3 Ways to Show Empathy as an English Learner

Learning English can be difficult, especially when it comes to understanding how to use language to show empathy.

As an adult learner of English, it’s important to be able to communicate and understand the emotions of others.

In this blog post, we will discuss three ways to show empathy as an English learner. Whether you are in a business setting or in a more informal situation, these tips and phrases can help you demonstrate that you understand and care about the feelings of others.

So let’s dive into the three ways you can show empathy as an English learner.

1) Try to Understand How the Other Person Feels

One of the best ways to show empathy as an English learner is to try to understand how the other person feels.

This means really listening to what the person has to say, and trying to put yourself in their shoes. It is important to remember that everyone’s experiences are unique and what works for one person may not work for another.

To get a better understanding of how someone is feeling, you can use phrases such as “I hear what you’re saying” or “I can understand why you feel that way.”

You can also ask questions such as “What happened?” or “How did this make you feel?”

By doing this, you are showing that you care and that you are really listening to the other person. Listening actively and engaging in conversation is a great way to show empathy as an English learner.

2) Communicate That You Understand Their Feelings

Once you have identified and understood the emotions of the other person, it’s time to communicate your understanding.

Use the phrases below to show that you recognize their feelings and that you care about what they are saying.

• “It sounds like you feel…”
• “I can understand why you might feel that way.”
• “It must be tough to go through this situation.”
• “That must be very difficult.”
Also, use open-ended questions to encourage the other person to express themselves more fully. For example, you can ask questions such as:
• “How do you feel about that?”
• “What has been the hardest part for you?”
• “Can you tell me more about that?”

By asking these questions, you show that you truly care about what the other person is saying and that you want to understand their feelings more deeply.

3) Offer Words of Encouragement

Once you have taken the time to understand and communicate how the other person is feeling, it is important to show that you care and want to help in any way possible.

Offering words of encouragement can make a difference in how someone feels and help them to stay motivated.

Here are some examples of phrases you can use to show that you care and show encouragement:

• “I’m sorry to hear that, but I know you’ll get through it.”
• “It sounds like you’re facing a difficult situation. Hang in there!”
• “You can do it! I believe in you.”
• “I’m here for you if you need to talk.”
• “I know this isn’t easy, but I’m sure you’ll make it through.”
• “It sounds like you’ve got a great plan. Good luck!”
• “You’ve got this! Let me know if you need any help.”

This article was written by me. Bryce Purnell, founder of Learn Laugh Speak 

My Medium is here  Check it out for more daily posts!