5 answers
Kim
Student
Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
1
Question
Asked
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I am pursuing to become a english teacher. I can talk english fluently and write english, but when I start to communicate it become so hard to share my thoughts or answer questions when it comes to communicating with other people, what should I do?
#academic-english
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5 answers
Rob Portik
Risk Manager
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Rob’s Answer
As a non-native English speaker, I can relate to your challenge. The best advice I can share is to be intentional in your pursuit of becoming a better communicator without being too hard on yourself. You may be going through the process of thinking in one language and translating to another whereby the context isn't conveyed in a manner that made sense in the original language.
Besides continuing to read more, focus on finding opportunities where you can speak in front of people, volunteer, get involved in book clubs or your community. Good Luck!
Besides continuing to read more, focus on finding opportunities where you can speak in front of people, volunteer, get involved in book clubs or your community. Good Luck!
Beth Kern
Recruiting
15
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Beth’s Answer
What comes to mind for me is that you find an opportunity to be an exchange student in the US, living with a family, participating in everyday activities in English around English speakers. Maybe you could even do your student teaching in the US, so that you could learn how to be a teacher AND conversational English at the same time?
My daughter is a Math teacher - and her first year, she was sooooo nervous. But not about Math, bc she knew more than her high school students did about algebra and such. But she did not know about standing up speaking for 8 hours a day , controlling a classroom of teenagers, writing lesson plans, etc. Depending on what age students you want to teach, you will most likely know more than any of them at least about English!
Teachers are truly heroes! Good luck!
Here are some websites: https://www.goabroad.com/articles/highschool-study-abroad/student-exchange-programs-for-teens
https://educatorsabroad.org/StudentTeaching/
My daughter is a Math teacher - and her first year, she was sooooo nervous. But not about Math, bc she knew more than her high school students did about algebra and such. But she did not know about standing up speaking for 8 hours a day , controlling a classroom of teenagers, writing lesson plans, etc. Depending on what age students you want to teach, you will most likely know more than any of them at least about English!
Teachers are truly heroes! Good luck!
Beth recommends the following next steps:
Louise Cooper
Copywriter
21
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Louise’s Answer
Hi Kim,
The best way to get better at communicating is to practice. I'm not sure if you mean it's hard to share your thoughts/communicate in writing, talking or both. For writing, the more you read and write, the better you'll write. Share your writing with others, especially if they're English teachers/writers themselves. For speaking, once again the more you do it, the better you'll get. See if you can practice with others. Also look in into any clubs/extracurricular activities you can take part in to hone your writing/speaking skills.
The best way to get better at communicating is to practice. I'm not sure if you mean it's hard to share your thoughts/communicate in writing, talking or both. For writing, the more you read and write, the better you'll write. Share your writing with others, especially if they're English teachers/writers themselves. For speaking, once again the more you do it, the better you'll get. See if you can practice with others. Also look in into any clubs/extracurricular activities you can take part in to hone your writing/speaking skills.
TERENCE OLDANI MSc Eng
University lecturer
3
Answers
Berlin, Germany
Updated
TERENCE’s Answer
B r e a t h e..... focus on what you feel to share.... share....
"Practice makes towards perfection..." Learn simple yoga exercises and meditation....very helpful !
"Practice makes towards perfection..." Learn simple yoga exercises and meditation....very helpful !
Cynthia Stava, APCC, CSAT-Candidate, EMDR Therapist
Therapist
15
Answers
Palm Desert, California
Updated
Cynthia’s Answer
It sounds like you might be feeling pressure when preparing to speak in front of others. The stress of this can cause what is known as the "fight, flight, freeze" response. That just means that it becomes difficult to do what you need to do at a particular moment. I'm wondering if you have tried some type of meditation or guided imagery skill in order to help relax and become more confident of the abilities that you actually have, e.g., you said you are proficient in reading and writing English. Relaxation techniques might help you to take a breath, slow down the stress reactions, and gives you a chance to practice without feeling nervous or stressed when doing so. In my work, I help clients to visualize calming scenarios when they are feeling tense. This allows them to accomplish the tasks they need to do with a sense of calm and confidence.
As others have mentioned practice with others, especially those that are understanding of your struggle. I have found that people are very willing to help others by listening and giving positive feedback.
Here are scripts for relaxation techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COBpS6IYCHc
As others have mentioned practice with others, especially those that are understanding of your struggle. I have found that people are very willing to help others by listening and giving positive feedback.
Cynthia recommends the following next steps: