u/Antique_Hawk2353

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a quick update after my last post. I’ve been trying to be a bit more consistent lately instead of just writing when I feel like it. Nothing intense, just small things like reading a few comments in English, rewatching videos I enjoy while really focusing on how sentences are formed, and not immediately changing the topic when I don’t understand a word.

One thing I’ve noticed is that my issue isn’t really “not understanding English.” It’s more about freezing when I have to produce it myself. I still overthink a lot when I write or reply, like I’m trying to make every sentence perfect before I even hit send. I’m slowly realizing that this might be what’s holding me back more than grammar itself.

Hello everyone, I just wanted to let you know about something I've been having trouble with lately. Since English is not my first language, I occasionally experience extreme insecurity when interacting or conversing with others online.

When it's my turn to respond, I overthink every word and worry that my grammar sounds strange, even though I can grasp most things. I've been attempting to get better by watching English videos, reading comments, practicing little by little every day, and utilizing other language apps (YAPR is one of them, but I'm not really pushing it or anything, just trying whatever helps).

On certain days, I feel somewhat secure, but on other days, I feel like I'm stagnant and not making any progress at all. I truly want to communicate myself more effectively, therefore it's incredibly annoying.

For people who also learned English as a second language, what actually helped you get more comfortable speaking or writing?

i’m in japan right now and went to this really busy food market to get something to eat. everything looked so good so i just walked up to a stall thinking “ok i can handle this, i know a few basic phrases”

yeah… no.

the vendor says something to me in japanese, and my brain just fully shuts off. like instant blank. i know i’ve learned basic stuff before but in that moment it was gone.

i tried to say something, came out wrong, stopped mid-sentence, tried again, then just gave up and started pointing like a caveman 😭

there was a line behind me too so i could feel myself getting more and more stuck the longer it went on. at some point i just nodded and said “hai” to everything like i understood what was happening (i didn’t)

somehow i got my food though and it was actually really good, but i walked away replaying the whole thing in my head like why am i like this

anyone else just completely freeze like that when trying to speak japanese in japan or is this just my personal skill issue

I’ve been trying to get better at speaking English, but I feel like I’ve kind of plateaued.

I can understand English pretty well when reading and listening, but speaking is still hard for me. I pause a lot, overthink sentences, and even when I know what I want to say, it doesn’t come out smoothly.

I’ve been practicing in different ways and also using Yapr here and there just to get more exposure to real conversations, but I still feel like I need something more effective for actually improving my speaking in real time.

I’ve also tried apps like Duolingo and looked into language exchange apps like HelloTalk and Tandem, but I’m not really seeing big improvements in my speaking confidence from them alone.

If you’ve been through this stage, what actually helped you break through? Like anything practical habits, methods, tools, or even just how you approached it differently.

Would appreciate any advice.

I’m currently trying to improve my vocabulary, but I’m running into a bit of a mess with how I’m collecting and reviewing words.

I use YAPR, and I’m also picking up vocab from different places like lessons, books, random reading, and just words I come across during the day. The problem is everything feels scattered, and I keep losing track of what I’ve already saved or studied.

Sometimes I’m not even sure if I’ve already added a word somewhere, and it’s starting to get a bit unorganized overall.

Does anyone have suggestions for apps or systems that help keep vocab in one place and make review.

I recently started working at a factory in Spain, and I’m having a really hard time with my Spanish speaking at work.

I can understand some basic instructions, but when my coworkers speak fast or use factory/workplace terms, I often get lost. Most of the time I just nod or say “sí” even when I’m not fully sure I understood, which is starting to stress me out because I don’t want to make mistakes.

Outside of work I try studying Spanish, but when I’m on the floor everything feels too fast and I can’t really respond properly.

Has anyone gone through something similar in a Spanish-speaking workplace? Any tips to improve speaking faster, or apps you’d recommend for real-life conversation practice?

Thanks in advance. Struggling with Spanish speaking at my factory job any advice or apps?

Hey everyone,

I recently started working at a Japanese factory and I’m really struggling with speaking Japanese at work.

I can understand basic things, but when coworkers speak fast or give instructions, I often freeze and just end up saying “はい” even when I’m not fully sure I understood. It’s getting stressful because I don’t want to keep making mistakes or slowing people down.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any tips to improve speaking faster, or apps you’d recommend for conversational/workplace Japanese?

Thanks in advance.