Where Does English Get in Your Way?
If English isn’t your first language, this page is for you.
You may already speak English very well. But there can still be moments when English gets between you and what you want to accomplish—in your career, your business or your life.
There is nothing more frustrating than spending time in an English program that isn’t geared toward what you actually need. That’s why we don’t begin with a standard curriculum. We begin with your goal.
If you need to work on pronunciation, we work on pronunciation. If you need the language of your profession or industry, that’s where we focus. If listening, spontaneous conversation, cultural context or something else is getting in your way, that’s where we start. And you may be pleasantly surprised to find that, in the process, other aspects of your English and communication improve too.
Your goal determines the work.
You Recognize Every Word—and Still Feel Like You Missed the Point
Knowing the definition of every word doesn’t necessarily mean you understood what someone meant. Humor, sarcasm, tone, body language and cultural references can change the message. And the academic meaning you learned may not be the way a word is being used. Add industry terminology, regional expressions, slang—and people simply using words incorrectly—and even familiar English can get confusing.
You Understood One Person Perfectly. Then Somebody Else Started Talking.
English doesn’t sound the same from person to person. Accents, cadence, speaking speed, pronunciation and word choice vary. And sometimes the challenge isn’t your English at all—it’s becoming accustomed to the way a particular person speaks.
You Know What You Want to Say, But Your Mind Blanked on the English Words
You know the words, but suddenly they aren’t there when you need them. An unexpected question, interruption or change in direction can create what I call a “deer in the headlights” moment—that frozen look when you know you need to respond, but your mind has gone blank on the English.
When Your Pronunciation Makes the Right Word Sound Wrong
Your first language affects how you pronounce English. Certain English sounds may not exist in your language, or the sounds may be formed differently. The result can be frustrating: you know exactly what you’re saying, but the person listening hears something else.
Over the past 14 years, I’ve developed practical tools for quickly solving many common pronunciation problems. They aren’t traditional academic pronunciation exercises. Because I’ve worked with people from so many language backgrounds, I often know the particular sounds that cause difficulty—and rhyming techniques, familiar sounds or substitutions from your own language that can help you produce the English sound. Some problems can be corrected surprisingly quickly.
If people understand you, I may tell you not to worry about it. The goal isn’t to eliminate your accent. It’s to solve the pronunciation problems that are getting in the way of being understood.
Nobody Taught You That Part.
Knowing the English doesn’t necessarily tell you what people expect you to say—or do. Professional protocol, cultural expectations and social conventions can be different from what you’re accustomed to. Sometimes the question isn’t “What does that mean?” It’s “What am I supposed to do in this situation?”
Ask Me Anything
There are questions people hesitate to ask because they’re afraid they’ll offend someone, use the wrong word, misunderstand a cultural issue—or simply look foolish. Ask anyway. You can ask me anything. I won’t be offended.
Language. Culture. Customs. Religion. Politics. Workplace situations. Social situations. Slang. Relationships. Professional protocol. If you’re wondering about it, we can talk about it.
I am happy to provide my perspective, knowing that my perspective is not the only answer.
Live, In-Person Professional Coaching & Advising
The Let’s Talk Coach provides paid, professional coaching and advisory services customized to your goals and needs. Services are provided live and in person. We are based near Denver, Colorado, with services available locally and travel considered depending on the engagement.
What Is Getting in Your Way?
You don’t need to know exactly what kind of coaching or advising you need. Tell me what is getting in your way and what you want to accomplish. We can start there.