I believe the greatest, most lasting changes that we create in our lives are accomplished one small step at a time.
There is no better application of this strategy than while learning and improving languages.
As you set a goal to learn one small lesson every day, over time you will be amazed at the growth you will experience towards your goal to speak English clearly and with greater confidence.
Today, I want to give you a simple yet powerful example of how changing one small word can make a huge difference in the way you communicate with others.
Here we go…
I know very few people in the world that like to be corrected. I don’t believe it’s useful to correct people very often but in some cases it is necessary. So your strategy becomes very important if you want to maintain a positive, connected relationship.
When giving correction or feedback to another person such as a child, colleague, student, family member or friend, use this strategy and you’ll most likely get a much better response.
1. Start with positive feedback.
Tell them what they did well and be sincere.
2. Then, instead of using the word ‘BUT’, use the word ‘AND’….
3. Follow it with kind correction or feedback.
Here are a couple of contrasting examples.
Imagine it is YOU receiving the feedback. Pay attention to how each one feels in your body.
“Your report is very well organized BUT be sure to include more details”
“Your report is very well organized AND be sure to include more details”
Can you feel the difference?
When using ‘BUT’ it completely cancels the positive given right before the correction.
In contrast, using the word ‘AND’ carries the positive through the full message.
Here’s another example…
“You did a great job in your presentation BUT next time speak louder”
Now let’s try a better way…
“You did a great job in your presentation AND next time speak louder”
I don’t know about you but I would respond much better to the 2nd correction than the first.
Again, learn and apply one small lesson every day towards your goal to improve your spoken English and over time your skill will build and so will your confidence.
Do you need more feedback so you can improve even faster?
If so, we’d love to work more directly with you!
Sign up for 6 LIVE lessons (link below) with your own personal American Trainer and get customized help to take your spoken English (and confidence) to the next level.
6 LIVE lessons: https://pronunciationpro.com/pricing/accent-reduction-private-instruction/
