"I don't speak English" - Why are you afraid to speak up?

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Was it a bad experience?
Did someone laugh at you?
A not-so-kind comment? How did you lose your confidence — and how can you get it back?

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Read the article in Hungarian ➤


How did you lose your confidence — and how can you get it back?

Maybe it’s still there inside you. Quiet, but persistent:
“I can’t really say what I mean in English.”
“I’ll speak up once I’m better.”
“Please don’t ask me anything — I’ll just stumble and mumble.”

Where do these thoughts come from?
You didn’t start learning English like this.

Try to remember the very first moment you spoke English as a learner.
Your first sentence.
You were nervous — but also curious.
And so proud that you said something — and they understood you!

And then… someone said something.
Maybe they meant well.
Maybe they corrected you.
Maybe they were confused — or maybe they laughed.

And that one moment stayed with you.
You believed it.
The shame. The awkward laugh. The sting of failure.
You drew your conclusions and took mental notes:
“Don’t speak unless it’s perfect.”
“English isn’t your strength.”
“You sound ridiculous.”
“Your accent is bad.”
“Maybe you’ll get better someday.”

And just like that — you started slipping.

You began to worry more and more about what others would think.
And that stress made it even harder.
Until finally, you thought:
“Better not speak at all.”

With less and less practice, you didn’t grow — you faded.
Not the feelings someone caused — those still haunt you.
But your actual English? Vocabulary? Grammar? Speaking skills?
They started to disappear.

And over the years…

Your words faded.
Your grammar got stuck.
Your speaking turned silent.

And in the few moments when you had to speak, it just confirmed what you believed:
“I really can’t do it. I am bad at this.”

No one needs to say it anymore — you say it.
With confidence.
With absolute certainty.

But…
Let’s pause for a second.


What if that’s not the truth?

What if it was just a comment — made long ago, in a weak moment, by someone who was maybe struggling themselves?

And yet, you’ve been carrying the weight of it ever since.

But you don’t have to carry it anymore.
You are not a failure.
You are not hopeless.
You are not unfit to speak English.

You’ve simply been caught in a negative loop — and you can break free.

Language learning isn’t a test.
It’s not a formula to be solved.
You’re not learning for others.
You’re learning for yourself.
To say what matters.
To understand what’s important.
To connect with others.

And you don’t need to be perfect to do that.


Practice builds. Silence weakens.

If you feel rusty, if it’s been too long, and you don’t know how to start again —
I have good news:
You don’t have to be flawless. You just have to start.

It’s okay to search for words.
It’s okay to take your time.
It’s okay if your grammar isn’t perfect.

Just say what you want — however you can.
And little by little, you’ll get better.

Think about a baby learning to walk. They don’t do it perfectly the first time.
They fall. Get up. Try again.
No one laughs — everyone cheers them on.

Who’s cheering you on now?

You can be the one.
Stand by yourself like the most loving parent, the most encouraging coach.

And let go of the voices that only saw your mistakes.

Mistakes aren’t failures.
Mistakes are attempts — things you tried.
It’s not weakness. It’s growth.


And if you’re ready to speak again — we’re here for you.

dottipot is an online English speaking club – a safe, supportive space where you can speak freely and start again without pressure.
No prep.
No homework.
No one correcting you.
Just you, saying what you want — and slowly rebuilding your confidence.

Because your voice matters.
And you have things to say.

All you have to do — is say them.
We’re here. We’re listening.
👉 Try it here ➤


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