Why is it that so many students have a mental block when it comes to speaking English? Is it the fear that they will jumble up the words and come out with something incomprehensible making them look ridiculous? Or is it that they are looking for perfection and refuse to speak until the phrase is perfectly constructed in their minds? If you can identify with one of these people, it´s time to let go of the fear!
Let´s take a look at how a young baby learns to speak its first words. They repeat the words they hear from their parents. They don´t ask them why, they just speak! That is what you need to do. Forget translating directly from your own language as that takes too long. Just speak! If you are in a class, think how your fellow students are feeling. They feel the exact same intimidation. But how can you learn if you don´t speak? It´s impossible!
So, what is the solution to this innate fear of saying the wrong thing? Just say it! You may be right, or you may be wrong but that is the root of learning. We learn through our mistakes. For example, when you are asking a question in English, you may forget to invert and instead of saying Are you Spanish? we say You are Spanish? Don´t worry, a native will understand what you are saying anyway! But if you start obsessing whether this form or that form is correct, you will never get the words out and instead become frustrated and lose confidence. Don´t be that person. Speak first, think after. And remember, practice makes perfect!