Need advice on use of English in working environment

[haisheng]

My goal for 2011 is to improve my English, my first action is signing up English Club Forum today.

I live Hong Kong for all the time, went to a local school when I was young and now I work in a US bank. Most of my colleagues are English speakers, it's not the first time I worked in a firm with international background, after 4 years in this firm, I'm taking more responsibility and recently I'm frustrated with my language, especially in phone conversation.

I found it difficult to express my thought, this is not a problem in writing. When I write I can phrase a sentence in many try, but when I'm on the phone with someone, you don't have much time to think. I found it difficult to begin a conversation as well, "How are you doing" is the only line in my scrip. I feel stupid when I speak the same thing every time I call. Is there books help improving telephone conversation?

Telephone conversation is not the only problem I have, starting dialogue is also my crucial problem... you know career move depends highly on social skill, quiet person is difficult to get a promotion.

I wonder if this is a common problem for English learners in Asia

[alawton]

Hello,

If you don't have any English speaking friends than get on Skype and find some people to practice with. Watch movies and TV in English. Get yourself in non work situations where you have to speak English. I had the same problem when I was learning Spanish. I could write anything, but real time conversations, where I had to come up with something to say right away, were tough.

To practice at home, by yourself, come up with dozens of speaking situations and write them on flsh cards. Pull a card randomly and practice responding to the questions you present. There are plenty of people looking to learn Chinese online. Find a partner for a language exchange. Spend 30 minutes in English speaking and 30 minutes in Chinese.

Andrew Lawton
http://drewseslfluencylessons.com

[haisheng]

Thanks for the advice. Language is exactly what I have in mind :)