Five tips to speak English more naturally

One: Keep it simple Two: Enjoy your mistakes Three: Learn about word and sentence stress and intonation Four: Learn how English word sounds combine Five: Practice, practice, practice How I can help I can offer you an experienced ear, actually, two, to pick out which areas of pronunciation you need to work on to speak … Continue reading Five tips to speak English more naturally

The dangers of pronunciation training

And how not to lose confidence in your speaking skills You need to improve your pronunciation, so you start pronunciation training. Of course, you want to improve but you must know there are dangers. It’s often true that the more you know you feel like the less you know. The problem is that the more … Continue reading The dangers of pronunciation training

Do I have to learn how to say the “th”?

The “th” or /ð/ and /θ/ sounds don’t exist in German or many other languages. Notoriously difficult to produce, to make them you have to find the right spot with your tongue on your front teeth. It takes a lot of practice and can take many months or even years to perfect. The question is: … Continue reading Do I have to learn how to say the “th”?

Test your English pronunciation

Try my online test for German speakers for free Why should I work on my English pronunciation Chances are that pronunciation work wasn’t a large, or any, part of your English lessons at school. Learning grammar and vocabulary was probably the driving force behind the curriculum, but does this mean that work on how to … Continue reading Test your English pronunciation

How good is your English really?

Zen master Thích Nhất Hạnh, who died in January this year, had some advice: You should write “Are you sure?” and tape it to your wall. This will remind you that, although you may believe something is true, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is. In order to make good progress in any area of life, … Continue reading How good is your English really?

A New Start or Back to Work

Last week the schools started again after the summer holidays. Some kids are going back to what they know but others are starting in new classes or even new schools. There are new challenges, with maybe even a whole new location, new teachers, and classmates. For us adults, this time of year usually means getting … Continue reading A New Start or Back to Work

Idioms for when you’re feeling hopeful

It may be hard but [1] never say die. You still [2] stand a chance. Before you know it things will [3] take off and you’ll be [4]on a roll. Maybe you’ll even [5]make it big. Who knows what the future will hold. They say [6] fortune favours the bold! You’ve already [7] come a … Continue reading Idioms for when you’re feeling hopeful

Idioms for when you’re angry

I’m feeling pretty [1] ticked off.  If I hadn’t excused myself and gone outside I would really have [2]flown off the handle. I came into work in a good mood but the boss came in and [3]bit my head off for no reason. Since when has being five minutes late to work been a problem? … Continue reading Idioms for when you’re angry

English idioms for when you’re having a bad day

Are you having one of those days? Here are some great idioms to express how you feel. I [1]got out of the wrong side of bed this morning. In fact, I’m feeling a bit [2]down in the dumps. Yesterday, my boss gave me a [3]dressing down. I had forgotten to send some important files to … Continue reading English idioms for when you’re having a bad day

Watching out for “look” “watch” and “see”

Hello my dears. I hope this post finds you well. Today I’m going to write about those pesky words “watch” “look” and “see”. Literal meanings – a recap “See” simply means to use your eyes. “Look” means “to turn our eyes in a particular direction to see something”. (Cambridge) “Watch” means “to look at or … Continue reading Watching out for “look” “watch” and “see”