One of the things I hear a lot from students is, “I’m just bad at English.” They say it like it’s true, but honestly, most of the time, it’s not.

What I’ve noticed is that students don’t usually hate English. They just feel unsure or nervous about it. Unlike maths or science, English doesn’t always have one right answer. You have to explain your ideas, analyse texts, and write in your own words. That can feel risky, especially when teachers give different opinions. Some students worry about being wrong, sounding silly, or just not knowing what to say.

A lot of this comes from past experiences. Maybe their work was covered in red corrections, or a test felt impossible. After a while, some students start thinking English is only for “smart” people. That belief can stop them from even trying. They wait to be told the “right” answer instead of trusting their own ideas. In my sessions, I see students with really good ideas who won’t write them down because they’re scared of messing up. They overthink every sentence and lose confidence before they even start.

So how do I help?

First, I remind them English isn’t about being perfect, it’s about getting your ideas out. If you can say it, you can write it. We start small: one idea, one sentence, no pressure. Then, we break tasks into steps: What’s the question asking? Which quote could we use? What does it mean in simple words? Writing becomes just “thinking on paper.” I normalise mistakes. Struggling doesn’t mean you’re bad; it means you’re learning. We rewrite, talk ideas through, and build confidence together.

Over time, students start trying more. They answer questions, write more, and swap “I don’t know” for “I think this means…” English stops feeling scary and becomes a place to explore ideas. Ideas come first, then language can help you show them.

Vicki Synesios