r/LearningEnglish

I'll go first.

I once skipped a job interview, a job I really wanted just because the HR person told me the interview would be "entirely in English." I panicked, made up an excuse, and didn't show up.

Got a different job later. Worse pay. Worse role. But the interview was in Hindi so I felt "safe."

I've also:

- Let my friend order for me at restaurants because the waiter spoke English

- Stayed silent in college group discussions even when I knew the answer

- Avoided going to certain stores because the staff spoke only in English and I didn't want to look stupid

I know logically that nobody actually cares if I make a grammar mistake. But in the moment, the fear of being judged is SO real that I'd rather just... not speak.

I feel like this is way more common than people admit. Especially in India where English fluency is somehow tied to how "smart" or "educated" you are — which is complete nonsense, but that's how it feels.

What's YOUR story? What have you avoided because of this? No judgement here — genuinely curious because I think talking about it helps.

So currently I have a B2 level of english and I'm wondering what I should focus on, or do to get to the C1 level.

Maybe reading? Watching films? Talking to native speakers?

Thanks in advance!

Hi all! For years one of my worst nightmares at work was job travels abroad with meetings and presentations in English. One of my problems is trying to build up too complex ideas and phrases in English just like I were speaking Spanish. I’m tired of feeling anxiety of those trips that are important for my job.