Your English Isn't As Bad As You Think – You're Just Missing the "Game Plan"

Have you ever been there?

You've studied English for over a decade, churned through vocabulary books, and watched heaps of American TV shows. You practised shadowing in class and on apps, feeling pretty good about your progress. But the moment you stepped into the real world – whether it was a job interview or ordering a coffee overseas – your brain just froze. All those words you'd memorised and sentences you'd practised? Couldn't recall a single one.

In that moment, it truly makes you question everything. It feels like all those years of effort have gone completely to waste.

But what if I told you the problem isn't actually that you're "not trying hard enough" or that you "don't have a knack for languages"?

It's not that your English is bad; you're just trying to take on a max-level Boss with beginner gear.

See Every Conversation As "Clearing a Level"

Let's look at it differently. Stop thinking of speaking English as an "academic subject"; instead, imagine it's a level-based game.

Every real-life conversation scenario – ordering at Starbucks, having a meeting with international colleagues, attending a global party – is a brand new "level".

Each level has its unique "map" (the environment and vibe), "NPCs" (the people you're talking to), "quest items" (core vocabulary), and "fixed moves" (common sentence patterns).

And the English we learned in school? At best, it was just a "tutorial." It taught you the basic mechanics, but it didn't give you a "walkthrough" for any specific level.

So, when you walk into a new level empty-handed and feel completely out of your depth, that's perfectly normal.

I used to be the same. In uni, I worked part-time at a restaurant with heaps of international customers. Even though I was an English major, facing the patrons, I had no idea how to politely take their orders, explain the wine list, or answer reservation calls in English. The knowledge from textbooks was completely useless there.

It wasn't until I realised what I needed wasn't more "English knowledge," but rather a specific "walkthrough" for that restaurant.

Your Own Exclusive "Game Plan": Just Four Steps

Forget the heavy burden of "learning English." From today, we're only going to do one thing: prepare a customised strategy guide for the next "level" you're about to face.

Step One: Scout the Map (Observe)

When you step into a new environment, don't rush to speak. First, be an "observer."

Listen to what the "NPCs" around you are chatting about. What words do they use? What's the flow of the conversation like? It's just like checking the map and watching the Boss's move demonstration before you start playing a game.

In the restaurant, I started listening carefully to how other experienced colleagues interacted with customers. How did they greet them? How did they recommend dishes? How did they handle complaints?

Step Two: Gather Your Gear (Vocabulary)

Based on your observations, list the most essential "gear" for this "level" – in other words, high-frequency vocabulary.

Back then, the first thing I did was look up all the dish names, ingredients, and sauces on the menu (e.g., Rosemary, honey mustard, mayonnaise), and memorise them. These were my strongest "weapons" for that level.

If you're interviewing at a tech company, then your "gear" might include words like AI, data-driven, synergy, roadmap.

Step Three: Anticipate the Moves (Scripting)

Write down the most likely conversations in this scenario, just like writing a script. This is your "move list."

For example, at the restaurant, I prepared various "scripts":

• If the customer has kids: "Do you need kids' cutlery or a high chair?" "Will the little one be ordering from the kids' menu, or sharing with the adults?"
• If the customers are a couple on a date: "We have decaffeinated drinks..." "For dishes with a softer texture, we have these options..."
• General scenarios: "The restrooms are over there." "We accept cash and card." "We're currently full, so there might be a 20-minute wait."

Step Four: Simulated Training (Role-Playing)

At home, talk to yourself. Play both roles and practise the "script" you just wrote from beginning to end.

This might sound a bit silly, but the results are astonishing. It's like practising a combo in a "training ground" until it's second nature.

Once you've prepared these "strategies," the next time you enter the same "level," you won't be that panicked beginner anymore. You'll approach it with a calm confidence, thinking "I'm all set," and you might even feel a bit of anticipation, eager to test out your training.

Don't Be Afraid, Go Ahead and "Clear the Level"

"What if the other person says something that's not in my script?"

Don't panic. Remember what the other person said, and when you get home, add it to your "strategy library." Your strategies will become more and more comprehensive, and your "combat power" will grow stronger and stronger.

"What if my pronunciation and grammar aren't perfect?"

The essence of language is communication, not an exam. As long as the other person understands you, you've already "cleared the level." The remaining details can be slowly upgraded in future "level attempts."

This method takes the huge and vague goal of "mastering English" and breaks it down into clear, actionable "level-clearing quests." It removes fear and brings a sense of control.

If you're looking for a safer "training ground," or need a portable coach while preparing your "strategies," you can try the tool Intent. It's a chat app with built-in AI translation, allowing you to communicate stress-free with friends from all over the world. When you get stuck, real-time translation can give you a hand, and when you're preparing your own "conversation scripts," you can use it to quickly check if your expressions sound natural.

It's like a "smart companion" on your quest to clear levels, helping you level up and take on the challenges faster.

Next time you need to communicate in English, stop thinking, "Is my English good enough?"

Instead, ask yourself: "Am I ready with the strategy for this level?"