The most disappointing thing to hear in my college classes is that students have already studied Spanish for years, but couldn't speak it if their lives depended on it. What a waste of their time! Along with speaking Spanish regularly in our classroom, we also assess our students' speaking proficiency with oral quizzes and oral sections on every chapter exam.
It doesn't have to be scary. Honest. There are simple things that you can do to make sure that you do well:
1. Slow down and breathe. When you get nervous, you naturally start to speak faster. Your perception of time becomes distorted, and you feel as though you are taking longer than you really are. Stop and take a deep breath. Think through your answer, and say it clearly without rushing.
2. Stick with what you know. It is tempting to want to use words and expressions that you haven't learned yet. I am testing you for the things we have covered, not material that you haven't seen yet. Even if it doesn't include all of the details you want to share, use the vocabulary and grammar that we have been going over in class.
3. If you get stuck, say it another way. Everyone has moments where the word is on the tip of your tongues and you can't find it. Nearly always, there is a different way to communicate the same idea or elicit the same information. If you are talking about the near future and can't remember how to use ir + a + infinitive, just use the present tense. If you can't remember a vocabulary word, think of a more general term.
4. If you make a mistake, fix it and go on. Regardless of the language, most of us can think of times we wished we could take back a word as soon as it left our lips. You can. If you realize that you meant to use a different word, let me know. If you correct yourself, I won't have to. However, don't get caught second-guessing yourself. Unless you are sure, just keep going. You may have been right to begin with, or I might not notice a mistake if you keep talking and the rest of what you say is right. :)
5. Practice, practice, practice. The more you speak, the more comfortable you will be. Get used to hearing native speakers, and your pronunciation skills will improve. Use Spanish every chance you get, and it will show in your confidence and skill!
