Struggling with English at Work: How Can I Overcome My Fear of Presentations?

Hi all,

I have a peculiar problem. I am experiencing a lot of fear and inferiority complexity, which is making it difficult for me to talk and give presentations in my office. Essentially, I come from a Telugu medium background.

Please suggest ways for me to improve my English and overcome this fear.

Thanks and regards,
Sekhar

Hi,

Getting over the fear of speaking in public is not very difficult. You have mentioned office presentations where you get tongue-tied. I'll suggest a few things: Firstly, since you are talking about your work, you stand a lesser chance of being judged about your English. Master the topic on which you are speaking, emphasize more on facts and figures, style your presentation in an informative and interesting way so that minor flaws in the language (if they exist) are overlooked. Secondly, practice each presentation in front of a mirror several times over. Thirdly, you would feel less nervous if you don't get distracted by looking at the eyes of the members sitting in the room. You can just try to casually gaze around while talking instead of fixing your eyes on the bosses.

Friend, take every opportunity to talk in public. Trust me, after a couple of presentations, you would be so much at ease that you'd never imagined.

Good luck!

Hi Sekhar,

Relax! No worries, need not fear, it's just another language like your mother tongue. Imagine how you learned to speak Telugu because it was done right from your birth, and the people around you spoke the same language, right? Exactly, now this is what should be done - make it a point that you'll converse only in English with most of the people around you (it's okay even if you go wrong, but just keep practicing as practice makes perfect and you can learn). Speak slowly. If there are kids at your place, speak with them in English, it will be easy. Another way is to watch English channels, listen to English songs, try to repeat a word after them. Record your own voice and listen for pronunciation mistakes. Use a walkman for this, and you can play it on the way to your office, etc. Try this, it really works. Then slowly try to avoid the influence of your mother tongue in English. And be patient, you can do it.

And for the presentations, adding onto Zeal's (mirror really works) suggestions, keep in mind that YOU CAN DO IT, YOU WILL DO IT, and be happy that you are chosen to do the presentation while others are not able to do it. So you are the ruler there, boost yourself. In the beginning, you can have a small piece of paper with short points written on it about what you have to present, which you can look into when needed.

Never feel inferior, friend. In fact, be happy that you have the guts to come out and speak. It's YOU. Just keep that in mind. The rest will happen, just enjoy everything, relax, and don't forget to wear a little smile!

"We are not completely dressed until we wear a smile." 😊

Dear GVN Sekar,

I fully read your question. This language problem is not only with you but exists with all Telugu-speaking people. I have quite a few of them in my office, and I corrected them to some extent through training and language labs.

The general flaws that they make are much applicable to you also:
1. Don't use SMS English while writing a letter or text. This wrong spelling becomes a strong habit.
2. Concentrate on grammar, tense, singular/plural, clauses, and sentence formation.
3. The main error committed is using the wrong past and past participle in a sentence.
4. If it is written English, learn to apply punctuation, and this would naturally be reflected in oral communication as well. Even a blind man should be able to punctuate a sentence when you speak; i.e., the spoken version should reflect the presence of punctuation.
5. Keep learning and writing as a regular habit. Have a dictionary when you do this.
6. Have someone who is strong in your circle to rectify when you speak. Engage in group discussions regularly. Ask him to monitor the dialogues.
7. Ensure that your English phonetics shouldn't sound like Telugu phonetics. For example, often pronounced as 'syllabus-su', 'book-su'. Avoid mother tongue influence.
8. Concentrate on the phonetics of 'z', 'sh', 'pa', 'pah', 'pe', 'pey', 'pay', etc. Telugu friends pronounce 'Paper' as 'Pah-per', 'xerox' as 'gerox', 'zero' as 'gero', etc.
9. They create new plurals like 'People-s', 'Police-s', etc. There is no plural form for this.
10. Avoid watching Telugu films, books, and change your vision to readable English books. Try crosswords, sudoku, scrabble, etc. You can try school non-detailed books, storybooks to understand sentence formation.
11. Owing to these, you tend to have a fear of expressing thoughts into words.

Meeru nenu cheppinatuga thappakonda follow chestey English lo matladi, chadivi, raasethaniki osthuntaiya. Idhi okattiyum brahma viddha kaadhu. Nenu writer, poet, author ga unnaanu. English kurinchi advice chestenum, meevariki Telugulo oka maata cheptheyne naaku thrupthi.

At college, teachers would have taught you English through Telugu, and the whole purpose is not served. When I visited some of the colleges there, I noted this.

Keep learning.

Regards,
Chandru

Dear Sekhar,

Your problem is very common, and so is the solution. You should subscribe to a good English newspaper. Read the editorial aloud and record the same on a tape recorder. Then replay it. You will notice the defects in your pronunciation, voice modulation, etc. This can be repeated for a few days. Day by day, your performance will improve, including the quality. Since you are doing this in isolation, there is no one to discourage you. After gaining confidence, you can enter into simple conversations with your sympathetic colleagues in English. You should also practice writing an editorial each day. This way, you will come across new words, and your written English will also improve.

Ability to communicate in English is an essential skill. Its absence can create a sense of inferiority. It should be obvious that there are no short-term solutions. If such a short-term solution existed, everybody would have mastered English communication by now! There are many websites and self-help aids available for improving English. However, the only sure way is to keep practicing. You should also enroll yourself in some English language courses. Any money you spend on improving your communication skill is not an expenditure but an investment. Best of Luck!

Dear Sekhar,

It's a very common problem and needs continuous practice. You can search for English improvement courses available online. You can even try BBC English learning classes as audio and visual lessons are available there. Just try this site and enjoy your learning!

Best of luck! :-P

Thanks,
Shikha Kaushik

Shekhar,

It's not poor communication skills that are creating a problem in your life, but it's your fear of getting embarrassed among your colleagues because of poor communication skills. The moment you overcome your fear, you will be seen as a confident person. Be confident while addressing the crowd.

I had a classmate in MBA who had quite poor communication skills, but one thing he had was his confidence. He used to be very confident while speaking. As an audience, we always used to be very attentive to his speech and ignored his grammatical mistakes. It's not like if I don't have good communication skills, it means I cannot generate good ideas... High thinking always matters irrespective of any language.

As far as improving your English is concerned, read English newspapers loudly; it will improve your pronunciation and confidence level. Try speaking to your friends and family in English. Watch English news channels, etc.

We are Indians; we have to learn this language as it is not our mother tongue, and believe me, once you consciously and firmly decide to improve your English speaking skills, you can do it in a very short period of time. It is not difficult.

GOOD LUCK!

Dear Friend,

All the above suggestions are very good; they will really help you.
1. Try to read an English newspaper. Read aloud.
2. Try to get some English conversation audio. Listen 2-3 times, then try to speak in the same way.
And all...

My wishes and prayers...

Sekhar, Hope you are already improving your English. Please keep in mind that it is not necessary to get educated in English medium for speaking & writing good English. There are many great Indian scholars who studied in their “Mother Tongue” & faced the World with vigor without even giving anyone a chance to question which medium they were studied in...

It is really not important what medium you have studied in to be a good speaker. You need to be confident about the fact that you know your business. Using simple English you can explain what you need to say. One very important thing that often cause inferiority complex in us is the fear of others, how others will think about me if I make a mistake & how they will react...and we keep on losing our confidence thinking about those useless - WHAT & HOW!!!

My friend you need to think how you can improve your situation and not how others will think if you commit a mistake ~ because that thought will make you weak! So, start now to think what you want from yourself & not let others rule your thoughts any longer.

All the Best & Good Luck my friend!

Hi, dear friend. Please remember that the only way to learn English is by speaking. You may not be able to practice directly in presentations, but you need to regularize it by speaking in English to people around you. They may laugh at you, but trust me, out of 10 people laughing, one person would certainly try to help you. This is more than enough to improve.

I am sharing this from my own practical experience. The only thing I tell you is to never lose courage. You will certainly achieve your goal.

Hello Sekhar,

If you are from Hyderabad, I suggest you go to Ramakrishna Math and enroll in their English courses. I can vouch that they are very good for people like you, especially as they insist on students coming from a non-English medium background.

There are different levels available, and you can choose depending on your comfort level. Another intangible reason why such courses are helpful is that you end up meeting others who may be worse than you. This acts as a confidence booster while you are in the learning process.

Please note that this suggestion is IN ADDITION to what others here have suggested. Try to speak in English to the best of your ability, making mistakes along the way (I remember a quote here: "A mistake is a mistake until you learn from it. Then it becomes an experience"). Additionally, try reading English newspapers/books out loud to start with (please don't overdo this—I know people who, even after becoming proficient in English, still can't understand unless they read aloud, even in offices; it becomes a force of habit). Also, watch English TV programs like news, etc.

Regards,
TS

Dear Sekar,

You should find where your problem started from. Of course, you had identified that you are having a complex.

Please note no one is perfect at speaking English in India, so don't worry about it.

First of all, start speaking with available words in English for conversation, and over a period of time, you will definitely find improvement in your style of English and usage of words. Read some English newspapers that are very ordinarily understood by everyone (simple English). I used Indian Express initially and then changed to The Hindu slowly once I felt understood. Never mind conversing with anyone; the only thing that matters is how people understand your communication. Do not underestimate your speaking skills.

Also, make others speak English with you rather than your own language; otherwise, learning from them won't be possible. This is how you learn from the opposite person with whom you interact.

Do not get into thinking about what you had spoken while speaking (like whether I used prepositions correctly, degrees correctly, sentences conveyed are correct or not, etc.). Whatever you had spoken is out and will not come back unless the opposite person reacts to it. They will take care of it.

I am sure people like you are perfect translators because during the thought process, you always feel to form sentences of speech in your own language and then try to convert them to English before delivery. Please try to see that whatever you feel should be in English and through the words/sentences as they are. Later on, you will find the art of language skills improving.

You can even see some people use fillers during conversation like "you know, um, yes," to keep the continuity of the speech on.

Hence, don't worry about what you don't know. Keep speaking what you know.

Ironically, I have been improving my English style for the last 10 years for MNC companies, but I ended up with a Japanese MNC where I used telegraphical speaking with them, which is absolutely comfortable for my Japanese superiors.

With kind regards,

RAGHU

Hi All, I have a peculiar problem. I have a lot of fear and inferiority complexity due to which I am unable to talk and give presentations in my office. Basically, I am from a Telugu medium. Please suggest ways to improve my English and overcome fear.

Thanks and regards, Sekhar

Dear Shekhar,

Follow these:

1. You practically need only 10 days to speak English.
2. Most of us have completed education through our mother tongue.
3. So, you are not different.
4. Spend daily 1 hour reading the Times of India aloud without fail.
5. Find a mentor who will interact with you in English at your office.
6. Consider paying some fees to this person.

Otherwise, come to Mumbai and spend 10 days at my place, that is all. You can call me on 09324 64 25 44.

Good luck,
Bharat Ketkar

Dear All,

Please advise if there is a site where one can post one's query pertaining to English Grammar. This will solve problems for a lot of people like Sekhar, who either cannot converse freely in English or make a lot of grammatical mistakes but are shy of asking others.

Regards,
Surabhi

Hi Friends,

Thank you very much for all your excellent suggestions. I will definitely follow your advice and try to overcome my fears.

Thanks and Regards,
Sekhar

Hi,

Please forget about this word 'FEAR' because this is the only thing that is dancing in your head and restricting your hidden talent. People are not born with the habit of speaking English; they hear from others and learn to speak.

The best solution is to watch cricket matches, English movies, cartoons, news (whichever you prefer), etc. Don't just watch, but listen to the commentary/words and try to speak or pronounce the same way they are doing. Initially, you may feel ashamed of pronouncing wrong words, or you may worry about what your neighbors or friends would think. To solve this problem, increase the volume of your TV so that no one can hear you, and you can listen properly and practice.

Try it for a few days, and you will notice the change, but never lose hope and always have confidence.

Regards,
PRATEETY
9830534203

Hi Sekar,

You have received great suggestions from our members.

But there is something that I need to let you know - your very attitude to come out and ask for help states that you are set to improve. Learning the language is very simple - and not a life-threatening one.

How I learned...

My parents knew very little of the English language before they were blessed (:-D) with two daughters. They had no idea on how they would be able to encourage us, and they did not want us to feel sad about not knowing the language. They encouraged us to talk only in English at home (right from childhood - right from my LKG and UKG). They read our books and taught us. They became fluent with the language in a couple of years - not because they wanted to, but because they were eager to teach me and my sister. They are proud now! All of us speak confidently at home and also to outsiders. I am amazed by the way my mother and father speak to people - just excellent! They were their own teachers.

The same with teaching us Hindi. We are South Indians. My mother first started learning it through our books - taught us after learning it. We scored great marks! She is good with the language now. I am not fluent though - because I did not feel the need to do so. But English - I had to learn (unknowingly) because everyone communicated in English.

I hope you understood the message I wanted to convey. It's the mindset and the need. If my parents could do it just because they wanted me and my sister to be perfect in the language, you can do it if you want to. Add positive hope; you will succeed.

Dear,

A language is only the medium to convey your message. You need not worry about that. I think it would not be the case that all your staff members can't understand Hindi or other local languages that you are comfortable in. You can use the language you know for your presentations. But you should be confident in that. Prepare yourself well and keep working on your English efficiency simultaneously. Hope you will overcome this difficulty very soon.

Regards,

Daleep Sharma
Email: dilip_0805@yahoo.co.in

All the above replies are very valuable. Just a small tip to add on to the above: "Think and speak the same language."

Many times, we think in our mother tongue and convert those thoughts to English. That is a mistake.

Anna,

Read the newspaper; it will help you a lot! Also, read this book for vocabulary and English improvement, "Word Power Made Easy." These two resources helped me significantly, and I believe they will assist you as well!

Dear Shekhar,

I can really understand your problem. The issue I faced when I married into a family where no one speaks Hindi or English. But all languages are just mediums to speak and convey our thoughts, feelings, and studies.

Don't feel inferior; just think that as you are not good at English, they are not good at Telugu. And then, all cannot be masters in all.

Keep your spirit high for learning these languages. I'm sure one day you will say, "I have done it," on the same site HR.

Good luck.

Regards,
Anju Prince :-P:-P

Hi, it is not a big problem. Actually, it is due to hesitation. First of all, you have to believe that you are not weak, which means that you accept that you are very good in English communications. This positive affirmation will help you when you are telling this up to ten times daily, loudly.

The second thing is that you have to start reading newspapers and try to listen to English news through the radio because it increases listening skills, which are helpful to improve English.

The next step is to think in English. Most people think in Hindi and then translate it into English, which is much time-consuming. So, you have to develop the habit of thinking in English.

BEST WISHES TO YOU 🌟🌟

With regards, Bhawana

Dear Shekhar,

Read the Times Of India, make a note of words and their meanings that are new to you. Memorize them. If you continue reading TOI, in due course of time, your sentence structure, grammar, everything will improve. Try conversing in English and tell people to correct you if you make a mistake; don't feel shy about it, it will only help. Also, I am attaching some material I had received from this site long back; it will help you in communicating effectively.

All the best.

Regards,
Jancy

Hi,

The solution to your problem lies in your hands itself. The first and foremost thing that you need to do is improve your vocabulary. Then learn English grammar thoroughly. Simultaneously, watch English channels and develop a habit of reading English newspapers and magazines. Then the most important part comes, START SPEAKING ENGLISH. Until and unless you start communicating in English, you won't be able to improve. Never worry about those who tease you because the need is yours, and you will achieve it. But remember, "No pain, no gain"! Wishing you good luck :)

Dear Sekhar,

Do not worry! There are some tips you can follow:

1. You need to improve your word power. To do this, read a quarter of an English newspaper (preferably The Hindu). Take out a notepad and pen. From the news you have read, jot down at least 10 words a day.

2. Repeat the same exercise the next day. Before reading the next day's newspaper, review and memorize the old words you learned on day 1. Continue this exercise, and by the end of the month, you will have 300 words in your memory.

3. Try to use the words you have learned. Practice talking when you are alone using these words. Share these words with your friends. Your knowledge will grow as you share.

4. Mirror Technique: Practice in front of a mirror and observe your facial expressions. You will automatically identify some of the problems.

If you have time, read the book "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis. It will boost your vocabulary.

Observe English news and how sentences are connected. When two people are talking in English, observe their conversation and try to understand and use their vocabulary whenever you get a chance.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day. Practice makes perfect. By following the above exercises, you will become a master soon. For me, there is no guru in English, but my zeal made me much stronger. Now, I can give presentations to the Board of Directors.

All the best!

Hi Sekar,

I would suggest you read English newspapers, magazines, and, more importantly, watch English news channels. They are a very good way to learn these days. But bear in mind that the transformation cannot happen overnight. Keep putting in your efforts, and results will come on their own.

Crisis is an opportunity. Miracles happen every day.

Cheers.

Hi Sekhar,

I think you should work on the topic of representation rather than on your English. Just ignore others sitting before you and always think that you know better than them. You are a genius.

Talk in English with your friends and family so that some hesitation will go away. Always ask for feedback on your representation, not on your English, right? Also, try to improvise in front of the mirror as suggested above. Be confident because the more you become concerned about a thing, others will also notice it. Otherwise, others will only listen to your knowledgeable lecture or representation. So be cool!

Hello Sekhar,

The best way to improve your English is to follow the following steps and exercises:

1. Start reading any Nationalized Newspaper. Read and underline the important words, then try to remember their meaning in Telugu.
2. Take a paragraph and read it aloud, then rephrase it in your own words.
3. Mirror Exercise: Stand in front of the mirror and speak in English, maintain eye contact with yourself in the mirror.
4. It's not at all difficult, just say to yourself that you are improving day by day.
5. Count every day as an accomplishment; the day you are able to practice.

Soon you will find that your English is on the right track.

Regards,
HR Trainer & Consultant

Hi, take it lightly, yar.

Nobody is a born communicator. You have potential within you to improve. So, as you have understood your area of improvement, the next step is to work on it. Accept your limitations. Worrying over it won't do any good to you. Participate in discussions and speak in English confidently, even if you commit mistakes. Don't be shy or feel fear about making mistakes.

Part-time, please find out some good communication skill development courses. Listen to English TV programs and read English newspapers. I am sure you can make progress. Be confident. Seize the opportunity when it comes to you. Never worry about mistakes and failures. All the best.

Regards,
Shijit.

Dear Sekar,

It is all in the mind. Whatever we say and suggest, nothing is going to improve your English unless you make up your mind to break this jinx. Following a few steps will definitely improve your mindset and the language.

1. Action kills fear. So instead of worrying about your weakness, start learning to talk in English by attending an English speaking class or keenly watching others speak.
2. Take some of your good friends who are interested in helping you improve your English. Make a mock presentation to them and ask for their opinions. Do this daily until you gain confidence.
3. Buy good English comic books and start reading. It will improve your conversational capability.
4. Every day, learn at least 5 new words to enhance your vocabulary. Over time, you will acquire more knowledge.
5. Make a strong resolution not to lose heart. I am emphasizing again that it is all in your mind.

Cheer up, man!
Kennedy Balaraman