2021 was the year of writing. I love writing, both professionally and for pleasure, and this year I have created 47 blogs and articles, plus shared my thoughts on my social media platforms Monday – Friday, almost every single week. I have loved the conversations, connections and engagement that have come about as a result! …
Do you consider small talk important in virtual meetings? Do you make time to build conversations, or is it just straight down to business? How do you connect to people in small talk and get beyond the obvious topics? I believe small talk is not just empty or superficial. For me it is an important …
When you give presentations, the way you signpost and transition from one section of the presentation to the next will help your English communication sound professional, structured and confident. The signposting and transitions are like the wardrobe for your content, giving a framework in which to ‘hang’ your key messages and give them support. They …
Signposting your Presentations: transitioning smoothly Read More
One of the areas that my clients find challenging is communicating effectively in English when there is no visual element, for example, when on audio-only calls and when the video is switched off. Specifically, the lack of cues to help interpretation, such as facial expressions and body language, can make it harder to connect and …
Before I start my programmes with my clients, I focus on clarity. Clarity includes understanding exactly what somebody wants, needs and why (wants and needs may be very different!) and helps to answer the question I am often asked: What’s my English level? The ‘why’ explores their vision of success for their English communication and …
Is ‘sorry’ a word used just as an apology for when you have done something wrong? One of the fascinating things about the word ‘sorry’ is that it has many shades of meaning in British English. It is not just a way to apologise, and the meaning can depend on context, the relationship with the …
Do you know how your habits can work for and against you? Earlier this year I learned quite a bit about habits, when I was qualifying as a practitioner of applied Neuroscience for personal development with MyBrain International. I found it a fascinating area, and it really helped me challenge my own unhelpful habits and …
How do you feel when you are asked to present or do public speaking in English? Excited? Stressed? Confident? Nervous? Uncomfortable? Blocked? Being able to present well is a key skill for business people, and yet some experts estimate that as much as 77% of the population has some level of anxiety regarding public speaking.1 However, …
When I work with international clients in English communication coaching, I am often asked about how to build learning into everyday life, and what my key recommendations are of what to follow in English. Reading and listening to content in English is a great complement to my contact time with clients, as in these sessions …
When participating in meetings, I know that my clients, who are speakers of English as a 2nd+ language, want to sound clear, natural and professional in the way they express their views. This helps with sounding confident in English, even when speaking spontaneously, and will make sure your views are listened to and come across …
