Looking to improve your spoken English skills in a safe and judgment-free environment? Download Tutor AI today!
In the previous post My Journey to Unveiling the Importance of English Speaking Skills, I mentioned three important points. Let’s continue with challenges.
Ever embarked on a journey, discovered it was speckled with uphill battles, but valiantly forged ahead anyway? That’s what learning English has been for me. A thrilling expedition filled with challenges poised at every turn, waiting to be overcome. A voyage that has been tough, but also incredibly rewarding. Behind every breakthrough in my English-speaking journey are moments of struggle. But these struggles, these challenges, are the stepping stones that provide valuable lessons leading to fluency.
Pronunciation
One of the most common challenges that I encountered head-on was grappling with the intricate rules of English pronunciation. Waxing and waning between the silent “k”s, “p”s, and “gh”s and the hard and soft sounds of “c” and “g” were initially bewildering. Needless to say, words often defied my expectations, sounding very different from how they looked on paper!
To overcome this, I began to expose myself to a wide variety of English accents and dialects through films, music, podcasts, and even accent training videos online. Gradually, I started understanding the nuances of pronunciation, and slowly but surely, words began to lose their unfathomability, fitting neatly into my newly-developed English-speaking framework.
Vocabulary
And then came the challenge of expanding my vocabulary. This is not just about mindlessly memorizing words, but understanding their connotations, recognizing the context in which they’re appropriately used, and most importantly, being able to recall and use them comfortably in conversation. I kept lists, used flashcards, read voraciously, and tried to use those new words in my everyday communication. By consciously incorporating new words into different contexts, I facilitated better memory retention and augmented my vocabulary.
Learning English, like any language, also involves grappling with idioms, phrases, and expressions that seem to violate all known grammar rules. This has been another key challenge for me. To this day, idioms and phrases both amaze and bewilder me. Just when I think I’m on solid ground with English grammar, an idiom comes along, makes me scratch my head, and pushes me to dig deeper.
Fear of Making Mistakes
The fear of making mistakes and embarrassment was another mental roadblock that often hindered my progress. Afraid of mockery, I’d often hesitate before speaking, leading to anxiety and lack of self-confidence. However, I soon realized that to progress, I had to embrace these mistakes as valuable learning experiences. My advice? Don’t fear errors, welcome them. They lead us to the path of knowledge.
What really helped me to overcome these challenges was a change of perspective. I started looking at them as opportunities for growth and enrichment, rather than hurdles constraining my progress. Once I adopted this mindset, every problematic situation transformed into a fascinating problem-solving venture, accelerating my journey towards English proficiency.
Learning English is a journey beset with challenges and obstacles. But remember, every challenge is an opportunity for personal growth. And trust me, overcoming these hurdles is as rewarding as the English-speaking skills you stand to gain. So, dear fellow learners, let’s embrace these challenges head-on and continue striding forth on our exciting English learning journey!