Problem with English in US?Suggestions please?

Hi friends, I am facing this problem with English while conversing with Americans.
I work as a volunteer in an office once a week where I sometimes answer calls and help callers with registration work. I can speak English well, but the problem is in understanding the callers. Even after staying here for over 2 years I find it hard to understand their accent sometimes(and vice versa, I think)Sometimes I am unable to understand what they are asking and get confused, mostly I ask an employee to take over in such a situation, but if no one is available, I have to handle it myself. Many times the callers get irritated with this and some are very rude too! Some of them even ask what nationality I am and that they want to speak to someone who knows English. Ironically, I have a degree in English Literature from India!! Therefore, it is extremely detrimental for my self-confidence every time I face this. I even contemplated giving up on this volunteer work for this reason, but then I would have nowhere to go(H4).

I want to continue and be able to be understood and understand. Do any of you have any tips for me? How to handle phone conversations in US? Also its not just American accent, sometimes callers have chinese, British, Spanish accents!! How to handle all this? Any suggestions please?

Dear Nithya,
You may try taking a ESL (English as a Second Language) class. Perhaps a community college near you has that class available. It helps understand a lot of American LINGO. I too was fluent in English but my English was British based so I used to get a bit uncomfortable as well.
Thanks,
Oopall.

Nithya,

Talk slowly and loud enough, so they can understand.
Listen carefully their words when they are talking.
It will come automatically with practice. Donot avoid those calls, take those calls and concentrate when you are listening.
Each accent is different so it is ok to not understand till we get used :)

Also Chinese is still tough for me!! Remember that is how they talk.. Keep talking to start understanding their accent better, donot avoid.

Good Luck!!

Bye
Archana