Are you shy? That can make you learn less!

Anxiety

It’s known and proven that anxiety can affect the success of student’s learning. Some students fear being ridiculed after making mistakes and or being rudely corrected by teachers. They also worry about speaking in public and making mistakes.

Personality Factors

Outgoing people acquire a second language better than shy people.

Extroverts will be willing to try to communicate even if they are not sure they will succeed. Two scientists, Kinginger and Farrell, conducted interviews with U.S. students after their study abroad program in France in 2003. They found that many of the students would avoid interaction with the native speakers at all costs, while others jumped at the opportunity to speak the language. Those who avoided interaction were typically quiet, reserved people, (or introverts).

Logically, anxiety will cause students not to try and advance their skills, especially when they feel under pressure. Just because students are shy, they will have less opportunities to speak which will therefore make them less succesful in the acquisition of language.

So, I advise you to try our best. Don’t worry about mistakes, we learn with them. The more you speak, the more you will learn. That simple. I know personality traits is something we can´t change, but we can only make an effort and try to forget the shyness and adventure ourselves. It pays off and you will have fun too!