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In learning a language, we usually divide it into four basic language skills:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
These two, can be divide into two groups again:
- Receptive language skills
- Productive language skills
--> Reading (written) --> Receptive
--> Listening (oral) --> Receptive
--> Writing (written) --> Productive
--> Speaking (oral) --> Productive
For nearly everyone, receptive skills come first and seem easier. This is not surprisable as we have the time to read and listen to what has been produced for us, in a seemingly logical order. After we gained enough receptive skills, we can slowly start with the productive skills. In this case, writing is also easier, because one has the time and maybe even a dictionary. However, writing is a veyr good practice because if you have someone to help you, you can get used to a word order and sentence-construction and therefore quickly also grasp a basic 'sentence-vocabulary'.
Talking is always more difficult and therefore comes at the last stage. Why? Because most of the human beings are ashamed and we do not want to sound funny in a language that we try hard for. After all the time we put in grammar, reading, listening and writing, we dont want to sound funny anymore. And this is also what makes it so hard: besides thinking up sentences, trying to make the grammar right, we also have to think about pronounciation.
All there is to do, is try to practice and speak as much as you can. I spoke English with my boyfriend for 5 out of 9 months living by his side in Turkey, but if I had the chance to do it all over again, Id try from the start. My Turkish has improved more trying to talk everyday, than when going to lessons and studying from books!
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