The Struggle in English as Second Language
I didn’t grow up in an English-speaking family, though my Mom is fluent but I really didn’t gain the confidence of speaking in English.
I’m a Filipino by blood living in Canada for a couple of years now. I studied in a school for 16 years where English is the primary medium of instruction so comprehension and reading is not that much of a problem but when it comes to writing and specially speaking that is where the struggle begins.
I am normally a chatty person, (when speaking in our language, of course) but when it comes to talking in English, I tend to keep my mouth shut, besides struggling for words, the thought of being misjudged scares me the most.
Now, here I am in WA pushing me out of my comfort zone. Don’t get me wrong, I actually like it. I have been trying to get myself out of my comfort zone. If I can only kick myself in the butt, I would. Lol
Everyday I try to write. Ideas are coming in, I start to scribble before I know it, I have a couple of paragraphs already. Here’s where the challenge begins, EDITING. After a thorough review of what I wrote, I end up working on just a sentence or two. Crazy right?
But here I am trying to conquer my fear.
In just a short time here in WA here’s what I realized. I don’t have to be very fluent in English, I just have to be equipped with the skills and tools I need to write or speak in English.
Here are some of my realization. I know this already. It’s just that it hasn’t slapped me in the face until now. :)
1. Educated myself – I need to do my research, learn the facts and details of what I want to write about.
2. Self-Confidence - I need to trust and believe in myself that I can do whatever I want if I work hard on it. And it’s hard to have self-confidence if I don’t know what I’m talking about. Lol
3. Courage – I need to be strong enough to give my best, whatever it takes. -still needs to be knowledgeable.
4. Consistency – I heard this so many times, do something for 21 days and it will a habit. If I keep doing it, I don’t need to force myself to do it anymore because it becomes natural. So, I set up an alarm on my phone to remind me to write every day... I’m really trying, not enough though.
5. Keep going – one of my favourite poem ‘Don’t Quit’ by John Greenleaf Whittier. –“ It is when things seems worst that you must not quit” – To not stop until I reach my dreams/goals. Yes, procrastination is my worst enemy. But I am not a quiter!
6. To remind myself that I’m not just doing this for myself but for others as well. To be able to help others succeed in life.
P.S. I did not do a thorough editing or else I will not be able to post anything. Lol
Feel free to correct me. I'm open to comments and suggestions. Thank you.
Cheers!
Carina
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Congratulations Carina, for working to overcome, your struggle with writing English.
I will let you in on a litter secret even people the speak English can have issues writing in the beginning for many it may be the first time they have wrtitten anything since their college days.
Looks like you are evolving a good routine, best wishes moving forward.
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Great job in stepping out of your comfort zone...
I'm on the same boat. I'm Filipino who went to Canada. I got bullied because of my English. I got bullied not because it is bad, but just because.
Now, I do public speaking and I blog. What an irony. I am still not confident with my English though, but who cares. YOLO!
Godbless on your blogging journey.
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Well done on overcoming your lack of confidence. If you feel you can do a lot better in your own language then why not write your posts in your language and then use a translation service to get them into English. Something like Google translate.
Derek
Thank you Derek