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Practical tips to help you become your confident self when communicating in English
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Featured blog posts
How to Bravely Face Change in Your Career with Your ‘Bad’ English
It’s the summer of 2009. We’re in the middle of the credit crunch. My company has just been bailed out by the US Government. I’ve returned to work after 18 months away for breast cancer treatment.
Why you should stop apologising for your poor English (and what to do instead)
Have you ever apologised for your ‘bad’ English? You know, those situations where: You’ve written an email to a supplier requesting information and you end the email with “Sorry for my English. I hope you can understand my email.”
5 Simple Tricks That Will Transform You From Grammar-Obsessed To Confident Business Communicator in English
“I realised my audience didn’t care about my English grammar. They were more interested in understanding my message.” I couldn’t believe it when Giorgios uttered those words in our catch-up call two weeks ago.
Latest blog posts
How to overcome the shame you feel about your English
You feel shame When you can’t understand the question. When you feel yourself pausing too much. When you struggle to find the words to say what you mean. When your boss ‘helpfully’ paraphrases what you’ve just said. In essence, you feel shame...
How to unlearn how you think about your English self
We all have preconceptions... ...about how someone is dressed, how they speak, how they walk into the room, how they look (fat, slim, tattooed, hair). We have preconceptions about cultural and national groups which are often unconscious. We...
Why Asking for Help Means You’re a Confident Communicator in English
Asking for help is really hard especially when you’re trying to make a positive impression on your colleagues or clients in English. In your mind, it shouts unprofessional, inexperienced and worse, not in command of your subject. Or it could say, I know what I...
How To Pitch Your Proposal Confidently in English (Even if You’re Terrified)
It’s the worst feeling. When you have 10 minutes to pitch your proposal over a Zoom call. It’s your one chance to make an impression and get your proposal accepted. The risks are high. Your expertise is on display as is your ability to demonstrate...
How to Stop Seeing Yourself and Your English as The Problem
I am the problem. If my international colleagues don’t understand the point I’ve just made. If they look confused but stay silent. If I don’t understand my British colleague’s joke. If I don’t understand some of their...
How I Stopped Being an English Teacher (So I Can Empower You)
What would it be like? ● To have near-perfect English grammar. ● To effortlessly reach into the chasms of your mind to retrieve that impressive word. ● To eloquently answer your client’s question without panicking. It would be a dream come true. I’d...
How to Politely Embrace Conflict (with Your English)
Consider these 3 business scenarios. Scenario One You’ve worked hard for weeks on a client project. You’ve had numerous meetings with them clarifying their objectives, making changes along the way according to their specifications. The day...
How to Apologise in Writing Without Apologising for Your ‘Bad’ English
[This is an updated version of a previous blog post] You’re in front of your computer about to craft a written apology in English to your client. Your fingers hover over the keyboard and your first thoughts are on what you think you don’t have - the...
4 Fundamental Steps that Will Restore Your Confidence in Your English
I think if I speak fast, people won’t notice my accent. “Is it ‘of’ or ‘in’”? - I constantly worry about prepositions. “What T means is…” - Why do my colleagues feel the need to rephrase what I say? It only serves to undermine me....