When you’re a native English speaker, learning a new language can be challenging because everyone replies in English. I recently expressed my frustration about locals refusing to talk with me in Czech. Subsequently, I received messages from several other native English speakers tackling the same issue in various countries. They pointed me to online forums where language learners share their grievances, but I found these offered limited guidance on resolving this problem, so I’ve decided to share the strategies I’ve tried here.

1. Be honest

The obvious solution is to explain to locals that although you’re a native English speaker, you are studying their language and would prefer not to speak English. In practice however, this rarely works. Locals either speak a few sentences and then return to English, or ignore the request altogether. Keep trying though, because with the right person this strategy can lead to short term success.

2. Tell people you’re not a native English speaker

A teacher recommended I tell people I’m from a non-English speaking country. Unfortunately, the experience was so awkward I’ve filed it away as never-to-be-used again:  

Me (in Czech): What do you recommend?

Waitress (in English): The salmon is very good.

Me: (in Czech): Sorry, I don’t speak English.

Waitress: (in Czech): Really? Where are you from?

I’d moved the conversation to Czech but it was all downhill from here.

Me: Luxembourg

Her: Really? I visited Luxembourg last summer. Whereabouts in Luxembourg are you from?

Me: …The North?

Her: Near the capital?

Me: …Yes. Near the capital.

Her: Actually, the capital’s in the South, isn’t it?

Me: …Yes… you’re right… I think…”

She scrunched up her nose as if there was something wrong with me.

Her: What’s your job in Luxembourg?

Me: … I’m… a… postman. 

Her: What are you doing in the Czech Republic?

Me: … Visiting post offices.

Her: So you’re here for work?

Me: No… a holiday.

By now I didn’t even know what I was saying.

Her: If this is a holiday, how come you can speak Czech?”

Me: What?

Her: How come you can speak Czech?”

At this point, I heard my mouth say: “Czech is a very easy language, I learned it in two weeks.”

I might have got away with this… had I not said it in English.

3. Seek out people who can’t speak English

Finding people with no interest in studying English is easier said than done. Even people who don’t care about learning English will see a native Ennglish speaker as the perfect opportunity for them to start. I have however had some success with homeless people and old people at beer festivals. One teacher even suggested I join a holiday for elderly Czech people …

4. Stop caring (like other successful native English speakers)

I know some native English speakers who have mastered their target language regardless of the locals replying in English. Apparently, everything changed when they stopped becoming annoyed by people speaking English. The moment they stopped caring, the locals magically switched to their target language.

This strategy led to three days of speaking only English, prompting the friend who had suggested it to remark: “It’s not working because you haven’t let go. You’re trying to manipulate people into speaking your target language.” At thIS point I gave up: fully tricking my brain into believing I don’t care about something is even more difficult than learning Czech.

5. Check you’re not making excuses

When you have a problem it’s important to check whether there are areas where you’re to blame. For example, when I’m tired or in a bad mood I can’t be bothered to speak Czech and begin an interaction in English. Once you start speaking English you’ve set a precedent, and the next time that person will likely speak English to you again. It’s important to continue to do your part, even when you don’t want to.

6. Embrace the war of attrition

You go to a restaurant and order in your target language. The waiter replies in English. You reply in your target language. He responds in English. And so the pattern continues. Ultimately, I don’t recommend these language wars because you’ll finish up irritated and angry. You may be better off speaking English to avoid the tension spoiling your meal. If you’re anything like me however, you’ll shove it into your subconscious where it will fester and then explode the next time someone replies in English.

7. Share your frustration (not only with another native English speaker)

A nice byproduct of my first post on this topic was that a number of Czech friends read it and began to speak Czech with me. This has been one of the few things which has had any impact, so you might like to post so about your frustration on social media (just phrase it right to avoid friends feeling attacked).

8. Create a ‘no English zone’

A teacher recommended I implement a ‘No English zone’. Between 17.00 and 18.00 I should only watch Czech TV, read Czech articles, write messages in Czech, etc. She also advised I explain this to my Czech friends. To a certain extent this worked: people are willing to speak Czech when they know English will return after a specified time. Still, some people didn’t go for it. I sent a message (in Czech) to a friend at 17.02, explaining my daily “No English zone”. He waited until 18.02 and then replied (in English): “Great idea!” 

9. Avoid making assumptions

It’s easy to become angry when a person responds in English, but avoid making assumptions about why they are refusing to speak the language with you. We tend to create stories around why things are happening, and these are usually negative, e.g., “Here’s another person who wants to use me to practice their English.” These kinds of assumptions do nothing to help us connect or improve our lives.  

10. Take control

I’ve found it helpful to distinguish between what I can control and what I can’t. If I want to speak my target language in a restaurant, this is 50% out of my control because the waitress may want to speak English. However, there are other areas which are 100% within my control, for example I could sign up to give a speech in my target language. Choosing to do more of the things you can control leads to better results.

Additonal tips for the frustrated native English speaker

A key driver for learning a new language is to connect with people. Regularly remind yourself of this or the act of learning the language may mistakenly become the goal. Try to avoid lugging around a gigantic chip on your shoulder from all the times people have replied in English. I understand it’s difficult, but this will only take you further from your goal and do little to endear you to local people.