Afraid to Speak in English Tutorials? A Guide for International Students

Bandai Choi
Clinical Psychologist | Board-approved supervisor
Breathe-n-Smile Psychology, Essendon North, Footscray and telehealth across Victoria

Find the moment where you get stuck

Some students understand lectures and readings but go blank in a tutorial. A discussion asks you to follow different accents, find the words you need, judge when to join in and work out what the tutor is looking for. Processing a second language takes time. Needing a few seconds to form a sentence does not mean you came unprepared. Notice which moment is hardest: understanding the question, finding a word, entering the conversation, or worrying that someone will correct you.

If you often think, “One mistake will show everyone I do not belong here,” treat that as a prediction rather than a fact. A contribution may genuinely go awkwardly, and that can feel painful. One moment does not necessarily tell you how every classmate sees you. At the same time, discrimination, mockery or unsafe classroom behaviour should not be explained away as your personal anxiety. Note what happened and use your institution’s reporting and support channels.

Classroom norms differ too. You may have learned to speak only after you have a complete answer, while a tutorial may encourage thinking aloud and asking questions. You do not have to change your style overnight. Ask what participation means in this subject: do clarifying questions count? Can you respond to a peer? Are there prompts to prepare in advance? Clear assessment criteria are more useful than assuming that a good student must be outgoing.

Make participation a skill you can practise

Before class, choose one point from the reading and write one observation plus one genuine question. Your contribution can be short: “Could you clarify what the author means here?” or “I see the example a little differently.” If you cannot form a complete thought yet, ask the tutor to repeat or restate the question. Participation does not always require the most polished answer. Clarifying and following up can move a group discussion forward.

You can also begin in a lower-pressure channel. Send a question to the tutor before class, stay for a brief conversation afterwards, or compare your understanding with one peer. These are not necessarily permanent substitutes for in-class contributions; they help you become familiar with the course language and with hearing your own voice. If live participation affects your grade, confirm which forms count so that you understand the actual requirements.

Choose one observable goal at a time, such as asking one clarifying question in one tutorial this week. Afterwards, note what actually happened: what you said, how people responded, and which second was hardest. Try not to record only “It was embarrassing.” A more specific account may show whether the feared reaction occurred and whether your next step calls for language practice, content preparation or support with fear of evaluation.

Know when to ask a tutor or support service

An academic language centre may help with reading, writing or speaking strategies. A tutor can explain the discussion and marking expectations. An international student team may help you locate these services. Study Australia describes campus and local support, although names and access vary by institution. A specific question works well: “I understand the material but struggle to organise English quickly in tutorials. Which service could help?” It gives staff more to work with than “My English is bad.”

If fear leads you to miss classes, lose sleep before each tutorial or criticise yourself for hours afterwards, consider talking with campus counselling, a GP or a psychologist. Healthdirect describes physical and behavioural signs of anxiety, but only an individual assessment can determine what is happening for you. Our anxiety and stress support page explains the kinds of concerns a psychological service can address. It is not a replacement for language teaching.

Before booking, you can ask about fees, waiting times, confidentiality and whether you can speak in a language you know well. For some students, a familiar language reduces the effort of describing feelings; our psychologist’s language options include Cantonese and Mandarin. The choice is yours. The language you use for coursework and the one you prefer for emotional conversations do not have to be the same.