Resources for practicing English speaking

Hi,

You can consider language instruction/exchange platforms for sure. I used a couple (e.g. italki.com) when I moved to Indonesia for a couple of months and needed to pick up the local language (Bahasa).

Some of these platforms have community-based practice that is free - they will mostly be casual/informal but i'm sure you could find someone to help with business terms. 

Lastly - you could always pay for a language tutor on these platforms - some of them are very flexible and I don't think you would need too much time to know (at least on paper) what the core business phrases/terms are in english. 

All the best!

Hi there,

Q: I'm wondering if you can share any resources & tips to improve English speaking (in a consulting environment)

I would recommend the following:

1. Find a teacher. I personally used preply.com in the past, another alternative is italki.com as mentioned by Benjamin. You can filter teachers based on languages, reviews, budget, availability, etc, similarly to PrepLounge coaches. In your case, you should probably target teachers with a focus on business English. Working with a teacher is relatively cheap and helps a lot if you manage to stick to a weekly class.
2. Study daily new words. I recommend the app Anki, which uses the SRS system, which I believe is the best way to learn new words. You can focus on the words critical for your job – usually, if you master the 1000 most important ones, you can talk and understand relatively well in your niche.
3. Gamify your learning. I tried a few apps and the one I liked the most in terms of gamification is Memrise (focused mainly on building vocabulary) – you should probably target a course based on business terms in your case (you can add for free one of those created by the other users, besides the official ones offered by the app).

BONUS: you can look for a good business book on Audible, check if you like the style of the speaker and listen to it during breaks/downtime. You will learn new things and improve your English at the same time.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there, 

Yes, plenty of ways to do it. 

Ideally, you'd find a way of practicing both your language skills and your interviewing skills. PrepLounge is great for this because it gives you the chance to do cases with other peers from all over the world. Most of them have the same language challenges you might have and they share the same aspiration to join consulting - so you're a perfect match in that sense. 

Additionally, consider an AI-based live feedback app like Poised.com which you can install as an extension to zoom and it gives you live feedback on your conversations - pace, clarity, fillers, etc. This will help you understand how you should ideally sound like. 

Another point - get a language coach. It could be someone that works with you on your accent, or on the clarity of your speech. These are things that people usually tend to ignore but they can have an immense effect on the rest of your life. 

Last but not least, don't let your language skills get in the way. I've met plenty of McKinsey consultants whose English was far from perfect and they were still amazing at their job. Your English just needs to be functional. 

Sharing with you a couple of materials on what makes an effective consultant instead:

• What Do Management Consultants Do? 
• How to Survive Your First Year as a Management Consultant
• The Truth About Consulting Work Hours: What You Need to Know

Best,
Cristian

YouTube can be your best friend in this regard - you can find generic and specific English-speaking tutorials as well as popular speeches to inspire you.

Implementing your learnings in case prep on PrepLounge would be one way to practice. Implementing them yourself independently would also be an effective way - record yourself and review.

Finally, it could also be beneficial to take up a professional language course.

Having learned (and maintained) 3 languages, I recommend the following approach...efficiency in time is key here:

1. Conversational: Download the app HelloTalk. It pairs you up with people that are opposite to you (i.e. learning your language, but native in English) and you chat via text, audio, call etc. It has awesome features (such as edit functionality so the other person can edit your messages for correctness).

2. Vocabulary: Use either handwritten flashcards and/or the app Quizlet. Review these whenever waiting (i.e. on the bus, cooking, on hold, etc)

3. Listening: Download English podcasts and listen while you sleep. I.e. put the phone next to your bed, at a soft enough volume that you can sleep, but loud enough that you cna hear the words. You'll be amazing how your listening improves.

4. Dedicated/tailored training: Go to Italki. It's the PrepLounge for languages!

5. Practice with Others: HelloTalk is a great app for speaking/practicing with other people.

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, language exchanges can indeed be beneficial. This method will allow you to practice your English speaking skills in a relaxed setting, which can help improve your fluency. You can search for online platforms which offer such services or you may also check local universities or community centers, as they often have language exchange programs.
• Moreover, another method I would advise you to try is watching English movies, TV series, or listening to English podcasts. This can help you get accustomed to different accents and styles of speech. Try to emulate the pronunciation and intonation of the speakers to improve your spoken English.
• Lastly, consider taking part in public speaking or debating clubs. These environments often encourage critical thinking and clear articulation of your thoughts, both of which are important skills in a consulting environment. You can look for local Toastmasters clubs or similar organizations.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen