I understand almost everything I hear, so why can’t I speak?

It’s a really common question, and happens to a lot of people learning a new language.
Understanding when you listen is an important step, but speaking is a whole other challenge.
Here are some possible reasons and tips to help you:

1. Lack of confidence: Even if you understand well, you may be afraid of making mistakes when speaking.
   Remember that making mistakes is part of the learning process, and that’s how we make progress!
2. Lack of practice: Listening and understanding passively is different from speaking actively.
   The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel expressing your ideas out loud.
3. Fear of judgment: Fear of being judged by others can hold you back from speaking.
   Try to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that most people are understanding and encouraging when you try to speak their language.
4. Lack of active vocabulary: Even if you understand a lot of words, you may not yet have enough active vocabulary to express yourself freely.
   Keep building your vocabulary and you’ll feel more comfortable speaking.

Tips to improve your oral expression:

• Regular practice: Try to talk a little every day, even if it’s by yourself or by repeating what you hear in a film or song.
• Join a community or discussion group: Talking to others who are learning the same language or who speak it fluently can be highly motivating and beneficial.
• Set yourself small goals: Start with simple conversations on subjects you know well, then increase the difficulty as you become more comfortable.
• Record yourself: Speak into a recorder or film yourself speaking.
  Then listen to yourself to identify what you do well and what you could do better.

Remember, the important thing is not to get discouraged and to keep practicing.
With time and practice, you’ll feel more and more comfortable speaking the language you’re learning!
You’re on the right track, keep up the good work!