'I Googled It': How Neeraj Chopra taught himself English
Turns out, Neeraj didn't have access to fancy tutors or expensive language classes. Instead, he soaked up English from his coaches, his teammates, and—wait for it—his phone. 'I started learning by listening to my coaches speak. Then, I used Duolingo whenever I had time,' he said.Neeraj's English-learning journey wasn't just about communication—it was about confidence. 'At first, I was hesitant. But I kept practicing. That's all you need—consistency and belief,' he added.
MULTILINGUAL MISHAPS AND GLOBAL GREETINGSWorking with international coaches exposed Neeraj to a medley of languages, from German to Swedish. He even picked up phrases to connect better with them. But not every attempt went smoothly.'I once greeted someone in German with full confidence,' he laughed. 'But when they replied fluently, I panicked and switched back to English immediately!'The story had everyone in splits—and made it clear: even world champions stumble, and that's totally okay.WORDS FOR DREAMERS: 'MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAM'Neeraj wasn't just sharing language tips. He had a powerful message for Indian students dreaming of studying abroad.'I come from a small village,' he said. 'My dream was to represent India. And I worked for it—even when it seemed far. If you have a dream, don't just keep it locked in your mind. Speak it. Believe it. And make the people around you believe in it too.'He stressed that success doesn't happen overnight, but persistence, patience, and support go a long way.OLYMPIC WISDOM, ONE WORD AT A TIMENeeraj Chopra's story is a reminder that language shouldn't be a barrier—it should be a bridge. Whether it's throwing a javelin 87 meters or saying your first full sentence in English, it all starts with one thing: trying.As Neeraj put it, 'Big dreams need small, everyday effort. Whether it's in sports, language, or life—just don't stop trying.'- EndsMust Watch
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