Repeat Favourite Phrases to Improve Conversation

One of the things to remember when you are looking to improve conversation skills, especially if you are using English as a second language and you really want to speak English better, is that English is just one part of language, and language is just one part of communication. A quick way to build rapport […]

Are You Coming or Going? (Exploring Related Phrasal Verbs)

COMING OR GOING? 1. a)  to come across = to find by chance                                    I came across a beautiful antique vase in a 2nd hand shop in Kensington Market. 1. b)  to come across = to appear He comes across as reserved, but actually he’s very outgoing once you get to know him. 2. […]

Shame, Shameless and Shameful

Let’s look at the root word ‘shame’ and explore its common uses. Shame = sad feeling, guilt, or embarrassment. I’m ashamed (of you/us/myself) = I’m embarrassed and perhaps dishonored. “I’m ashamed to admit that it was me who stole the winning lotto ticket from you.” Shame on you!  = Scolding another person for a shameful […]

Why Teaching Idioms (Slang, Expressions) is Important in Business English

Like many of you I have a profile on the networking site LinkedIn. (You can find me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/communicationcoach )  One of the benefits of LinkedIn is becoming a member of a group related to our fields or interests.  I subscribe to a number of groups, and sometimes feel compelled to add my two cents […]

Some People Have Real Difficulty With Public Speaking but Have No Choice!

I salute those that are striving to improve their public speaking and presentation skills. It’s not always an easy thing to do, especially if one was born introverted, with a learning challenge of some kind, is not a native speaker of the working language or simply was never used to or trained in how to […]

Some Sites to Learn Idioms (Expressions)

There is formal language and then there is informal or casual language. For the school classrooms you need formal, i.e., ‘academic’ language.  For the lunch room and with your friends you need informal/casual language skills. At work, especially if it involves an office, boardroom and the like, you need formal i.e., ‘business’ language skills.  Each […]

ELC Study Zone: Adjective Order

ELC Study Zone: Adjective Order Introduction In English, it is common to use more than one adjective before a noun — for example, “He’s a silly young fool,” or “She’s a smart, energetic woman.” When you use more than one adjective, you have to put them in the right order, according to type. This page […]