Why You Understand a Language but Can’t Speak It 

Learning a new language happens in phases. You acquire new vocabulary. You practice speaking the new words you’ve learned. Eventually, you put those words into sentences. Along the way, refinements take place: context, pace, pronunciation, automaticity.

But for some new language learners, a common issue is that they can understand a language, but not speak it effectively. Or, they can’t think of the right words when speaking.

What’s behind this listening – speaking barrier? A common cause is your learning platform; that’s why Pimsleur^® stresses speaking (and listening to) a new language from the start. That’s what the Pimsleur Method™ is all about. By actively participating in these practices and building your oral and aural skills, you’re more likely to avoid these issues and break the language barrier right away.

Still, even the most refined language instruction methods can’t cover all the bases. Everyone learns differently, and if you’re wondering why you can understand a language but not speak it, keep reading to learn why it happens and how to fix it. 

Input vs. Output: Why Listening Is Easier Than Speaking

Think of your favorite song. Chances are you can sing most of the words correctly, with perhaps only one mondegreen. But you might not feel confident enough to sing that song in front of a crowd. Why not? Because there’s a mental barrier that you won’t be able to accurately recreate the exact notes, tune, pitch, and lyrics. That sensation, that mental barrier, is the same feeling you experience when you want to speak a language that you already know how to understand. Will you be able to reproduce the sounds like a native speaker can? Will your accent affect intelligibility? Will you remember all the relevant vocabulary?

Here’s what’s happening. Listening is analytical and passive. Speaking is active. As you’re acquiring a language, the act of listening allows you to pause, reflect, and rewind. But speaking is where the proverbial rubber hits the road. It requires split-second decisions to vocalize your thoughts in a conversation, and many people fear that incorrect words, a poor accent, or mispronunciation will be judged harshly by native speakers. But that’s just part of the process of overcoming language barriers. Let’s take a look at the science behind it.

The Real Reasons You Can’t Think of Words When Speaking

Speaking a language, at its core, is part analytical, part physical. In other words, your brain has to process what you’re going to say, then instruct your mouth to sound out words properly. Plus, your brain instantly starts to anticipate what your conversation partner will say next.

That’s a lot of processes to navigate, particularly if you’re doing all those things in a new language. With so much going on, it’s easy to see why you can understand a language but not speak it properly.

How does this play out in practical, everyday situations? The language barrier in communication looks and sounds like:

• Delayed response times
• Halting, awkward conversations
• Failure to communicate elemental thoughts (like ordering from a menu, asking for directions, etc.)
• Social disconnect (missed social cues like politeness, cultural norms, and the like)

If you can understand a language but not speak it fluently yet, here are a few reasons why:

• Skewed emphasis on listening. Listening (and even reading) a language certainly helps improve comprehension. However, too much listening (inputs) and not enough speaking (outputs) can contribute to the disconnect that happens when you can’t think of words to use when speaking. That’s why Pimsleur’s app is popular with language learners; it goes with you anywhere (you can even learn while driving), and Pimsleur’s emphasis on speaking ensures your listening comprehension balances appropriately with speaking practice.
• Fear of making mistakes. Nobody can read your thoughts. But everyone can hear you speak. Language learners have a natural anxiety when speaking, especially in the early stages of their linguistic journey. And this dread is counter-productive for your brain. These emotions can disrupt the natural flow of normal human processes, such as the ones involved in turning thoughts into spoken words.
• Information overload. Early-stage language learning is a process of translation. You have to first listen to a speaker say something in a foreign language, translate the meaning in your head, and then find a way to say something relevant in response. That’s not easy! Making the jump from novice speaker to conversational speaker involves removing the literal translation work and thinking (not just speaking) in the new language. If you can understand a language but not speak it yet, you’re not quite at that deeper level yet. But no worries – Pimsleur can get you there!

How to Start Overcoming Language Barriers—And How Pimsleur Can Help

Here are a few things you can do to eliminate any language barriers in communication.

• Practice with a native speaker. Lucky enough to know someone who speaks your target language? Fire away with those awkward (at first) sentences! Having on-the-fly, honest feedback makes for a memorable learning experience. 
• Build your speaking and listening skills simultaneously. Remember, too much input (listening) and not enough output (speaking) is a major reason why you can’t think of words when speaking. When practiced in tandem, which is what you’ll experience with Pimsleur, speaking and listening play equally important roles. You’ll have plenty of practice working on your pronunciation on your own to build confidence and solidify the processes involved in producing speech. 
• Start thinking in your target language. As noted, thinking in a language will help you speak in that language. Total cultural immersion is a great way to think in any foreign language. Listen to native language news programs, game shows, sitcoms, and movies. Test your culinary skills. If you’re learning French, make an authentic French dish in the kitchen. Listen to music in the language you’re trying to learn.

With more than 50 languages in our library, Pimsleur will help you bridge that pesky listening-speaking gulf. And you’ll have fun learning, too—our world-class audio lessons are a great way to acquire a language in your free time. In fact, it only takes about 30 minutes per day. Get started with an All Access or Premium subscription now…it’s easier to learn a new language than you think!