Speaking English is ______

difficult

impossible

boring

Well, I totally agree with you!!! Learning English (or any language for that matter) is a difficult, sometimes boring process that can sometimes feel just downright impossible. But it doesn't have to be that way, I promise. In this post I'm going to debunk some common misconceptions that many people seem to have about speaking in English, so you've probably thought or said at least one of these things if you're learning to speak it!

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Myth 1: to pass a Cambridge (or other official) English Exam, you have to speak perfect English.

• There is nothing further from the truth! All English exams have levels (A1-C2), but even the highest level admits some mistakes. Here's a secret for you - not even native speakers speak perfect English, so how can you expect yourself to?

Myth 2: a Cambridge (or other) certification never expires - once you pass, everyone assumes you will always speak, write and understand at that level.

• No, no and NO! An official certification is only valid for 2 years! So if you need to have a specific English level for school or work, be careful not to fall into this trap. Secondly, in my humble (but professional) opinion, an official certification does not necessarily mean that someone can communicate well in English. Some people do very well on exams and others don't, so please do not base your or anyone else's level of English on some numbers and letters on a piece of paper.

Myth 3: it's better to stay quiet and not make mistakes than to try to communicate and say something wrong.

• WRONG. Practice makes better (never perfect), so if you don't try, you won't improve! No one (at least no one worth talking to or being around) will judge you for making mistakes, in fact, they'll most probably try to help you say what you want to say, and perhaps tell you how to say it right for the next time.

Myth 4: my accent is so strong, it's awful!

• first of all, accents are beautiful. Second of all, they are a part of you and your culture, so please stop trying to hide it. The important thing is that people understand what you want to say, check out this post for some words to be careful with, but other than that, let your accent shine!

Myth 5: to work, study or live in an English speaking country, you have to first speak perfect English.

• As I said before, perfect English doesn't exist. The best way to get better at something is to practice it. Many people limit themselves because they think they don't speak well enough, but really all they need is some extra practice to start feeling more comfortable. For as high or low as your English level is, you will always have something new to learn, so don't be afraid to challenge yourself and do that course in English or accept a job where you will need to speak English. You will learn so much from that experience, even if at first it might be a little difficult.

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So, I hope this helps you to see learning English as something completely possible, it's just like learning anything else, it takes practice (lots of practice) but anyone can learn a new language, and the goal should never be to speak absolutely perfectly, but to speak well enough to communicate for your specific needs - work, school or pleasure.

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Glossary

• downright: synonym for absolutely

• debunk: to expose a false belief

• there is nothing further from the truth: common expression to say that something is very false

• fall into a trap: figuratively speaking, don't believe this myth

• let your [noun] shine: to let something shine means to be proud of it, to show it off