Introduction

Studying abroad is a dream come true for many language learners. The idea of total immersion sounds like the perfect recipe for fluency.

But my time in Italy taught me that immersion alone isn't enough to master a language. In fact, my own experience in Rome revealed that staying in your comfort zone can hold you back more than you’d expect.

Here’s the biggest lesson I learned from studying Italian and how you can avoid my mistakes to become a more English confident speaker.

My Semester in Rome: A Missed Opportunity

When I spent a semester in Rome during college, I had high hopes for my Italian. I had studied the language for years, and this was finally my chance to put it into practice every day.

The excitement of exploring the culture, tasting authentic Italian food, and visiting historic sites filled every moment. But as I settled in, I realized I was missing a huge opportunity: I wasn’t speaking Italian as often as I thought I would.

Despite my best intentions, I found myself slipping into English with my host family, friends, and classmates, speaking Italian only when absolutely necessary.

The Trap of Staying Comfortable

Looking back, I realize I had fallen into a common trap—staying comfortable. I avoided speaking Italian whenever I could because I was worried about making mistakes and embarrassing myself.

My fear of sounding less than fluent made me hesitate. I wanted to speak Italian well, but in avoiding situations where I might make errors, I missed out on valuable practice.

In those two and a half months, instead of growing more confident, I found myself becoming more anxious about speaking Italian.

Why Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Matters

As a tutor, I see this same pattern in my students who are learning English.

Many learners stay in their comfort zones, speaking their native language whenever possible or avoiding conversations with fluent English speakers. Like I did, they want to avoid making mistakes, but this approach often holds them back from real progress.

To truly become confident in a language, it’s essential to use it often, even if it feels uncomfortable.

What I Tell My Students Now: Embrace Practice, Not Perfection

In my tutoring sessions, I encourage students to speak English as much as they can, whether it’s in class, with friends, or even with strangers. The key is to practice regularly, even when it feels awkward or intimidating.

The more you push yourself to use the language, the more natural it becomes. Mistakes become part of the learning process instead of something to fear, and real progress begins when you’re not afraid to speak up.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on my time in Rome, I realize now how valuable that experience could have been if I’d embraced every opportunity to speak Italian, mistakes and all.

If you're learning a language, don’t let fear hold you back. The most important step to fluency is using the language as often as possible, without worrying too much about perfection.

Contact me today if you'd like to learn how I can personally help you become a more advanced and confident English speaker!