One of the methods that is very helpful in improving one’s English is having a conversation with one’s self. It sure sounds crazy but I know quite a few who do it for the same reason as I do and for the reason that will keep ones sanity in place. Keeping one’s sanity in place is another story for another blog so let’s talk about the former. If you remember the “mirror, mirror on the wall” entry, we talked about standing in front of the mirror to check how small or wide your mouth opens when words come out of it (if this is your first time to read my blog, please scroll down and give it a check). Let’s apply that idea to having a conversation with ones’ self. Just like before, please make sure that your door is locked and that you are completely alone in the comfort of your room.
This is actually rather simple. Just stand in front the mirror, pretend that your reflection is another real person, and just speak your mind. Talk about how your day went, or the dream you had while you were asleep (some of us daydream, remember?), or how you like your coffee, or what is making you look forward to the weekend; talk about the news and how you feel about it; just about anything that comes up to mind you just have to blurt it out. Make hand gestures, make faces, move your body, as if you were speaking to a friend. Now, as you do this activity, be aware of your intonation, your sentence pattern, your choice of words, and even the non-verbal aspects of your communication skill.
Give this activity a try. I suggest you make this activity part of your day. When you comb your hair or fix yourself in front of the mirror, use these opportunities and other similar chances to do this activity. Believe it or not, I’ve done this outside of my room – but that’s perhaps I’m a bit of a lunatic. Kidding aside, some people sing in the bathroom, or use their cellphone while preparing dinner; others read a book, or listen to music from their Ipod, or play a video game while on the train or in a taxi. We don't assume or even think that there's something wrong with them. If they can do these things outside of their homes, then to practice or to improve our communication skills in the same places must not be too bad to do? Nevertheless, whereever or whenever you do this exercise, do not despair if, in every attempt you make especially on your first try, things don’t go as well as you hope it to be. So they say, “No pain, no gain”. Do this exercise every chance you get and before you know it you'll become comfortable doing the exercise which, consequently, will make you more aware of both the good and the not so good areas of your communication skills. Being able to identify these aspects of your skills is, without a doubt, a good thing. Relentless practice is the key to improvement and mastery.
This is actually rather simple. Just stand in front the mirror, pretend that your reflection is another real person, and just speak your mind. Talk about how your day went, or the dream you had while you were asleep (some of us daydream, remember?), or how you like your coffee, or what is making you look forward to the weekend; talk about the news and how you feel about it; just about anything that comes up to mind you just have to blurt it out. Make hand gestures, make faces, move your body, as if you were speaking to a friend. Now, as you do this activity, be aware of your intonation, your sentence pattern, your choice of words, and even the non-verbal aspects of your communication skill.
Give this activity a try. I suggest you make this activity part of your day. When you comb your hair or fix yourself in front of the mirror, use these opportunities and other similar chances to do this activity. Believe it or not, I’ve done this outside of my room – but that’s perhaps I’m a bit of a lunatic. Kidding aside, some people sing in the bathroom, or use their cellphone while preparing dinner; others read a book, or listen to music from their Ipod, or play a video game while on the train or in a taxi. We don't assume or even think that there's something wrong with them. If they can do these things outside of their homes, then to practice or to improve our communication skills in the same places must not be too bad to do? Nevertheless, whereever or whenever you do this exercise, do not despair if, in every attempt you make especially on your first try, things don’t go as well as you hope it to be. So they say, “No pain, no gain”. Do this exercise every chance you get and before you know it you'll become comfortable doing the exercise which, consequently, will make you more aware of both the good and the not so good areas of your communication skills. Being able to identify these aspects of your skills is, without a doubt, a good thing. Relentless practice is the key to improvement and mastery.
A few days ago, thanks to YouTube and to my mentor in radio, I was reminded of the reasons I got into broadcasting. It made me realize how important it is for you and me to fix our eyes on the prize, to keep our purpose in mind, and to always check and practice the basics of whatever it is that we put our hearts into.
I am privileged to be given the chance to be in broadcasting. How I wish you’d have a chance to experience it too. Whether that chance will present itself to you or not, allow me to tell you that you and I are in the same boat – we communicate to promote understanding. In order to achieve this, we are to continue to learn, to explore, and to practice our faculty of the language we use. There are many tips out there on how we can become better communicators and all of them may offer a lot of help but let's not forget the basics. We can never go wrong with the basics. Anybody remember KISS?
This is one communication principle that is always bounced to us in radio:
KISS – Keep It Short & Simple.
KISS English everyday, every chance you get.
Stealing an expression from the soundtrack of the Hollywood flick “Slumdog Millionaire”, Jai Ho! May victory be yours my friend!
KISS English everyday, every chance you get.
Stealing an expression from the soundtrack of the Hollywood flick “Slumdog Millionaire”, Jai Ho! May victory be yours my friend!
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