The fear to the unknown
Learning foreign languages has been a struggle for most of the students. The reason is simple, it is generally taught from a very small perspective: that is to acquire a different language than the native one. Focusing mainly in long lists of vocabulary, irregular verbs, memorise grammar structures, and little more.
Though it is important to have all those things clear, when we use a foreign language; it is definitely not the way to learn it. Language is by all means the way we communicate; therefore, we must use our critical thinking, our reasoning we must get submerged into the other language to have a the ability to use it on a real context. Infants, don't learn structures, they learn to talk by finding a meaning to their effort to communicate. They use their critical thinking, their reasoning, they observe adults reactions, they imitate, and they learn to use the language.
As adults or youngsters, we were introduced to foreign languages with a system based mainly on rote-learning; and some learned in off to pass level exams and be certified.
Needless is to say, that this method though efficient for some, lacks the root sense to all language acquisition: real context and need to communicate.
That is when starts the fear to the unknown .One day, we pretend to use our knowledge, and we panic. We may have all titles that assure us that we have the level, but we are untrustworthy about our ability to communicate.
The fear to the unknown, is the sense that despite all effort, nothing studied or memorised earlier has a meaning to your present need when it comes to communicate your ideas, your projects, your wishes your likes and dislikes. And is then when you freeze, and it seems you know nothing.
Though it sounds like a horror story, it is usually the case of most ESL students. Learn to understand, memorise simply to aid you on a communication strategy, be curious about your own language; and than you'll understand the foreign one.
