It seems like everyone wants the same things.

I talk to a lot of NGO & International Cooperation professionals, and it seems like you all want the same things. To express yourself fully in English. To feel confident. And the always popular: To think in English.

So, how do you do this?

🗣️By talking to yourself in English.

💭Then, thinking in English.

😴Soon you’ll be dreaming in English!

Seriously, you just do it.

🌙 At the end of the day –

1. Tell yourself a work story from the day in English.
2. If you get stuck, write down the word(s) you need in your language,
3. Keep going. Finish the story.
4. Look up the words in context (using Google translate or ChatGPT).
5. Tell the same story again.

☀️Then, start doing this more throughout the day.

Identify the moments when you want to be speaking more in English. Practice those situations in your head. Even better, do it when you are alone and can speak out loud.

🎯Answer a question about your work.

🎯Summarize the key points of a meeting.

🎯Describe a program or project.

🎯Practice a funding request.

I wish there was some magic solution, but like much of language learning, the secret is:

🪄focused practice

🪄with phrases, rather than individual words, &

🪄repetition of the language until you feel comfortable and fluent.

A penny for your thoughts 🪙

This idiom isn't used too much in English these days (you might hear it in an old movie.) Thoughts are much more valuable than one cent in today's economy!

So, what are some useful ways we can ask for another's thoughts?

• What are you thinking?
• What do you think?
• I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
• Let me know your thoughts.
• Any thoughts?

Thoughts can be tricky to pronounce. th + awwww + ts. You can use the word ideas instead. (Here's a recording of me pronouncing these questions: Thoughts.mp3 )

Thinking about one-on-one or group coaching?

If you're ready to practice sharing your thoughts in English and receiving focused feedback, accountability and mindset work, let me know. I have space in both my one-on-one and group programs.

Schedule a free consultation with me

All the best,

Amy