Linda, you �re not alone 

 

Please, don �t say that you are "bad", "ashamed", or "guilty".

 

Please, don �t say: "I can �t speak English".

 

I speak to numerous overseas students in English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, etc. and have long conversations.  I even converse with Portuguese and Angolan students.  Almost always, they compliment me on my language ability.

 

They are convinced that I am some sort of genius.  I am not.  I am just an ordinary teacher, like you.  Your English is MUCH better than my French, German, Spanish, etc.

 

When I don �t understand what the students are saying, what do I do?

 

I GUESS at the meaning.

 

When I can �t remember vocabulary, what do I do?

 

I INVENT A WORD, or paraphrase it.

 

When the students speak too quickly and too long, what do I do?

 

I TELL A JOKE, in their language, to divert attention.

 

They think that I am clever, but really, I am the biggest CHEAT.

 

It is said that the best language learners are those who are extrovert, daring, and are willing to take a chance.  They guess, use the latest expressions, and are willing to try new phrases.  They don �t mind making a mistake --- indeed, they laugh at themselves for their �stupidity �.  They are ADVENTUROUS!

 

If a Mother has two children, which child will probably progress faster in life?

 

The child who sits quietly, watching others, and trying to learn what they are doing --- learning by WATCHING?  Or the child who is curious, and wants to touch things, and move things, and do things with the hands, so --- learning by DOING.

 

I would say: "The second child!"

 

 

Thank you Bruce! Thank you Dale!Thank you Les!

You know i like to visit ESLprintables because of the people who are sharing their experience here, but unfortunately I am a real failure in the world of education. When I was applying for a job as a teacher they refused to hire me not because I am that awful - I don �t know why. My private lessons also were  a failure. Nobody wants me to be his or her teacher! But I want...But I am afraid to make another attempt. Afraid to be denied again! Believe me it �s a real pang in the heart to have a desire to be like you all, to have the greatest happiness to communicate with people in English (as a teacher and as a person) but to be frightened to open my mouth because of the previous numerous failures. I have never talked in English with a native speaker tet-a-tet and of course I am afraid not to be understood and denied. I need self-confidence that all of you have. 

I really admire all the work that is done in the worksheets...it �s amazing....

And you know...it �s amazing to have an opportunity to share your knowledge with your students who WANT to attend your classes... 

Really thank you for help!!!

Ljuba

We are in the same boat speaking about mistakes and written english being rubbish  with the only difference that you are self-confident and do not afraid of the mistakes and I am frightened to death of making a mistake, of not being understood and so on. 

But I am really trying to improve my english by reading, watching videos and so on) But really i would like to have a chance to talk to patient native speaker who would listen to my rubbish English and who would be kind to me

So I understand that I just have to try over and over...hm...I need to try again..

I need to overcome my fears....I am thinking about it right now...