|
Introduction
A. The Benefits of English Fluency
1. It is recognized as the “international language” and is one of the 6 official languages of the United Nations.
2. In an international company, it is a requirement to be able to communicate with English-speaking customers.
3. To attend schools in English-speaking countries, English proficiency is required.
4. Professionally, being able to speak English can help to communicate with English-speaking colleagues.
5. Many movies, TV shows, music, and sports are in English, therefore to be able to speak English will give a greater understanding to learn the culture.
6. Ability to speak English can help to meet new friends who speak English.
7. Travel is made easier in English-speaking countries.
B. What is English Fluency?
Simply put, being fluent is to be able to speak and understand English smoothly, i.e. a smooth flow of communication in English.
C. Requirements to Achieve English Fluency
1. Motivation:
Identify what is your motivation to achieve English fluency. Is it to attend school, job hire or promotion, communicating with friends, business, etc. It is not a one-time event. For example, if the motivation is to pass an English test and that’s it, then English fluency will be elusive and may not be achieved.
2. Sacrifices:
Achieving English fluency is not an easy task although I’ve been told by a German native that English is easy. However, it will require a significant sacrifice of time, persistence, dedication, and money if you’re not in an English speaking environment.
One way or another, ideally you should speak English with someone every day. If that is not possible, then at a minimum of 2-3 times per week and at least ½ hour per session. Remember, the goal here is not to simply improve your English but to become fluent in English.
3. Active participation:
It is important to take every opportunity to read, write, speak, listen, and think in English. To achieve fluency requires developing these skills and the only way it will happen is to be actively pursuing your goal on a daily basis.
4. Attitude:
The right attitude is necessary to reach any goal. It must be understood that on the road to English fluency you will make many mistakes. All native speakers have made mistakes in English and still do.
Therefore, how can a learner of English be exempt from making mistakes? I have observed that some people who are learning English will not try to use it until they feel they can do so without making mistakes. That’s not how it works.
You cannot skip the learning process of making mistakes and then at some point present yourself as being fluent in English.
Making mistakes and learning from them is the process of learning. Don’t be ashamed of making mistakes, having the right attitude and being tenacious will reap many rewards.
5. Use it or lose it:
Whatever your level of English is it is important to use what you know on a consistent basis. Otherwise, you can forget what you know and have to review or re-learn it all over again. Make it a goal to find someone to communicate with whether it’s a teacher, tutor, friend, co-worker, language exchange, internet, Skype, forums, businesses, etc.
You get the idea, be creative in finding someone to talk and write to.
Encouraging thoughts:
The journey to achieve English fluency begins with a single word and persistence. In time you will arrive at your destination. Different personalities are more conducive to reaching your goal.
If you are a shy person, work to be less shy. If you are a passive person, work to be less passive. If you are a perfectionist, work to be less perfect. You don’t have to speak perfect English, just be able to understand it and others understand you.
A Success story:
I met a man from Mexico who at one time didn’t speak any English but “learned” to speak very good English. I inquired how long it took him to learn to speak English. He told me 6 months! I asked him how he learned to speak English in 6 months.
He explained that he worked for a company that his co-workers only spoke English and he had to learn English very quickly to do his job.
The goal is not to try and learn the definition of thousands of words (that you’ll never use) but to learn commonly used words and use them in sentences as you speak or write. You can become fluent in English if you believe you can and do what it takes to achieve it. Many non-English people have already done it, I have spoken to some whose English speaking ability was better than native speakers.
Well, that’s it for the introduction; please return for upcoming additional information on the English Fluency Blueprint forum.
Take this opportunity to write your comments, ask questions and share your own tips that were useful for you.
|
