The Journey of Language Mastery: From Struggles to Confidence
The Journey of my Language Mastery: From Struggles to Confidence
Learning English is not just about mastering grammar or memorizing vocabulary. It’s about unlocking doors to new opportunities, building unshakable confidence, and connecting with a global community. But there was a time when even the thought of speaking English felt like an impossible dream, something far beyond my reach.
I still remember the first time I recorded myself speaking English. My voice trembled with nerves, my words stumbled awkwardly, and I struggled to form even the simplest sentences. It was uncomfortable. It felt like I didn’t belong in the language. My mistakes seemed so huge that I considered quitting before I had even really started.
But today, things are different. Now, I speak English with confidence, without the fear of judgment holding me back. How did I get here? How did I turn my weaknesses into strengths? Let me take you through my journey a story filled with struggles, failures, and perseverance.
Where It All Began
I grew up in a small town, coming from a middle-class family. I spent 10 years in a madrasa, where English wasn’t part of the daily curriculum. No one in my family or neighborhood spoke English—it was just something I saw in movies or on TV. Today, kids learn English naturally through the internet or by hearing it around them. But back then, I didn’t have those resources.
Even though I excelled in Math, Science, and History, English was always my weakest subject. Despite my best efforts, I barely managed a B+ in my secondary school exams and dropped to a C+ in my higher secondary exams. So, you can imagine how well I was doing in English back then. I was good at everything else, but English seemed impossible.
To make things more difficult, I didn’t have easy access to the internet. Growing up in the late 90s meant that smartphones were a luxury, and the internet was slow. Unlike today, where a simple Google search gives you answers in seconds, I had limited resources to help me improve my English.
A Turning Point: Everything changed when I got my first job on an international freelancing platform. Suddenly, I was interacting with clients from countries like the USA, UK, and Canada. I had the technical skills for the job, but my lack of English communication skills became a huge obstacle.
That was my wake-up call. English wasn’t just a subject in school—it was a tool for success. I realized that if I wanted to move forward in life, I had to improve my English. No more excuses.
My Transformation: Habits That Transformed My English Learning Journey
- Start with the Basics: I stopped trying to be perfect. I started with small steps—speaking simple phrases like “How are you?” and “What’s up?” even if it felt awkward. The goal wasn’t perfection, but to build confidence and develop a daily habit.
- Discover What Works for You: I realized that not everything works for everyone. Watching movies in English was too hard for me initially, so I turned to educational videos. TED Talks, motivational speeches, and interviews with people who spoke slowly and clearly helped me learn new words and phrases without feeling overwhelmed.
- Focus on Communication, Not Perfection: In the beginning, I didn’t stress over grammar. My focus was on communicating my thoughts, even if my grammar wasn’t perfect. Over time, I improved my grammar naturally through consistent practice.
- Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: I joined language clubs, participated in online discussions, and practiced speaking with others—even if it meant stumbling along the way. I had to get comfortable with making mistakes, because that’s the only way I could improve.
- Create Content in English: Recording videos in English was one of the best ways I learned. My first videos were far from perfect, but they helped me get over my fear of speaking. Every video made me a little more confident, and with each attempt, I became more fluent.
- Be Consistent: Consistency was key. Whether I was watching an English video, practicing for 10 minutes, or reading an article, I made it a daily habit. Small efforts repeated every day led to big improvements.
- Why I Started Making Videos in English: Switching from making content in my native language to English wasn’t just about personal growth. It was about reaching a wider, global audience. By speaking English, I could connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. This decision didn’t just improve my language skills—it also allowed me to inspire others on their own English-learning journeys.
My Story of Personal Growth and Dedication
I’m Rakibul Islam, the founder of English Shiki. My academic journey began at Tirail Islamia Dakhil Madrasah and continued at Qadirabad Cantonment Sapper College. Although I received a strong CGPA in most subjects, my C+ in English became a barrier to entering some top universities.
Coming from a middle-class family, private university tuition was out of my reach. But instead of seeing this as a defeat, I chose to turn it into an opportunity. During my graduation, I made it my mission to master English. I also aimed to learn other languages like Japanese, German and Spanish.
In 2016, I became dedicated to improving my English, discovering methods like the FM method, and meeting people who inspired me. One of them was Mr. Johir, a veterinary student from Rajshahi University, who was fluent in English. He advised me to watch as many English videos as possible, and that advice changed everything. From that moment, I committed myself to learning, and my English improved faster than I had ever imagined.
The Final Steps: Through hard work and consistency, I graduated from Rajshahi College, completed my master’s degree, and even pursued a diploma in Hotel Management. I also ventured into Video Editing, web design and digital marketing. Today, I work at a renowned hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka and I continue to share my knowledge and experience through English Shiki.
But my true passion lies in teaching English. Over the years, I’ve continued learning and enhancing my teaching skills through platforms like Udemy, Cambly, and Skillshare.
How Practicing with Native Tutors Changed My English Journey
One of the biggest game-changers in my journey to mastering English was practicing with native speakers on platforms like Cambly and iTalki. I can honestly say that this step made all the difference in my learning experience, and I want to share why it could be the key to your own success.
Growing up, I didn’t have access to native speakers in my environment. I was surrounded by people who didn’t speak English fluently, so even though I studied hard, I was still missing one critical element: real-life conversation. Learning English through books, movies, and classes was helpful, but it was only half the picture. The real breakthrough came when I started speaking with native tutors.
The Confidence Boost I Needed
When I first started practicing with native tutors, it was intimidating. I was nervous about making mistakes and not being understood. But what I quickly realized was that native tutors, especially on platforms like Cambly and iTalki, are incredibly patient and encouraging. They understand that learning a new language can be difficult, and their positive feedback and support made all the difference. With each session, I gained more confidence, and the fear of speaking in English started to fade away.
What I love about these platforms is that they give you the opportunity to speak with people from all over the world. I learned English just like a teenager or student in an English-speaking country would. I wasn’t just memorizing vocabulary or trying to get my grammar perfect—I was actually having real conversations, just like a native speaker would.
Learning Like a Native Student
As I began speaking with native tutors, I started to understand how natural English really is. I learned phrases, slang, and expressions that you won’t find in textbooks, but are essential in everyday conversations. I started hearing English as it’s spoken by teenagers and students in their natural environment, which gave me insight into how the language flows in real life.
Native tutors also helped me improve my pronunciation. They corrected me gently and helped me develop a more authentic accent. It wasn’t about perfecting every word—it was about being able to speak clearly and be understood, just like native speakers. It was through these conversations that I truly started sounding more fluent, and I could see the difference in my ability to speak naturally and confidently.
Real Conversations, Real Learning
The beauty of platforms like Cambly and iTalki is that they allow you to have real conversations with real people. It’s not like practicing with a textbook or doing exercises where you can hide behind your mistakes. On these platforms, you’re forced to speak, listen, and think in real time. And that’s when learning becomes authentic.
When I started using these platforms, I was no longer learning English in isolation. I was part of a global community, interacting with native speakers, and getting real-time feedback. It wasn’t just about passing exams or memorizing rules—it was about learning to use English in the real world, just like a teenager growing up in an English-speaking country would.
Why You Should Do It Too?
If you’re serious about Language Mastery or improving your English, I highly recommend practicing with native tutors. It’s the fastest way to become fluent and confident in the language. You’ll gain the same benefits I did: real conversations, authentic English, and the chance to make mistakes and learn from them in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Platforms like Cambly and iTalki give you the chance to practice whenever you want, with tutors from all around the world. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to speak like a native speaker right away. But by practicing regularly with native tutors, you’ll start to feel more comfortable, more confident, and more fluent in English.
This is the same approach I took to improve my own skills, and I truly believe it’s the key to mastering English. So, take that step and start speaking with native tutors today. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your confidence and fluency grow!
Learning English may feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t need to be perfect to start. Take small steps, stay consistent, and find methods that work for you. English is more than just a language—it’s a bridge to new opportunities and connections.
If I could overcome my struggles and gain confidence in English, you can too. Let’s embark on this journey together. Share your struggles, your progress, and your wins. Together, we can conquer the challenge of learning English and open doors to a brighter future with English Shiki.
