Why Improve English Skills?
Many of our readers are immigrants or first-generation Americans and need to improve their English language skills. Why? Actually, you can live your entire life in the United States without speaking, reading or writing English…if you live in the right place. There are Chinese/Korean/Japanese/Spanish doctors, dentists, bankers and grocers. People have many reasons for not improving their English: I do not have time to work on my English; I am busy working and raising a family; my children will learn good English skills in school. You are fooling yourself if you tell yourself these things. You really will never get ahead in this country without speaking, reading and writing English fairly well.
Learning the language of the country where you live broadens your world, opens up opportunities, gives you freedom, helps you gain general acceptance of others and makes your children proud of you.
By learning the language, you widen your world. You can enjoy movies, television shows, plays, lectures and read English newspapers and magazines. You learn and can participate in what is happening around you. You can save money by reading ads and taking advantage of special sales and opportunities. You can go to your child’s school and actually speak with the teacher. You can help your child become a better student. You can read maps so you know where to go, contracts so you know what you are signing, signs for directions and safety. You can become an independent person.
Language opens up opportunities in the business world too. You can participate in group discussions, give presentations and take an active role on a team. If you just sit through meetings without offering any suggestions or ideas of your own, the others in the group may think you may not be too bright and have nothing to offer. Usually you have a lot to offer, but are just afraid or too shy to open your mouth and express an opinion for fear others will not understand your words. If you leave all those wonderful ideas in your head, unspoken, is it any different than not having an idea? If you want to build your business, products, or offer special services, you need to understand the culture and product use patterns of the marketplace. Without proper English skills, you will have a hard time building sophisticated products and services for your business. Don’t worry about having an accent. The United States is a very large country. Each region has its own accent so sometimes Americans have to listen hard to understand Americans from other parts of the country. This country also likes to think of itself as “the melting pot” of the world. People from all over the world come to work and live in America. Most immigrants do not lose their accents unless they learn the language before they are eleven years old. Accents are okay as long as people can understand what you say. In fact, I think they are charming.
Knowing the language is freeing. You can communicate with doctors, dentists, bankers, grocery clerks and waiters. You can actually give a clerk the correct change to pay a bill and not have to be fumbling for change or pay with large bills and hope you are getting the correct change in return.
You gain general acceptance of others when you are can understand what is being said and act appropriately. You can respond to everyday questions: “What color would you like? May I see your driver’s license? How many would you like? What size do you take?
Make your children proud. Your children should not be your translators. You are the parent. Most likely one of the reasons you came to this country was for a better life for you and your children. That is admirable. You gave up a lot to travel thousands of miles to a different culture to come to America. Embrace this culture and learn the language for yourself as well as your children. YOU deserve to have a good life too. YOU deserve to do something good for yourself. YOU deserve to take some time to improve YOUR life.
Often you can find English classes conducted by volunteer organizations that are associated with international organizations such as Pro-Literacy America or state organizations such as Cal Lit. Churches, libraries and community colleges offer English classes and tutoring. Some groups offer classes free of charge while others charge a fee. Look around and find the group that best fits your needs. Update your skills and become a part of this country we all call home.
---Pat Zimmerman
Learning the language of the country where you live broadens your world, opens up opportunities, gives you freedom, helps you gain general acceptance of others and makes your children proud of you.
By learning the language, you widen your world. You can enjoy movies, television shows, plays, lectures and read English newspapers and magazines. You learn and can participate in what is happening around you. You can save money by reading ads and taking advantage of special sales and opportunities. You can go to your child’s school and actually speak with the teacher. You can help your child become a better student. You can read maps so you know where to go, contracts so you know what you are signing, signs for directions and safety. You can become an independent person.
Language opens up opportunities in the business world too. You can participate in group discussions, give presentations and take an active role on a team. If you just sit through meetings without offering any suggestions or ideas of your own, the others in the group may think you may not be too bright and have nothing to offer. Usually you have a lot to offer, but are just afraid or too shy to open your mouth and express an opinion for fear others will not understand your words. If you leave all those wonderful ideas in your head, unspoken, is it any different than not having an idea? If you want to build your business, products, or offer special services, you need to understand the culture and product use patterns of the marketplace. Without proper English skills, you will have a hard time building sophisticated products and services for your business. Don’t worry about having an accent. The United States is a very large country. Each region has its own accent so sometimes Americans have to listen hard to understand Americans from other parts of the country. This country also likes to think of itself as “the melting pot” of the world. People from all over the world come to work and live in America. Most immigrants do not lose their accents unless they learn the language before they are eleven years old. Accents are okay as long as people can understand what you say. In fact, I think they are charming.
Knowing the language is freeing. You can communicate with doctors, dentists, bankers, grocery clerks and waiters. You can actually give a clerk the correct change to pay a bill and not have to be fumbling for change or pay with large bills and hope you are getting the correct change in return.
You gain general acceptance of others when you are can understand what is being said and act appropriately. You can respond to everyday questions: “What color would you like? May I see your driver’s license? How many would you like? What size do you take?
Make your children proud. Your children should not be your translators. You are the parent. Most likely one of the reasons you came to this country was for a better life for you and your children. That is admirable. You gave up a lot to travel thousands of miles to a different culture to come to America. Embrace this culture and learn the language for yourself as well as your children. YOU deserve to have a good life too. YOU deserve to do something good for yourself. YOU deserve to take some time to improve YOUR life.
Often you can find English classes conducted by volunteer organizations that are associated with international organizations such as Pro-Literacy America or state organizations such as Cal Lit. Churches, libraries and community colleges offer English classes and tutoring. Some groups offer classes free of charge while others charge a fee. Look around and find the group that best fits your needs. Update your skills and become a part of this country we all call home.
---Pat Zimmerman
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