What can I do?

Question

I can write and I love to write but I can't converse with other people (in English). I can talk to myself and sometimes with my friends. Recently I blew off a scholarship interview because I can't talk fluently. I'm rather shy with strangers too.

Answer 1

I used to be like that too. Since English is not my native language, I was really afraid to speak out because I didn't want people to laugh at me. But then I practiced everyday. I talked in front of the mirror, fought with little brother in English, began making friends with people who speak fluently but would not laugh if I made a mistake... something like that :)

But the only thing you could do is: practice! No matter in what form you do it, the more you practice, the more confident you'll feel and then you won't be afraid to speak to strangers anymore :)

Good luck

Answer 2

Practice dialog with a friend. Stand in front of a mirror and make up a conversation and take both parts. Read a newspaper in English aloud. Stop worrying about your pronunciation, the more you speak, the better and faster you'll be able to speak. There are many "native" accents in English.

Answer 3

get out of your shell. Life's too short to be missing out on the positive.