Struggling with Fluent English
School Days: Where Silence Was Golden (Or So I Thought)
As an introverted student in my school, I found it difficult to speak up in public. Public speaking? Let's just say I'd rather have wrestled a tiger. Then came 2020, and with it, the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, everyone was locked inside, and I thought, "Great! No more public speaking!" Little did I know, the universe had other plans. I decided to enter a competition organised by the National Children's Science Congress in 2021. To everyone's surprise (especially mine), I won at the district level! It was like finding out I could fly - exciting, but terrifying. As I advanced to the state level, I worked harder for 2 months than a squirrel preparing for winter.
The Big Day: When Words Failed Me (Literally)
Despite knowing my project inside out, when the time came to present, my brain decided to take an impromptu vacation. I stumbled through my presentation like a newborn giraffe learning to walk. It was a disaster of epic proportions. I felt like I'd let down my teachers, my family, and probably the entire English-speaking world. As the great philosopher Taylor Swift once said, "I've got a blank space, baby, and I'll write your name." Well, I had a blank mind, and anxiety wrote its name all over it. After wallowing in self-pity for approximately 2.5 days (and consuming my body weight in ice cream), I decided it was time for a change. I made a vow to conquer the English language or die trying.
My Battle Plan:
Daily practice: I started reading, watching, and speaking in English every day.
Journaling: From March 2021 onwards, I've been writing daily journals and sometimes recording videos. It's like having a conversation with yourself, but less crazy (I hope).
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most articulate of them all?: I started talking to myself in the mirror. Yes, I looked insane, but hey, it worked!
Hosting events: I began hosting college events. Nothing like a captive audience to practice on!
Sunday Talk: I joined an online event where non-English speakers gather to practice. It's like a support group for the linguistically challenged.
Failures at the beginning:
Failures? Each failure became a stepping stone. As Samuel Beckett said, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." I was determined to be the best failure there ever was! Instead of being discouraged, I used it as motivation to improve. So bring it on, world! I'm ready for whatever you throw my way.
From Setbacks to Comebacks:
Despite the bumps in the road (more like craters, really), I kept pushing forward. I participated in various events, including the 34th All India Essay Contest conducted by the Department of Atomic Energy in October 2022. This time, I nailed it! I spoke with the fluency of a news anchor and the confidence of a lion tamer. The judges were impressed, and I didn't faint. Double win!
Life Lessons (Because What's a Good Story Without a Moral?)
Persistence pays off: Keep at it, even when you feel like your tongue is made of lead.
Embrace the cringe: Every awkward moment is just practice for future smoothness.
Practice makes... well, better: Perfect is overrated. Aim for improvement, not perfection.
Feedback is your friend: Even when it feels like your frenemy.
Confidence is key: Fake it 'til you make it!
Support matters: Surround yourself with cheerleaders, not jeerers.
The Grand Finale (For Now)
So, here I am, transformed from a tongue-tied introvert to a somewhat eloquent speaker. Do I still have moments where I forget how to speak fluent English? Absolutely. But now, I laugh it off and keep going. Remember, as the great philosopher Dory from Finding Nemo said, "Just keep swimming." Or in my case, "Just keep talking." The best is yet to come, and who knows? Maybe one day I'll be giving TED Talks. Until then, I'll be here, talking to my mirror and journaling about my day.