Dear Xochitl and Jack | I'm anxious about my accent The A to Z English Podcast

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In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack help out a listener who is anxious about having an accent when speaking English.
Dear Xochitl and Jack,
I recently moved to an English-speaking country to pursue my studies, and while I'm confident in my academic English, I find it challenging to engage in casual conversations with native speakers. I often feel self-conscious about my accent and worry that I might not be understood clearly. How can I overcome this fear and improve my spoken English in informal settings?
Sincerely,
Accent Anxieties
Transcript:
00:00:00
Jack
Hey A-Z listeners, this is Jack here.
00:00:03
Jack
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00:00:23
Jack
And be careful, don't hit that donation button if you want to become an exclusive subscriber because the donation button is just a one time donation. However, the exclusive subscriber button will give you access to the extra two or three episodes.
00:00:42
Jack
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00:00:44
Jack
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00:00:52
Jack
Now let's get on with the show.
00:00:55
Jack
Welcome to the A-Z English podcast. My name is Jack and I'm here with my co-host social. And today we are.
00:01:03
Jack
Doing a dear social and Jack episode where one of our listeners has written or sent us an e-mail.
00:01:12
Jack
With some kind of problem that they need help with and it is something language related and so.
00:01:18
Jack
Uh, and I know I know what you're going to say already, because I've read this before, so I can kind of predict what your answer is going to be social. But I I like I you've said this before and I I like it so much. I I hope you say it again. So here's the here's the letter. Here's Social and Jack.
00:01:36
Jack
I recently moved to an English speaking country to pursue to pursue my studies.
00:01:43
Jack
And while I'm confident in my academic English, I find it challenging to engage in casual conversation with native speakers. I often feel self-conscious about my accent and worry that I might not be understood clearly.
00:02:01
Jack
How can I overcome this fear and improve my spoken English in informal settings? Sincerely.
00:02:10
Jack
Accent anxieties.
00:02:13
Xochitl
Alright, acts and anxiety. Well, I think the fear that you're having is really valid. It's really normal. I think anyone who learns a new language feels this way. I know I certainly did when I moved to Korea. I'm going to tell you.
00:02:28
Xochitl
The way that you're going to see the most improvement.
00:02:32
Xochitl
Is jumping head first just nose diving into that fear?
00:02:39
Xochitl
And trying your hardest anyway. Yes, there will be uncomfortable and awkward moments where people don't understand what you're saying. Yes, sometimes people might correct you, some people might be jerks and make fun of your accents. I had people laugh at me in Korea to my face.
00:02:55
Xochitl
Yeah, it stings a little bit, but how many languages could they speak fluently so you know, most of the time, any. Yeah. Most of the time, people who can speak two languages fluently are not going to be the same people laughing in your face because they can appreciate how difficult it is to learn a second language. And they're going to be respectful.
00:03:02
발표자
Yeah.
00:03:02
Jack
Yeah, yeah.
00:03:15
Xochitl
About it.
00:03:16
Jack
And what? What does your mom say about people that speak two languages?
00:03:21
Jack
Do you remember? Ohh you forgot. Ohh OK. God love. I'll never forget this because your mom, your your mom