Horrendously shy to speak English at school!!!?

Question

English is not my first language, but I'm speaking, writing and reading it PERFECTLY. At least that's what people say... I have moved to the UK 18 months ago and have completely fallen in love with the language. Miserably, I keep shying away from long conversations with my peers... I did make numerous friends, by the way.

I even speak English at home because my step-father is an Englishman.

Additionaly, I am very talkative, bubbly and CONFIDENT.

Then what the h**l is wrong with me?! Why can't I engage myself in a long conversation with my friends?!

Answer 1

Hi, I don't know if you have the same issue, but I understand what you  mean. There are days where I don't want to speak english at all... I think it's because of my accent, I hate it ! I came to the US 10 years ago and still have an accent. I noticed that I am even more shy when my husband is around, maybe because I'm used to speak french with him and don't want him to laugh when he hears my english. I also feel bad when I speak Turkish (my first language) with real Turks because I still have that French accent...

My husband speaks french with me every day, so his american accent is very minor. He builds his vocabulary every day.

So... I guess the more we practice, the more confident we will be ??

Answer 2

you are pretty good....just look at what you wrote!!! Just do that when you're talking to ur peers!!!  

Answer 3

You read and write English like a native (in some cases, even better!).

Where are you originally from?

Start a conversation and don't worry about how long it will last. Don't concentrate on the length of the conversation, but about the quality of it and how much you connect with that person. You say you have lots of friends who obviously don't see it as a problem, so to be honest, why should you?

Good luck, you'll do fine!

Answer 4

You sound as if you are a very able person, used to achieving your aims.  Could this be the root of your problem - that you are constantly judging yourself and are worried about possibly slipping up?  Do you find you have the same problem when having long conversations in English with non-native English speakers?    

Answer 5

Don't worry, eventually you will feel more confident about speaking English with your friends.

There are English born speakers who are also shy and not able to hold a long conversation with friends, so it's not just because it's your second language.

I praise you for your ability to do so well, and hope you continue to learn from your Step-father and friends.

I expect you have much to teach them too, about your first language and culture.

You may feel more comfortable talking about things you know about, like your first country to your friends, and if they are true friends, they'd want to know about where you came from too.

I know I would.

Answer 6

Maybe becuase you are not well adjusted to the place yet and you worries that your humor or sense in the conversation is different (thats what I think) and you cannot join in their conversation. What you do is to adjust completely and try not to get intimidated. Also, try to talk first. not that your friends will talk to you, talk to them first. Call tgem more often. It is a way to improve your shyness and your confidence in talking to other people.. It is not about the language It is about how you approach to people. I have afriend, she cant talk english fluently but knows some words. however she still can talk freely to English speakers..

Hope that answer your question..