Something that every language learner will ask themselves at some point is “When can I say I speak the language?” And we tend to imagine it as this big breakthrough moment or dramatic milestone where we’ve reached perfect conversations and flawless grammar use. Whereas, in reality, most learners reach “speaking level” quietly, gradually and maybe without even realising.
When can I say I speak a language?
So if you’re wondering where the line is between “learning” and “speaking” a language, the answer might surprise you because you might be way closer to your goal than you think.
Here’s some subtle but meaningful signs that you’ve crossed into genuine language speaking proficiency.
1. You can handle small talk at a normal pace
If the conversation flows when you’re chatting in your target language about things like the weather, what you did at the weekend, your job, your hobbies or your upcoming travel plans, then that’s a great sign that you’ve moved on from studying a language to using it.
It doesn’t need to be perfect and there may be the occasional pause, but it feels natural enough and you’re not needing to translate every single word in your head.
2. Native speakers don’t need constant clarification
A huge sign that you “speak” a language is that native speakers respond to you normally. They don’t excessively slow down what they are saying to you or switch to English or keep asking you to repeat yourself. The conversation just keeps moving.
If native speakers can understand you most of the time in general situations without effort you can probably consider yourself able to speak a language.
3. You trust your ability to be understood
This is where your identity as a foreign language speaker really starts to shift. Your default moves on from ‘I hope I said that right’ to ‘I can express myself’. You have the confidence that you can ask for what you need, communicate an opinion and correct yourself without panicking.
Again, this doesn’t mean perfection and mistakes are absolutely still happening. But you’re not hesitant to speak and that makes all the difference in degrees of language proficiency.
4. You think in the language (even just a little)
This one sounds like a big leap forward, but here’s the thing, thinking in your target language doesn’t mean having deep philosophical thoughts or even need to be in full sentences. It can simply be forward planning what to say or replying to conversations in your head.
Any kind of moment where your brain switches automatically between languages is cognitive proof that your new language is becoming internalised.
5. You can follow the gist even when you miss details
It’s a common misconception that becoming fluent in a language means being able to understand every word. It doesn’t. In fact, most native speakers don’t catch everything either. What matters most is your ability to keep up with the overall meaning of the conversation.
Specifically, being able to follow a conversation you are overhearing or keep track in a group conversation without feeling lost are great benchmarks for being able to “speak” a language.
6. You self correct automatically
This is something that confident speakers do all the time. So if you’ve noticed that when you make a mistake you are able to simply restart or readjust your sentence without freezing up, it’s probably time to stop questioning whether you can speak the language.
Even more of an indicator is what you do when you don’t know a word. If you can describe around it or rephrase what you are trying to say so that you are still understood, you’re there.
Ready To Take Your Speaking To The Next Level?
An immersion language experience such as a homestay or language exchange is one of the fastest ways to strengthen real life communication skills. Especially once you are able to “speak” the language more than you realise.
Try out Lingoo language holidays and sign up for free today.