How to effectively present in English in the 21st Century

I have lived and worked in Korea for eight years, and during that time I have come to realise that, in general, the English ability of Korean people at speaking in English is good. The weakness that Korea has with English is confidence. There is a lack of confidence among most Korean people when they have to speak in English. This largely comes from the fact that most Korean people do not have many opportunities to use the English they know, and therefore do not get enough real practice.

However, there are a few things you can do, that can help with your English that can make you sound and feel more confident.

Here are my top five tips for speaking better and more confident English:

1 Use Shorter Sentences.

Shorter sentences makes your English more understandable and is easier for you to say. For example:

“I do not like the rain because it makes me feel gloomy.”

This sentence is too long. We do not need to know that you feel gloomy, because the reason most people do not like the rain is because it makes them feel gloomy. All you need to say is:

“I do not like the rain”

If we want more information, we will ask for it.

2 Stop Treating English An Academic Subject

When you are at school, you are usually learning English to pass exams. Because of this we often see English in a negative way. When you see something in a negative way, you never feel inspired to learn or improve. Once you start working, English should be used to communicate. Just like your typing skill gets better by typing more, your English will improve by using it more.

So, start having fun with English. Throw away all those boring textbooks and grammar books, and start reading newspapers, magazines and blogs. You are an adult now and so start using English as a tool, not as a school subject. With practice and a little bit of time your English communication skills will improve.

A great English newspaper for Korean people is Chosun Ilbo English

3 Seek Out Opportunities to use English

English is a skill, and like all skills you need to practice regularly. Professional golfers spend hours and hours practicing everyday, Yuna Kim spends six to eight hours a day practicing. You never become good at anything without practice. So stop making excuses for not using English and start making excuses for using English. Volunteer to write English emails for colleagues, make telephone calls in English instead of putting it off and writing an email. Become the English expert in your office.

4 Make English Fun!

Too often I hear my students say they see English as a chore. If English really is a chore to you then perhaps you should give up on English and learn something else. To become more confident and better at English, like anything else, you really do have to have fun with it. Find a blog or magazine on a subject you like, for example a photography blog if you like photography, or a cooking magazine if you like cooking. Find friends who enjoy English and hang out with them more, use English phrases whenever you can. But the most important thing is have fun!!!

5 Watch Arirang TV News Every Night

CNN and BBC news is not going to help you very much. Their news items are often about Afghanistan, Iraq or something you neither have interest in or know anything about. By watching Arirang TV news the subjects will be on Korean news items and things you either know about or have an interest in.

Remember the important thing is that you have fun with English and you stop seeing English as just another academic subject you must learn. By having fun and seeking out opportunities to use English, not only will you become more confident with English, you will also improve your English ability without even trying.