Key takeaways:
- Language learner voice: Acknowledge the hushed and hesitant tone that often comes with speaking another language.
- Confidence through mastery: Strive for well-roundedness and mastery in understanding, speaking, and writing your target language.
- Three techniques: Record yourself, read aloud, and practice speaking in public spaces to build confidence and improve pronunciation.
# Introduction
In this video, the speaker discusses how to build confidence when speaking another language by addressing the hushed and hesitant tone known as the "language learner voice." The speaker emphasizes the importance of mastery in understanding, speaking, and writing the target language to build confidence.
# Mastery and Confidence
Key points:
- Well-roundedness: Aim for mastery in understanding, speaking, and writing the target language.
- Intuition: Continuously cut down on the number of times your brain stutters in understanding or producing language.
The speaker highlights the importance of mastery in building confidence when speaking another language. This involves being well-rounded in your target language and having a strong understanding of its grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
# Three Techniques to Overcome Language Learner Voice
# Technique 1: Record Yourself
Key points:
- Record your voice: Record yourself speaking or reading in your target language.
- Listen back: Analyze your pronunciation and identify areas for improvement.
- Project your voice: Place your phone or microphone across the room to practice projecting your voice.
The first technique involves recording yourself speaking or reading in your target language. This allows you to listen back to your pronunciation and identify areas for improvement. By placing your phone or microphone across the room, you can practice projecting your voice, which is often interpreted as a sign of confidence.
# Technique 2: Read Aloud 100 Times
Key points:
- Choose a text: Select a text that you can read through in under 5 minutes.
- Cement patterns: Read the text aloud 100 times to internalize its patterns and transitions.
- Build fluency: Practice speaking uninterrupted and potentially memorize the text.
The second technique involves reading a text aloud 100 times to cement its patterns and transitions in your mind and mouth. This practice helps build fluency and confidence in speaking the language.
# Technique 3: Practice Speaking in Public Spaces
Key points:
- Choose a location: Find a busy or secluded location where you feel comfortable speaking.
- Pretend to have a conversation: Pretend to have a conversation with someone in your target language.
- Use headphones or a phone: If necessary, use headphones or a phone to create the illusion of a conversation.
The third technique involves practicing speaking in public spaces, either in a busy or secluded location. This can help build confidence and reduce the self-consciousness that often comes with speaking a new language.
# Real-Life Example: Elise Speaks
The speaker references a YouTube video by Elise Speaks, which shows her progress in speaking German over a two-month period. This example demonstrates the effectiveness of traditional language learning methods, as well as the techniques discussed in the video.
# Conclusion
The speaker summarizes the three techniques for building confidence when speaking another language: recording yourself, reading aloud, and practicing speaking in public spaces. By implementing these techniques, language learners can overcome the language learner voice and build confidence in their speaking abilities.
Summary for: How to build confidence when speaking another language