This is a brief conversation between me and the CEO of Prometheus Information Systems Corp, Ricky, who is also a renowned English teacher. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Vin: On a side note, I wanted to ask if you could give some tips to improve my English proficiency.
Sometimes I feel that my English holds me back because I can’t find the words to express my message and tone.
I know I have to practice, so I’d like to ask if you know some effective ways to train speaking and some writing as well.
Ricky: As you likely know, I’ve been teaching English as a second language to people for years.
I’ve taught every age from 3 years old to adults in university and business English to older adults.
V: Wow, that’s amazing!
R: The answer is that you’ll never become perfectly fluent in English. There will always be a struggle to find exactly the right words to communicate what you’re trying to say.
And that’s why it’s such an art for poets to nearly perfectly capture a person’s emotions in words, which are inherently imperfect.
Language can only get you “close enough”.
I’m a well read person and even now I’m still learning new words and occasionally struggle to put my feelings into words. Of course, none of this is unique to English. I’m sure it’s the same in Portuguese.
Anyway, how can you get better at English? At your level, you likely already know the answer.
Read more, listen more, speak more, write more.
It just takes time. I have some friends who have been speaking English for many years and they can hold a conversation like you. They teach English (or did in the past) and are considered “fluent” but they still make mistakes or use strange words.
V: I understand… This is oddly frustrating and reassuring at the same time hahah
Your answer really changed the way I see the situation.
Yeah, you’re right. I think the answer for me is to not be afraid or embarrassed of wearing the “beginner T-shirt” and doing something in a new way (in English), that took me a while to understand in Portuguese. In short, there are no shortcuts.
Thanks for this, by the way.
Your thoughts made me feel encouraged and more tranquil to keep learning and letting things take their time. I appreciate your help, for real.
R: Good.
But I feel like I didn’t say much.
V: I understand. What you said sounds so familiar to you that you might not realize that people don’t see that clearly until someone shows them this perspective.
R: Good point.
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meet Ricky
meet Prometheus
meet Vin
V: I was gonna ask you if I could share it with some friends, and maybe even turn this into a short article because I believe more people feel the same way as I did, and they might benefit as well. Would that be okay? I can mention you as the speaker or keep it anonymous if you prefer.
R: Yeah that’s totally cool.
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lol
