Too afraid to pick up the phone

[elle321]

I'm 21 from a non English speaking country. My boyfriend is in the US military and he is currently stationed in my home country. I went to high school in the US so I can write emails in English. But I'm not talkative even in my native language because I have social anxiety. My boyfriend is a very loving person. He bought a cell phone so he could call me. But when I talk with him on the phone I cannot say much. I have things in mind even if I'm sounding out of words. So I'm often hesitant to pick up the phone when he calls. Would anyone give me advice on improving my speech in English? I'm sorry and I just wish I were able to have fun talking with him but I'm not.

 

[Carol]

You probably just need to practice. It sounds like you know enough English already, and just need to use it. Why don't you tell your boyfriend about your anxieties? Once you know that he understands, you won't feel so nervous. Does your boyfriend know your native language? You shouldn't feel bad about not being perfectly fluent in his language, if he doesn't know your language at all. Do you still talk to anybody else who speaks English? Or do you watch TV in English or listen to English radio? It will help if you continue to listen to the way English speech sounds. Just keep listening and practicing, and you will get better.

 

[elle321]

Dear Carol

Thank you for your reply & advice. I will try watching TV programs in English on YouTube like Family Guy.

Actually I don't watch/see/listen to stuff in my native language anymore as I love stuff from North America and UK like music and films. I am tired of the things people of my country say. They are like 50 years behind compared to the western countries. I only browse websites written in English so I've been able to acquire information on mental health.

My boyfriend is very understanding and listens to me even when I take several minutes to say just one thing. There's currently no one else I speak to in English. There are a lot of people I exchange emails in English.

I will practice my speech & reading out loud. Thank you very much for your advice.