Think in English- Right Approach to Fluent English

Prelude

English is an international language, which means that the communication with most people other than your fellow native speakers would be in English. The present time requires us to interact with other people either digitally or physically for business, education, social or personal purposes. This fact itself is enough to present the importance of English in our life. Governments, educational boards, universities and institutions have made sure that English remains an important part of the curriculum. Kids accept English as one of their major subjects since the beginning of their education. For years, they learn about various segments of the English language, with a constant increase in complexity. There are taught grammar, sentence formation, word power, pronunciation and writing paragraphs in English. It is logical to assume that all these students will easily be able to converse in English, but that is the pain point. Most people with a native language other than English have difficulty communicating with others in spoken English.

It is ironic to know that a person with the ability to write in English and well conversant in grammar rules would struggle to speak in English fluently. But this truth is faced by a large percentage of people who aspire to speak fluent English. Where is the problem?

The problem is in realizing the truth about learning languages. English is the second language for most people, except native English speakers in countries like England, the United States of America, Australia and Canada. The difficulty of learning a second language is that it is learned by keeping the native language at the foundation. This means that English will be learned with reference from their native language, like translations, similarities in syntax, grammar rules, words and sentence formations. It is also dependent on the education system which focuses on training grammar rules, translations and written English. It is assumed that spoken English will come naturally to the students, sadly that never happens. It is easy to find students in English medium schools and colleges struggling to present a topic in English. Most will avoid interactions in English, using the native language as the fundamental language of communication. Another fact is known to all, one of the top skills required to get any decent job is fluency in spoken English.

The solution is the realization that spoken and written English have equal importance but must be taught differently. The methodology specified in the book is based on the philosophy that the language should be taught and learned like the native speaker, just the way we learned our native language. The idea will be explained and discussed in detail in the coming chapters.

Introduction

A massive amount of content and millions of books are available to teach English grammar but only a fraction of the material teaches spoken English. The assumptions associated with spoken English are incorrect but somehow most people are stuck with it, they do not accept the reality. Teaching English is mainly considered the representation of translations between native and English languages and to have basic proficiency in written English. This philosophy has always defined the structure of the curriculum for education institutions. Instead of teaching students to speak English correctly and fluently, learners are expected to develop it automatically. It is assumed that a person with skills in translations and written English is supposed to be proficient in the simpler task of speaking English. This has been observed and acknowledged over decades that the present system does not work, but nobody is ready to take charge to change it.

People developing skills in spoken English have either taught it themselves or have been in a supportive environment to develop and enhance their English communication skills. For example, school-teachers in English medium schools are supposed to communicate with students and among each other in English, forcing them to become proficient in spoken English. A person joining a multinational organization would be required to interact with employees of other nationalities in English. Similarly, a family emigrating to an English-speaking nation like the USA can only communicate with others in English. In each of these examples, nobody learned to speak English traditionally, instead, they learned it by listening and speaking, the way a native learns English. We will use similar techniques to become fluent speakers of English.

Assumptions

The technique specified in the book is based on certain assumptions. This means that the technique will be effective only if these assumptions are fulfilled. In case of a gap, filling it first would be a better strategy before execution.

The first assumption is the necessity of having a basic understanding of the English language, allowing you to read and understand simple English, both written and spoken. Normal school education of any Board or University of any place covers it effectively. A big part of the technique constitutes reading and listening to English to develop proficiency in the language.

It is also important for the learner to be able to read and comprehend simple English sentences and phrases. The technique will involve a lot of interaction with English content to develop spoken skills.

The learner must be ready to put in required efforts and time to practice the exercises specified in the book, with regularity and discipline.

The learner should not reduce the intensity of the exercise in any way, through modifications or amendments. They are allowed to personalize the technique and exercises based on their unique requirements and conditions, but the intensity of the exercise should not diminish in any way.

You must be genuinely serious about gaining command of spoken English by putting in the required efforts. This would require following the schedule of practice religiously and trying till spoken English mastery is attained. The speaking practice must not be stopped even after getting the required proficiency in spoken English, though the intensity can be reduced.

Current facts about spoken English

English is the international language of communication and business. For native speakers, this is the language that they have heard and learned since birth, but for non-native speakers, it becomes difficult as it is their second language. Non-English speakers communicate in their native language. It becomes difficult for them to gain mastery in spoken English, a language not spoken often. As English is an international language, it is necessary to rise in career and gain status in society.

Students of English medium schools have the unique advantage of growing in a spoken English environment, but for most others speaking in English is complicated. Adults who are looking for better jobs must have understood the importance of speaking in a fine English language, which is required to get a good job, work profile, and good pay. We must have seen people studying hard and investing money to gain expertise in spoken English but they are hardly moving forward in skills development. We must have observed people trying for years but getting little success in spoken English.

In many countries, English is being taught with a strict structure of teaching grammar with translations from their native language to English. People trying to speak in English are thinking in their native language while translating from their native language in their mind to communicate in English. This process would impede the natural flow of thinking and speech. Our conscious mind cannot work super-fast to capture the message in English, translate it in the native language and then create the message to be communicated in their native language and then translate it in English to speak it. That is a long and complex process to speak any language. That is the reason people struggle hard to speak fluently or even normally, in English.

The right way to learn fluent spoken English?

The right methodology to learn spoken English is significantly different from the present system. It must be practical, intuitive, effective, natural and simple enough for everyone to grasp the idea and conveniently use it to meet their requirement, both personal and professional. The learned skill should be sustainable with minimal effort.  

To get command of spoken English, the best way is to learn to speak like native speakers. They think in English and then deliver it as English speech, just the way any native speaker communicating in their language. To become a good conversationist in spoken English we must start to think in English about the content to be spoken, before delivering the spoken words.

The biggest obstacle is to gain proficiency of thinking in English, as a non-English speaker. This resource presents the solution to this problem. The purpose of this book is to explain the easiest and effective way to start thinking in English and to become a better communicator in the international language.

To understand the basic philosophy behind this book and the methodology used is to answer the question: How have we learned our native language? Think about the answer to this question for few minutes.

The native language is grasped as kids to intuitively fulfill the need to communicate. The strong desire of the mind to understand and share the messages and information with others generates the necessary force. The mind starts to capture the meaning of the words and remembers the grammar rules. This training was informal without any formal classroom or strict schedule. While learning to speak the native language we did not learn the grammar rules or practice writing in the native language. Instead, we listened to it from our relatives and elders and tried to speak the same language, maybe wrong initially, but slowly the hold on language strengthened. The mind automatically started to make sense out of it. That is how slowly we became the master in our native language. Interestingly, we learned about writing and the formal grammar rules of our native language much later, after we had become the master in speaking our native language.

If we can learn our native language as kids, then why can’t we use the same method to learn a new language now. We are smarter, mature, more equipped, and have better knowledge and intelligence. We also have the expertise in speaking at least one language and have the resources to learn new languages. Only, we need to follow the right methodology with strict discipline.

The Book

This book presents you with a methodology of getting proficiency in spoken English within 50 days (seven weeks). If you follow the specified methodology sincerely, then by the end of the 50th day you will communicate satisfactorily in English. You will need to put in the required disciplined efforts every day, without break for the next 50 days. If you can sincerely keep the schedule, then you will have confidence in spoken English within the next two months.

Also, you need to keep practicing in spoken English to enhance your English communication, even after completing the book. Practice is the most important part of learning the language. Spoken English is easy to practice as it is used in academics, business and even social life.

The Intent

The book is written with the following intent:

The fundamental purpose of this book is to explain the simplest and easiest way to make any person start thinking in English and to become a better communicator in the English language.

This book will aim to create the right attitude for developing skills in spoken English, which is necessary to keep the required consistency and discipline in practice.

The book will present the right methodology for getting proficiency in spoken English. This technique is refined over the years by the users of the technique through iterations and feedback. It is an effective technique if used sincerely.

It will guide the learners to create the right structure and the plan to get mastery in spoken English. Datasheets and planners can be used effectively to keep the track of the learning process.  

The Assets is full of quality resources to aid in the process of learning spoken English.

What this book will not do?

There are limitations to the technique and ideas presented in the book. It only presents workable ideas, solutions and resources, but genuine desire and action constitute the major part of learning English. This book is not a magic bullet that will make you learn spoken English without effort, instead, it is a tool to make you take the right steps in your journey to become a good English speaker. You will need to make the right efforts as specified in the book with complete sincerity and seriousness.

Discipline and honesty are essential to achieve anything of importance like spoken English. Any weakness in action will break the flow of learning. Regular speaking practice is required to be continued, even after the command level is achieved in spoken English. Constant speaking practice will ensure fluency and pronunciation of spoken words.

The book defines a technique that is effective for all the people of any language, region or country. You can personalize the methodology to make it more effective based on your unique circumstances and conditions. The only requirement is to keep the intensity of the practice intact.

The focus of this book is spoken English, not written English. This book can be considered as the initial stage on the path for getting expertise in written English.

The Need

English is an international language of business, academics and even social life, is a necessity to achieve success in your life and profession. Non-native English speakers always struggle to gain proficiency in both spoken and written English. Even the command in one area cannot guarantee ease in another. This book solves the problem for non-native speakers to communicate in spoken English.

Non-native speakers use books, take classroom training, and put years of effort to get expertise in spoken English. They learn the grammar rules and translations from their native language to English but even then get difficulty communicating in English. This book presents the right technique and methodology to gain expertise in spoken English in the shortest possible time.

People waste money, efforts and resources in learning spoken English. We need to understand that developing this skill is not difficult. If you follow a simple technique then you can learn spoken English at the convenience of your home or any place of your choice, anytime in your life. The objective of this book is to communicate the right technique, resources and methodology to learners who want to attain proficiency in spoken English.

Any English learner must have access to the exercises, which are simple for anyone to learn without the restrictions of the time. The simplicity of the process ensures the consistency of the efforts.

Any practice which takes a long time to deliver the results can lose energy after some time. It could be perceived as boring. As every learner wants faster results, the technique must deliver results in minimal time. Initial results should be visible immediately within a couple of weeks. In this endeavor, the right efforts with an effective approach will help learners experience initial results fast.

As every learner is different with their unique challenges and distinct requirements, the technique should be customizable. Any person must be able to learn at their pace, in their environment, fulfilling their individual needs.

Just like any generic program will not suit requirements for all the customers, any service or training program should be personalized to meet the expectations of the user. This program has defined the basic philosophy and guiding principles to help people design their unique programs based on their strengths and limitations.

Many spoken English programs, mostly in physical classes, focus on making the learner comfortable speaking in basic English, but the focus on fluency and developing word power is not on the agenda. This weakness creates difficulties for the people using English in real life. It is demotivating and can resist the efforts of the person trying to become proficient in spoken English. This book ensures that fluency and word power remain an essential part of the program.

Who would need this book?

This book would be a valuable resource for anyone desiring to learn spoken English effectively in minimal time. People from homemakers to students to professionals and social workers can use the skills of spoken English to have a better influence in life and work.

Some of the people who will benefit most with the proficiency of spoken English are as follows.

Professionals who are looking for a solution to enhance their spoken English skills in the shortest possible time, for connecting better with their colleagues and customers.

Students who are looking for a tool to learn speaking in English for better academic interactions and book presentations.

Business executives and employees finding obstacles in their growth due to their weakness in spoken English will be able to get better profiles and jobs. The strengths in spoken English will transform their career growth.

Academicians who are looking for an effective way to improve their skills in spoken English so that they can create a larger and effective impact on their teachings. Their communication skills and command of language will help in transferring knowledge and expertise effectively.

Homemakers looking for an effective way to gain mastery in spoken English to add value to their family, society and even explore possibilities in business. They can teach their children to become better speakers of English, helping them in academics and careers.

Entrepreneurs who are planning for their venture or are already managing a company will get value through proficiency in spoken English, which can help them to express themselves to their employees, supply chain partners, customers and investors.

Fundamentals

Sincerity and discipline are the keys to success in any endeavor. To get the true value out of the process specified in the book, some fundamentals are to be understood and followed. Any skill is developed with hard practice and following the prescribed schedule. Before execution, mental readiness is necessary.

To get maximum value out of this book you must be passionate about learning spoken English. You must feel a strong desire to get expertise in English communication. This enthusiasm will provide the necessary energy to put the required efforts into the practice of spoken English.

It is required to have a strict discipline and complete commitment to the methodology specified in the book. Sincerity to the effort is the key to the success. This means honest and consistent practice.

Most people learning spoken English have a lot of hesitation and are shy to speak in public. You need to get freedom from your hesitation or hitch, completely. This book will require you to speak and communicate in public. Your shyness in English communication will impede