Many Indians in the corporate sector find it challenging to communicate effectively in English.
They find it difficult to write emails that are clear, concise, and grammatically accurate.
And when they speak, there are many Indianisms and pronunciation errors. This would not be much of a problem if we were communicating amongst ourselves. If someone in the Gurgaon office is on a video call with someone in the Chennai office, the two people will, by and large, understand each other.
The issue arises when we communicate with someone from outside the country. An American colleague may not be used to our Indianisms (for example: do the needful). Or a foreign client may find it difficult to understand certain words that an Indian speaker pronounces.
But why do Indians find it so hard to improve their English language skills?
After all, whether you live in Mumbai or Bangalore, your world is saturated with English. Newspapers are in English. Shop signs are in English. Billboards are in English. At work, practically all formal communication is done in this language. At home, we have easy access to American/British serials, movies, and songs.
And yet, even after all of this exposure, communicating in the language is a struggle for many.
There are many reasons why Indian adults find English difficult. We’ll consider two of them.
Two reasons why Indians find it difficult
Overestimation of language skills
Many times, people think that their English skills are quite good. They are unable to critically assess their own language competency. This is more common than you think.
To make matters worse, everyone around them may be making the same grammatical and pronunciation errors. This makes it even more difficult to evaluate oneself!
Click here to learn more about what your language level really is.
Not aware of the need to learn how to learn
Let’s face it, as adult Indians, we are not the best of learners.
At school and college we memorised facts and figures. The only time I studied at university, was one month before the final exam. That is not learning!
True learning is all about being genuinely curious. It’s about self-reflection. It’s about recognizing one’s own interests, strengths, and weaknesses.
It has been my experience that adult Indians are reluctant independent learners. They want everything given to them. They want the trainer to ask the question and provide the answer. In short, they don’t want to mull over things. They do not want to discover the language for themselves.
This impatient attitude makes it difficult to learn something as varied and dynamic as a language.
What can be done? (I hear you ask.)
I am sorry, but there is no magic pill.
My advice on language learning
Be an active learner
Pay attention to words and expressions that are used, both spoken and written. The other day, I heard a person on a business channel use the idiom–on the anvil. I wasn’t 100% sure of its meaning, so I googled it.
If you ever come across an unfamiliar word or expression, do not ignore it. Jot it down, or immediately find out what it means.
I have been conducting workshops on communication skills for many years. One recurrent theme that keeps coming up is that participants say that they do not have enough vocabulary to express themselves. I understand, but there is no easy way out. I’ve read that one has to come across a word up to twenty-one times, before one can use it appropriately and naturally.
The only way to improve your vocabulary is to expose yourself to diverse language.
Read articles on politics, culture, climate change, and more. Watch different kinds of documentaries. By doing this, you will come across a variety of new words, collocations, and idioms.
When you come across new vocabulary, make a mental note. If you are not sure of its meaning, try to guess it from its context. Pay attention to how it is pronounced.
Do not be a passive consumer of content. Be an active, alert, and curious learner.
Do not use big words to show off
Make sure that you truly know the meaning of the word or expression you use.
Words are used in specific contexts. There can be nuances in meaning and connotation. If you are not 100% sure of the meaning of the last word in the previous sentence, please look it up 🙂
Do think that just because you have read a book such as Word Power Made Easy, your range of vocabulary has dramatically improved. I’m not against that particular book. I enjoyed reading it. However, it can only introduce you to new words. It cannot immediately improve your vocabulary. That will take time.
Remember, you need to encounter a word twenty-one times before you can use it effectively.
Beware: if you use words straight from a list, you may be using them incorrectly.
This is going to take time
Be realistic. You are not going to see a dramatic improvement in your language skills in two weeks’ time. It is a process.
Keep your eyes and ears open to language.
When you receive an email, spend a minute or two analyzing it. Is the message clear? Are there any words that are unfamiliar? Is the tone appropriate? Has the person used some grammar which you are unfamiliar with?
Is there anything you can learn from the email?
If you want to improve your speaking skills, compare your pronunciation with that of a news anchor. Watch NDTV and WION. You can also watch international channels such as CNN, BBC, and Aljazeera. Compare. Self-reflect.
Start observing yourself: what you say and how you say it. Some of your errors may be fossilized, so you will have to pay extra attention to them.
Become your own language coach. If you are unsure of the meaning or pronunciation of a word, find out at Cambridge Dictionary.
Before making a presentation, practise at least three times. Record yourself on your mobile phone. When listening to yourself, be critical. For example, are you speaking too fast? (Many Indians have a bullet-train rate of speech.)
When working on your language skills, take it slow. You do not have to immediately use an expression you have come across in the company newsletter. Take your time. Let it sink in.
Have fun
You learn better when you are having fun.
Watch Hollywood movies. Read comics. Listen to music while travelling to work. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the more comfortable you’ll be in it. It’s as simple as that.
I have noticed that people speak Hinglish with colleagues and switch to English with the boss. That’s okay.
I’m not asking you to speak in English all the time. I believe that it’s an asset that there are so many languages in India. But, I do urge you to get closer to the English language.
If you can, try karaoke, especially the old songs from the 50s and 60s. They tend to be slower, and the lyrics are often grammatically correct! Here is a song I discovered the other day:
Don’t be shy. You may not be able to sing outside, but you can always sing at home 🙂
I’m really serious about the fun part. It makes a big difference.
Make a plan
Are you serious about improving your English?
Don’t take it casually. Act strategically by setting precise, realistic goals. Think about what you want to achieve in the next four weeks. In the next four months. In the next year.
For example, to improve your vocabulary, learn three new words or phrases a week. Try to use them in your everyday conversation. Make them your own.
Be consistent. Be systematic. And you will notice a difference in your English skills.
Guaranteed!
Here are three excellent websites for improving your English.
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