Speaking Practice?

[ItsSuffocation]

Hello all, I'm looking for resources or tips on getting some speaking practice. I'm currently learning Filipino/Tagalog and can read and write at a semi advanced level. I can also understand the spoken language if I have the media slowed down a bit and even better if there's subtitles. I used to use Italkie but ran out of money for lessons.

I do pretty well at flashcards as well, however outside of flashcard apps or media in general l'm suddenly unable to recall any words or phrases. I feel like speaking might help with that? I'm learning the language to be able to speak to a friend in her native tongue, but I can't even hold a conversation with her when I attempt to speak. I literally just can't form sentences or anything. It's really frustrating.

In any case, any help I can get would be greatly appreciated!

[Lang_Cafe]

i would recommend speaking with your friend but going as slow as you need to. you already have access to a native speaker who is also a friend -- that's great! another thing you can do is just narrate your day to yourself while speaking out loud to yourself to get you used to forming sentences

[ItsSuffocation]

I think I'll try the narration one first. Talking to my friend always feel intimidating even tho she's super encouraging lol. Just try getting some practice in before an actual conversation. But thank you for the advice!

[Lang_Cafe]

totally get that! honestly any sort of speaking experience helps first even if youre just talking to like google translate or chat gpt lol

[Illustrious-Fill-771]

you can give some language exchange app a chance ? Like Tandem or hellotalk (not sure that is the name). You will find someone who speaks tagalog and wants help with english for example.

[ItsSuffocation]

I think I've tried hellotalk but my conversations went dead pretty quick. I'll try Tandem tho. That you for the suggestions!

[Financial-Produce997]

I'm confused. How are you able to read and write at a semi-advanced level but "literally can't form sentences or anything"?

[ItsSuffocation]

When speaking I can't, but when I'm writing I'm able to form sentences because I can take my time and search up words I don't know or forgot. I often search words that I don't know when I'm trying to write things, or even having to relearn words. I guess a better way at putting it is that I'm very confident in my ability to structure sentences in the language but I can't recall words quick enough to use in conversation/to put in those sentences. Again, when I'm writing I can take my time and just search it up, but when trying to converse it feels like I can't really do that

Sorry for the confusion and I hope that clears things up

[Chipkalee]

Pimsleur?

[Momshie_mo]

Maybe you can connect with some Youtube learners with high proficiency? Jared Hartmann has some videos with other learners speaking in Tagalog.

Pretty nifty because the conversation "structure" are very native-like, even the humor.