The Art of Language

Art Direction: Jameel Arif (@jameelarif)

Photographer: Riyaz (@riyasphotokw)

Please introduce yourself to our readers. I come from a mixed background. I’m Kuwaiti-Malaysian, my father (rest his soul) was Kuwaiti, and my mother is originally from Malaysia. I learned early on how different cultures and languages can impact meaning, connections and understanding. I find it fascinating and perhaps that’s what led me to where I am today. I’m an avid reader, I enjoy art in all its forms, and I love discovering new methods of learning and self-development. I now run and own the Art of Language for Training and Consultancy; I’m a language and leadership coach and I strive to help others reach their goals.

Tell us about your education.

I graduated from Kuwait University with a Bachelors in English Language & Literature. I didn’t stop there and got my certifications as a TESOL instructor as well as a Business & Executive Coach. I’m looking to further my studies in the future as well.

What are some of your favorite childhood memories?

Some of my favorite childhood memories were spent in Malaysia, growing up there was an experience. I learned a lot. I loved taking my bicycle out for a ride around the neighborhood with friends and I would constantly get into interesting encounters with different animals and creatures.

What got you interested in teaching?

Interesting enough, I was trying to avoid entering the teaching sector. I was very passionate about psychology, understanding the human mind and behaviors and how our psychology impacts our quality of life. Yet I recall taking AP psychology in high school, and we had studied an entire section on the psychology of education. It was fascinating how different factors can affect the level of learning and education we receive. This immediately grabbed my interest, as through learning we shape our lives, values, thoughts and personalities and I shifted my focus towards a career in education and teaching.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

I have always been truly inspired by Oprah Winfrey, how she teaches in a different form using different mediums but shares incredible wisdom with the world. I was also inspired by my high school English teacher in my senior year, Dr. Christi Hebert. I still remember her and all the things I learned from her. She taught us the value of reading with purpose and also taught us how to annotate the books we read to truly explore its content further. I was inspired by how she taught us the skills we needed, and though it was tough at the time, she never belittled us in any way and was always a source of kindness and patience.

What were some of the challenges you faced during teaching?

Where do I start? Honestly, when I first started teaching, I quickly realized the importance of self-regulation when dealing with classes of students. Each student has their own personality, come from different backgrounds, have different learning styles and challenges. As a teacher, it is our job and role to find a way to help each of these different students get the best out of each class. This is not always easy, and I found there is a huge challenge with implementing creative teaching styles in some schools, as we are expected to follow a strict and specific format and it may not always serve the students.

What made you to decide to start you own teaching business?

I realized that the only way I could have the freedom to truly teach, train and coach effectively was under my own management. I wanted to reach more people, offer them the support they need and provide a safe environment for them to learn the skills they seek to learn. I believe that education and learning can only happen when there is a level of trust, acceptance, empathy, understanding and the willingness to try even if we may get it wrong. I also enjoy researching new methods to add into my own programs, I am also passionate about coaching and have found a way to combine both elements to create a more impactful learning environment for my clients.

Why did you name it “The Art of Language”?

The name came to me when I was in the middle of an argument, interesting enough. I started to really emphasize on the importance of communication skills, the power of speaking with purpose and I called it an art. It then came to me, language is an art, no matter how it is used. Thus, the Art of Language came to life. I want to share my appreciation for language learning with the Middle East and how to best portray themselves at work, with family and friends and more by using language effectively.

What subjects or topics do you teach?

I mostly coach and train my clients in English language acquisition, public speaking & presentation skills, communication skills and effective teaching strategies for fellow educators, leadership, and management skills. I am also a coach that helps clients achieve their goals in different areas of their lives.

Who are you typical clients?

My usual clients are fellow educators, students, business professionals, doctors, lawyers, and individuals interested in advancing their communication skills in English to help them take advantage of opportunities that come their way, flourish in their careers and daily lives. Even for those who have mastered the basic skills in English, I help them reach the next level in terms of strategic communication skills and influential public speaking/presentations.

What is your overview of the current situation in the corporate world in terms of effective communication implementation?

I feel as though communication skills are taken for granted. There is a lot about communication that we can learn and implement especially in the workplace. I’m quite pleased to see more companies today seeking to train their new employees in effective and business communication skills. Through my experience, I noticed that the focus would revolve around getting the “job done” more than building connections among peers through strategic communication. This is an element that would shift the environment in the corporate world if taken more seriously.

What makes your training unique and different?

I combine different tools, strategies, and concepts to help my clients and coachees develop in their skills. I don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach or curriculum. I research each person’s learning style, ask them how they have learned best in the past and depending on that, I tailor the training materials to them and practice accordingly. I use coaching tools and strategies to help develop their self-awareness and build on their self confidence to be open to learning these new skills.

What are some of the challenges in running your training business?

I would say the challenge is setting up my time in such a way where there is time to run the business, time to train, time to coach and time to develop the tools and materials needed. I wear different hats throughout the day and must keep up with it. It can get overwhelming at times but seeing the results in my clients makes it all worthwhile. How can organizations benefit from your training?

As a coach and trainer, I learned to use the gamification of concepts to best get the message across in my training. I sincerely believe that part of the success that organizations achieve come from their investment in their employees in terms of skill training, development and ensuring the working environment is an active and healthy one. This is what I promote through my programs.

What programs do you offer for Trainers/ Teachers?

I offer workshops and training programs for teachers called “Teach the Teacher,” in these workshops and programs I aim to develop our fellow educators in the coaching skills and techniques that can be used in the classrooms for more impact. I strongly believe combining the best of both approaches will transform education in the future.

How important is effective communication for organizations?

I sincerely believe it’s one of the most important skills to master. It could make or break a business deal quite frankly. I have also seen and experienced when communication breaks down in organizations, there is not much cooperation, more tension and confusion. This leads to chaos rather than smooth operations. We are human at the end of the day, however, the sooner we realize the impact communication has on the working environment, results and cohesion, the sooner matters can get back on track.

What are your future plans for your business?

I plan on expanding my business to include more coaching and training programs that can benefit individuals and organizations. I also hope to be a part of the change in our education methods.

What are some of your other hobbies?

I love art. I’ve always been a fan of watercolor painting. Recently, I’ve discovered digital art and have been practicing. I use my digital art and designs for products and tools in my business. I also enjoy shooting and reading. I read a lot, and it’s something I encourage even for my clients.

If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

I want everyone to know that it’s more important to work on developing yourself, your skills, and the value you have to offer more than anything else. There will always be ups and downs and challenges. However, the more you skill up, the more you are equipped to handle these challenges and persevere.

Your message for us at CP magazine.

It’s critical to have dreams, and it’s important to bring these dreams to life by setting specific goals and acting on them. I don’t think we emphasize enough on the importance of goal setting and building the discipline it takes to achieve them. We should always seek to improve and learn more throughout life. Learning is a life-long process. One of my absolute favorite quotes is “Get comfortable, being uncomfortable. This is where growth happens” and it truly shifted my perspective on life. We are so often told that we need to be “comfortable”, and it gets misconstrued. Growth and change are uncomfortable processes.