How can I stop translating? Ask BBC Learning English

How can you stop translating when speaking English?

Here's a question from Semsihan.

How can I speak English without translating from my language?

That was Semsihan's question, but we want your questions too.

You can email a question to [email protected].

But now, on to speaking without translating. Let's go.

Don't overthink.

It's OK to make mistakes.

If you're speaking and you make a mistake,

don't worry - and carry on speaking.

When I moved to Spain, I was so scared about making mistakes that I

just didn't speak. But then I decided to stop worrying about it,

and I just spoke.

And I realized that you learn a lot more quickly,

and people are really kind and they still understand what you're saying,

so just go for it.

Think in English and talk to yourself in English.

It will make the language seem more familiar

and it makes it part of your everyday life.

Everyone thinks I'm talking on the phone,

but I'm actually just talking to myself to practise my English.

It's great! No one can tell.

Associate new words and phrases with language that you already know.

This will help your brain to create links,

and that will make it easier to remember vocabulary

when you're speaking.

Things at home you do with 'make'.

OK, I make the bed, I make breakfast, I make a mess, I make a cake.

And it's better to learn phrases instead of words, and use images too.

Read books,

watch series,

listen to podcasts.

Do things that you enjoy!

If you don't like classics, then don't read classics in English!

That's all for now, but check below for more on this topic.

See you soon!