The instant feedback from the instructor was very valuable. Since the environment was safe and supportive, I felt comfortable trying, making mistakes and learning from them.”
Fio, English communication skills student
Originally from Peru, Fio is a software engineer who moved to Vancouver with her husband in 2023. After several years of using English for work, she enrolled in UBC Extended Learning English communication skills courses to become more confident in in-person interactions and develop new ways to connect with different audiences.
What led you to seek out English communication skills courses?
After moving to Canada, I realized that communicating in English in person was very different from communicating remotely. I had already been using English for work, meetings and presentations for several years, but I wanted to build my confidence in everyday interactions. As an engineer, I tend to communicate in a very straightforward and structured way, which can be useful. However, I realized that I sometimes needed to use storytelling to connect with an audience, especially when the audience didn’t have a technical background.
I’m also interested in theatre, and after moving to Vancouver, I wanted to learn more about the local culture so I could better understand the plays here. Culture, tone, gestures and implied meanings can influence how we understand a performance, and the course helped me explore those aspects while improving my communication skills.
What was a highlight for you in the English communication skills classes?
One of the highlights for me was having June as my instructor. She is warm, approachable, helpful and very supportive. I took a couple of courses with her, and I really enjoyed the learning environment she created.
I particularly enjoyed the role-plays and debates. They helped me feel more comfortable responding quickly rather than spending too much time thinking about what I wanted to say. The instant feedback from the instructor was also very valuable. Since the environment was safe and supportive, I felt comfortable trying, making mistakes and learning from them.
What surprised you about the classes?
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed meeting people with different backgrounds and experiences, and by how much I had in common with some of them. I also liked the mix of theory-based and practical activities. For one of our projects, my team created a podcast, and I didn’t expect to feel so comfortable sharing my ideas and recording it. It was an excellent experience.
How are you applying the skills you learned in your professional or personal life?
The course helped me build confidence, especially in in-person interactions, and gave me better structure when speaking. I also feel more empowered to ask questions. When I’m speaking, I’m less focused on making mistakes and more focused on the idea I want to share.
Who would you recommend UBC Extended Learning English communication skills classes to?
I’d definitely recommend these courses to anyone who sometimes feels like they have a knot in their head when they want to speak. You may know exactly what you want to say, but still struggle to express it clearly. I think these courses give you practical tools to organize your thoughts and communicate with more confidence.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I was also able to build friendships with some of the students I met in the courses, even outside of class. I think these courses create a great sense of community, and that was one of the things I really appreciated about the experience.