Early in your language learning process (and early may still mean the first few years) the gaps in your knowledge and skills are easy to identify.
If you’re not yet able to participate in meetings, understand let alone reply to your colleagues’ emails, …
You know it’s time for some lessons.
But what if you can manage quite well already and you want to improve, but you’re not sure if a language course is the right way?
Here are some signs that you might have some knowledge gaps a coach can help you with.
1. You understand well but not in all settings
You might understand your colleagues perfectly when you’re in a meeting with them, but not so much during lunch or coffee breaks. This might be because you’re better versed in your job’s vocabulary than in general vocabulary, which you have less opportunity to practice, or because your colleagues are using colloquial language and their local accents.
A coach will help you expand your vocabulary and give you tips on getting acquainted with all colorful variations on the language you’re learning.
2. There are frequent misunderstandings
You say something, and suddenly find yourself looking into your colleague’s confused face, and you’re not sure what went wrong.
This is an opportunity to investigate whether there are gaps in your vocabulary, you have some words mixed up in your head, or there are some expressions you’re not quite able to recognize. A coach will quickly identify those gaps or confusions, and clear them up.
3. People you don’t know well switch languages
Your colleagues might be used to speaking with you in your second (or third or fourth) language by now, and they understand you very well. However, when you’re speaking this language with a stranger, you notice that they quickly switch to a different common language.
It might be because of several reasons. They might notice you are not a native speaker and they merely want to be kind. However, it might also be that they’re not used to your accent, or that they don’t believe you are able to have the conversation in this language.
Whatever the cause, your coach will always give you an honest analysis of your skills, and help you gain confidence so people will speak to you in the language you want to speak.
4. You just don’t feel as confident as you could feel
Maybe you can manage all tasks you need in the other language. No one ever misunderstands you, you don’t lose time looking up words when you’re writing emails, and people don’t switch languages.
However, you have a nagging sensation that you’re not there yet. For example, your small grammatical mistakes frustrate you and you have the sense you always use the same words.
Even though these issues don’t hinder communication at all, you want to be as professional as you can be. A coach will give you useful exercises and practice with you to correct your mistakes, and also teach you to speak more like a native.
Even as an advanced speaker, there are always areas to improve and the only sign you need to call on a coach, is that you have the feeling that you could reach another level. And as with all learning experiences, that is much easier to do with the help of a professional.