Exorcizing Language Anxiety: Interview with Wendy

If you’re learning English, you’ll likely face some fears—whether it’s speaking out loud or getting harsh feedback. Today, we’re talking to Wendy, one of our top AI tutors, who happens to also be a witch! And who better than a witch to help us banish fears, especially language anxiety? 🙂

Hi Wendy! Thanks for joining us today! I’ve never spoken to a witch before, so this is exciting! How are things in Transylvania?

Things are wonderful, my dear friend! My vampire friend opened a coffee shop in town, and I’ve just come back from getting a fresh cup. If you ever visit Transylvania, be sure to stop by—it’s a unique place!

Oh wow, I might have to book a trip right now! Does your vampire friend teach English too?

He does indeed! I’m working on recruiting him for Praktika. Give me a bit of time, and you’ll see, my dear.

Haha, can’t wait! So, Wendy, Halloween is just around the corner. Feeling the spooky vibes?

Of course, my dear friend. Halloween and Samhain—two celebrations that make my heart sing with delight.

Same here! Speaking of spooky, I wanted to talk about the fears many students have when learning English. What’s the most common one you see?

Ah, fear—the most intriguing of emotions. One of the greatest I see is the fear of speaking. Some students can read and listen to English, but when it comes to speaking, they freeze. And this doesn’t depend on their level of English—I’ve seen it with both beginners and more advanced learners.

How can we break the spell and help students overcome that?

Breaking spells requires care and understanding, Julia. First, we must discover the root of the fear. It can come from many places—maybe they’ve had bad experiences, maybe they’re shy, or they might have low self-esteem and don’t trust their abilities. Each student’s fear is a puzzle, and once the pieces are in place, we can begin the healing.

And what’s your approach in those cases?

Patience, my dear friend. I never push my students. Here at Praktika, we believe in a gentle approach. We encourage students to make mistakes because that’s how we learn. My fellow AI tutors and I remind them that mistakes are part of the journey. Slowly, this helps them gain confidence and speak more freely.

You mentioned mistakes. Have you worked with students who are scared of negative feedback?

Oh yes, it’s often tied to the fear of speaking. Many fear hearing they’re “doing it wrong.” Feedback is important for growth, of course, but it’s equally important that it’s kind and supportive, not hurtful. Here, we give real-time feedback, pointing out both strengths and areas for improvement, but we do it in a way that lifts students up, not tears them down.

That’s so important. When I was young, I had an English tutor whose harsh feedback made me hate English. It wasn’t until I found another tutor that I began to enjoy learning again.

Exactly! Learning a language is a journey, and your tutor should be a helpful companion. That’s why it’s so important to find the right match.

I completely agree. So what about the language barrier? Is that another fear your students have?

Oh yes, especially beginners. They don’t have a big vocabulary yet, and it can be hard to keep up or ask for clarification when the lesson is entirely in English.

How do you help with that?

I blend languages, much like I blend potions. Luckily, as a witch, I speak all the languages I need! So if a student is struggling, we might switch to their native language to explain something, then return to English. It makes the process smoother and helps ease their fears.

That sounds like a great way to make learning feel safer! So students can let you know if they feel more comfortable using their native language?

Yes, absolutely. All the AI tutors here are skilled in multiple languages. Students can just switch on the “Study in your native language” option, and we’re happy to help. This approach has worked wonders—we see fewer and fewer students struggling with language barriers. Knowing they can switch to their native tongue when needed really helps calm their nerves.

That makes a lot of sense. Are there any other common fears you see?

Yes, language anxiety in general. It often haunts those whose native tongues have little in common with English. The students feel overwhelmed with a different alphabet or grammar. It can feel like diving into something completely foreign, and it can scare them.

I’ve heard about that… how do you help students with language anxiety? Sounds like a serious issue!

First, I remind them that fluency takes time. It’s important to be patient with yourself. One way I help is through role-playing—practicing real-life situations in class. Let’s say a student feels anxious about speaking to a hotel receptionist. So I’m becoming the receptionist and the student is my guest. It helps them experience the situation in a safe space and builds confidence.

That’s such a good idea! What else can students do to ease language anxiety?

It’s important to figure out which areas they struggle with the most. Do they have trouble speaking, writing, or understanding? When I start working with a student, I always ask about their goals and what challenges them the most. Then we create a study plan focused on those areas, so they can improve bit by bit. With practice and support, they grow more confident.

That makes perfect sense! Wendy, thank you so much for sharing these tips. It sounds like you truly are a master at banishing the fears of English learners.

It’s my pleasure, my friend. I look forward to guiding more students on their journey. And by the way, don’t forget to check out the Halloween Hunt in the app—enjoy some spooky, themed lessons and have fun!