nerves and instill mutual empowerment.
4. Practice the “growth mindset”
You may have heard of the “growth mindset.” Contrary to the “fixed mindset”, which views failures as bad and ability as fixed, a “growth mindset” looks for learning opportunities in every challenge and failure and believes in making progress. When you are triggered by FLA, try to take a deep breath, and in your mind, see if you can tell yourself, “I’m safe. I’m all right.” Or maybe get in touch or visualize something comforting. After resuming a sense of safety in the moment, you might find it easier to switch to the “growth mindset”.
5. Advocate for linguistic justice
There are between 350 and 430 languages spoken in the U.S., making it one of the most linguistically diverse society. Looking from the lens of linguistic justice, you might realize that speaking a language other than English makes you special and proud.
There is so much that your native language can bring to our culture. My native language is Chinese, and I speak English as a second language. I often share Chinese idioms with my native English-speaking friends and discuss the similarities and differences between the two languages. It is fun and allows me and my friends to appreciate pearls of wisdom in different cultures. I even translated a book from English to Chinese and had it published this year. I’m grateful that I can appreciate the beauty and different ways of thinking embedded in both languages.
Another part of linguistic justice is that communication requires work on both sides. You may worry about causing inconvenience to others. However, you are not the only person responsible for making communication easy for the group. You may fear that others would laugh at your mistakes. However, that only shows that our society still has a long way to go to learn to respect and embrace diversity. As non-native English speakers, we are more knowledgeable about what we need to make communication easier for all parties. For example, we can invite the other person to slow down, use a different word, or explain more.
Recently, I went out with a friend, and we came across a stranger who all of a sudden said a bunch of things in English that I couldn't understand. I looked at my friend, who is a native English speaker. He shook his head frankly, "I didn't get that, either.” I noticed a big relief in my mind. The truth is, sometimes, we don’t get what another person says, just as simple as that, although the occasional FLA in me would jump out and shout, "What's wrong with you?!" We all have moments when we need to be reminded to practice self-compassion.
Do You Struggle With Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA)?
If so, counseling can help! Counselors can help normalize the nervousness you’re experience while also encouraging you and recognizing the strengths that you bring to the table. Learning a new language is difficult! Culturally sensitive counselors can introduce coping strategies to help you manage the anxiety you’re experiencing.
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Written by: Si Meng, LGPC
Si is a licensed therapist at LifeSpring Counseling Services in Maryland who specializes in trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, and mood disorders. She offers multicultural and bilingual services in both English and Mandarin.
Photo Credit: Karolina Grabowska, August de Richelieu, and Ketut Subiyanto
Date of download: 8/19/2022
