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Miyu_Aizawa

PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:31 pm
皆さん!こんにちは!
私が本当に恥ずかしがりやだから、全然日本語を話して練習しない。ずっとはなしたいけど。。。
Yeah. because I'm really shy I never practice speaking out loud...with people...
How does everyone else get the confidence, 自信, to practice your speaking?

I really love japanese and really wish I wasn't so worried to try speaking.  
PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:46 pm
Find a buddy. One of my friends went on Skype and just randomly contacted a Japanese speaker looking to practice English. The only way to practice speaking (listening, understanding, and responding verbally in Japanese) is to practice with another person.  

thejade9

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Miyu_Aizawa

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 2:09 pm
thejade9
Find a buddy. One of my friends went on Skype and just randomly contacted a Japanese speaker looking to practice English. The only way to practice speaking (listening, understanding, and responding verbally in Japanese) is to practice with another person.


>.> i get that. My problem is I'm shy and afraid to try. I wasn't asking how to get better. I was asking if there was any advice on how to over come my shyness.  
PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 4:35 pm
Oh, you should've said that from the beginning! smile

Well, I used to have an anxiety disorder, so I was really shy. I had to learn how to battle my shyness. Most of the time, shyness comes from fear: fear of what others think, fear of making mistakes, fear of looking stupid, fear of being embarrassed, those kind of things.

What I did to help me get over these fears was get rid of these fearful thoughts. I would pretend that these fears were written on a paper in my head, and then I would throw them away in a mental wastebasket. Sometimes, I even wrote them down and threw them away for real.

I also put myself in situations I wouldn't normally go into because of my shyness. I joined a couple of student organizations in high school and college. In college, I started modeling and acting, which helps me today whenever I get nervous in the classes I teach (and trust me, I get nervous every time I'm in front of my students).

Just take small steps. The Skype option is open, and it'll help you communicate without being in the presence of another person. Once you get comfortable, branch out a little. Nothing too big. Try Meetup.com for community clubs that meet only once a week. I went to a Japanese language Meetup good, and the atmosphere is relaxing without putting you on the spot. Or if you're in high school or college, join a student organization or do volunteer service (Volunteer.org).

Hope this helps!  

thejade9

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Miyu_Aizawa

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 5:26 pm
thejade9
Oh, you should've said that from the beginning! smile

Well, I used to have an anxiety disorder, so I was really shy. I had to learn how to battle my shyness. Most of the time, shyness comes from fear: fear of what others think, fear of making mistakes, fear of looking stupid, fear of being embarrassed, those kind of things.

What I did to help me get over these fears was get rid of these fearful thoughts. I would pretend that these fears were written on a paper in my head, and then I would throw them away in a mental wastebasket. Sometimes, I even wrote them down and threw them away for real.

I also put myself in situations I wouldn't normally go into because of my shyness. I joined a couple of student organizations in high school and college. In college, I started modeling and acting, which helps me today whenever I get nervous in the classes I teach (and trust me, I get nervous every time I'm in front of my students).

Just take small steps. The Skype option is open, and it'll help you communicate without being in the presence of another person. Once you get comfortable, branch out a little. Nothing too big. Try Meetup.com for community clubs that meet only once a week. I went to a Japanese language Meetup good, and the atmosphere is relaxing without putting you on the spot. Or if you're in high school or college, join a student organization or do volunteer service (Volunteer.org).

Hope this helps!


This was more helpful. Thanks.
I'm currently studying japanese in College and until this semester there was a weekly meeting called "Japanese Table" that I would always go to. We played games that we would have to use the skills learned in class for. I did speak in japanese often during this though.

Also, I'm actually weird. I am more shy about speaking through skype than in person. I've always had this weird thing about phones. freaks me out xD. I don't even have skype calls with friends usually. I've done video chat and it was ok but just calling i am weird about...

I actually used to be a lot more shy than I am now. It's just I am definitely afraid of making mistakes and being made fun of and embarrassing myself and all of that.
I know I'm pretty good at japanese though. My vocabulary is a little weak.... but when I listen to japanese conversation I can usually pull something out of it, even at normal speed.  
PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:30 pm
Nothing to worry about! Some people are more nervous on the phone, since it's only their voices embodying their personalities and whatnot, while other people are more nervous in person (that would be me!). But you've already taken some big steps, so I don't see why you're worrying. Just have a little more confidence in your own ability. I know some people who love Japanese culture and want to come to Japan, but they've never done anything to study up on Japanese. Some people live here in Japan for over a year, and they can't speak or understand Japanese either, so just being able to "pull something off" is a big deal. Just keep up the good work, and have a little more confidence in yourself.  

thejade9

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Miyu_Aizawa

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:01 pm
thejade9
Nothing to worry about! Some people are more nervous on the phone, since it's only their voices embodying their personalities and whatnot, while other people are more nervous in person (that would be me!). But you've already taken some big steps, so I don't see why you're worrying. Just have a little more confidence in your own ability. I know some people who love Japanese culture and want to come to Japan, but they've never done anything to study up on Japanese. Some people live here in Japan for over a year, and they can't speak or understand Japanese either, so just being able to "pull something off" is a big deal. Just keep up the good work, and have a little more confidence in yourself.


Confidence is truly one of my biggest weak points.  
PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:35 pm
Confidence is something that you have to strengthen then. It doesn't just come out of thin air. People are just born with more or less of it. You just have to realize that you are you, and no matter your fears, no one else can take away your essence. Why not believe in yourself then? No one else is going to do it for you.  

thejade9

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Miyu_Aizawa

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:54 pm
thejade9
Confidence is something that you have to strengthen then. It doesn't just come out of thin air. People are just born with more or less of it. You just have to realize that you are you, and no matter your fears, no one else can take away your essence. Why not believe in yourself then? No one else is going to do it for you.


Your words are so wise @_@ ...
Even though I know that there are things I am good at and usually am way to self conscious to show other people. my confidence and fears are dangerously intermingled I think.  
PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:01 pm
Haha, I'm just ranting, really. I used to have a lot of trouble with my self-confidence, self-esteem, and shyness. I still do, to be very honest. I mean, who doesn't?! (They're not human, if not.)

But look, you can't go on making excuses about yourself. Excuses aren't going to help you. In the end, you need to accept yourself, fears included. One of my friends once told me, "Don't let anyone tell you that you're not amazing." I think this kind of statement is held true for you too.

がんばれ!  

thejade9

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Miyu_Aizawa

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:25 pm
thejade9
Haha, I'm just ranting, really. I used to have a lot of trouble with my self-confidence, self-esteem, and shyness. I still do, to be very honest. I mean, who doesn't?! (They're not human, if not.)

But look, you can't go on making excuses about yourself. Excuses aren't going to help you. In the end, you need to accept yourself, fears included. One of my friends once told me, "Don't let anyone tell you that you're not amazing." I think this kind of statement is held true for you too.

がんばれ!


どうもありがとう! I think you have helped point me in the right direction.
Actually I have a friend who seems to have all the confidence in the world. She isn't self conscious about speaking japanese. but she isn't good at it. She just says a little here and there but she just isnt' very good at it and we are at the same level class.
at times I practice to myself so at least when I know what I am saying I can say it somewhat fluently, and I pronounce things right.
She doesn't really know how good I am or not but she always says something like "you never study" or put's me down in some way.
I really hate it but I haven't really proven her wrong so I just accept it.  
PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:32 pm
Miyu_Aizawa


どうもありがとう! I think you have helped point me in the right direction.
Actually I have a friend who seems to have all the confidence in the world. She isn't self conscious about speaking japanese. but she isn't good at it. She just says a little here and there but she just isnt' very good at it and we are at the same level class.
at times I practice to myself so at least when I know what I am saying I can say it somewhat fluently, and I pronounce things right.
She doesn't really know how good I am or not but she always says something like "you never study" or put's me down in some way.
I really hate it but I haven't really proven her wrong so I just accept it.


Honestly, I don't care about this person you're talking about. Who cares if she has all of the confidence in the world? If she's putting you down, she's just covering up her real insecurities with a fake face. Try not to compare your own ability to others because your confidence won't be based off of your own thoughts; they'll have to find confirmation in others. How is that self-confidence? You don't need to prove anything to anyone. You said it yourself, "She doesn't really know how good I am." Obviously, you have some confidence in your abilities as a Japanese learner. Just change that statement to, "I know how good I am."

In Japan, many of my students are shy as well. Some don't have any confidence in their ability to speak English. Some students are quite good at English, but because they have no confidence in their own abilities, they get overshadowed by weaker English learners. I think that if these students can gain some confidence, they could go down a path of becoming an excellent English speaker. I suppose it's the same situation with you, but in reverse. Just remember, you're not alone in being a shy person.  

thejade9

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Miyu_Aizawa

PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 1:18 pm
thejade9
Miyu_Aizawa


どうもありがとう! I think you have helped point me in the right direction.
Actually I have a friend who seems to have all the confidence in the world. She isn't self conscious about speaking japanese. but she isn't good at it. She just says a little here and there but she just isnt' very good at it and we are at the same level class.
at times I practice to myself so at least when I know what I am saying I can say it somewhat fluently, and I pronounce things right.
She doesn't really know how good I am or not but she always says something like "you never study" or put's me down in some way.
I really hate it but I haven't really proven her wrong so I just accept it.


Honestly, I don't care about this person you're talking about. Who cares if she has all of the confidence in the world? If she's putting you down, she's just covering up her real insecurities with a fake face. Try not to compare your own ability to others because your confidence won't be based off of your own thoughts; they'll have to find confirmation in others. How is that self-confidence? You don't need to prove anything to anyone. You said it yourself, "She doesn't really know how good I am." Obviously, you have some confidence in your abilities as a Japanese learner. Just change that statement to, "I know how good I am."

In Japan, many of my students are shy as well. Some don't have any confidence in their ability to speak English. Some students are quite good at English, but because they have no confidence in their own abilities, they get overshadowed by weaker English learners. I think that if these students can gain some confidence, they could go down a path of becoming an excellent English speaker. I suppose it's the same situation with you, but in reverse. Just remember, you're not alone in being a shy person.


Thank you! I know I just have to believe in myself. I have to make myself believe in myself...
I had a friend from Japan who was studying at my university for a semester and he told me I should talk in japanese and I said "I can't because I'm too shy" and he said "I am also really shy but because I'm in America I have to speak english, right?". I can understand that. That's how I feel I think. That even if I'm afraid, if I was in Japan I would have to speak Japanese so I would >.>  
PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:33 pm
Yeah, he's right. I live in Japan right now, and even though I speak English sometimes, I also have to communicate in Japanese. I wish I had taken classes when I was in college so I could be more prepared, but I can still communicate. He's right about the English thing too. Most Japanese people are surprised that they have to know English to go to an English-speaking country, even when they have Japanese escorts and hosts.  

thejade9

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Miyu_Aizawa

PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 5:29 pm
thejade9
Yeah, he's right. I live in Japan right now, and even though I speak English sometimes, I also have to communicate in Japanese. I wish I had taken classes when I was in college so I could be more prepared, but I can still communicate. He's right about the English thing too. Most Japanese people are surprised that they have to know English to go to an English-speaking country, even when they have Japanese escorts and hosts.


Yeah. I think I would like to try vlogging in japanese. I always feel awkward filming myself but I know that if I do that it will help a lot to get feed back and I will be speaking and eventually I won't be uncomfortable anymore. I just have to make sure I know what to talk about or half of the video will be "uuummmmm....."  
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