TEDX Talk on ESL and Accents
“How To Speak Bad English Perfectly” Interesting commentary on the business of ESL (English as a Second Language) including fixing ‘bad English’ grammar and pronunciation mistakes. Native English speakers are greatly outnumbered in the world, yet many non-natives are striving for ‘perfect’ English skills. I’ve always believed we can help ESL speakers speak ‘through’ or […]
3V English Communication Assessment (ECA) Template
I have been invited to speak at both TESL Canada and TESL Ontario on the topic of Business English Fundamentals, and how to teach them in the classroom or at the office. Assessments are a key player in communication coaching and corporate training success. Simply speaking, the formula is “Assessment = Training Program = ROI […]
Join Me at TESL Canada 2017 and Learn About Teaching Business English
Fellow Business English/ESL teachers, tutors and coaches, are you going to TESL Canada’s Conference in Niagara Falls this weekend? If so, let’s connect! I’ll be giving a short lecture titled “Business English Fundamentals: How to Teach It in the Classroom or Office!” My lecture is scheduled for Saturday, June 10th 2017 at 2:15 in the […]
Why the Change in Tone from Speaking to Writing?
Do you ever notice how many people in positions of leadership in the business world can be friendly and casual in person, yet when they email or post a memo to staff they adopt a very formal, cold tone? Isn’t that a bit odd and counter-productive to all the rapport building previously done to win […]
Tips for Teaching Business English (For TESL Ontario Members)
As an active member of TESL (Teacher of English as a Second Language) Ontario I recently contributed my years of knowledge and experience training ESL clients and hosted a Professional Development webinar called Tips for Teaching Business English Students & Immigrants. It ran live on July 26 2015 but it is now archived and available […]
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 […]
A Great Post on Defining A Business English Program
Author Paul Emmerson reflects on in-work and pre-experience Business English. What is Business English? A naïve question to be sure, but a good one to step back and ask from time to time. Below, in blue, is a nine-point answer to that question that I wrote along with my colleague Nick Hamilton back in 2000. […]
Free Business English Classes for New Immigrants
Although I have no affiliation, I like to support and pass on great initiatives like this one. Free occupation-specific language training courses offered by 13 Ontario colleges will teach you the language and workplace culture skills required to communicate effectively in your job, for some industries. Gain the communications skills you need to build a […]
Executive English Coaching is Valuable
If you a manager, leader or executive, and you have ESL (English as a Second Language), you may need my help. If you have immigrated to the Toronto area, or you are working here for a while, you may have noticed that we ‘do things differently’ here than what you had read in books. Culture […]
Office Talk – Expressions
“The Office” can be used to mean any job or typical day. You do not actually have to work in an office. Example: John comes home tired, looking stressed and burned out. His wife asks: “Hard day at the office?” He replies: “Oh yeah. We’ve got a new manager/supervisor/accountant/secretary/etc. causing me grief because…” Once again, […]