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[Transcript]

"Are you go to the beach?"

This sentence served as a wake-up call for me. When I went to an English Cafe to practice English, there was a woman who was really engaging in a conversation, and then I heard her say, "Are you go to the beach?"

I knew she meant, "Did you go to the beach?" because the teacher she was talking to answered, "I didn't." Their conversation flowed nicely, and they were having so much fun. I was there, noticing some of her errors... being silent as the dead. I shut my mouth because I didn't want to make any mistakes in front of those people. Watching them loving their conversation, I asked myself, "What on earth am I doing here, really?"

She was a great storyteller making some chocolate-covered mistakes. I was just voiceless grammar police giving herself lemons.

Which person would you want to talk with?

Now my goal is to become a better communicator. Today, I'm going to share several things to bear in mind.

***

1) Don't be your own grammar police all the time.

Self-correction is wonderful, but I hope, from time to time, you give yourself a break to just have fun talking to your friends in English.

2)"Fluent?" No, "Whether you were understood or not."

"Fluent or not" is so vague. Check if you were understood by your partner(s) instead. Find what you can improve for the next time.

3) Organize your thoughts on various topics.

You can't say anything about what you don't know. Writing is great to organize your thoughts. Write and see what's in your brain. Make it a habit.

4) Be a good listener.

Listening is important to become a good communicator. I love watching interviews because I can learn how hosts respond to guests. Carefully listen to your conversation partner.

5) Recharge your energy in your comfort zone!

I replenish my energy in a safe place to get out of my comfort zone. Get ready for challenges with the right people. Visit a place where you feel comfortable talking in English. Find someone who always makes you feel good about yourself.

6) Learn from your favorite speaker.

Think about what makes you like him/her and add it to your speech.

Enjoy!