Falling Down Hurts: But it Helps Us

I just got a message from a friend who had written weeks ago. He wanted to know how he could speak out loud without being shy and afraid. He worries that people will correct or criticize his speaking. Those who will correct us are our best friends.

Shyness is natural and criticism is important. If others cannot criticize and correct us we cannot learn. I am now learning Arabic and face the same feelings as you. I don't like to make mistakes, but it is how I learn the correct way of saying things.

We must just do the way little children do and speak without fear of correction, because correction is the quickest way for us to learn. You have seen children learning to walk. They try to stand and take a step, but they fall back down. If they had the same fear that we do as older people, they would never walk.

We must be like the child who keeps getting up and trying over and over, even though we will fall again.

You may think, What if they laugh at me?

Does laughter hurt? Laugh at yourself right now. I am laughing at myself. I am only a beginner in Arabic.

Are children hurt when they fall? Maybe they are hurt a little, but falling teaches them to walk.

Will you learn to speak English well? You can speak English very well someday, but you must have many falls along the way.

Your other choice is to spend the rest of your life crawling.

It is your choice to make.

Will you walk or will you crawl? I will walk someday, even if it is painful.

You need to be a member of MyEnglishClub to add comments!

Join MyEnglishClub

Comments

Rathanam March 3, 2011 1:42

good moring sir,

your nice advice is very useful to me , anyhow we will learn new language with out shyness

we will try to findout some good friends , here in english club a lot of friends are here , some friends will suport us so we dont worry and lose our heart here .
Emma Hagedorn March 1, 2011 10:28

I wouldn't agree for more~

Learning is a process. Be patient for yourself. I am also a beginner learner of Japanese.

It's hard but fun!
Max March 1, 2011 7:07

Good post, Bob! A lot of people think so and they shy/have fear to begin speak with others.

Im not hiding, I have thought and had the same questions, but I prevailed myself and opened for others.
MaNaL February 28, 2011 22:45

really,It's nice blog and interesting for learners...like me...and thank you for this great advice:)!!
tania February 28, 2011 17:13

thaks a lot for your chearing up ! i agree with you. it'so necessary that somebody can correct you and this one who does it should be a very petient person. of caurse if you don't fall you can't stand up and go on your studing like a child when he/she only begings to study to walk but they try,try and try and finally they can walk as we.
Rabab February 25, 2011 19:58

Exactly what we need ,we learners always find it in your blogs. Welcome back Mr. Bob and thanks for the precious advice. I will keep them in mind since am suffering from shyness when am about to speak just the thought of it makes my heart very loud.

Thanks for sharing:)
Dai Lao Su February 25, 2011 14:45

Bob. you are a great teacher, the way you encourage others to speak. I am looking for a job, either an English teacher or an interpreter. I have met all but negative response, What i can do now is just to laugh at myself. I tell you what Vietnam is a country with golden population, most labor force is in the age range of 18 to 37. I am trying to find way to teach, for the benefit of those who want to learn English.
Mr. Bob February 23, 2011 14:45

Thank you everyone for your comments. I am still trying to walk myself :)
Ogundele February 23, 2011 10:42

What a nice blog! It is a good advice not to hesitate in learning when we are criticize. Thank you Mr Bob for your nice blog.
Ogundele February 23, 2011 10:40

What a nice blog! It is a good advice not to hesitate in learning when we are criticize. Thank you Mr Bob for your nice blog.

of 5

This reply was deleted.