How To Learn English For Free By Yourself & Land A Job Abroad?

English is a Universal Language

A black cat staring at the camera while i was walking down 

the corniche in Al-Khobar City. 

Do you want to learn the English language? Do you want to be able to speak fluently like native English speakers? Do you want to standout with your communication skill among the crowd? If your answer is “yes.” Then, this post is the right one for you.

Undeniably, English is considered as the universal language now a day, people from different countries and nationalities are trying to learn English. Reasons of studying English may include for employment, immigration, business or simply having an edge on their communication skill. 

Some people even enroll themselves in a training

centers or prestigious universities just to study and learn English, others go to Europe and United States to get first hand English training and paid a hefty amount of money. However, little is known that you can hack English by yourself without costing a penny. 

Based from my personal experienced, learning English by yourself is not really difficult if you have the patience and determination to learn the language. Here are my secrets of learning English by myself:

Top 5 Hacks in Learning English by Yourself:

A curious parrot posing for a selfie. 

Reading Dictionaries – Before being able to speak English fluently, first and foremost you must have thousands of vocabularies stored in your head. This is the first foundation of starting to learn the language. You must be able to identify the English word of every single thing around you, from the anatomy of your body, to the items inside your household, offices or whatever it might be, as far as your sight could reach. You need to know their English word and translation.

Take note: you will NEVER be fluent in one language without having to identify almost everything that surround you. And that reading the dictionary is the best way to gain more vocabularies; I remember when I started reading and memorizing the dictionary, that was when I was in first year high school & even until now i still have the time to read dictionary. 

An egret searching for food along the shore of Khobar City. 

Watching English Movies – Another very effective way to learn English is - by watching English movies, the dialogues and conversations in the movies are very helpful for you to learn English. Watching movie is like watching the native English speakers themselves talking in their language.

While I was starting to learn English I had never failed to watch English movies and try to copycat the dialogues or even write it down in my notes. There are certain sentences which are quite difficult to make by yourself, but you could learn it from watching English films.

Read English Paragraphs or books daily – Aside from reading dictionaries to gain vocabularies, you need to read English books in a daily basis too. You don’t need to be particular what kind of books for as long as it is written in English – a magazine, a newspaper, science books, kids story books or whatever that something which has English word in it. Reading it daily helps you familiarized a lot of words and phrases which are commonly used in English.

Be With English Speaking Friends – You don’t really have to find a native English speaking friends; what I mean with “English speaking friends” are your common friends who have the same passion in learning English. 

A heron soar above the clear sky of Saudi Arabia. 

Believed me, this is among the most effective ways to learn the language. Back in my college days, I had a reputation of being an “English spoken” as I oftentimes speak English in the college even I am along with my local friends. After all there were no foreigners in our college at all lol.

As a matter of fact, I have befriended my college instructors who became my best buddy in speaking English. I could never forget one of my instructors in college who was as well like me, loved to speak English he was Mr. Reynaldo Pines.

Be Confident – This advice is not about watching or reading English text, this is the soft skill that you need - to further learn and apply the English language in your daily life. Once you have all the prerequisites to learn English, you must have the self-confidence to use the language. Don’t be afraid or scared to speak English in-front of your friends, colleagues or classmates.

Others may find it weird when we are speaking English with our local friends, don’t mind those people around you. Remember, you cannot please everyone– so just be yourself and think on the long run. Don’t ever be discouraged when they make fun of you while practicing the language. Many people failed to learn English mainly because they are afraid of criticism and what others will say. 

English Helps Me Land Career Abroad

A solitary bird picking for food on the ground. 

Are you still interested to learn English? Just to give you a heads up, if you are planning to work abroad soon, having a good English skill is very essential. As a foreign worker myself here in Saudi Arabia, our medium of communication in the office is mainly English. If you have read my previous post about my company, I am currently connected with the biggest energy company in the world.

This company was established by the Americans and employing around 80 different nationalities and to communicate effectively with those multinational colleagues, you need to have at least a good English skill. You don’t need to be perfect, but at least being able to convey your message across.

I strongly believed that my English skill is one of the reasons why I have been hired by the biggest companies in the world. Prior joining this company I used to work as Admin Manager, in an international I.T company also based in the U.S, without a good English skill I wouldn’t have been hired by these companies.

A group of birds swimming the tranquil gulf sea. 

I was extremely grateful for my hard-works back on those days that I started to learn English, I have spent thousands of hours reading and memorizing English words. It was too exhausting, but I loved it because I knew I would reap the benefit in the future someday. And here I am enjoying the abundance of its benefit working with gigantic companies.

I hope this post inspires you to improve and learn English as well, who knows you might be the next one will reap its benefit. You don’t really need to study in an expensive university or training centers, just follow the aforementioned hacks the same way I did, good luck.

If you know more effective ways, please share it with me by commenting in the comment box below, I would love to know it too. If you want to know more about Saudi Arabia, please subscribe and follow me on the following links:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ksaforeverlove/

Blogger: http://dailythoughtsdotcom.blogspot.com/

How I Got Hired by The Biggest Energy Company In The World? Part-3

Continuation of my previous post:

A photo of myself sitting along the corniche. 

It was among the darkest moment of my life, I have to start all over again from the scratch. I was shrouded with desperation and frustration, for me, I could not find a better company like that anymore. Never again to find that company - I was overwhelmed with negative thoughts, I have lost self-esteemed and self confidence. 

The incident worsen my depression i am unable to concentrate for a month or two, i kept on blaming myself day and night for what had happened. I tried to stay strong and pretended i am alright, until one day i have given up! I have accepted my defeat and that i am loser. I was jobless for around 8 months, i was worried my money is running out fast, i need to find a job by hook or by crook before i am penniless.

I started to apply for another job again, i have a couple of interviews attended in Manila and got accepted. But i was not happy of the salary offered, thus i refused those companies and applied for something better. One unforgettable moment in Manila, i was about to attend the interview on that day, i left the hotel early and went directly to the venue. 

I arrived in the place at 8 o'clock in the morning and found out there were hundreds if not thousands of people went there to attend the said job interview. I have stayed there for almost one day waiting for my turn, but there were just too many people applying for the job. I was so tired and hungry since there were no benches or chairs to sit. I quit and left the scene, i have lost my time and effort for nothing on that day, it just shows how difficult applying for a job is.

The Struggle of Searching for New Job 

As months passed by, a number of companies tried to hire me, but i denied considering the salary offered was very low. In my solitary i kept on asking myself, would i still be able to find a better company? Would i still be able to earn the same salary before? 

I need to fly back and forth from my city to Manila to attend
job interviews. 

What might be the reason behind all of these messed? Why do i need to experience all these miseries and why should it be me? I know i am not perfect and i did wrong too, but to have all these pain is intolerable, i told myself. 

Until one day, i remember what our HR manager told me before i left the company "Don't worry this might be a blessing in disguised, who knows?." 

Yeah, she's right, who knows this might be a blessing in disguised, one time while i was at home, i got a call from unknown person, he is a recruitment officer from an international recruitment agency based in Manila. He queried about myself and asked question related to the job they are offering from a very huge company in Saudi Arabia. 

The Ultimate Breakthrough 

A water treatment tower, popular landmark in Al-Khobar. 

The initial phone interview screening went very well, he promised to get back to me after a few weeks, if the company likes my resume for the final shortlisting. After the call i was extremely excited and anxious, i do not know if the company would like my resume or not. Finger crossed, i have waited for a couple of weeks and alas! he called me once again inviting me for a final interview in Manila. 

Among the prospective candidates there were only top 6 chosen for the final job interview, from hundreds of applicants aiming for the position and i am one of those top 6. The interview was divided into two days, i was scheduled for the first day, and the day has come for the final greatest battle i would ever attend, i was confident i have a little edge over  the other applicants. 

I took an early flight from Davao City to Manila to be on time on the venue, i arrived in their office very early and there was only a security guard in-charge. Hours later the other two shortlisted applicants came, in my surprised, i was the youngest among the six of us and the worst, i was the least experienced. From that point of view, i have no chance of getting this job since they've got more experiences than i do. 

Even then, i pretended to be confident and maintained my composure in front of my ultimate nemesis on this job interview of a lifetime. I might be the youngest and the least experienced, but that wouldn't make me the least qualified - i told myself. After a couple of hours waiting, the final interview has began, the eldest guy with the most experienced took the interview first, i was second in the row. 

The Final Job Interview 

Stunning sea view a beautiful place to unwind during the
weekend in KSA. 

During the interview, i was a little bit nervous, but i was confident in answering their questions, there were two employers, one that asked the questions and the other one that observed the applicants. After i have finished expressing my answers to the employer i caught them stunned and silenced, unable to speak, at one point we were looking each one another, i was waiting for them to ask me further questions. 

But looks liked i have answered their questions before it was asked, my interview didn't really last very long, i have expressed my answers tactfully with the best that i can. After the interview the agency advised us to wait for a couple of weeks for the result. I went back home on the next earliest flight, i was adamant and never really expected at all to avoid disappointment and let God do the rest. 

My family picked me up at the airport, i narrated how the interview went - but warned them, i might not be accepted because i was the youngest and the least experienced, so i am not gonna expect for that. Three days after the interview, i was surprised the recruitment agency asked me to furnish my previous payslip. When i asked, what for? the agency replied - "you were recommended for hire!"

Makati City where the final interview was conducted. 

What the heck! after hearing it, i did not celebrate yet and tried to keep quiet because i don't like to expect too early and later may end up into disappointment. I have submitted my previous payslip to the agency; however, there is still one final screening which is the profile background investigation. What? background investigation? It was the first time i have heard it from my entire career. Most companies only do a reference check, but this one has more in depth background screening. 

Biggest & Most Powerful Energy Company in The World

This company is very influential and deemed as the biggest, richest and the largest energy company in the world richer than Walmart and Apple combined! and that they are not taking any chances, applying for this company is like going through the eye of a needle. Mostly of  the applicants in this company failed during the background check. 

A beautiful sunset in Al-Khobar city, KSA. 

The background investigation is conducted thoroughly and would last for a minimum of 6 months to 1 year or more. That is how serious they are on getting their employees, ensuring the best applicants are filtered and has gone through rigorous investigation. I was quite hesitant to pass or not the background check, as i don't have contacts with my previous employers and references. 

I crossed my fingers and waited for the result, alas! eventually the result came out and i have passed the background investigation. My background investigation was very quick, it was only two months instead of 6 months to one year. I didn't really expect that short, few weeks after passing the investigation i received the salary offer and seemed very competitive. 

Accepted the Offer & Invitation to Join the Company 

Of course, i accepted the offer and invited to submit myself for further processing, one month after the processing, i got my flight schedule back to Saudi Arabia joining the biggest and most influential company in the world. It was a sigh of relief and ultimate feeling of joy, being part of this company is a dreamed come true. I have never expected that one day, i will be able to work to the company i have once worked as a contractor. 

Yes, you got it right, this was the company i have worked before as a contractor, for which while i was there - i was dreaming to become a regular employee soon and now i am here working as a direct employee, isn't it great? i thought this kind of coincidence only happened on fairy tale and Hollywood movies.

Never Loose Hope & Keep Moving in Life 

Later i realized how it makes sense the past struggles and failures that i had were part of God's plan for me to prepare the greatest blessing i have ever dreamed of. If you are reading this blog right now and currently in difficult situations, whatever it may be that bothers you. Thou shall never loose hope and your faith in God. 

No matter how dark the night is, there is always a brighter
day waiting for tomorrow. 

For no matter how dark the night is - there is always a brighter day to come, and my story is a sure proof that failure - is just a First - Attempt - In - Learning (FAIL) and if you think you are at the end of your life, remember END means Effort - Never - Dies and if somebody rejected you and said "NO" bear in mind that NO means - Next - Opportunity, by "Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam." 

I hope you enjoy reading this post and gives you a little inspiration to continue life no matter where it takes you. If you want to know more about Saudi Arabia, please subscribe and follow me on the links below: 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ksaforeverlove/
Blogger: http://dailythoughtsdotcom.blogspot.com/