Breaking Language Barriers: My Journey and tips for Effective Communication

The Power and Joy of Learning a Second Language

Which foreign languages did you learn at school?

Whether it was English, French, German, Spanish, Latin or ancient Greek, language classes were a part of many childhoods. Yet, not everyone enjoyed their language lessons. Like some of you, I didn't particularly enjoy all of mine either. But what I did know, even as a teenager, was that I wanted to travel the world.

Growing up in a tiny village in rural Essex, I felt confined by the limits of my surroundings. Learning another language became my ticket to explore other cultures, see new places and communicate with people beyond my small world. That was enough motivation for me to find the pleasure in learning other languages.

My journey into language learning

From before I was born, my family has had German friends, who we would see each year, either they would visit us in Essex, or we would travel to Germany to visit them. I would love pointing to things and learning the German words for the objects around me. At secondary school I had the opportunity to learn French, German (to a better level), Latin and Spanish. When I turned 16 I got myself a job at the Italian restaurant that opened in my village (I have no idea why they opened their restaurant in my tiny village, but I am so glad they did) in the kitchen I heard the chefs speaking in Italian with each other and I fell in love. I knew I wanted to learn this language. At university I continued my German studies and took up Italian, ab initio.

As part of my Bachelor's degree I was given the opportunity to spend six months in Italy as part of an Erasmus programme. Living with two Italian students who spoke little to no English was a steep learning curve. I spent hours preparing sentences in my head, rehearsing how to ask questions or respond in conversations.

Despite the challenges, those six months transformed my understanding of Italian. By the end, I could navigate most situations, though the early days were filled with awkward pauses and a lot of patience on both sides. This experience cemented my belief that immersion and interaction are key to truly learning a language.

Since then, I’ve continued my language journey. I picked up some Welsh while living in Wales, as most of my neighbours were bilingual and would speak to my husband in Welsh (I wanted to know what was being said). Working with refugees through the charity RefuAid also inspired me to learn some Arabic. While I don’t need to speak a student’s native language to teach them English, understanding the nuances of their language enables me to teach more effectively.

The Benefits of Language Learning

Learning a second language opens the door to countless benefits—cultural, social, and even personal. It allows us to connect with people from different backgrounds, experience their music, art, food, and traditions, and broaden our perspective.

But even if we don’t master a new language, we can still enrich our lives by interacting with people in our local communities who speak other languages. For example, in my small county in Scotland, Clackmannanshire, 3% of the population doesn't have English as their first language, which is around 1,500 people in a population of 50,000.

Although most people will at least have a basic knowledge of English, when foreigners come to Scotland, it can seem like the locals speak another language - in fact, they do, as many speak Scots and even some of the Scottish accents can be challenging for a non-local.

So how can we bridge these linguistic gaps and make communication easier?

Making Communication Easier

When speaking with non-native English speakers, slowing down can help, but it’s not just about speaking slower—it’s about separating words and avoiding overly complex sentences. Body language, gestures, and miming are also powerful tools for improving understanding.

Eye contact is another simple yet essential aspect of communication. Don’t assume someone understands just because they nod or smile; instead, ask specific follow-up questions to gauge their comprehension. For instance, instead of asking, "Do you understand?" try asking something practical, like, "Which bus number do you need?"

Additionally, if you're using dialects or idiomatic expressions, take a moment to explain them. Phrases like “raining cats and dogs” (raining very hard) or “pot calling the kettle black” (being hypocritical) can confuse even fluent English speakers. Explaining such phrases not only aids comprehension but also empowers others to use them in future conversations.

Why Personal Interaction Matters

While technology like AI translation tools can help with basic conversations, they often fall short in translating idiomatic expressions, humour, or nuanced language. For true mastery, personal interaction is essential. This is true not just for second languages but even for a child’s first language—language learning happens through conversation, not screens.

Community events and initiatives can play a crucial role here. As an English language teacher with 15 years of experience, I’ve seen how important it is to go beyond the basics. My focus now is on helping people move from intermediate to proficient, allowing them to engage in deeper conversations, understand humour, and feel confident in their unique accents.

Embracing Accents and Identity

Accents are a beautiful reflection of identity. Whether you’re speaking English with a Spanish, French, or Polish accent, your accent tells a story about who you are and where you come from. My goal as a teacher isn’t to eliminate accents but to help people feel confident speaking with them.

Starting this February, I’ll be running conversation sessions for non-native English speakers at the Alloa Hub on alternate Mondays, from 1 to 2 PM. These sessions are for those who already have some knowledge of English but want to improve their confidence and conversational skills. For those who are not in the area, or for those who prefer one-on-one support, I also offer online sessions.

The Takeaway

Learning a new language—or even just improving communication with non-native speakers—can be a deeply rewarding experience. It enriches our understanding of the world and strengthens our connections with others. Whether it’s through a classroom, a conversation, or a shared meal, language has the power to unite us in ways that few other things can.

If you or someone you know might be interested in joining my conversation sessions, feel free to get in touch. Let’s continue building bridges through language.

You can DM me or send me an email: [email protected], I always love hearing from you.

You can also watch me give this talk on my YouTube Channel.