Brian Jeffrey
About Nguyen Thanh Nhan
Nguyen Thanh Nhan, born in 2002 in Son Tay, Hanoi, pursued his studies at Phuong Dong University. In his first year, he earned extra income working as a waiter, later transitioning to a job at a Japanese restaurant in his third year.
Language Learning Journey
Majoring in Japanese, Nhan took advantage of his workplace to enhance his language skills. He formed a friendship with a Japanese student employed at the restaurant, which significantly improved his proficiency; within a year, he was fluent in Japanese.
Career Choices
After graduation, Nhan sought a position at a Japanese-owned company but left shortly after due to a poor fit. He experimented with various roles but found his passion in becoming a ride-hailing driver.
Although family and friends were skeptical of this choice, Nhan viewed it as a thoughtful decision that would push him to grow and learn about himself.
He explained, “While this job may be tougher than a typical office role, the daily experiences and lessons I gain are unmatched.”
Challenges and Improvements
Nhan’s realization of the importance of language learning struck him one day while assisting a foreign passenger. He recognized a need to enhance his language skills further.
To address this, he began following instructional videos featuring Vietnamese individuals communicating fluently with foreigners, which sparked his motivation.
“I focused on mastering the essentials, such as phonetic symbols for pronunciation, listening abilities, and English tenses,” he shared.
Practice Makes Perfect
Armed with foundational skills, Nhan leveraged free language apps to practice listening and speaking whenever possible. Without the pressure of grades, his learning accelerated.
“Languages are my communication tools. I initiate conversations with foreign passengers regularly,” he noted. “Consistent practice is crucial for language mastery.”
Foreign passengers have praised his English, which he attributes to his fearless approach to making mistakes during practice. “I speak as often as I can. Fear of errors only hinders progress,” he said.
Expanding Linguistic Horizons
Nhan approached learning Chinese similarly, having studied it as a second foreign language in school. This background expedited his ability to converse in Chinese.
Within 5-6 months, he was able to form simple sentences in English, even though his initial clarity was only about 50 percent. He persevered, finding ways to communicate until he made himself understood.
To efficiently manage his learning, he dedicated two languages a day while strategically scheduling his practice throughout the week.
Sharing His Journey
As a driver, Nhan documented his experiences on TikTok, initially just for fun. Within six months, he garnered an impressive 130,000 followers.
“I’m thrilled by this response. Through my videos, I wish to inspire others to keep learning, no matter their profession, as knowledge is always beneficial,” he remarked.
A Busy Lifestyle
Now, Nhan’s days are packed as he drives passengers and delivers food from dawn until late afternoon. He always carries two language books, seizing moments to practice speaking whenever possible—whether waiting for battery charges or new fares. He is currently aiming for the Japanese N2 certification.
No Regrets
Despite some expressing regret about his career path, Nhan feels no remorse. “This job supports my living, and I can still devote time to studying. Regular practice is essential; without it, language skills fade quickly,” he concluded.
