I dont know what to do :(

by Mandar
(India)


Hello Robby,
First of all I would like to thank you. I liked each and every thing what you have written in your website. Really great.

The problem with me is that I can only use simple words and sentences while speaking or even sometimes only single words not even I can make full sentences.

Currently, I live in India and in my region no one speaks in english. My friends, family, all surrounding me everyone speak in our native language.

I face problems when any stranger talks to me also in my CA class some students start talking in English, and sometime I cant even understand what they are saying because for them English is their first language.

They are able to speak very easily like we speak in our language. They say something and I cant get an idea whether they are saying it in a happy mood or sad mood. (I hope you understand what I want to say). Because of this I avoid talking to people who speak English as their first language.

Please help me! I also have low vocabulary. Please guide me and what resources should I go through to improve my overall english speaking ability?

For my problem, how much would your English harmony system help?

Thanks and sorry for my bad English :)

Take care.

Comments for I dont know what to do :(

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Mar 22, 2011
How English Harmony System can help speak better English
by: Robby Kukurs

Hi Mandar,

Thanks a lot for your positive feedback on my website - much appreciated!

First of all - you're saying that you can use only simple words and sentences. Well, it's nothing you should be particularly concerned about! Recently I published a video episode about speaking in short sentences http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAHtYug_53U it's OK to speak like that as far as you convey your message effectively!

Have you ever thought about the fact, however, that all long sentences are technically made up from shorter ones?

I'd say that instead of freaking out over how short are the phrases you use when speaking, focus on blending them together forming a nice story. And remember that it's OK to pause in between the phrases and sentences as far as your whole story makes sense!

Next thing - your lack of understanding native English speakers. First of all, you're admitting that you don't understand them only SOMETIMES. Well, once again - it's normal! I don't understand 100% what other English speakers say. (or what my wife and kids say, either! ;-) Don't perceive 100% understanding as the ultimate goal, and what's more important - DON'T FEEL INFERIOR because you're not a native English speaker. You are who you are, and you shouldn't avoid communication with other English speakers based on their/your ethnic background.

Sometimes I have a hard time making myself clear to older generation Irish people, and I don't understand all they're saying. But I don't fret over it at all because it's IRRELEVANT for me - I understand as much as I need and if I really need to clarify something - I can ask that person to say it again, simple as that!

All right, let's keep going - low vocabulary. If it's your active one - you have to speak as much as possible. Speak with others, speak with yourself, take note of how natives speak and mimic them.

And that's where English Harmony System 2.0 comes handy indeed - it's packed full with most commonly used phrases and as a result your active vocabulary gets larger and larger. If it's your passive vocabulary - well, you have to learn it then! And here are three video episodes where I'm discussing how to acquire new English vocabulary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlwBcmydYbo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APVOydFTifQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cNv9xv64Y

All right Mandar, I hope my answer sheds some light on your on your problem areas!

Regards,

Robby

Robby Kukurs is the creator of www.englishharmony.com, a website he created in 2007 to help struggling foreign English speakers gain real English fluency.

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