Three Ways to Find Your Authentic Voice in English
What does your voice say to others? Do they listen to what you have to say? Do they engage with you in interesting conversations? These are valid questions to think on, and your answer is the starting point to discovering your unique voice, in any language.
We all have a voice and a message to share, regardless of the language we use to communicate with others. It’s a fact that using your voice to make in impact with your work, values and expertise can be extra challenging and frustrating when you do it in a language that’s not your native. Whether you speak or you write in a second language, it’s important to feel yourself and make your point across with confidence and clarity.
So, here are three ways to find your authentic voice in English
1. Acknowledge where you are now with your language skills. It’s OK to want to improve your English. Start today. Write a list of the three things you want to improve. You choose how to start, but start!
2. Get familiar with your voice and your body language. Film yourself with your smartphone and pay attention to how you use English, how you sound, and how does that make you feel. Keep practising. A little challenge for you: Record yourself using English for 7 days in a row. Notice what changes took place, how more confident you are.
3. Learn the language. How we speak, how we write, and the words we use have a significant impact on how people see us. Improve your flow, vocabulary in English with this trick. Either write or record what you want to share with people from your team, your audience or your company. Read it aloud or replay your recording.
If you’re going to change the wording, the sentence go ahead. This is excellent to train your brain to think in English and improve your written or speaking skills at the same time.
The most important thing you need to remember is to set up small goals and practice daily.
Recently, I took Lauren Currie’s course, Upfront with focus on speaking up, finding the confident voice we all have inside us ( I’m always up for upgrading my skills and curious to learn). Her work is the inspiration behind this blog post. Lauren and I care deeply about helping others feel good in using their voice to make the world a better place; even when you’re not a native English speaker.
I know first hand how it feels to communicate in a language that’s not your native, hesitating to speak, so you avoid making mistakes and as a result, the world missing your valuable contribution to the things you dedicate your energy and time.
The things I wish I’d know when I started learning a new language
In particularly German in Switzerland.
- It’s ok to make mistakes; even natives make them
- a safe learning space means different settings for different people
- standard sets of books never worked for me; I thrive on material that’s engaging, fun and designed only for me
That is why now, as a language coach, I make sure each of my clients has a safe learning environment, motivation and challenges set up to their goals as well as they get to learn that confidence comes with clarity and a calm mind.
If you are ready to get out of your comfort zone and claim your unique voice in English, let’s start a dialogue. You can claim your free clarity call with me today!