I’ve been learning a new language- why is it harder for me to speak it vs hear it/type it/read it?

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My friends speak Dutch and for a while. I’ve been trying to learn Dutch. We can text in Dutch (very casually) and when they speak to me in Dutch I am able to understand what they are saying (or at least pick it apart to understand generally what they are saying) . but when it comes to me trying to say Dutch words or speak Dutch my brain all of a sudden has no memory of everything I’ve learned.

I have a friend also whos mom speaks Portuguese and he understands her completely but he responds in English and doesn’t really speak Portuguese himself?

Why does this happen??

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12 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Speaking a language, and reading/writing that language are two seperate skills.

It’s possible for you to be able to speak and understand English, without knowing how to spell, read or write – if you were never taught.

You have spent more time practicing and learning one skill (reading/writing) than the other (speaking).

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