English for Introverts | Strategy, methods, mindset

25,434 views ・ 2019-07-18

Accent's Way English with Hadar


Please double-click on the English subtitles below to play the video.

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Hey there, it's Hadar and this is the Accent's Way.
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And today we are going to talk about English learning for introverts.
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Introverts are people who prefer a calm environment, with very low stimulation.
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They would rather reflect and stay with their own thoughts
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rather than speak them out in front of a lot of people.
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They would prefer to stay at home rather than to go out with friends.
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They would rather be on the side and observe the people rather than being the center of attention.
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It's a personality trait and some people are introverts and some people are extroverts and they feel
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energized by being around people.
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A lot of people are actually ambiverts, which is somewhere in the middle.
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If you're an introvert, you know that some English learning methods do not apply to you.
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Here are a few things that will help you improve your English without feeling like you want to crawl out of your
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own skin and poke some tiny needles into your eyes.
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So first of all, use video and recordings, it's just you on your own with yourself. No one's there.
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You could make a video, look at the video, give yourself some notes and then try it again.
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Making video is an excellent tool to help you improve your English, and I know that because
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in my online community that's how we communicate.
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And ask anyone there who has been posting videos and see the growth and improvement
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that they've experienced.
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So making videos will make you feel as engaged, almost as engaged as you are in a real conversation.
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Because it's not like you're just talking to yourself in the bathroom.
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And at the same time you can actually look at your performance and give yourself points for improvement.
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So use more video.
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Number two. Find the right partners for you.
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So maybe hopping on, on an online platform, to talk to random people is not the right thing for you.
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Maybe going to a party and speaking English is not the right thing for you.
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But finding a thoughtful, considerate, empathetic, conversation partner with whom you can conduct
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deep, engaging conversations, is the right thing for you.
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Because introverts are better alone or one-on-one, when it's quiet and it's deep and it's focused.
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So that's what you should be looking for, okay.
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So know what you need and focus there, and you will find what you need, okay.
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So find the right partner and find just one or two.
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And don't just hop on every opportunity to speak with random people because maybe
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it will make you feel uncomfortable, you'll find yourself not speaking so much.
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All right, and then you will feel like you haven't made any progress.
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So I think that that direction would benefit you more.
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Understand that your tendency would be to passive English. That means chats, reading and writing.
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Right, concentrating on English. But at the same time English needs to be active.
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You need to speak it out loud.
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So try to avoid chat conversations, understand that this is your comfort zone
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and really try to change it into a real one-to-one conversation.
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So that's one thing.
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Now if you love reading then at least read out loud. Turn the passive practice into active practice.
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Okay. That's how you take something that you feel comfortable with into something that will
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actually get you more results.
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Give yourself permission to recharge after a conversation in English.
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Sometimes speaking with someone else, especially someone who is not a good friend of yours
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is taxing and demanding.
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and requires a lot of energy, let alone if it's done in a second language, in English.
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So be okay with the fact that it is going to be energy-consuming and give yourself time to recharge after.
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And don't feel like the problem is only with your English, understand that it's both you being an introvert
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and feeling like you want to just curl up and be on your own.
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And at the same time also you struggling with expressing yourself in a second language.
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That is on its own something that is slightly challenging.
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So the two things together will have an effect on you and it has nothing to do with your level of English.
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You just need to recharge, to take the time for yourself, to reflect and then come back with more strength.
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Don't stress out over small talk. If you feel really nervous when you have to make small talk
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then first of all always be the one asking all of the questions.
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So it will make you feel better because you don't have to talk about yourself.
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You will practice your English just by the fact of asking questions and engaging with the other person.
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But also what you can do is prepare for it.
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So create a list of questions and phrases that you may be saying or asking and practice it at home.
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And then when you go into the conversation you can retrieve it right away and it will feel safer.
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Like you don't need to improvise. You have it ready, okay.
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It's not a bad thing. It will keep you safe, it will keep you comfortable.
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And maybe it will allow you to really be engaged in that conversation and God forbid, even enjoy it.
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Another thing is that you might need to prepare better than others.
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Whether it's for a meeting or a presentation you have to come super prepared
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so you always have something to fall back on.
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Create the bullet points and practice saying it out loud.
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Get comfortable with how you say things, use video to practice it, when you're on your own you feel safer,
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right. And when you feel safe and good about what you do then when it's time to perform
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it will be a lot easier for you to do well than without practicing and without having prepared.
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So prepare well even for a simple meeting.
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Don't think of it as a waste of time, think of it as an opportunity to improve your English.
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The last thing is, yes, you need to understand your needs, but at the same time don't hide behind it.
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So yes the fact that you're an introvert makes you do things slightly differently
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and choose a different path than what others may be doing.
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But at the same time it's not an excuse for you to say
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Now I don't feel comfortable speaking with other people, I'm an introvert.
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or
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I'm not gonna go out of my way to walk up to the coffee machine and talk to my colleagues because
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I'm an introvert and it makes me feel uncomfortable and I understand my needs and all of that.
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I mean acknowledge that, it's okay.
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But at the same time, you've got to break through and you've got to break those walls
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and you've got to get past that social anxiety.
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So do all of these things that will help you be better because at the end of the day you really do need a lot of
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practice time, a lot of real conversation in order to improve your English.
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And it's like every time you improve your English
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then you feel more confident and comfortable speaking with others, right.
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So it's a win-win situation.
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Once you step out of your comfort zone, understanding that it is against your nature but it is good for you
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and you can actually change that.
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But you know after that go and sit with yourself, with your coffee, with your music and recharge.
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And that's okay.
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Okay. So understand your limitations but don't hide behind them and don't use them as an excuse
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to not advancing and not improving and not stepping out of your comfort zone.
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Now if you're an introvert, let us know in the comments below
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What are the things that have worked for you as an English learner?
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What have you been avoiding? And what have you done that helped you succeed in English?
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I can't wait to hear your comments and to start a discussion.
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Thank you so much for watching.
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If you want to learn more with me then do not forget to subscribe.
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Now if you're also looking for a safe community to practice your English with and to improve
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and to get to know people from around the world, then click the link in the description below.
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It's the most beautiful community I have ever seen.
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And also come over to my website to check it out, a lot of free stuff over there just waiting for you to grab it.
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theaccentsway.com
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Have a beautiful beautiful week, and I will see you next week in the next video.
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Bye.
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