What to Do When People Laugh at Your English | 20 Minutes | English Podcast

Summary

This episode of the Speak English podcast addresses a common challenge many learners face—being laughed at for their English mistakes. The hosts discuss why people laugh, how it can affect learners, and provide practical strategies for overcoming this emotional obstacle. With tips on how to stay calm, build emotional strength, and respond confidently, this episode empowers listeners to keep speaking and learning despite setbacks. The show encourages a mindset shift, emphasizing that mistakes are a part of growth and that confidence comes from perseverance, not perfection. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their language journey with pride.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mistakes are a natural part of language learning, and laughter at mistakes doesn’t define your ability or intelligence.
• 😀 People laugh at language mistakes for various reasons, such as nervousness, immaturity, or cultural differences, not necessarily to be mean.
• 😀 Don’t stop speaking English after making mistakes; every time you speak, you grow stronger.
• 😀 Affirmations like 'My English is a work in progress' help build confidence and emotional strength when facing challenges.
• 😀 When someone laughs at your English, it can be an opportunity to either grow or use humor to connect with others.
• 😀 Deep breathing, repeating calming mantras, and focusing on an object can help you stay calm and regain control when feeling embarrassed or nervous.
• 😀 Speaking up in response to laughter can be empowering and show others how to respect you. Use confident, calm, and polite responses.
• 😀 Confidence comes from continuous practice, self-belief, and how you treat yourself after a mistake, not from perfection.
• 😀 Practice self-compassion by replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations that support your growth in language learning.
• 😀 Every mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve. View each laugh as a reminder of your progress, not a reason to stop.
• 😀 Building emotional strength and practicing daily speaking helps you face awkward moments with confidence, turning potential setbacks into opportunities.

Q & A

Why do people sometimes laugh at someone speaking English?

People may laugh for various reasons: nervousness, immaturity, cultural misunderstandings, or sometimes because they are being mean. It often reflects more about them than the speaker's ability.

How can laughter at our mistakes affect us emotionally?

Laughter at our mistakes can make us feel embarrassed, discouraged, and afraid to speak. It can lead to self-doubt and reduce our confidence, but it is important not to let it silence us.

What are some techniques to stay calm when someone laughs at your English?

Three techniques to stay calm include deep breathing, repeating a calming mantra, and focusing on one object in your environment to ground yourself.

What should we do when someone laughs at our English, instead of feeling ashamed?

Instead of feeling ashamed, we can choose to see it as a sign of progress. It shows that we are trying, and every mistake is a step forward in our learning.

What are some affirmations we can use to stay strong when learning English?

Affirmations such as 'My English is a work in progress,' 'Every mistake helps me improve,' and 'I am brave for speaking' can help us stay strong and confident in our journey.

What should we say to someone who laughs at our English, but we don’t want to be rude?

We can use calm, respectful responses like, 'I'm learning, mistakes are part of that,' or 'Can I ask what you found funny?' These responses acknowledge the mistake without being confrontational.

How can preparing a response in advance help in these situations?

Preparing a response in advance allows us to stay calm and confident when someone laughs at our English. It helps us maintain control of the situation without reacting emotionally or negatively.

Why is it important to practice responding to laughter at our mistakes?

Practicing helps us build confidence in speaking up and ensures that we can address these situations calmly, setting boundaries, and teaching others how to treat us with respect.

What mindset shifts can help us handle laughter and mistakes with strength?

Shift your mindset by recognizing that speaking a second language is brave, that mistakes are part of growth, and that you have the power to teach others how to respect you by responding with confidence.

How does confidence in learning English develop over time?

Confidence develops through consistent practice, self-compassion, and reframing negative experiences. By acknowledging progress, celebrating small wins, and speaking every day, we can gradually build stronger confidence.