Mastering English Knock Yourself Out

The purpose for most International Students to complete their education in the USA is often two fold. One, clearly, is to complete the requirements for their degree program and graduate. To this end many International students choose a major which will begin paying them back for their time money and effort promptly. This is probably why Business and Science particularly Computer Science are the top choices for International Students in the USA. That is for a major field of study.

There is one other subject that International Students study or at least practice daily, English. Or more exactly the American Brand of English.

Most International Students must necessarily study English for their education.  This form of English is strict and demanding as many students who have attempted the TOEFL can attest.

 Writing coherent English for school papers and reports is one form of English which most International Students master at least adequately.  There is another form of English which is equally challenging and ultimately equally critical to the International Student's eventual success. That is spoken English. Not the kind that candidates for public office use or even the kind that television and film performers use.
No.

The kind which is essential for communication in the global economy in which International graduates will be performing is termed ' colloquial'.  Colloquial English is the English you hear every day in class, at events, while shopping and when celebrating with your American friends.

More importantly colloquial English will be the English you will be speaking on the phone or in person to your American colleagues and American customers when you begin your career.

If you check the translation dictionary on your smart phone you'll find that 'colloquial' means ' common or everyday.' This means that the everyday speech, literally the 'common tongue' that you hear is the most used and therefore the most useful you will find in your USA experience.

By now you have probably heard phrases like ' Knock yourself out' and " No problem'.  Everyday English is laced with dozens of these terms.

There is one sure way to gain mastery of colloquial English.  Practice speaking with your native English speaking friends. They are the students who use these phrases constantly. Their everyday speech is largely made up of colloquial phrases.

This kind of real life practice is invaluable for gaining confidence in your English speaking ability. So next time you meet a native English speaker, " Knock yourself out.'  Pretty soon when someone asks you if you can speak English you will be able to say, " No problem."