Struggling to Communicate with Seniors at Work? Tips to Improve Your English Skills

Hey, I am working as a design engineer. However, when I meet to talk with our seniors, I can't communicate effectively because I am not fluent in English. Could you please suggest how I can improve my communication skills?

The best thing I can suggest for you is to have your friend circle talk to you in English and not in your native language. Secondly, you can watch news channels like BBC to improve fluency in the language and enhance your vocabulary. Listening to this channel will help you with the pronunciation of words and accents. It will also boost your confidence in speaking effectively and efficiently.

The best and easiest way to learn is to read and practice in your daily life. Try to learn two new words each day and incorporate them into your communication. Watch NDTV Debates as it can help you easily pick up new words. If you watch BBC, as a beginner, you might find it challenging to grasp their accent.

Do not hesitate when speaking to anyone; it's okay to make mistakes in the beginning. Every day, everyone learns something new in life. So, just relax and focus on these two things. I am sure you will soon be able to converse with your seniors without any hesitation.

Best of luck.

Regards,
Shaq

In addition to the good suggestions given by other members, I suggest you follow these steps:

1. Develop a friend circle with those from states other than your native state. This compels you to talk in English.

2. When making a beginning, only talk in simple English and do not try to use high-sounding words for effect. You may get stuck.

3. Jot down the common situations and frequent situations you go through daily in the office, particularly as well as outside of it, and develop vocabulary to communicate in such situations. For example, when you have to meet your boss in the office to give a daily report about your work, you know what is to be told to the boss. Develop vocabulary for it.

4. Read short stories that are often written in simple language and a lucid style and try to grasp the vocabulary and the particular context in the story. This will enable you to understand the connection between the context and the particular word.

5. Read the editorial of a standard English paper daily and write down two words daily which are not known to you as one member suggested. Write its meaning and thereafter compose a sentence using those words.

6. Watch BBC, Discovery Channel, etc., and listen to the conversations in them to gain accurate pronunciation.

7. Watch television debates on Indian news channels in English.

8. Write something about an incident or event in English. This improves your flow.

After this initial foundation, you can develop a higher level of vocabulary.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai

I have nothing new to add. Here's a trick that works for me: focus on connectors and use soliloquy to develop your fluency. Trying to think in English will help you the most. Using synonyms and phrases will help you to enrich your vocabulary. Wish you all the best! Keep us informed about your growth, as we wish to know about it. Here's a thread you might like to read: How criticism inspired me.

God bless you!

A handful of suggestions are already available to you as above. On my part, I wish to write the following:

1. Your text is lengthy.
2. Too many ideas have been expressed.
3. Please write in shorter sentences until you gain fluency.
4. Avoid abbreviations and SMS language.
5. Please search in Cite HR research with your query.
6. You will find plenty of postings to choose from.
7. Take them one at a time and try to follow.
8. Make a list of all these emails to create your action plan.

I have sent a private email to you correcting the text you posted. This will help you realize your mistakes and move forward.

Wishing you good luck,

Regards,
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai

Though I was a career army guy, now working in the private sector, I have taught many children from rural backgrounds. Most of them faced the same problem as you. Do you know what the starting point was?

Finding a Starting Point for English Improvement

We all know how challenging it can be to study and maintain a routine after our school and college days. So, let's find a shortcut to kickstart your studies. Just begin by reading English comics. They are simple, interesting, and captivating. Within two months, you can progress to watching TV channels like NDTV, then BBC. Of course, having friends who communicate in English will certainly help.

Thank you.