English is a Complicated Language
Sometimes, when I travel the world from home, I encounter people who struggle with the English language. It is my experience that most people want to learn English, but even as English-speakers know, our language can be difficult to grasp. We have slanguage, idioms, and metaphors (among many other literary devices) that not everyone can pick up on. It can make communicating with others a little difficult, but with patience (and technology), we can always find ways to express our ideas and thoughts.
Google translate is a tool that I sometimes use to speak with non-native English speakers. There are translation tools on WhatsApp to convert your language in real-time to any written language in the world. Often, I also find myself simply changing the words I use so the people I am communicating with can better understand the message I am trying to convey.
Teaching Others to Speak English
There are a lot of people in this world who desire to learn English. Having a strong command of the language offers more opportunities to build their life. Because of the increased opportunities, I feel that we could spend more time talking with people around the globe so they can practice and become proficient English writers and speakers.
While I know there are many resources available to learn and teach English, there are a few I find particularly interesting. There is an app called Cambly that allows you to sign up for free as a tutor with no experience necessary other than being a native English speaker. Cambly will also pay you to chat with others, so there is a side-gig benefit to this endeavor as well.
There are formal certificate programs you can take to be an English educator. TEFL is the most globally recognized certificate program for teaching English. You do not have to be a teacher – they will instruct you how to teach. For those of you who like to travel, this certificate will give you the opportunity to teach almost anywhere you plant your feet on this planet.
You can also learn new languages to better communicate. Duolingo and Babbel are easy-to-use tools to begin learning new languages. Rosetta Stone has been around for a long time and has historically been highly recommended to me. Educating ourselves in this way will allow us to better understand people from other cultures and ways of life.
I encourage you to explore all the different ways to engage with people around the world and experience the amazing humans on this big blue rock for yourself. Get to know someone who is different than you. Embrace the beauty that is humanity.
Until next time…
Peace and love,
Jessica <3
