Do native speakers get frustrated and angry when they don’t understand what you’re saying or when you don’t understand them?
Have you ever been in a situation like this one?
It can be scary and paralyzing.
Today get our 3-step system for this emergency situation.
Question:
“My greatest fear is when a native speaker speaks so fast and I don’t get some parts of the conversation so after a few requests to talk slower a native gets impatient and even maybe a little angry which makes me so sad but I’ll never give up and someday I will speak English with confidence and like a native. Keep believing in Connection NOT Perfection. “
In the past we have shown you how to ask people to speak slower but sometimes that won’t work.
Natives might continue to get upset with us.
3 Steps to Take Control:
- Recognize that there is an issue. It’s not about you. You are just asking the person to slow down or repeat. This person’s response is their responsibility. The native speaker’s affective filter might be up in this situation. However, there are ways to deal with it. Everyone at heart can be a nice person.
- Articulate what is happening. Say somethign like, “Sorry I’m not sure what’s happening right now. Maybe it’s my English.” This will slow the angry spiral to hopefully connect with the person and solve the problem.
- Ask them to repeat: Say this: “Would you mind repeating that?”
What questions do you have from today?
Let us know in the comments below.
