You Know ABOUT English, You Don’t SPEAK English!
Knowing English is not speaking English. Sure, you know English. You know ABOUT English. You know verb BE right? You studied that verb BE is “I am”, “You are” “He/she/it is” etc. You may even be able to read and write English, but you kind of struggle understanding it and absolutely cannot speak it. Now just because you are ABLE to do something, it does not mean that you can do it well. At least, you ARE able to do it though, as opposed to being UN-able to do it. You CAN read and write English, maybe not brilliantly, but hey! You CAN. Now when it comes to UNDERSTANDING and SPEAKING English, you really have a problem. You CAN’T even DO it. Now I’m NOT talking about everyone. I’m obviously talking to those of you who can read this article and maybe can understand most of it but still WORRY and SWEAT whenever you they have to speak English.
Throughout my 10 years of experience as an English language teacher and later on as a Director of Studies, I have met many of those students. I’m talking about the students who come to Australia with SOME English. SOME English means, they can read a little bit, they can write a little bit, because they know a few words and a little bit of grammar. That’s all you can do with a few words and a bit of grammar. All you can do is read limited English and write limited English. You are even MORE limited when you speak.
A bird Born In A Cage
I can’t even imagine myself living in a world where I can’t speak English. No No No! Let me rephrase that! I can’t imagine myself living in a world where I can’t speak English very very damn well! YES. That’s being like a bird born in a cage! Or like a fish born in a bowl. Whichever you identify more with! The world has gotten way too small, way too connected! Technology has only made English more and more important.
OK English No Longer Enough!
Do you know the toughest challenge for me as an English coach? The toughest challenge for me is to convince those studying English why they shouldn’t just settle for “ok” level of English. Just “ok” is not enough! Not in this day and age! Not in the 21st century! Not when each one of us has the world as an audience. If you’ve got something to say, the world is willing to listen. You’ve got to say it in English though.
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