Why Simple English Is Smart English
Keiko finished telling her American friend about her project idea.
"Sorry," she said. "My English is not good. I use simple words."
Her friend looked confused. "Why are you sorry? Your idea is great. I understood everything."
Keiko had been waiting for permission to feel good about her English. But no one was going to give it to her.
She had to give it to herself.
The Permission Problem
Most English learners wait for someone else to say, "Now your English is good enough."
They think they need:
- Perfect grammar before speaking well
- Big words to sound smart
- Zero mistakes to be taken seriously
- Native-like accent to be understood
But here's the truth: You don't need anyone's permission to use English well.
You already have everything you need. You just need to give yourself permission to use it.
Permission Slip #1: Use Simple Words
"I had a good meeting today."
That's what native speakers actually say. Not "I had an excellent, productive, beneficial gathering."
Simple words that work:
- "Good" instead of "excellent"
- "Big" instead of "enormous"
- "Happy" instead of "delighted"
- "Hard" instead of "difficult"
Why simple words are smart:
- Everyone understands them
- You can say them well
- They get your message across clearly
- Native speakers use them most of the time
Your permission slip: "I give myself permission to use simple, clear words that everyone understands."
Permission Slip #2: Make Mistakes
Native speakers make mistakes too. They say "good" when they mean "well." They forget words. They start sentences and change direction.
Your mistakes show you're learning:
- You're trying new things
- You're pushing your comfort zone
- You're talking despite being unsure
- You're building real-world skills
Your permission slip: "I give myself permission to make mistakes while learning. Mistakes mean I'm growing."
Permission Slip #3: Sound Like Yourself
Your accent is not a problem to fix. It's part of who you are.
Accent reality check:
- Native speakers have different accents too
- International English has many valid sounds
- Clear beats "perfect" every time
- Your voice carries your ideas, not your accent
Your permission slip: "I give myself permission to speak English with my own voice. Clear talk matters more than perfect pronunciation."
Permission Slip #4: Take Your Time
You don't have to speak English at native speed. Slow, clear English beats fast, confused English.
Taking time is professional:
- "Let me think about that" shows careful thought
- Pausing before speaking shows you're thinking
- Speaking slowly helps others understand
- Thinking time leads to better responses
Your permission slip: "I give myself permission to speak at my own pace. Thoughtful speech is professional speech."
The Simple Word Secret
Here's what most English learners don't know: Business English uses basic words.
Common business words:
- Make (not manufacture)
- Get (not obtain)
- Help (not assist)
- Show (not demonstrate)
- Fix (not resolve)
Why simple works in business:
- Everyone understands right away
- No confusion about meaning
- Fast, easy talk
- International teams prefer clarity
Native speakers choose simple words because simple words work better.
The Confidence Change
When you give yourself permission to use simple English:
Before: "Sorry, my English is bad. I don't know the right words."
After: "Let me explain this clearly. I'll use simple words to keep it easy."
Before: "I made a mistake. My grammar is terrible."
After: "Let me say that again."
Before: "I can't speak English well."
After: "I'm talking well in my second language."
The Apology Stop
Stop saying sorry for your English before you speak:
Don't say: "Sorry, my English is not good, but..."
Just say: Your actual message.
Don't say: "I don't know the right word, but..."
Just say: The simple word you do know.
Your English doesn't need an apology. It needs confidence.