Make the most of what you have.

Your native language skill affects learning a foreign language.
 

Lately, I've been thinking about how well you speak in your native language affects how well you can talk in a foreign language like English. In other words, if you're not great at communicating and writing in your mother tongue, it won't be easy to become good at speaking English.

I've encountered some people who are very shy when talking in Japanese (native language) suddenly start speaking a lot when they switch to English (second language). But their English doesn't always make sense, and it seems like they're just showing off how well they can speak without saying anything meaningful. These people usually have trouble talking to others and use big words too much.

On the flip side, people who can explain things well in Japanese use simple and easy-to-understand English. They don't use complicated words unless they have to. They're considerate and try to see how much the listeners are understanding.

So, good communication is more about getting your message across than being perfect in a language.

Even when you think your skills in a foreign language might be limited, if you make the most of the skills you have, you can strengthen your communication skills.

Then, how can we do that?

Well, one way is to practice "writing."

Whether you're writing in Japanese or English, it helps you organize your thoughts and express them clearly. Even if no one reads your writing, clarifying your thoughts is an excellent way to construct your ideas and feelings.

And a few days later, go back and read it with fresh eyes; you can see better where you should work.

The same goes for "speaking."

Record your voice during conversations, such as online lessons, so that you can listen to them a few days later.

Again, "a few days later" is essential.

When you listen to your conversations later with fresh ears, you can see whether you speak clearly and make sense.

You can catch small mistakes in pronunciation and grammar that you couldn't notice while talking.

This self-correction is vital for getting better at communicating, as it helps you understand what you're good at and where you need to improve.

It takes enormous courage, but it's crucial to improve.

Thanks for reading, and I will try this method from now on.