What is 'figuratively speaking'?

I have trouble speaking spontaneously. What should I do?

• I first noticed that I have a lot of difficultly vocally expressing myself at 13/14 (perhaps because I became more self-conscious). I assumed my lack of clarity when speaking English existed because it was not my mothertongue, but I have the same problem when speaking in my mothertongue, as well as when speaking in French class. I have a strong grasp of grammar in all three languages. My pronunciation and enunciation are adequate, and I am very good at organizing my thoughts mentally and on paper. The problem is that I can't organize them verbally, at least not spontaneously. I stammer, often having to repeat myself, and I fish around for the right word, although I think I have a decent vocabulary. As I approach the final years of high school, this issue is becoming a major problem. Can anyone: 1. Suggest what might be wrong, and 2. Suggest what I should do?

• Answer:

  I noticed about a month ago that I have been having some minor problems that way as well. I have trouble speaking when I am with people I am not really friends with, perhaps because I feel uncomfortable and I want to sound smart. However, it does not affect me with my more spontaneous and open friends. When I have this problem, I just slow down and repeat myself. Sometimes I have to reorganize my thoughts, too. The only problem with doing this is that sometimes my friends have moved on to another topic by the time I get my tongue straight. I think that may just be because they don't expect me to answer and don't feel like waiting for me. I don't have that problem with my closer friends. I'm not sure what it is, but I think it may be a kind of mild speech impediment. I just avoid talking with the people who make me feel uncomfortable. I hope this is helpful.