How to Speak English Confidently: Lessons from Real Life
By TEDx Talks · 2024-03-14
In this blog post, Marianna Pascal shares valuable insights on the power of attitude and confidence in English communication. Discover how individuals like Faisal excel in communication despite limited English proficiency.
The Power of Attitude in Communication
- Over the past two decades, I have been dedicated to helping Malaysians and other Southeast Asians improve their English communication skills. Through this journey, I have come to a significant realization - the ability to communicate effectively in English is not solely dependent on one's English proficiency level. It is heavily influenced by one's attitude towards the language. There are individuals, like Faisal, whom I once trained, with a very limited grasp of English, yet they possess remarkable communication skills. Faisal, a factory supervisor, could engage attentively in conversations, express his thoughts eloquently, and exude confidence, all with a minimal English proficiency level. Understanding the difference in mindset and attitude towards English is crucial, not only for personal growth but also for the advancement of communities and nations. So, what sets individuals like Faisal apart, and how can we adapt their approach to improve our own communication skills?
The Power of Attitude in Communication
The Power of Confidence: A Lesson from a Cyber Cafe
- As I sat in a cyber cafe, forced to use the facility due to a computer breakdown, I observed a young man engrossed in a video game. Despite his lackluster skills in the game, there was a sense of confidence and focus about him. His friends watched on, unperturbed by his performance. This experience led me to realize the importance of confidence in achieving success, whether in gaming, language learning, or any other endeavor.
The Power of Confidence: A Lesson from a Cyber Cafe
Effective Communication: Focusing on the Other Person
- The way we approach English communication can vary significantly, as illustrated by the contrasting experiences of two individuals buying Omega supplements. One person, a sales professional, exhibits a high level of English proficiency but is overly self-conscious and focused on avoiding mistakes, resulting in an ineffective interaction. In contrast, another individual with lower English proficiency demonstrates a remarkable ability to communicate effectively by focusing entirely on the other person's needs and achieving the desired outcome. This difference in approach highlights the importance of prioritizing the other person in communication rather than being preoccupied with one's own performance.
Effective Communication: Focusing on the Other Person
The Importance of English in Today's Globalized World
- Now, why is this distinction so important not just to you and your children but to the future of Malaysia and countries like Malaysia? To answer that, let's take a look at who is actually speaking English in the world today. If we looked at all the English conversations in the whole world taking place right now, we would see that for every native speaker like me, there are five non-native speakers. 96% of English conversations involve non-native speakers, with only 4% being native speaker to native speaker. This shows that English is no longer just my language, it belongs to everyone as a tool for communication. In a real-life example, at a barbecue for engineers from all over the world, a French engineer offered a hot dog with cheese to a Korean engineer. Despite the language barrier, the Japanese engineer intervened and communication was successful. This story illustrates how English is now a tool for achieving results rather than an art to be mastered. However, in schools worldwide, English is often still taught as an art to master, focusing more on correctness than on clarity.
The Importance of English in Today's Globalized World
The Importance of Communication Skills in the Real World
- Do you remember the old comprehension exams in school where you had to read a text and answer questions to demonstrate your understanding? While grammar mistakes were often penalized, the real-world importance lies in grasping the essence of a message or conversation. Too often, people carry their school-time attitudes towards English into their adult lives and work environments. In stressful situations, the brain may struggle to multitask, leading to communication breakdowns. Symptoms of this include not fully listening, struggling to articulate thoughts, and a loss of confidence. To truly excel in communication like Faisal, it's crucial to shift the focus from oneself to the other person and the desired outcome. English, as a tool for achieving results, holds immense power in fostering confidence and clarity in communication.
The Importance of Communication Skills in the Real World
Conclusion:
Enhance your communication skills by shifting the focus from yourself to others. Understand the significance of confidence and prioritizing the other person in achieving successful outcomes through English communication.