Your Roadmap to Fluency
What is fluency? The way I see it, there are two definitions :
From the Latin word (fluentem) meaning “to flow.” Being fluent means you can speak and write quickly in a given language.
Fluency is a dream. It is the ultimate goal of every English learner on the planet. It is why you started learning English in the first place.
Living in Poland
When you live in Poland, becoming fluent in English can seem like a pipe dream. Sometimes, it can feel like everything and everyone is against you. This is why you need a roadmap.
This roadmap is based on the most common challenges I’ve observed for learners of English in Poland. There are three main factors. I will explain their importance and provide examples of tips to follow and typical mistakes to avoid.
Mindset
Your mindset is made up of your thoughts. Your thoughts matter. Many Polish people have the wrong thoughts. It’s not your fault, it is the fault of a toxic culture that is counterproductive to learning.
We go to school. We are taught grammar from textbooks but never get a chance to practice speaking. We are given tests, we receive a grade and are judged all the time. We have pressure from parents, pressure to be good, bad teachers, bad grades, self-expectations and expectations from the market place. No wonder many people are paralysed and can’t speak by the time they leave school…
Mistakes to avoid
Telling yourself you can’t learn the language
Letting other people tell you that you can’t learn the language (teachers, parents)
Not speaking because you’re afraid of making mistakes
Judging yourself like it’s an exam (it’s not)
Thinking it’s too late to start
Tips to follow
Believe that you can learn the language (or at least try)
Be open-minded and curious (like a baby!)
Find your motivation. Your reason to learn English
Accept mistakes as a part of learning
Lifestyle
The best way to become fluent in English is to make it part of your lifestyle. That’s why moving to an English-speaking country is a great opportunity to become fluent. Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges that Polish people face is…
Nie mam gdzie praktykować angielskiego
If you’re in Poland, everyone speaks Polish. How are you supposed to practice? Here are some suggestions :
Tips to follow
The internet is your friend. Watch, read, listen, chat and play in English
Make friends that you can speak English with
Find a job that requires you to use English
Travel the world and use English to meet people
Join local English langauge clubs, communities and meetings
Mistakes to avoid
Staying in a Polish-only bubble
Never watching movies in English
Not following me on Instagram and TikTok
Avoiding every opportunity to use English
Resources
It’s 2023. There are so many great resources out there to help you become fluent in English. All you have to do is take advantage of them.
Tips to follow
Find a good teacher to help you on your journey
Try out English courses (I’m working on one!)
Use language-learning apps
Follow language teachers on social media
Practice online
Mistakes to avoid
Not having a good teacher by your side
Not using English language websites
Never investing in your education ($$$)
Not practicing what you are learning
I hope my roadmap helps and gives you direction on your road to fluency.
Glossary :
Fluency - płynność
Ultimate goal - cel ostateczny
Pipe dream - nierealne marzenie
Main factors - główne czynniki
Mindset - mentalność / nastawienie
Your thoughts matter - twoje myśli mają znaczenie
Counterproductive - szkodliwe
Grade - ocena
No wonder - nie ma się co dziwić
Curious - ciekawy
Requires - wymaga
Bubble - bańka
Resources - środki, zasoby
Take advantage of - skorzystaj z