English without borders

One of the main problems my students face when using English to communicate with clients, colleagues and customers is that they cannot fully understand spoken English.

Most of my clients can read, write and speak English. However, when it comes to listening, things can quickly become difficult.

Why is this happening and what can be done about it?

There are many different reasons for this problem, but they all come from the same place. When you work with traditional English teachers in a traditional English course, the emphasis is on speaking, reading and writing. Listening rarely gets the same time or attention.

In the workplace, the key to your success lies in your ability to listen effectively to what is being said. If you are unable to do this, your career may suffer.

To improve your English listening skills, you need to do three things:

1. Surround yourself with English. How did you learn your native language? By taking lessons? Of course not, you learned by listening and that's what you need to do to take your English to the next level. Create an environment where you surround yourself with English. This can be done in many ways, but consider putting yourself in an environment where you only hear English for 5 hours a week.

2. Expose yourself to different English accents. Often our problems in understanding spoken English stem from our inability to understand certain English accents. Which English accents are you most likely to encounter at work? Make sure you spend some time listening to people with the accents you are most likely to hear. The more you listen, the more you will understand.

3. Train with someone who specialises in the field in English communication for working professionals. If you really want to improve your English listening skills in order to get a better paying job, a promotion or simply position yourself for higher positions in the future, consider working with someone who specialises in helping people like you. English language coaches work with their clients to help them achieve their specific English language goals. Look for a coach who specialises in helping professionals who need to use English for work. In particular, check if they have a programme specifically designed to help you improve your listening skills.

My clients have followed these three steps to dramatically improve their listening skills and therefore their work performance. Many of them report that they are much more confident in meetings, both virtual and face-to-face, and when talking on the phone with clients and colleagues. They also feel more able to make contacts and socialise in English without fear of being embarrassed by their inability to follow the conversation.

If you would like more information on how to improve your listening skills, send me a message. I look forward to hearing from you.