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Speaking Foreign Languages

Taka Nuvia

Entry posted by Taka Nuvia

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Okay, so this is about something strange I've noticed: I am not able to speak natural-sounding English at school. No matter whether I'm talking to a teacher, or the language assistant (native speaker), there's always a strange edge in my voice, and I think I've got a German accent, too.

 

However, when I'm alone, it works. Also when I'm trying to make my sis laugh by imitating accents (she says I'm good at it, but I doubt it). For some reasons it won't come naturally, though. Does anyone have an idea why/what I could do against it except spending half a year or longer in Britain or America? :|

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Peach 00
Don't worry about it. One way is recording yourself if you feel the need to. If you don't like the sound of your voice, that's not good, true, but if others like it, that's proof it's fine. Also, having an accent is good sometimes. All I can advise is not worrying about it. Also, I bet you're pretty funny-sounding when you imitate voices and whatnot. :)
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SPIRIT

I have the same problem for French and Spanish. I can speak such wonderful, fluent, native-sounding sentences and babble endlessly in my mind or when alone, but when it comes to speaking to people in person, or in class, I get all caught up in the proper grammar and such that what comes out is far less eloquent.

 

Really, the only solution is to try to constantly immerse yourself in it: listen to as much English as you can and practice speaking it as much as you can. I've been living in France since September and I've found that the only way to progress is to just keep at it.

 

Also, if you notice yourself tripping over certain sounds, you might want to try practising tongue twisters that use that sound (either that you make up yourself or that you find on Google).

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