English as she is spoken by Vinay Sethi
To be able to speak English well today is not only desirable but also extremely important and necessary. In order to effectively communicate our thoughts, desires, emotions, and all else that we wish to convey, the ability to speak English well can and does make us more confident.In a country which has a plethora of languages, how does one go about honing one’s English speaking skills? While there may be a multitude of books on the subject, certain points when followed, will always help in building better English communicative skills.
It is imperative for us to understand at the very beginning that English is not a foreign, but an Indian language. The moment we accept it as our own, the rest follows without any hurdle.
There are a number of people who wish to speak English, but are unable to do so, simply for the reason that they are constantly transliterating (not translating) native and mother tongues in their minds.thereby ending up speaking broken and pidgin English. For one to be able to communicate well in English, it is mandatory that one also think in English. When practised regularly, thinking in English is not only effective, but also hihgly pleasurable.
The rules of grammar in English, by and large must be learnt well. Surprisingly, English grammar rules are much fewer than those of other languages, yet students and other professionals make the maximum number of mistakes in English. Unfortunately serious students of it also assume that they know enough of it when they get through basic academic exercises in English. In India, learning English as a subject and not as a language has done greater harm to English than to other languages.
English grammar, as presented in many books on it, is quite often theoretical. For students to be able to speak English well, a good grammar book, with lots of practical exercises will go a long way in developing basic speaking skills.
While teaching in a number of academies, I have noticed, as soon as the English speaking/writing/coaching class is over, students immediately revert to their native or local languages or invariably their mother tongues if accompanied by close associates. Their conversations about English are also in non-English languages. In spite of constantly imploring them to try and communicate only in English there are very few who heed this suggestion.
Last but not the least, a student must get rid of the misconception that just because he/she has never learnt English as a first language in school or college he/she will never be able to master it. The word “vernacular” must never be allowed to overwhelm.the serious student of this wonderful and enriching language. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” is a maxim that will always impel a student of English towards proficiency in all its forms of communcation especially spoken.
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