Why Students Fear Speaking English (And How to Remove That Fear)
For many students, English is not just a subject—it is a silent fear they carry every day. They can read it. They can write it. Some can even understand it quite well. But the moment they are asked to speak English, something changes. Their heart beats faster. Their throat feels dry. Words disappear. Confidence collapses. This fear is real. And it is far more common than we admit. As teachers, parents, and learners, we often ask, “Why can’t you speak English?” But the better question is: “Why are you afraid to speak English?” The Fear Begins Early—Very Early Most students do not fear English naturally. The fear is learned . It often starts in the classroom. A child stands up to answer a question. They make a small grammar mistake. Someone laughs. The teacher corrects them harshly. That moment stays longer than the lesson. From that day, the child learns a dangerous rule: “If I speak English and make a mistake, I will be ashamed.” Slowly, silence feels safer than speaking. Fear o...