Speak English: Is It Important?

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speak-english-is-it-important

It is not the biggest mystery for all that some of us can not afford to speak English bravely, though we have learnt English since we were in Sekolah Dasar. I, myself, have the same problem. The irony is I have been teaching English in SMK for almost 12 years.

It makes me ask myself. How can I persuade my students to speak up when I am too shy to express myself in English? The biggest problem is I think I was too lazy to get out of my comfort zone. I am used to being surrounded with people who don’t like to change much in life. Being in a cocoon of a school’s dynamic, then, reminds me that I need to change.

Then, a few weeks ago I joined in Creative Writing Course held by TBI Pondok Indah. It was supported by ISB Community. This program was too fabulous opportunity for me to miss out. And, I knew that I was right! I met a nice teacher who encouraged me to speak. She made me realize that I need to be brave to speak up if I want to be an articulate teacher. There is no other way.

Is English important?

Some students confessed that they got difficulties to find a job because of their lack understanding in English. They said, they can’t get the job they wanted. As the result, they have to be satisfied by having a job available. A job they got did not meet their expectations. It felt awful and depressing, they said.

The other students told me that they failed to get scholarship because their English score was low. They regretted their laziness when they learnt English. If only they had learnt diligently, they said. If only they learnt harder. Of course, I soothed their feeling and encouraged them to continue their study.

Then, I motivate them to learn English by joining English Course. Nothing is too late as long as we still want to study. There will always be another chance for them because they are so young. They can learn better when they know the importance of it.

In other case, I have a friend, a vet who has a cattle business. His English is good, so he often goes to Australia to negotiate cattle purchasing. His speaking ability makes his business run well. Besides, I think he looks cool when he speaks in English (haha)

So, when you ask me whether English is important, I am going to answer it by saying yes. English is important. By mastering English, your options in life will be much bigger. You can choose any jobs and schools you like better than those who are unable to speak English.

 

What kind of Job available when you are mastering English?

My ability to speak English makes me land a job. A teacher, a job I dreamt. While my colleagues are entrepreneurs, travel guide, and employees, I am proud of being a teacher as well as a blogger. I think I have become more confident because I am good with what I am doing. At least I always try harder to be a better one.

Further, I can see many jobs available for those who are mastering English, such: translator, news anchor, entrepreneur, entertainer, master of ceremony, etc. However, I do not why I feel discouraged for I need more reminders. So, I jot down some optional jobs I can obtain if I have English speaking skills.

  • Translator. We can get payment by translating books, novels, journals, songs, or movies. I have a friend who got royalty from his translation books. He also gets fees from translating songs, movies, journals, etc.
  •   News Anchor. I always love watching the news on TV, especially when some reporters interviewed foreigners. Honestly, it mesmerized me to see how good the reporters and news anchors in delivering the news to us. Though, I know that it is not easy.
  • Entrepreneur. Just like my friend, Mr, Nanang. Though he is a vet, his ability in speaking English smoothen his effort to expand his business abroad. He can afford a decent income and give other people a chance to have a job.
  •   Entertainer.. Agnes Monica is one of the  Indonesian singers who success to go international entertainment business. I think, she learns and practices harder than other people.
  • Master of ceremony. Robby Titian Purba is one of successful Lampungness. He becomes MC because of his speaking skills. My sister said he used to be her close friend in high school, SMAN 9 Bandarlampung.  Now he is very famous.
  • Content writer. Being able to speak English is simply a must for Content Writer. It is because they can’t translate the product without language understanding.
  • Novelist/ journalist, The language gap is a disaster. So, a novelist or journalist must be able to speak English to make communication easier. It is hard to imagine when a journalist has to find data written in English if they are English illiterate, isn’t it?
  • Teacher .When I joined Pelatihan K13 in 2019, I knew that teachers have many opportunities to join in teacher exchange. One of the requirement is able to communicate in English actively. I felt motivated when one of my friends who taught Bahasa Indonesia went to Poland. She said that she stayed there for about three months. I can imagine how wonderful experiences that for her.

Actually, we can get other job options when we can speak English fluently, such as Social Media Manager, Technical Writer, Public Relation Specialist, Lawyer, Grand Writer, Librarian, Editor and Content Manager, Human Resources Specialist, etc.

How to speak up bravely?

Based on some student testimonials, they can have a good position in the company if they have English communication skills. Then, they ask me how to be able to speak in English. Some tips I try to do and write in my notebook are

  • Speak in English whenever possible
  • Do not listen those who mock you
  • Find friends who have the same interest
  • Find a course to guide you how to learn better
  • Record your English speaking and listen again and do it all over again
  •  Keep practicing your speaking and writing skills
  • Keep doing it

Well, I think being dared to speak up in English is just simply to do it. No need to be shy and worry of making mistakes because mistake is a part of learning. 

So, what about you? Have you had the same story? Do you want to share it? Please write yours in comments. Thanks a bunch, guys!

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