You Understand the Language, but Speaking Still Feels Hard
By Lingobi · Published on 10/26/2026
I hear this a lot: “I can read in the language. I can write in it. I understand most of what people say. But when it’s my turn to speak, I get stuck.”
This can happen even when someone has a high level in the language they’re learning. Reading, writing, and listening all help, but speaking needs its own practice. You have to find the words, put them together, and say them while the conversation is moving.
To get better at speaking, you have to speak. These are the three tips I often give.
1. Talk to people in the language you’re learning
Look for chances to have a conversation, whether that’s in person or through a language exchange. Talk about your day, ask a question, or tell someone about something you enjoyed. Give yourself a reason to use the language out loud.
With a language exchange in Lingobi, you can send audio messages as well as make calls to practice. An audio message can be a comfortable place to start if a live call feels like a big step. You can take a moment to think, speak, and listen to the reply.
2. Record voice notes and listen back
Open the recorder on your phone or computer and talk for a little while. It can be something simple: how your day is going, what you did yesterday, or a story you make up. You don’t need a partner for this, and nobody else has to hear it.
Then play it back. If you got stuck, pay attention to where it happened and ask yourself why. Were you missing a word? Did you know the words but struggle to put the sentence together? Was there something you could write easily but couldn’t say?
Pick one thing to work on, look up what you need, and try recording that part again. This gives you something specific to practice. Over time, you can also return to older recordings and hear what has become easier.
3. Use speech to text for some of your messages
When you write a message or post in the language you’re learning, sometimes dictate it instead of typing it. Set dictation to that language, say what you want to write, and read what appears on the screen.
Phones can be surprisingly picky about what they hear, even when we speak our first language. If the same word keeps coming out differently, listen to how it’s pronounced and try saying it again. Dictation can mishear you for other reasons too, so check the message before sending it.
Keep mixing it up with typing. Dictating a few messages gives you another chance to practice speaking and pay attention to pronunciation. If you worry about being judged, it’s also something you can practice on your own.
You can start with one of these today: send an audio message, record a short account of your day, or dictate your next message. The important part is to make speaking a regular part of how you use the language, even while you’re still getting comfortable.
