English with Kirsty: Recent Episodes
Kirsty Major
A podcast for busy people who want to improve their business English or develop their communication skills. For further information, see www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast
Diana is “a very curious woman from Venezuela and a big fan of languages!”
We met on LinkedIn – it’s the place to be these days – and I want to share with you what happened when we got together a couple of weeks ago. We talked about:
- Diana’s story and language journey
- Why it’s important to have fun when you are learning languages and to find activities that are enjoyable for you
- Why it’s important to practise every day and not just when you go to classes
- How to avoid mixin up languages when you are learning several languages at the same time
- How using different languages helps you to highlight different parts of your personality
- How her knowledge of languages and her experience working with different cultures help Diana now with her work in communications
- How having something enjoyable to work towards can be both a motivator and a reward.
Find out more on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode219
I haven’t done a solo episode for a while, so I decided to talk about producing content in other languages.
This is relevant for me at the moment because I’m creating a presentation in Romanian and writing a guest blog article in German. So I thought it might be useful to share some of the things that I’ve been doing to make the process easier. After all, it’s not exactly the same when you are creating content in an additional language. Maybe you need to do the same with content in English.
Let me know if you have any tips to add or experiences to share!
Find out more on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode218
Antoni Maroto is a freelance medical communicator who aims to produce accessible, clear, and inclusive documents for consumers, health care providers, patients, and regulatory agencies. His areas of specialisation are imaging and radiology. Antoni’s working languages are Catalan, English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
We talked about:
- How Antoni's early introduction to English opened up new opportunities, personally and professionally.
- Moving to Portugal and beginning to learn Portuguese.
- How writing in your additional languages can help you to consolidate what you've learned
- The importance of finding role models who inspire you when you want to learn a new language
- Ways to overcome the fear of speaking an additional language.
Do you relate to any of the subjects that we discussed?
Find out more on the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode217/
Sancha and I got to know each other on LinkedIn and I was interested to find out more about her, her work, her family, and her story.
In this conversation, we talk about:
Sancha's first experiences working with English speakers
Getting used to listening to a variety of accents once you start using a language in the real world
Learning Korean as an adult
Bringing children up bilingually
Sancha's journals for mothers and children.
This is how Sancha introduced herself:
“Mental and emotional health are by far what affects many parents / carers of people with disabilities, as we focus so much on caring for others, we tend to leave ourselves behind. I became a Thetahealer and I didn't stop since, I became a Reiki Master, studying Psychology at NUI Maynooth, joined the Irish School of Shamanic Studies to become a Shaman healer, started reading Angel Cards and made my mission to help all parents and carers of special needs children/adults , to balance their mental and emotional health on the daily basis. Because I know how it feels, the challenges, the daily struggles, the upper management of home, therapies, doctors, children, and life itself. I have created a range of products and published over 7 books to help on their daily self-care routine. As we all know we can’t give from an empty cup, so we must fill ours first.
Find out more on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode216
Where do I start? When Rita and I get together we never really know what will happen! We have all kinds of ideas for projects and I’m sure you’ll hear more about those soon.
But this time we talked about one of our favourite subjects: languages!
That means
• How we became interested in them and the role that they play in our lives
• How we share this passion with others and help them to learn
• Why Madonna is so important in Rita’s language learning story
• How language without context won’t help you to communicate
• How Rita’s English and Portuguese mentoring sessions work
• Why it’s important to combine our other passions and interests with our additional languages.
Actually it’s really hard to summarise our conversation because we cover so many topics, share what has worked for us, tell stories, and generally have a great time talking about everything around languages, linguistics, and learning!
Find out more and how to connect with Rita on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode215
Nadezhda Chalyk is a trainer, consultant and lecturer working in the field of intercultural communication.
Here are some of the topics that we discussed in our conversation about language, culture, and communication:
- Nadezhda’s language learning journey
- When it’s time to start actually speaking a new language
- Different types of communication styles – influenced by language and culture
- Ways to communicate better and to avoid misunderstandings
- Cultural norms in terms of communication – what is polite? Which topics are considered too personal?
- How learning about language and culture are connected and why they are both important
- Ways for those using their first language to be more inclusive in professional situations.
Find out more on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode214
Leanna and I connected when Leanna message me on LinkedIn. First I thought our conversation would be about language teaching, but in the end, we also talked about:
How speaking (and learning) additional languages can make you a better teacher
Strategies for learning new languages independently as an adult.
Ways to make sure that you allocate time to different projects when you're learning multiple languages.
Leanna's new blog and website, Learning with Leanna.
This is how Leanna introduces herself:
"I am Leanna Lee, and I started my teaching career with home-schooling my son for his Kindergarten and 1st grade years. After that, I worked as a Spanish and Mandarin Teacher for a private day care. During the pandemic, I obtained my TESOL certificate and started my journey as an ESOL Teacher. I started my company Learning with Leanna during this time and privately tutored through this. I have worked with children and adult students from all over the world and I enjoy helping my students reach their English goals. In my free time I enjoy reading, learning languages, and spending time with my son and husband."
Find out more on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode213
Two things really impressed me about Maribel’s story:
- If you want something and it doesn’t exist, create the opportunity yourself! You’ll see how this worked out for Maribel as we talk about her story and how she built her business.
- Having your own business and using additional languages in business can be a way to help you develop and improve those language skills. Don’t wait till everything is perfect! Do your best, but the learning comes along the way as you use the additional languages in real situations. I need to remember this one too!
Maribel Aburto is the CEO and co-founder of CREATIVA Design Studio, a Branding and Web Design Agency dedicated to providing flexible job opportunities to women of different backgrounds. Originally from Chile, she moved to New Zealand in 2009, where she lived for 13 years before recently relocating to Dublin in January. With a background in branding and website design, she’s passionate about helping value-driven women and businesses worldwide to grow and succeed by creating designs that effectively reach their ideal audiences. Her mission is to empower women like herself to achieve their business and professional goals and build successful businesses.
Visit the show notes page to find out more and to access Maribel's links:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode212
Today I'm looking at some of the differences between studying a language at school and learning as an independent adult.
We have more opportunities as an adult and more freedom to customise the learning process, but sometimes it can be too much freedom! So we need to be proactive with time management, to actively seek out opportunities to practise, and have the discipline to stay on track.
Understanding these differences can help us to make better choices, so I want to look at five of them. I talk about practical things, such as finding the right course, but also the way we manage our emotions around starting something new or not yet having the skills that we want because we are still in the process of developing them!
Find out more on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode211
In today's episode, I'm speaking with Anja Rohde, who shares stories from her own experiences of language learning, as well as some practical ways in which you can put your new knowledge into practice as a language learner.
Anja runs a site called Fremdsprachen-Jobs, a site for advertising and finding jobs that require additional language skills. She also teaches German and works as a job coach.
Founded in 2013, Fremdsprachen-Jobs has become a leader in the online job market, specialising in foreign language services in the German-speaking countries (D-A-CH). And it is part of a larger network of diverse foreign language professionals. Through Fremdsprachen-Jobs, employers are able to find those candidates with language skills who really fit their organisational needs, whether as employees, freelancers or trainees. In addition, language professionals from all industries and freelancers such as translators, interpreters, and teachers, are able to find positions where they can actively use their language skills or find new clients.
Anja took over this project in July 2021 because it compliments and is a valuable addition to her work as a German teacher and job coach. Anja has been teaching German since 2011 and she's been working as a job coach since 2020.
find out more on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode203
In today's episode, we’re changing things round a bit! Instead of asking the questions, it’s my turn to answer!
Carol Constant, who you will probably remember from episode 199, asked me some language-related questions about my journey and recent experiences.
We talk about my trip to Vienna last week, where I presented at a conference in German for the first time, my motivation for learning languages, when it’s good to stop doing things that clearly aren’t working for you, how relationships with others are so important for learning another language, and the links between language, culture, and food!
We also talk about my new conversation club. If this made you curious, you can check out the conversation club's page: https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/conversations
In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Alina Bota Tăbușcă about
- What is a marketing coach and how can having one help you in your business?
- The parallel between marketing coaching and language training.
- Developing your brand voice and brand identity in another language.
- How working in multiple languages can create bridges for entrepreneurs.
- Plus Alina’s new dog Luna!
Find out more on the show notes page:
https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode201
In today's episode, I want to talk about mindset. It’s important! Of course you need to know what you’re talking about, to use the right words in the right way, and to be competent. However, the way in which you approach meetings in another language, the way you treat yourself, and the stories that you tell yourself are also important!
I am using my recent experience of participating in meetings in Romanian. I talk about 10 key points that are related to our mindset and how we prepare for meetings in another language.
You can find out more on the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/episode200
In today's episode, I'm speaking with Carol Constant about effective ways to remember things better.
After a long career in corporate, Carol followed her true vocation and founded Bemensa.
Bemensa offers training in 2 different areas:
Pre- employment tests and Mensa test preparation.<
Talent development workshops for companies, on skills like problem-solving, creative thinking etc…
Bemensa’s app is also launching in July 2022 to help you grow your career.
To find out more, visit the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode199
In today's episode, I'm reflecting on my language learner journey so far so that I can decide what worked well in the past, and what I no longer want to do. This will help me to have a more productive and enjoyable experience of learning Romanian - because I can review what I've learned through studying German and Turkish.
Do you relate to any of these points?
If you'd rather read my article on the lessons I've learned, it's available on my blog.
Alternatively, you can visit the show notes page.
Today's episode is an interview with Ana Mihaela from the European Business Networking Institute and Mindset Owners Club.
This is how Ana introduced herself:
"Over the last 15 years, I have met over 30,000 business people and learned about many industries. I have helped build business systems that support thousands of business owners and I organise meetings and events to create a better community in the business environment all over Europe and the world. I love connecting with people, finding out their stories, and supporting them with the right connections."
We talk about the events that Ana organises, some tips for making a good first impression at networking events, and some simple ways to optimise your LinkdeIn profile.
Click through to the shownotes page for further links and information:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode197
This episode is based on an article that I wrote for the Fremdsprachen Jobs site about words and phrases that are used by German speakers, and that sound like English, but which don't mean the same thing, or don't mean anything in English!
I decided to talk about this here because some of the topics can be applied more broadly in terms of words that might make sense to you and everyone in your office, but not to people from other parts of the world.
Every language has these words and phrases, even more so as English is increasingly used for business. I chose examples from German because I am most familiar with those.
Can you think of any more?
Happy New Year!
Today I'm talking about three important skills for language learners. It is important to develop these skills, but they all become less relevant and necessary as our language skills improve.
Find out what they are in today's episode, and let me know if you can think of any more to add!
The links and other information that I mention are on the show notes page.
Today I'm sharing with you my conversation with Jane Eggers from Jane Eggers Translations. We share our tips and experiences when it comes to attending business networking meetings in other languages. We hope that the things that have worked for us might also work for you too if you find yourself in similar situations, or if you want to attend more of this kind of meeting to present yourself or your business in English.
Even if this isn't relevant to you, many of our ideas will also work if you're taking part in meetings in English, or any other additional language that you may have.
You can find out more on the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode194
Or, if you're interested in the business networking in English course, you can find out more here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/about-the-lessons/business-networking/
Nicole is the founder and Creative Director at Hynek Associates, a digital marketing and communications agency in the UK. She was born to a Czech father and British mother, giving her a unique experience and insight into culture and language growing up. Nicole started out in photography in 2005, learning the industry from the ground up. She added film to her portfolio in 2012 and has continued to grow and develop both herself and her business since that time. She has an MSc in Business Psychology and is currently a part-time PhD student in Organisational Psychology at the University of Worcester.
We talk about Nicole's experience of learning a language as an adult, the value of exploring a language with those who actually speak it, the way your personality and how you express yourself can change as you move between languages and cultures, how Nicole's experiences have helped her in her business, and the importance of really listening when you want to communicate and understand the other person well.
Find out more on the show notes page.
When we think about listening skills, it's often in the context of understanding others.
Many of my multilingual clients see speaking in English as a challenge. It's a challenge that I understand too, because I also face it when I'm using other languages in which I don't feel as confident.
Part of the solution to this problem is to become more used to and comfortable with listening to ourselves speaking the other language. In this episode, I explain why this is important and give some suggestions on how to do it.
Jennie is the owner at Master your Messaging and Lovely Voice.
This is how Jennie introduces herself:
" I’m Jennie Eriksen and I work with clients on effective online communication and messaging.
As a confidence and visibility coach, I help clients who are struggling to confidently show up online with an engaging message, whether that’s a networking meeting, a Facebook Live, Webinar, Summit or maybe as a podcast guest, or speaker.
I work with clients to create memorable messaging.
Together we work on laying the foundations of how you talk about your business, make genuine connections, and ensure your message resonates with others so people understand what you do.
This work goes hand in hand with my narration work. As a professional voiceover I write and narrate for clients worldwide. I know first-hand how difficult it can be to get your message right, every time.
We talk about how to come across authentically in networking meetings, some of the benefits of attending meetings online, and, at a time when some of us are doing a lot more talking, how to take care of your voice.
Nic is an engineer with vast experience in the IT and Telecommunications industries. He is also the National Director for Ireland at the Mindset Owners Club. He is married and has four children.
Our conversation covers many language-related topics, including methods to learn a language, the experience of studying for a PHD abroad, raising multilingual children, and working in an international environment.
You can visit the show notes page here.
This week I have another conversation to share with you.
Eva is a Spanish translator who is passionate about international trade and the cultural and linguistic challenges linked to it. Her multilingual translation company, Genuine Translations, helps businesses break all the marketing, legal and technical translation barriers by translating their products’ labels, localising their website, providing certified translations and so much more. Eva is also the Co-Founder of Local to Global, a one-stop gateway for all exporters’ cultural, linguistic and branding requirements.
We discuss Eva's work, points to consider when working with contacts in Spanish-speaking countries, and some of the problems that can arise when companies don't take the time to source quality translations.
You can find out more on the show notes page.
This week I have a conversation to share with you. I was talking with Zanne Gaynor and Kathryn Alevizos from Acrobat Global about how communication is a shared responsibility, especially when you're working in international settings where some people are not using their first language.
English is often used as a common language for business, but those of us for whom English is a first language have a role to play in making sure we communicate clearly. This isn't about reducing complexity or speaking to people like children, but it is about cutting out unnecessary words that don't add value, avoiding expressions that could be confusing, leaving enough time for people to process, and not making assumptions - among other things.
The conversation is packed with tips about how we can be better communicators in international settings, what good experiences we all had as language learners, where people took the time to make conversations easier, and some ways in which you can help others to feel included.
We also talk about Zanne and Kathryn's books, "Communication in a multi-lingual world" and "Communication in a neurodiverse world".
You can find out more on the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode188/
This week I'm talking about the importance of becoming a better listener, how this can help you develop better business relationships, communicate more effectively, and help those around you to feel heard and understood.
You can visit the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode187/
This week I've been talking to Craig Smith of CRS Editorial. This is how he introduced himself:
" Hi. I’m Craig Smith from CRS Editorial. I am an editor, proofreader, copywriter and journalist with over 20 years' experience of working across many formats with different-sized organisations and for a wide range of target audiences."
Find out about Craig's new business, the difference between an editor and a proofreader, and what you can look out for when you're checking your own writing.
You can find the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode186
Some of my customers have come to me in search of English training, not because their companies are not investing in their training, but because something about the courses that are being offered to them isn't quite working.
This episode is for managers who want their staff to be more confident users of another language, although many of the points apply to other types of training and development too. If you're not a manager, you could also apply some of the tips to your own learning.
I've gathered together feedback about what hasn't been working for people, and included my own tips and solutions. Some points are about identifying and selecting the right type of training for the task. Others are about supporting staff to implement and practice what they have learned.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode185
Today I am bringing you an interview with Rachel Surtees, a psychotherapist whom I met at a business networking meeting recently. This is how Rachel introduced herself:
" As a psychotherapist I am fascinated by people and their interactions with each other. I am deeply curious about the stories we tell ourselves in order to make sense of our world and especially how these stories then become our subconscious guides to our behaviour in future interactions. When we become aware of our unconscious stories it paves the way for us to be more choiceful in our future interactions which can be a very liberating place to be."
Our conversations covers many topics, but we talk about what Rachel does, why she believe stories are important, how they shape our interactions, and how changing the stories we believe about ourselves or other people can lead to better relationships and better communication with others.
The show notes page is:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode184
We've probably all experienced them at some time - colleagues who make life that bit more difficult, with whom we find it harder to communicate, or who do things that frustrate us.
What are some things that we can do to make communicating with them or addressing these problems a bit easier?
These tips won't fix all problems, but ultimately we're only responsible for how we communicate or react, so it's worth thinking about that to ensure that we are being constructive - even when it's really hard!
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode183
Today I’m bringing you an interview with Janina Neumann, a bilingual business owner and graphic designer whom I met recently through business networking.
Janina is a bilingual graphic designer, intercultural management trainer, and business owner of Janina Neumann Design. JND is a bilingual design company, helping clients create a social impact in the UK and abroad. Working with social enterprises, charities and councils, Janina helps clients communicate their message equally effectively across different languages and cultures. Janina speaks English and German fluently and has a keen interest in learning new languages, including French and Farsi.
The show notes page is here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode182
Today I’m bringing you an interview with my friend and business mentor, Lauryn Bradley.
Lauryn Bradley is one of the UK’s leading business strategists. Think of Lauryn as the epitome of understated brilliance. No fanfare. Just results. She has owned, started, scaled and sold global businesses for herself and her clients for almost 30 years. Lauryn is an introvert entrepreneur, prefers an easy life and is a cheerleader for building social equity. Lauryn is an online business mentor + trained consultant, not a business coach, so unlike most coaches, Lauryn has the practical experience and geek-ery to show you how to grow your business to 7 figures and beyond.
Here are some of the points that we explore in our conversation:
•Good communication as a way to build relationships
•Communicating well to make a good first impression
•Responding to and learning from negative feedback
•Making sure that auto-responders and those who work for you are following your brand’s communication style
•Lauryn’s resources to support women business owners.
For all the links and extra information, come over to the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode181
Many of us have found ourselves in more online metings during the last weeks and months. Whether you love them or hate them, it looks as though they'll be here to stay for a while!
I've put together eight tips about how you can communicate more effectively in online meetings. These include things to avoid, things to change, and things to try.
Let me know if you have any tips that you would add, and also whether any of these tips have helped you.
You can find the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode180
Jennifer is a writing coach who helps business owners become confident, happy writers by showing them that writing doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it. She does this so more of us can get our stories and voices out and join the conversation, so to speak, so you can grow your business, help your clients, and work towards creating a society that celebrates and values all of us.
In this interview, we talk about different approaches to writing, Jennifer shares the best writing advice that she's been given, and she explains what's coming up in her writing retreat in October.
This is not a paid advertisement - I want to encourage people to write and get their voices heard, and I think that this event, which is free to attend if you sign up to attend live in October, will be a great way to help anyone who's thinking about writing their first book.
Visit the show notes page for the links and further details about Jennifer's work and her writing retreat:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode179
On this week's episode of the English with Kirsty podcast, I have another interview for you with Cara from Leo Listening.
In the interview we talk about
-
Bridging the gap between what you want to listen to, and actually enjoying listening to things, such as your favourite movies or TV series in English
-
Differences between the types of listening materials that are available to language learners;
- Why it's sometimes hard for learners to find good listening resources, and what they can do to fix the problem;
- Practical listening techniques that you probably didn't learn at school;
- How practising your listening skills can also help you to become a better speaker of another language, particularly if you're listening to conversations;
- Listening resources for personal development;
- Questions to ask yourself so that you can find the best listening resources for you.
Here's the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode178
I'm a language learner as well as a teacher.
I don't believe language learning apps can replace tuition where you can ask questions/get personalised feedback, or practise with other speakers of the language, but I do think they're a great way to support your learning, strengthen your language skills, and help you to build your vocabulary.
In this episode, I talk about my experiences of the Duolingo app - which features I find helpful, and which skills are harder to develop with this kind of app.
You can find the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode177
This is the second part of my interview with Gabriel Clark, a blogger, podcaster, and language teacher.
I have split our conversation into two parts because it became fairly long. In the second part of the interview we talk about:
What learning another language has taught Gabriel about his own language.
How word order is really important in English for communicating meaning
Why pairs of words always come in a certain order (ablaut reduplication) and how this rule can take precedence over adjective rules
Gabriel’s book, “102 little drawings that will help you remember English rules forever probably”, and a description of some of the drawings
You can find out more on the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/episode176/
This is an interview with Gabriel Clark, a blogger, podcaster, and language teachers. Gabriel is also a language learners, so he's able to give some practical tips that have worked for him.
I split our conversation into two parts because it became fairly long. In the first part of the interview we talk about:
How speaking another language reduces barriers when you're living or working in another country
How speaking your students' language can help you as a teacher
How being a language learner can help you as a teacher, as long as you don't project your own learning style all of the time
How it can be good for your language skills to speak with people who don't speak your first language
3 tips that helped Gabriel with his language learning.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode175
I mentioned our conversation club before, but in this episode we go into a bit more detail about who would benefit from it, how the club works, and what we do. Further information and the prices can be found on the club page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/conversation
Most of our members are from Germany, so the club page page is in German, but if you have any questions, you can use the contact form, or go to the show notes page for this episode, where the contact form is in English:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode174
I don't think many people really enjoy exams. I didn't mind them much at school, but as an adult who hadn't done one for a while, I found myself slipping into some bad habits. Based on my own experience, here are 8 things to avoid if you have an exam - whether it's for an academic qualification, a language test, or something you're doing to improve your skills in your free time.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode173
Real life can give you inspiration for podcast episodes. This is what happened to me last week and what I learned from it about picking yourself up and trying again when it comes to using another language.
You can see the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode172
There is plenty of information out there about working from home, but some of it is a bit generic.I decided to share some things that I've learned and that have worked for me during my 8 years of working from home full-time.
I also wrote a blog post about this, so if you'd rather read the information, you can find it here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/2020/03/22/things-that-ive-learned-during-my-8-years-of-working-from-home/
You can find out more about my 30 ways to improve your English challenge here - the new challenge starts on 14th April 2020:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/about-the-lessons/30-days/
I also mentioned the conversation club that I've set up with Jane, whom I interviewed on the podcast last time. This information is in German, so if you don't speak German and want to know more, send me a message and I'll help with that.
https://englishwithkirsty.com/conversation-club-with-kirsty-and-jane/
Today I have an interview for you with Jane Eggers, who some of you may remember from episode 16.
Jane is originally from the UK, but she now lives and works in Germany, where she has a German to English translation business called Jane Eggers Translations. We talk about Jane’s transition from using everyday German to using the language at work, who helped her, and what role her second language now plays in her business – not just because she translates from German to English, but also because a lot of her communication with customers is in German as well.
You can find the show notes and links to find out more about Jane here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode-170/
I can help people to improve their English because I'm an English teacher, but I also understand the practical challenges of using another language at work because I do it myself every day when I communicate with my German-speaking customers.
Here are some challenges that I've faced in my own business journey, and how I've overcome them.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode169
It's the beginning of a new year, and people are thinking about what they want to change or do differently.
One thing could be to not let opportunities pass you by because of fears about your language skills. The job you didn't apply for/the meeting you didn't speak up in/the contribution you didn't make because you were so focussed on the difference between where your language skills are now and where you would like them to be.
I've been in these situations too with my German. Some of them are better now because I took action. Others are still work in progress – but I'm getting there!
The best way to make sure that something gets done is to make a plan. So a vague hope for change becomes a list of specific steps you want to change – so that 2020 is the year when we don't let opportunities or good things pass us by because we are not willing to leave our language comfort zones!
If this doesn't apply to you – is there something else that you would like to change this year? It doesn't have to be something you want to start or stop doing – sometimes it's just about making a conscious effort to prioritise or improve something.
Find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode168
Sometimes my students have difficulties when it comes to talking about their jobs in English. In this episode, I talk about nine of these problems and what people can do to solve them.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode167
Let's be honest – not everyone enjoys face to face networking, but sometimes we have to do it for our jobs, and sometimes it can be beneficial too. If you're learning another language, it can take even more determination to get out of your comfort zone and go and talk with new people.
This is the first part of a short series in which I give some tips and ideas to make these situations easier and even enjoyable!
You can find the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode166/
ometimes when you’re communicating in another language on the telephone, an unexpected question can affect your confidence. Here are some strategies to help with this problem.
You can find the show notes and links here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode165
I have three updates for you today – here are the links where you can find out more about each of them.
https://ewkservices.com
This is my new EwK Services site where you can find my communication services such as proofreading, translation, transcription, communications advice and it's also the home of the new communications blog.
https://englishwithkirsty.com/about-the-lessons/30-days/
This is where you'll find out more about the 30 days to improve your English course, with a new task to complete every day and the possibility to get feedback on your tasks. At the time of writing, the next course will start on 1st August 2019, ideal for anyone whose English course will not be running over the summer. If you visit this page after this time, check the link for when the next course is scheduled.
https://englishwithkirsty.com/about-the-lessons/whatsapp-conversation-club/
This is the link for the WhatsApp club - find out more about how the club works and whether it's likely to be something that you would enjoy. We currently have spaces available in both groups, although space is limited in the beginner to intermediate group.
Not all adult language learners are looking for a course or a language trainer. Here are some tips for language learners who want to learn on their own:
Click here for the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode163
In this episode, I'm talking about how learning and practicing your language skills along with other learners can help you to improve. I also share details of the new conversation groups that I'm starting for adults who want to improve their English.
To find out more or ask a question, contact me on podcast@englishwithkirsty.com
It's easy to feel confident doing the things that we do all the time, but even as more experienced language learners, there are still things that we can do to try something new and push ourselves out of our comfort zones!
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode162
If you don't get the results you were expecting in a language test, it might not necessarily have something to do with your language skills. Some students struggle in language exams because they have difficulty with a certain type of question or task that is used to test language skills. In these cases, it often helps to develop strategies for dealing with this type of task, rather than just seeing it as proof that you struggle with that particular language skill.
You can read the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode160
In this episode I'm talking to Corinne Wilhem about:
The differences she has noticed in terms of language and culture as someone from the UK who now lives in Germany.
Differences in UK working culture that German applicants should be aware of.
* Corinnes new podcast – Clever2Gether.
The show notes are here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode159
and you can find out more about Corinne on her website:
https://bytesizedenglish.com
Today the wise old owl is answering a question about why we can say “a reply”, but not “a feedback” or “an information”.
Don't forget that you can send your own questions about the English language or grammar to the wise old owl - here's the link to the show notes page:
https://englishwithkristy.com/podcast/episode158
This is more relevant for people who are studying English. I know a number of my podcast listeners are either studying English at university or taking part in English courses online or where they live. I know that others are working through materials on their own.
At school it's easy – we know exactly where we have to be and when. We know what we need to learn in each lesson because our teacher tells us. Learning as an adult requires more organisation and time planning, and if anyone would like some help with that, these tips will hopefully give you something to try.
You can find the show notes here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast157
Today I'm sharing something from my personal experience of learning, but I think it's important.
If you're learning for an exam, you have to know all the material. However, if you're listening to or reading materials to help you learn another language, you don't need to understand every single word. In fact, sometimes it's good when you don't, because this gives you the chance to learn new vocabulary or sentence structures that you haven't come across before.
Find out how I ended up learning whilst observing, and pushing my boundaries by listening to something I thought I wouldn't be able to understand.
Today I'd like to try something different. I've linked to an audio resource about a topic for listening practice, a blog post for reading practice, and some questions to think about.
Basically, I'd like to know what you think about working from home, and what your ideal office would look like. What is important to you? Do you like to be oaroundother people?
The show notes for this episode, where you'll also find the other links, are here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode155
Of course the interviewer cares whether you have the knowledge and skills to do the job, but there are some other things that they might be asking themselves about you too. I talk about 10 possible questions here. You will probably never know how they would answer them, but you can influence them by coming across well and making a good impression in your interview.
My career page is here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/career
and the show notes are here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode154
We all have things that we often get mixed up, that make us stop and think, or that we often overlook in our own writing. If we know what those things are, it's easier to keep an eye out for them when checking our work. I talk about some of the things that I look out for, as well as ten other examples. Do you have anything to add to the list?
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode153
Just a quick episode this week, but if, like one of my students, you aren't sure when to pronounce the ED sound at the end of words as its own separate syllable, this little tip should help you.
Click here for the show notes: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode151
We hear so many people talking about what they are going to do now that the new year has started. To make things a bit different, I thought it might be interesting to make an episode about 10 things that I'm not going to do as a language learner. In this episode, you'll find out what those 10 things are.
I'd love to hear your ideas too, so if you've got anything to add to the list, let me know! What will you not be doing this year?
You can find the show notes page here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode152
In countries where Christmas is celebrated, many of us are preparing for the Christmas and New Year break.
It's a time for celebrating with family and friends, and many of the things that we normally do regularly, such as language learning, are forgotten about until the new year.
However, if you still want to do something for your English during this time, I have some ideas for you.
Check out the show notes here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode150
Learners tend to focus on things like grammar, vocabulary, and whether the email makes sense. Of course, these things are all important,but yu can get all of these things right, and still end up with a bad email.
I explain what I mean in today's podcast episode and give you a couple of questions to ask yourself before hitting that "send" button.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/episode149
I'm a teacher, but I'm also a learner.
In October, I started a part-time university degree, and I'd like to share a couple of the things that I've learned and strategies that I've developed for those times when I don't understand something.
I'm doing an IT course, and my particular problems are usually related to maths, but these tips can also be applied to learning English.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode148
In episode 57, I talked about how listening to podcasts can help you to learn English. But there are loads of podcasts out there - how do you choose the best ones to help you meet your learning goals? Find out in this episode.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode147
This episode came about because of a question in the Facebook group. I'm talking about different ways to ask for something to be done, and when it's appropriate to use each one.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode146
"Telephone skills are important, but there are times when using the telephone actually makes a job take longer.
I want my business English students to feel confident about using the telephone, but also to decide whether making a phone call is the best way to get a job done. Here are some things to consider.
You can find the show notes page here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode145
Do you have anything else that you would add to this list?
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode144
Most of the time we use adverbs to describe verbs, because we're describing how we're doing something:
I slammed the door angrily.
However, if we're describing how someone feels, or how something looks, sounds, or tastes, we use an adjective, because we're describing that thing.
The food tastes delicious - not deliciously
The ring looks expensive - not expensively
I feel happy - not happily
Look can also be followed by an adverb if I say something like
look at these sentences carefully - because it's the way in which I want you to look.
These sentences look difficult - here we need an adjective, because I'm describing how the sentences look to me.
This episode's page on my website can be found here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode143
Whether you're worried about any type of public speaking, or you have concerns specific to speaking publicly in another language, I have some tips to help you!
I work with students from a number of countries. With some I only communicate in English, but when I'm working with German speakers, I can add additional value because I also speak German. Today I'm looking at how it can help if you have a teacher who speaks your language, and what you need to be careful about in this situation. Here are the show notes for today's episode: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode141
In today's episode, I'm talking about job interviews - specifically, 11 things that you should think about if you're giving a presentation as part of a job interview:
Here's where you will find the show notes and other resources:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode140
This episode is from my Wise Old Owl series, in which learners ask questions about the English language. Today I'm looking at a vocabulary question.
You can find the show notes here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode139
Today's episode is about 20 things that you shouldn't do if you want to win an argument or come across well in discussions. You can find the blog article or contact me using the show notes page: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode138
Today isn't about teaching you something. I am sharing an experience that I had a couple of weeks ago. I would consider myself to be an advanced learner of German, but a friend showed me that when I'm writing, I know a lot of words in my target language, but I don't sound the same as I do in my native language.
This doesn't happen so much in less formal situations, but when there's more pressure, or you're doing something that you don't do all the time - how well do your natural style and personality come across in your target language? That's the question that I'd like to ask you today!
The show notes and comment form can be found here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode137
We all use filler words, but sometimes they can be really distracting if we use them too frequently in presentations. Today's episode is about filler words, why we use them, and when they can become a problem:
Here's the link to the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode136
When I asked on the English with Kirsty page about the most difficult sounds in English, someone said that they find the "th" sound difficult to say. Actually there are two "th" sounds, and in this episode I talk about them,give some examples of words that have these sounds in them, and point out some of the mistakes that people make.
You can find out more, sign up for the newsletter, or contact me using today's show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode135
In today's episode, I sum up everything we've gone through in the challenge, offer you a way to keep track of your plans and progress, and tell you about my English language coaching service.
You can find out more by visiting the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode134
As we learned from the English language thoughts blog recently, you can pronounce the word “often” with or without the T sound in the middle. It doesn’t matter. Both ways are acceptable. However, in some other words, you shouldn’t pronounce the T sound, even though there is a T in the word. I thought we could take a look at some of those words today.
You can find the show notes for today's episode here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode133
Improving your vocabulary will help you in all areas of your language learning. It will help with your reading and listening, because the more you understand, the less you will need to look up, and it will help with your speaking and writing, because it gives you a bigger pool of words when it comes to expressing your thoughts and ideas.
I've got 10 tips for you on improving your vocabulary and the way in which you learn new words.
You can find the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode132
Some students love it! Others hate it! Whatever you think, grammar is an important part of language learning.
It doesn't have to be boring or confusing. In fact, understanding how the language works can actually help you to improve, to make better sentences, and to ensure that you don't make avoidable mistakes.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode131
Today's post is all about some problems that people have when it comes to improving their listening skills, and the advice that I give to my students who have these problems.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode130
where I have also posted the links to other articles that you may find useful.
People often have good intentions when they're learning a new language, but sometimes they do things that end up making it harder for them to learn. I'm talking about 5 of these activities today:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode129
Some people find speaking to be the hardest of all the language skills. If your plan is to develop your speaking skills this year, today's episode is for you! Find out more here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode128
Imagine that you're sitting in a meeting and someone has a really bad idea. What do you say? You could of course say that it's a really bad idea, but that probably won't help your working relationship with that person. In today's episode, I look at some alternatives that are more constructive for when you want to say that something is a bad idea:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode127
Episode 126of the English with Kirsty Podcast is the next part of my "better English in 2018" series. Today we're looking at how other people can help you to meet your language goals. https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode126/
Sometimes in English, we don't pronounce all of the letters in a word. If you do pronounce them, it will sound wrong, and other people may not know what word you want to say.
Today we are looking at some examples using the letter L and some words in which you shouldn't pronounce the L sound.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode125
Do you want to improve your English writing skills this year? Here are some questions to think about:
- Is writing important to you?
- What kind of things do you want or need to write?
- What activities would help you to write more? You could start a blog/write a diary/join a Facebook group about one of your hobbies/do a writing course/get a penfriend.
There are also extra links on the show notes page, which can be found here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode124
One reason why people sometimes struggle with spoken English is that words aren't pronounced in the same way as they are written. You might recognise all the words in a sentence, but when that sentence is spoken, sounds disappear, others are merged together, and some words sound differently when they're spoken quickly. Here are five examples.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode123
Is reading more English books or articles part of your plan for improving your English in 2018? If so, here are some tips to help you find the right things to read so that it's an enjoyable experience, as well as an educational one!
You can find the show notes here
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode122
Today's episode is based on an article that I read. I talk about why it's important to focus on the value of your contributions, listen to others, and not feel that you have to speak as much as possible in order to be noticed.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode121
So, you've identified what you want to improve in 2018 and how you're going to do it. Now it's time to think about the things that might prevent you from meeting your goals.
Time – people often say that they didn't do their English practice because they didn't have time. How are you going to make sure that you have enough time, either by setting aside time, or by doing English practice whilst you're doing something else?
Location – if you keep getting interrupted because you usually learn in a noisy place, is there somewhere else that you could go?
Motivation
Activities
The list goes on.
Let me know if you've identified something that prevents you from learning, and what you're going to do about it. If you don't have a solution, maybe I can help you to come up with one!
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode120
This episode gives some basic information about common dietary requirements, and also some things to consider when choosing where to take customers or colleagues for a meal. https://englishwithkirsty.com/2018/01/08/vocabulary-for-understanding-dietary-requirements-and-planning-meals-out/
You can visit the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode119
So, you've identified what you want to improve in 2018. Now it's time to think about how you're going to do it!
If you want to speak with someone in English, who will it be, and when will you speak with them? Will it be online or in person?
If you want to read a book, which book will it be, how will you read it (hard copy/audio book/ebook), and when will you find the time?
Being clear about the details of your plan will help you to succeed.
You can visit the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode118
What 3 skills would you like to learn or improve in 2018? What would you like to be different in terms of your language skills? What would you like to be able to do that you can't do at the moment?
I look at 3 reasons why people give up on their New Year's resolutions so that you can avoid these mistakes.
Here's the show notes page: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode117
Do you want to know how people celebrate the New Year in the UK? Find out here!
You can also visit the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode114
There are plenty of articles about staying safe when you're travelling for work, but as well as giving general tips, I also want to focus on some language-specific issues. Especially at first, it takes more energy to function all day in a new language, and you may encounter new situations that you haven'tt experienced before, on account of the fact that you're getting around in a country that uses a different language.
For further information, visit https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode116
Do you ever have problems with people on the telephone because they just won't stop talking, even though you think the conversation should be coming to an end? If so, here are some tips to help you!
https://englishwithkirsty.com/2017/11/14/how-to-end-conversations-with-difficult-callers/
Or you can visit the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode115
Have you wondered why there are a lot of fireworks in the UK around 5th November? Find out in today's episode!
This week's podcast is about feeling unwell - the kind of things that you might say or hear in the office when people are saying that they don't feel well, and why. I thought this was topical for this time of year because a lot of colds and flu viruses are going around:
If you want to see this vocabulary written down, go to the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode112/
First impressions are important, and this also applies when you contact people for the first time.
Here are 11 things that don't come across well when you're trying to sell products or pitch an idea. I have used examples of messages or emails that I have received in order to explain my points.
The show notes page is here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode111
Sometimes students tell me that they want to sound like a native speaker. Today I share 10 things that you shouldn't say, even though some native speakers say them. WE're not talking about mistakes here, but things that don't sound good, are annoying, or that don't make a positive impression.
You can find the show notes here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode110
Today we have three answers from the wise old owl:
What's the difference between tips and hints?
What's the difference between remind and remember?
Why do we say At Christmas, not on Christmas?
Click here for the show notes:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode109
Today I'm talking about dealing with difficult behaviour, and an example of how you can speak to a colleague about a problem – explaining why their behaviour is a problem for you, and a possible solution to make things better for everyone.
You can find the show notes here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast
Today I have a business travel vocabulary quiz for you. See how many questions you get right (the answers are at the end!)
Click here for the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode107
In today's episode, I tell you about the Bank holidays in different parts of the UK. You also have the chance to enter to win a copy of my book, and you can join in my free language challenge, which starts on 11th September. All the details and links are on the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode106
In this episode, you can find out about 10 foods that you might come across in the UK. I've tried to choose ones with names that don't make it clear what's inside. Click on the links on the show notes page to be taken to recipes on external sites.
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode105
In this episode, I share things that I learned when I was the only non-native speaker in a team of German speakers.
Some lessons were related to language, whereas others had more to do with communication styles and interactions between members of the team and how they made me feel.
Overall, it was a positive experience, but it also helped me to grow. That's why I want to share my tips and observations with anyone who finds themselves in the same position – whether that's being the only team member who isn't a native English speaker, someone who's attending a meeting of native speakers, or just someone who's working in an environment in which you feel that the people around you have better language skills than you.
For further information, visit https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode104
Today I will give you 7 ideas about what you can do to work on your English language skills while you are on holiday.
Being on holiday means that you don't follow many of your normal daily routines. When one of my students asked me what he could do to keep up with his English language practice while he was on holiday, I came up with 7 ideas. I've decided to share them here as well.
You can find the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode103
Today we're talking about adjectives – words that describe something. Native English speakers don't usually learn this at school, but there is a generally accepted order that you can use to work out the order in which your adjectives should go.
You can access the show notes here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode102
How did I change from being someone who was scared to speak my second language, even at informal gatherings, to someone who uses it confidently at work every day? Find out in today's episode! I give three tips to help anyone who is shy about speaking, or who needs to bring one of their other language competencies (reading, writing or listening) up to the same level as their other skills.
Don't forget you can still ask for your copy of "100 resources for improving your business English". Also, I have a new page for teachers of English.
Today's show notes are here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode101
I wanted to do something special to celebrate 100 episodes of the English with Kirsty podcast.
Some people do interviews, or talk about what they've learned whilst making the other 99 episodes – but my listeners aren't here to learn about podcasting! They want to learn English!
Therefore I decided to put together a resource to help people with their business English.
The pdf is a list of 100 resources to help you with your business English. The first 50 are free resources, mainly from my website, which have been sorted into 5categories that are relevant to using English at work. The second half includes 10 Facebook pages, 10 Twitter accounts, 10 blogs, 10 podcasts, and 10 Youtube channels that will help you to improve your language skills.
Request your copy of the free pdf "100 resources for improving your business English" here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode100
We know that in English words, the same group of letters can be pronounced in different ways. This is particularly true of place names. It's impossible to write a complete guide to place names because there are so many, but here is a quick guide to some words that are often mispronounced by tourists and even native speakers!
Find the full list on the show notes page:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode99
When we think about people who don’t enjoy taking part in conversations in another language, we often think of people who are nervous about speaking. However, for some people, speaking isn’t the problem – it’s listening. They worry that they won’t understand the other person well enough to continue the conversation.
If you feel like that, there are some tips in today’s podcast episode to help you.
You can visit the show notes page here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode98
Today I'm going to talk about a guest article that was written for my blog by Cara from Leo Listening. In the article, Cara talks about how you can make listening to English a habit, so it becomes part of your day, rather than something that you have to think about and make sure that you do.
You can find further information and the link to Cara's article here:
https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode97
Sometimes people just don't read things properly, and there's not much you can do about that. However, there are some other reasons why people don't do what you've asked them to do, and we're going to look at them in today's episode.
For further information, visit https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode96