Dare to Be Adventurous: How Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Builds English Confidence
Stepping out of your comfort zone is not always easy, but it can be a fun and rewarding challenge.
As a language coach, I spend a lot of time thinking about what it takes to truly get better at a skill. I've found some parallels between learning a language and love of hiking. When I'm planning a hike, I don't just look for a flat, easy path. The real rewards: the best views, the feeling of accomplishment, that Gipfelgefühl, come from the climbs, the rocky trails, and the moments when you have to push yourself. It’s the same with English, especially in a professional context. We don't grow by staying comfortable. True progress happens when we are willing to feel a little bit of struggle. This is what's called effortful learning, and it’s how real development happens.
Outside of the comfort zone is where learning happens, read more about how language coaching can help you move out of your Comfort Zone, safely through the Fear Zone, into the Learning Zone and up to the Growth Zone in my next blog post. (I’ll explain more about Lev Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development model too, including why I don’t like the neat and tidy circles)
Daring to Be Adventurous with Your English
Ready to trade the flat, easy path for a challenge? Here are three ways to add some adventure to your English learning.
Walk & Talk: Leave the office or classroom behind and take your session outside. A "walk and talk" lesson is a brilliant way to practise your English in a new environment. Moving your body can help you think more creatively, and using English to describe the things around you in real-time is a fantastic way to solidify your vocabulary. What's more, it's a great way to feel less self-conscious while you’re speaking. It works with online training too – just join using your mobile phone.
Become a 'Conversation Explorer': Instead of waiting for opportunities to use your English, actively seek them out. Challenge yourself to start a conversation with someone new at work, chat to a tourist in your home city, or join an international network (I’ve met people from all over the world by joining the International Women in Business Düsseldorf (iwibdus) network, for example. Speaking to new people can feel uncomfortable at first, but it's a powerful way to build confidence in spontaneous situations.
Volunteer at an international event: Look for opportunities to volunteer at international events (a good starting point is Kulturweit). From sports tournaments to music festivals, you'll use English in a fast-paced, practical environment while assisting people from all over the world. This is a way to gain real-world experience and boost your confidence in diverse situations. You can even find opportunities to volunteer abroad, like at the next FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Learning English, especially for a professional setting, shouldn't always feel like a gentle stroll. The moments where you have to reach for a new word, paraphrase a complex idea, or express yourself in a new way are your personal mountain climbs. Imagine how get it feels when you reach the top!
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Are you ready to take on the challenge? Get in touch with me and book a free discovery call to plan your English learning adventure.
Hello,
I’m Jane Carvell, a business English trainer, language coach and visual thinking enthusiast. I help German-speaking professionals improve their English communication skills, so that they can build better connections in an international working world.
