He Couldn’t Speak English Properly — Now He’s Giving TEDx Talks in Canada
By Akshay Patel · Senior International Admissions Consultant · Published 2025-07-09T10:41:41.277Z
Discover how a simple, smart email helped a student get replies from 12 professors in Europe. This guide reveals the exact template, strategies, and tips to help you connect with professors and boost your study abroad success.
Learning a new language can be one of the hardest things in life. For many people, especially students moving to a new country, speaking English well is a big challenge. Imagine arriving in Canada without being able to speak English properly. It can feel lonely, frustrating, and scary. But this is the true story of a young man who struggled with English and, through hard work and courage, became confident enough to give inspiring TEDx talks in Canada.
This article tells his journey step by step. You will learn about the struggles he faced, how he improved his English, the mistakes he made, and how he became a speaker who motivates many people. If you want to improve your English or are scared about living in a new country, this story will give you hope and practical ideas to succeed.
The Beginning: Struggling With English
When he first came to Canada, his English was very weak. He could understand only a few words and could not express his thoughts clearly. In school, he felt left out because other students spoke fast and used slang words he didn’t know. This made him shy and nervous to talk in class or with new friends.
Why English Was Difficult For Him
Different Pronunciation: English sounds were very different from his native language.
Fast Speech: People spoke quickly, making it hard for him to follow.
New Vocabulary: He didn’t know many common words used daily.
Fear of Mistakes: He was afraid to speak because he thought he would sound silly.
Impact on His Life
He avoided speaking English as much as possible.
He felt lonely and missed his family.
His confidence was very low.
School work became harder because he could not fully understand instructions.
Taking The First Steps: How He Started Improving
Even though he was struggling, he decided to not give up. He knew that English was very important to succeed in Canada. Here are the first things he did to improve his English:
1. Listening to English Every Day
He started watching English TV shows, listening to songs, and radio. This helped him get used to the sounds and rhythm of English.
2. Reading Simple Books
He read children’s books and simple stories. These books had easy words and pictures, which helped him understand better.
3. Speaking With Friends
He tried to speak more with classmates, even if it was only a few words. This small effort helped him practice and learn new words.
4. Asking For Help
He asked teachers and friends to explain words he did not know. He was not shy to say, “I don’t understand.”
The Power of Consistency: Daily Practice Matters
Improving a language needs daily effort. He made a simple plan to practice English every day. This was a turning point in his journey.
Activity
Time Spent Daily
Purpose
Listening to English
30 minutes
Get used to sounds and meaning
Reading simple texts
20 minutes
Learn vocabulary and grammar
Speaking practice
30 minutes
Build confidence and fluency
Writing short notes
15 minutes
Improve grammar and spelling
He followed this plan without skipping days. Even when he was tired or busy, he made sure to spend some time on English. This slow and steady practice improved his skills little by little.
Facing Challenges: Mistakes and How He Overcame Them
Learning English was not easy. He made many mistakes, and sometimes people laughed at his accent or wrong words. But he learned an important lesson: mistakes are part of learning.
Common Challenges He Faced
Mispronouncing words
Using wrong tenses
Not understanding slang or idioms
Speaking too slowly or with hesitation
How He Overcame These Problems
He joined English conversation clubs where people practice speaking in a friendly setting.
He recorded his own voice to hear and correct pronunciation.
He watched videos on grammar and pronunciation to learn rules.
He accepted feedback without getting discouraged.
Growing Confidence: Speaking in Public for the First Time
After months of practice, his English became much better. He started participating in class discussions and made new friends. But the biggest challenge was still ahead: public speaking .
He was very afraid to speak in front of many people. But one day, his teacher encouraged him to join a school speech competition. At first, he was nervous, but he prepared well and spoke slowly and clearly.
What He Learned From His First Speech
Preparation is very important.
It’s okay to be nervous; even experienced speakers feel the same.
People appreciate honest stories.
Speaking slowly helps everyone understand you.
This small success gave him the courage to speak more often in public.
The Journey to TEDx: How He Became a Speaker
TEDx talks are famous for sharing inspiring ideas. Many students dream of speaking on this platform, but few get the chance. His journey to TEDx was not sudden. It took time, effort, and belief in himself.
Steps He Took to Become a TEDx Speaker
Creating Content: He wrote about topics he cared about, like overcoming fear and the power of learning.
Practicing Speaking Skills: He recorded videos of himself speaking and shared them on social media.
Joining Local Events: He spoke at community events and small gatherings to get experience.
Getting Noticed: One of his videos went viral, and an organizer invited him to give a TEDx talk.
Preparing for TEDx: He practiced his speech many times, focusing on clarity, passion, and connection with the audience.
What His TEDx Talks Are About
His talks inspire many people because they come from real life. Some of the main themes are:
Never give up: Even if you fail many times, keep trying.
Learning from mistakes: Mistakes are not bad; they teach us.
Power of language: How learning English changed his life.
Building confidence: Tips to overcome fear of speaking.
Sharing culture: How embracing diversity helps communities grow.
Lessons for Students Struggling with English
His story teaches important lessons for students who find English difficult:
1. Practice every day, even if it’s little.
Small daily steps lead to big results over time.
2. Don’t be afraid of mistakes.
Everyone makes mistakes. Use them as learning opportunities.
3. Speak as much as possible.
Talking to friends, teachers, or even yourself builds confidence.
4. Use different learning methods.
Watch videos, read books, listen to music, and speak out loud.
5. Believe in yourself.
Confidence is key to success.
Helpful Tips for Improving English Fast
Here are some simple tips that helped him and can help you too:
Tip
Why It Helps
Watch English movies
Learn new words and natural speech
Join conversation groups
Practice speaking regularly
Use language apps
Improve vocabulary on the go
Read aloud daily
Improve pronunciation and fluency
Record your voice
Self-check mistakes and progress
Write daily journal
Practice grammar and expression
Why Language Skills Matter Beyond Study
Learning English well is not only for school. It helps in many parts of life:
Finding a job: Many employers want people with good English.
Making friends: Easier to connect with people from different backgrounds.
Daily tasks: Shopping, traveling, or going to the doctor become easier.
Confidence: You feel better about yourself and your future.
How He Balances Study, Work, and Practice
Being a student in a new country is not easy. He had to balance many things:
Studying hard for good grades.
Working part-time to support himself.
Practicing English every day.
Taking care of his health and mental well-being.
This balance was possible because he made a schedule and stuck to it. He also asked for help when needed from friends and university counselors.
The Impact of His Story on Others
His TEDx talks have touched the hearts of many students and immigrants. People tell him that his journey gave them hope and courage to keep going.
Real Changes People Made After Listening
Joined English practice groups.
Started speaking more in class.
Stopped being afraid of making mistakes.
Applied for public speaking opportunities.
Improved their grades and social life.
Final Thoughts: Anyone Can Do It
The story of this young man shows that struggling with English is not the end of the road. With hard work, patience, and the right approach, anyone can improve and achieve their dreams.
If you are a student or a new immigrant facing the same challenges, remember:
Start small but keep going.
Use every opportunity to practice.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
Celebrate every success, no matter how small.
Believe that you can speak English well and share your ideas with the world.
This story proves that even if you cannot speak English properly today, you can be the one giving inspiring talks tomorrow. It’s about courage, dedication, and believing in yourself every step of the way.
Frequently asked questions
Should I email professors before applying to European universities?
Yes, especially for Master's or PhD programs. Many European professors prefer students to contact them early to discuss research interests and potential supervision.
What should I include when emailing a professor?
Always include a short, respectful message, a clear research interest, your CV, transcripts, and mention if you’re applying for scholarships or funded projects.
How long should my email to a professor be? g replies.
Keep it under 200 words. Short emails with clear purpose and personalization have higher chances of gettin
Can I use the same email for all professors?
No. Always personalize the email. Mention the professor’s specific research or recent publications to show genuine interest.
What do I do if the professor doesn’t reply?
Wait 7–10 days and send a polite follow-up. If there’s still no reply, try another professor in the same department or university.