Struggling with English Skills: How Can I Overcome This Barrier to Career Growth?

Dear Seniors,

I request all of you to please guide me.

I have 4 years of experience in HR field. I belong to a rural area in Haryana. I have obtained two master's degrees (MBA in HRD and MSc in Computer Science, PGDCA in Computer, B.Com Hons). However, my big problem is my local environment. The current situation is that I have missed many opportunities because my English is weak. I have spent a lot of money on personality courses like the American Institute of English Speaking and Dish TV, but I could not grasp it. I always watch BBC News, HBO, etc., and understand more than 75% of the words, but a little late. I always read grammar and understand it, but after some time, I forget the rules. Lately, I have been learning English from Jazz Institute's Spoken English language CD. When I follow grammar rules from the CD, I find it a very easy language, and I can easily translate all Hindi sentences.

I also know that without English communication skills, I cannot secure a good job or a higher position, and without English, all my postgraduate degrees are worthless.

What should I do now?

Please help and reply to me soon.

A good suggestion can change anybody's life.

Dear Mr. Bijinder,

To speak a language, all you need is confidence in yourself. Let me give you a simple exercise. All you need to do is buy English movies (British, not American) with 5.1 print because you need the subtitles. Watch a movie once or twice with subtitles, and the third time, watch it without subtitles and try to repeat those words along with the movie. Repeat this exercise until you can understand all the words. This will enhance your listening skills.

For your verbal skills, you have to engage in practical sessions. Talk with your friends and even with your mirror. Try to incorporate fascinating words from movies wherever possible. You will see that practice will lead to perfection in you. This is how I built mine.

Dear Sharma,

Learning English is not a problem at all. You need not go to tuition centers for learning English. If you follow the following methods regularly, within a short time, you can learn it.

Start reading English newspapers, especially selecting some interesting articles like letters to editors, editor's columns, etc. Do not read all the information, as you may not find time for it. Keep a notebook and write the meanings of new words, at least ten words daily. Use the learned words regularly. Read English novels. Try to talk to your friends in English only (especially with those who speak better English). Watch English news channels, even if you are not able to follow the pronunciations.

If you follow the above rules regularly within a span of six months, you can see a tremendous improvement in your language. Above all, you should have involvement without lacking interest.

My dear Sharma,

Well, you have done a good job by completing not less than three PG courses. I believe all of them must have been in English medium only. This means you have undergone at least 6 to 7 years of coaching in English, indicating that you possess very good knowledge of English, particularly in vocabulary. You have also mentioned that you watch BBC, HBO, etc. After considering all these points, I conclude that the real issue lies not in the language itself but in your personality. It seems that you have some fear regarding English speaking or usage, which is inhibiting you from expressing yourself freely.

In this regard, I suggest you follow three steps and advise you to adhere to them for the next six months. Afterwards, assess yourself and feel free to seek further clarifications if needed.

1. Please choose a person who knows English less proficiently than you do. This person could be a friend, relative, phone mate, college mate, colleague, or anyone else, and start conversing in English with them, assuming that they are less proficient in the language than you are.

2. You can memorize some common sentences used in daily activities (e.g., you could consider purchasing a RAPIDEX English speaking course by Pustak Mahal, New Delhi) and practice using them as mentioned earlier.

Since you are learning English after completing your PG courses, the language you speak may not align with the local vernacular. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase the RAPIDEX course as recommended and memorize sentences that you would typically express in your native language.

3. Finally, I suggest watching English channels, not only for news but also movies of Indian origin or at least with a British accent, avoiding American accents. Understanding the British accent is crucial before attempting to grasp the American one.

After six months, please reassess. I believe you will significantly improve your language skills and be able to compete with anyone globally.

Kind regards

Dear all seniors,

Thank you all for replying to me.

My major problem is my 10th standard foundation. I had my education at a government high school up to 10th and 12th grades. During that time, our class group was unlucky or had bad luck because our English teacher did not teach us how to use grammar in English. I believe he lacked knowledge of grammar. He was the only teacher in our school. Besides, my parents are not educated; only my father completed 10th grade. Therefore, I had to self-teach all the sentences and words in English. We also did not care much about it because nobody emphasized the importance of English for the future.

Regarding my issue, as my senior kgb.nic nearly touched upon, when I attempted to speak in English to others, I became nervous and immediately forgot the words or sentences I wanted to say.

Now, I seek your final suggestions on English communication skills. Should I follow grammar rules or not? I understand if I am frustrating you since many seniors have provided numerous suggestions and articles on this topic on cite hr, and I have read all of them but struggled to apply them to myself. Once again, thank you to all the seniors for responding to me. This is my first article on citemen hr, and I am receiving good responses from seniors.

Warm regards,

Bijender Sharma

Dear Bijender,

Let me contribute my suggestions to improve your English speaking skills. I hope you can master all your activities with 4 years of experience.

The best activity I suggest to improve your English speaking skills is to first start speaking in English, instead of just following news on various English channels and wandering around spoken English institutes. Watching the news also helps, but not initially.

Your initiation should be speaking in English. Once you start speaking, you will gain fluency in your speech. I sincerely advise you not to worry about your surroundings. Once you begin speaking, others may also follow suit because nowadays, English is compulsory for all individuals who want to grow professionally. In this way, you will benefit as a self-starter and motivator, in addition to enhancing your English speaking skills.

Once you are comfortable with your fluency, you can focus on your grammar. You can learn grammar from institutes, by reading grammar books, or by watching English channels. This approach can help you improve your English skills.

Once again, you should start speaking in English initially for all these improvements to happen.

I hope you will understand.

Wish you all the very best!

Regards,
Surekha

Dear Surekha,

I am very thankful for your valuable advice. Now, my mind has been washed and cleared by your suggestion. I will follow this step and continue on with all seniors to see some change in my articles.

Warm regards,
Bijender Sharma

Dear Sharma,

I am happy to note that I could reach you. As pointed out by you, grammar has nothing to do with spoken English. Of course, if you know grammar, it is well and good as you can speak grammatically correct English. Therefore, you can learn grammar independently and not try to focus on grammar while speaking.

Thank you.

[Your Name]

Dear Sharma,

Apart from following the advice of Sulekha, you need a burning desire to learn and improve your English, and it has to be shown in every step you take. For example, the reply you gave to Sulekha can be rewritten with fewer grammatical mistakes! I am not saying without mistakes. The English Language is such that you can carve, mold, and beautify it with your own creativity. See below!

"I am very thankful for the valuable advice. Now my mindset is completely changed with your guidance. I will follow and continue sharing my views with my seniors, and I will see some changes in my articles."

Not dictionaries or training institutes will make you fluent, but your inclination to learn, constant, systematic planning, and a positive approach will lead you to success. Do it as "TAPAS." You will succeed. All the best.