By Ragavendran SS
When I took up a part-time role as an ESL trainer at a local language institute, I was tasked with leading a summer course for students in grades 6 through 12. Most of these students had been attending English-medium schools for years. On paper, they had a solid grasp of grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. They could write essays, complete worksheets, and pass exams with reasonable ease. Yet, when it came to speaking, they froze.
Even in informal situations, their spoken English was hesitant, heavily accented by their mother tongues, and often peppered with awkward pauses. I noticed a consistent pattern across the group: they were fluent readers but reluctant speakers.
Ragavendran SS is an independent researcher and educator with over 18 years of experience teaching ESL, soft skills, and personality development. He specializes in creative, student-centered approaches that build confidence and communication fluency.
