Today, let’s talk about one of the biggest challenges to becoming fluent and confident in business English: the 'stop-and-start loop.'

Think back to when you first started learning English. You were probably excited, motivated, and full of energy. Every new word or grammar rule felt like real progress, and fluency seemed just around the corner.

But then, life happened. Maybe you took a break to focus on studies, work, family, or something else. Perfectly valid reasons, right? But when you came back to English, it didn’t feel the same. Then another break came along… and another. Before you knew it, you were stuck in a cycle of starting with loads of enthusiasm but stopping before you got where you wanted.

This stop-and-start loop can be so frustrating. It feels like one step forward, one step back. Maybe you’ve even started doubting if fluency is possible at all.

So, how do you break the loop?

There’s no magic fix, but here are three key steps:

1. Awareness: Recognise that repeating the same pattern won’t get you where you want to be. Don't just continue doing the same thing because you're not sure what else to do.

2. Willingness: Be open to changing your approach and stepping out of your comfort zone.

3. Action: Take small, focused steps to move forward. It doesn’t need to be big or immediate, but consistent action will drive progress.

And if you’re feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to seek guidance. A big part of what I do as an English coach is helping people break the loop and get back on track.