How to not be afraid to sound stupid

You have to be fearless to learn a second language as an adult.  This is hard for everyone. It takes guts to talk to someone in Spanish.  It takes guts to sound stupid while learning. It takes guts to keep trying to express yourself in something that at first feels so far from natural.  

My dad taught me this at a young age.  When we went to Mexican restaurants he would fearlessly say the stupidest things in Spanish like calling me a “cabeza de piña” (pineapple head!) in front of the staff to encourage laughs.  He was intrepid to say the least. His goofy style of communicating just to connect with someone and glimpse a smile on their face is the best tool I could offer anyone and has continued with me throughout my language acquiring.  

When I doubted myself and was scared to talk to others I remembered it doesn’t matter if I screw up.  It’s about trying. It’s just another human in front of me. They will understand. The majority of people are delighted you are even trying to speak to them in their language.  This is so important to remember!

Keep putting yourself out there. Keep communicating in your target language. Keep smiling and stumbling and using gestures to get your thought across.  Being fearless and ackowledging that it’s okay to sound stupid is your greatest asset. Risk sounding stupid and learn to laugh at yourself when you do!  Call someone a pineapple head! Don’t give up!

Reach out for more tips to becoming fearless through language speaking.
-Brittany
Vamos Denver
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Castle in Segovia, Spain