How I IMPROVED My Communication Skills | CA Nandini Agarwal

Key communication / English improvement strategies (from the speaker)

1) Create an “English environment” (make it your second nature)

• Speak English as much as possible (even at home/outside), not just in class.
• Train yourself to think in English, not translate from Hindi to English.

2) Learn through repeated exposure + practice (movies/series + subtitles)

• Read aloud from your English material (books, news, film dialogue) to build:
  • pronunciation
  • vocabulary
• Start with subtitles, then shift to understanding without subtitles over time.
• Watch/observe consistently (speaker recommends ~30 minutes daily).

3) Use public speaking opportunities to build skill + momentum

• Put yourself on stage whenever possible:
  • hosting events
  • speaking competitions
  • annual day / Christmas day presentations
• Seek encouragement after doing well to keep going.

4) Split communication into two parts: “technical” and “confidence”

A. Technical part (language mechanics)

Work on:

• Vocabulary
• Pronunciation
• Modulation (tone, emotion, intonation)

Get feedback:

• Practice with friends who have better English.
• Ask them to correct mistakes (without shaming you).

Reinforce learning by using new words:

• Learning from reels/videos helps, but apply the words in real conversations soon.
• Use a simple cycle: “learn → use tomorrow/today” to prevent forgetting.

If you’re shy:

• Look up meanings via Google, then try using the word next time.

B. Confidence part (mindset + performance readiness)

Confidence can be practiced using imagination:

• Imagine the audience can’t hear or see, so judgment pressure drops.
• Treat it like rehearsing in your bedroom.

For interviews:

• Remind yourself: “Whatever I know, I know it well.”
• Remember you were selected because your profile was liked.
• Don’t compare interviewers (“better/worse” doesn’t matter).
• If you don’t know an answer: it’s okay to say “I don’t know.” (don’t bluff)

Also:

• Don’t confuse “trying twice” with practice—record yourself extensively.

5) Daily exercises to track improvement (practice + self-review)

• Vocabulary journal

  • Note 4 new words per day + meanings.
  • Track which words you learned on which day.

• Daily video practice

  • Record yourself every day.
  • Review expressions, modulation, and words.
  • Compare Video Day 1 vs Day 10/20.

• Mirror practice

  • Practice in front of a mirror to notice forgetting, expressions, and delivery.

• Substitute approaches if needed

  • Both mirrors and videos help—choose what you’ll actually stick with.

6) Handle criticism without getting discouraged

• Take feedback positively, even if people make fun of your grammar/English.
• Extract what was wrong, then use it as a learning roadmap.

7) Keep seeking opportunities to speak

• Join speaking groups/communities (e.g., Toastmasters).
• Whenever you get a chance to speak on stage, participate.

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Presenters / sources

• Presenter/Speaker: CA Nandini Agarwal
• Video/Show sources mentioned: Suits (web series); English movies/TV serials (general); reels channels with word meanings (general)
• Organization mentioned: Toastmasters