Hello everyone!

I registered to this site hoping I can get some advice and suggestions regarding my own language acquisition process. I'm writing "acquisition" intentionally, as I think I have already successfully passed learning stage. I know enough to get by in everyday situations, handle complex texts, and follow university lectures in both my languages (English&German). So basically, all I can do now is to get exposed to my target language as much as I can. The problem is that my active usage of the language is far worse than passive understanding. I was told by native speakers that I sound unnatural and that my writings read difficult. This bothers me because of my studies. My academic performance is worse because I can't put across my ideas easily and naturally which results in distorted speech/writing. It just sucks when I get marked down because a marker doesn't understand at first sight what I mean.

Is there anyone who had the same troubles? What would you recommend me? This problem is more of psychological nature than any language strategies. I have already had enough input but this doesn't seem to reflect in active usage. I reckon I still haven't figured out how to "give in" to a new language, despite spending so much time abroad. I came across an article about language microclimate in this forum, which I found quite interesting. If you happen to know something more regarding the topic, I'd be grateful if you could post some links here.

Kind regards

Hello! You are a Slovak speaker? Cool! ^^ My ex-philosophy professor is a Slovak speaker from old Czechoslovakia. Would love to visit some day (I am a big fan of Jan Patocka).

Let me see, I have had some similar feelings and problems as I am also studying in a foreign language and have been for a year or so now.

Hmmm, first I think it is only natural that your active output lags behind your comprehension. In the long term there is nothing to be done except read lots and practice your writing. As your reading comprehension becomes even more effortless, so too will your writing ability improve. In the short term I find it essential that I have several people who are happy to fix my grammatical errors in my writing - I bribe them with free dinners. ;-)

Oh, and of course there is also the question of practicing essay writing itself as a separate act from language study. Is this something you have lots of experience of already in your native language? If not, then it makes sense to treat this as a separate (if related) issue that requires its own focused attention.

At some point you just have to start speaking, and not worry about it. The more you speak the better you will get. I also find that listening to a lot of easy content, even over and over will help. Also focus on learning phrases, the natural phrases that native speakers use. This will ensure that you are putting words together more naturally.