What should I do now? I am a fresh graduate from a College of Foreign Language in my country. My major is Business English. After 4 years, however, I still can't use English to communicate with people

Duyen Nguyen

What should I do now? I am a fresh graduate from a College of Foreign Language in my country. My major is Business English. After 4 years, however, I still can't use English to communicate with people. I can read, listen and understand almost what people are talking about in English but I can't speak English. Each time when I speak I get the feeling that people don't understand and I stop. My mind nearly blanks and it seems "I don't know how to say". I am now struggling to find a job but it is very hard without English. I start to feel guilty with my parents and friends who always think I am the best and I will get a well-paid job. But in fact I'm unemployed and if my English speaking skill can't be improved in the next few months, I think I can't return home and meet my family. I am really scared. Who can please help me with your experience how to improve spoken English? I feel everything stuck and really pessimistic about my future. Thanks for your help

Aug 4, 2015 4:18 PM

Corrections · 8

What should I do now?

I am a fresh graduate from a College of Foreign Language in my country. My major is Business English. After 4 years, however, I still can't use English to communicate with people. I can read, listen and understand almost everything what that people are talking about in English but I can't speak English. Each Every time when I speak I get the feeling that people don't understand and I stop. My mind nearly blanks and it seems "I don't know how what to say".

I am now struggling to find a job but it is very hard without English. I start to feel guilty with like I'm letting down my parents and friends who always think I am the best and I will get a well-paid job. But in fact I'm unemployed and if my English speaking skill can't be improved/ don't improve in the next few months, I think I can't won't be able to return home and meet my family. I am really scared.

Who can please help me with your experience of how to improve spoken English? I feel everything stuck (in a rut) and really pessimistic about my future.

Thanks for your help.

Your English is actually pretty good, if not perfect. But it will probably never be "perfect", because you aren't a native speaker. That said, it doesn't matter at all. The most important thing is that you are able to effectively communicate. If you are worried about making mistakes, you will never get anywhere. So stop worrying and start focusing on communication. No one (sane) actually expects you to be perfect, so you shouldn't expect it of yourself ;-)

August 4, 2015

Thank for your suggestion. I also have a Skype account and I am finding a friend to speak English with. Can we make friends? I must say that my spoken English is not good enough and if you don't mind, I do hope to be your friend.

August 5, 2015

You write perfectly. You probably need a Skype English tutor who will make you talk. Many of the Spanish teachers I have tried through italki are nice but don't really push me enough. However I have found one who does and she is really helping me. Also, do you have any friends who will practice English with you?

August 4, 2015