Testimony of Consuelo, a Chilean Woman Who Overcame the Challenges of Life in Canada 

Written by Eddy Ramírez

"My goal was to be myself in English—not just to understand, but to be myself. In other words, Consuelo speaking in Spanish, Consuelo speaking in English..."

When you speak English, do you feel like you become a distant or inhibited person? Even if you manage to communicate, you lose your sense of humor, your quick wit, and the authenticity that defines you in your native language.

For the vast majority of Hispanics who emigrate to Canada, the greatest difficulty lies in feeling compelled to act like a “robot” in society, whether out of fear of making mistakes or because they cannot find a way to express their true selves in a new language.

But that can change.

Today you'll learn about Consuelo's story. Although she had a solid foundation in the language, she experienced a stark contrast that led her to discover the authenticity of her voice when speaking English, just as she does in Spanish.

Read his fascinating story with me and find out how he did it.

“Being Myself in English”: Stop Sounding Like a Robot and Rediscover Your Real Voice

Consuelo Sandoval, a Chilean physical therapist who has lived in Ontario with her husband since 2021, became pregnant a few months after moving to Canada. In the meantime, she decided to use her time at home to focus her energy on improving her English. 

He didn't do it just to fulfill a formal requirement or to validate his degree in physical therapy; he did it out of a need for identity and personal security.

"I decided anyway: I want to improve, I want to avoid making mistakes, I want to feel confident, and above all, as I said, I want to be myself in English... Sometimes you hold back on certain things—expressions, ways of being—because you don't know how to say them. I’d talk and talk, but I was like a robot—it wasn’t me. So I wanted to be myself—to be able to laugh the way I do in English, to tell jokes in English, and to just be myself."

She studied diligently, taking advantage of every time her baby took a nap. Her goal was to process the information smoothly in order to connect emotionally with her patients and her surroundings.

Insufficient English proficiency: From stumbling through the interview to a full caseload

Although Consuelo had the necessary work experience, when she applied for a secretarial position at a prestigious pelvic health clinic in Toronto, she realized that something that just wasn’t quite right.

She herself felt that she hadn't managed to convey the necessary confidence. In fact, she wasn't selected for the position. 

The clinic owner subtly made it clear to him that the decision was due to the fact that she still did not yet have a sufficient command of English to function in the Canadian workplace.

Far from getting discouraged, Consuelo used that experience as motivation. 

More than two years went by during which he she focused on improving her English. She studied, worked caring for the elderly, decided to practice speaking with native Canadians, and took specialized courses. 

Open House at the Company: You Can Tell They Speak English

After passing her exams and obtaining her license to practice her profession, she went back to the same employer. 

During that second call, the owner immediately noticed the radical transformation and said to her: "Oh, now you speak English very well."

However, the challenge didn't end there. 

The switch in English and Spanish

During the practical test, Consuelo once again experienced that temporary mental block where the brain tries to make the switch between two languages and the words slip away for a second. 

The employer confessed to him that, although she loved his profile, she still had some doubts about her technical fluency in English, so she offered him an initial contract to treat only Spanish-speaking patients.

"And what happened was that she told me, 'Okay, I love you... but I'm having doubts about your English again. So I want you to work here, but only with Spanish-speaking patients.'"

The Fruits of Studying English

"And then she says to me, 'Oh, a patient who spoke English asked for an appointment with you'... and that patient had nothing but good things to say about me... So she says, 'Well, I know you speak English now, and the patients get along well with you, so I want to recommend that you take on the full workload (English and Spanish).'"

That was the definitive turning point: the clinic realized that Consuelo not only had a firm grasp of physical therapy, but also she demonstrated complete empathy and professionalism in English, and finally assigned her a full workload.

Mastering English leads to permanent residency and access to the job market

In Canada, proficiency in English is a key factor in immigration scores and career advancement within the country. 

Direct Entry System: Express Entry

Reach an advanced level in English (CLB 9) in all four skills unlocks up to 50 additional points in the Express Entry system.

In the case of Consuelo and her husband, the cutoff scores had risen from 450 to over 500 points over the years. 

Language Certification

Thanks to the level of English she demonstrated on her official exams, they were able to make up for the points lost due to her age and secure permanent residency through the federal process.

Technical Vocabulary for Professional English

On the other hand, practicing a regulated profession requires mastery of high level of technical vocabulary. 

Consuelo had to completely rethink her approach when she learned that anatomical terms in English are studied directly based on their technical Latin roots, unlike in Spanish. 

The Rewards of a Job

Thanks to this preparation and the ability to adapt to her surroundings that she developed, she is now able to work 32 hours a week at two different clinics in Toronto and receive ongoing professional guidance from her employer.

Secrets of English 

To become more fluent, you need to seek out constant exposure in real-life work and everyday settings.

Behind these spaces lie idioms, intonations, accents, and the natural learning that comes from speaking with native speakers.

Consuelo's Initial Goal: Authenticity

Consuelo realized she sounded like a robot. Her strategy was daily discipline. She studied English with focus and achieved everything she shared with us during our pleasant interview.

"My goal was to be able to be myself in English… That's why I said, 'Well, let's focus on English while I'm waiting for my baby to arrive.' When he arrived, during every nap, every free moment I had—English, English, English..."

Consuelo's story shows that achieving authenticity in a new country is not a matter of luck, but of persistence and purpose. 

Thank you for this honest testimonial, and congratulations on each of your achievements!

And you—how close are you to taking the plunge and finding your own voice in English? Check out our social media platforms and tell us about your experience with the language.

Learn languages with us

At Planeta Immiland Education, we support professionals throughout their integration process. Our English and French programs are taught by certified teachers who have also overcome challenges and difficulties and understand the path to success.

Moving to and adapting to a new country requires constant effort, but it should never mean losing your true self. 

Be yourself in English and achieve the success you want.

If you'd like to improve your language skills with us, contact us.

I hope this story inspires you and that you decide to take steps toward your dreams.

With love, 

Planeta Immiland Education