Let's Speak Your English!

You might know this deep inferiority if you're not from an English-speaking country. Or, do you feel this superiority because you speak "British English"?

Well........... What's the meaning of this?

Though through time you may not hear this as often as before (why?), the term "Taiwanese English" is considered as derogatory. In fact, if you put any Asian languages before English, it may as well be a mocking target, namely Japanese English, Konglish(Korean)...etc. It is quite normal that people feel the need to speak "the perfect English(accent)" and there are articles which covered this issue many times. Here we go again.

First of all, when discussing this topic, it's usually about either or both perfect as in no mistakes and/or perfect as in the more desirable accent. Ahem... THERE IS NO PERFECT ENGLISH OR ACCENT. After years and years in the English teaching field in Taiwan, the number one out of many obstacles that prevents learners from speaking/using the language has to be looking for this false perfection or pressured by it.

Living in Taiwan, people really have many opportunities to access English related things. There are countless language institutes (though we disregard most of them LOL), plenty of roaming freelancers, language exchange couch surfing events. Oh yes, we must not forget about online learning which we regard as the last resort. Remember this carefully: we can only help those who want to be helped. The problem is, genuine helpers are mostly quiet. In other words, they are not easily found. What's out in the open is a price list or an enticing sales pitch and that makes learning more about numbers than hearts which is saddening.

What you could do to reach out is this. Starting today, find the main or one of the social media sites of choice, and first, go to the setting and switch to the language you're learning, and second, use it. Words will spread and whoever would help will come to aid. Another strategy which is the next level is to approach others with a foreign language. Yes, it may seem silly at first and it's certain that some people are going to give you the weird look or even become annoyed. Please take a very important note here. When approaching, make sure that it is casual. Don't go to a busy store with a queue and try to have each other understood. You may start doing so when you've practiced your lines and are confident enough both input and output. Also, when taking a walk you could pretend to ask for directions; when making eye contact with a passerby, you could greet with a quick "hello" or "hi, how are you". You may be surprised how rewarding your new hobby brings.

People wonder and worry about how to speak a good second language but less likely when they're learning the third or fourth one, right? This is because the fear of imperfection is one of the greatest language barriers and once broken, you become free. It is impossible... IMPOSSIBLE to skip a few bumps in the road and become a fluent speaker/writer. That is a pipe dream and even a bit offensive to so many of us out there who are working hard to be free, literally. Practice makes perfect and not the other way around.

Please don't do this.

Hopefully, after reading this, we could spark that tiny spark of yours to move towards a free speaker rather than a language slave because learning is and should be part of your life. Life's a playground, enjoy it!

#education