How do I improve my English? Although it's not my first language, I am proficient at it and pronunciation and enunciation, both are pretty good. Just want to improve my English in the work setting so that I come across more polished and eloquent. I read WSJ out loud and study technical articles related to my field daily. Do you have any other suggestions?

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Practice practice practice. Also, think about what you will say in meetings before you go to the meeting.

English can be a very hard language for a non native speaker and the issue I have seen the most is searching for the right word quickly. Prep helps solve that.

likehelpful

I met a guy in Santiago, Chile, who spoke great English and said that he learned it from watching the Pokémon cartoons.

likefunny

Ha this is in line with my sitcom recommendation! It really does work...

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If you are mostly trying to add new words to your vernacular to use in the work setting then sounds like you are on the right track. If you really think you could still benefit from pronunciation, do you have someone at work you are close with that you could ask to let you know each time your pronunciation or word choice is not 100%? Or even mention when maybe a different word would be more prestigious? I think if you establish it as a safe space so they don’t feel bad correcting you and you don’t get offended by a correction, I think it would be helpful.

I’ve also never really tried to learn or have to use a second language so fully admit I don’t know what it’s like on the other side.

likehelpful

Maybe the WSJ and technical things aren’t the best for eloquence. Lol. Maybe if you read some literature. Those are the places where authors try to say the same things in different ways. You probably have a good handle on the technical terms. Think about how you can describe things better. “That’s a pretty shirt”. Instead say “that shirt is a really rich pink color”

likehelpful

I speak French as a second language. You will become most conversationally fluent in any setting by having conversations in English. I know it’s hard right now with the pandemic, but the more you can surround yourself with native English speakers, the better. In the meantime, watch reruns of Friends or other sitcoms. No subtitles. Then practice the flow/idiomatic phrases you hear. That was the key for me in French...learning phrases like “Oh la vache.” Which literally translates to “Oh the cow”, but means “No way!” or “Oh my gosh.” Phrases like that that we use in everyday conversations are key to developing that flow.

Eloquence is fine, but people want to work with people they like and people like you by building trust...and you build trust by talking about work, sure, but also non-work things.

So for now, sitcoms. And when the pandemic is over, lunch everyday (and happy hours sprinkled in) with some colleagues. Good luck!

helpful

I have a good friend who teaches at the university and also helps business professionals all over the world (via Zoom) on their advanced language skills., accent reduction, writing skills, etc. He's got a master's in TESOL, a PhD, and a business background. DM me for his contact info.

likesmart

I agree with sometimes having a hard time finding the right word to say on an impromptu presentation. Prepping helps tremendously and I also read a lot of news and sport articles. Also, reading work papers, memos, and internal audit reports for the past 7 years for 8+ hours a day has helped as well.

helpful

Listening is the best way to improve speaking.

Your ability to understand a 2nd language will always be significantly higher than your ability to produce it. In order to improve your speaking, watch more TV, listen to more podcasts, buy an audible subscription, watch YouTube, etc.

That actually will have a much larger impact on your English production than speaking it.

helpful

You probably speak better English than most Americans. You’re good. Don’t stress.

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