Don’t worry about not having the perfect accent. What matters most is that others understand what you’re saying.

But English has some sounds that you might find a bit tricky. 

Let’s look at the ‘th‘ sounds today.

There are two kinds.

1. One is like blowing out a candle. Place the tip of your tongue against your upper front teeth without vibrating your vocal chords. Now say:

   “A thousand thin thorns on Thursday…“

2. The other is like whispering with your tongue between your teeth. Place the tip of your tongue against your upper front teeth, but this time, you allow your vocal cords to vibrate. Say:

   “This, that and the other.“

Notice a difference?

Make it Fun

Record yourself, listen to good speakers, sing English songs, watch movies, and speak English as much as you can.

Remember, everyone learns differently, and it’s okay to make mistakes.

People appreciate you trying. Keep practising, and you’ll improve!

A Personal Story

Good pronunciation in any language can be tricky. When I was learning German, “Schnürsenkel” and “Streichholzschächtelchen” took ages for me to say smoothly. 

But practice helps, and so does the courage to make mistakes. Don’t let that hold you back—speak up with confidence!

Before You Go:

“Did you know that the Smiths wear thin clothes throughout the winter months?“

[Link to Pronunciation Video]

I hope this helps you feel more confident speaking English! 🌟

Want to feel more confident when speaking English? Here’s what helps (and what doesn’t!):

Forget:

• Every tiny grammar rule: Focus on understanding and speaking clearly. Mistakes are learning opportunities!
• Learning a million words: Choose words you like and use them often. Quality over quantity!
• Wanting a perfect accent: People appreciate your effort, not perfect pronunciation.
• Comparing yourself to others: Celebrate your own progress! Learn in your own way.
• Perfectionism: Mistakes happen! Learn from them and keep getting better.

Remember:

• Your passion: Love learning English? Show it! It inspires others.
• Be patient: Learning takes time. Celebrate small wins along the way!
• Have fun: Learning English should be enjoyable. Relax, laugh and find a supportive environment.
• Do what works for you: Every learner is unique. Find ways you learn best.
• Find your voice: As you learn, enjoy expressing yourself in English. Share your thoughts and ideas, and make your unique voice heard.

By focusing on these things, you’ll make your English learning journey a success!

So what’s your favourite way to practise speaking English?

Heute bin ich etwas frustriert, aber gleichzeitig auch amüsiert.

Meine Englischkenntnisse lassen noch immer zu wünschen übrig, und so kommt es immer wieder zu lustigen Situationen.

Während eines Telefonats mit einem internationalen Geschäftspartner versuchte ich, ihm ein wichtiges Dokument zu erklären. Leider fiel mir der Begriff  für “Geheimhaltungsvereinbarung” nicht ein.  Ich versuchte mein Glück mit “secrecy contract”.

Mein Geschäftspartner war sichtlich verwirrt und bat mich um Wiederholung. Nach mehrmaligem Versuch und einem Anflug von Panik, gelang es mir endlich, den Begriff zu finden. “Non-disclosure agreement.” Erleichterung und Gelächter folgten.

Diese Situation lehrte mich erneut, wie wichtig es ist, meine Englischkenntnisse kontinuierlich zu verbessern. Missverständnisse können im Geschäftsleben fatale Folgen haben. Daher werde ich mich in Zukunft noch mehr auf meine Business-Englisch-Skills fokussieren.

Zumindest konnte ich meinen Partner im Nachhinein ein Schmunzeln auf die Lippen zaubern.

Ein anderes Mal unterhielt ich mich mit einem Engländer über meine Lieblingsfilme. Ich wollte ihm unbedingt erzählen, dass ich “The Matrix” liebe. Doch anstatt “Matrix” zu sagen, kam mir ein “Matratze” (mattress) über die Lippen. Shame on me! Mein Gesprächspartner war etwas verwirrt, konnte sich aber ein Lachen nicht verkneifen. Peinlich, aber hey, passiert den Besten! 😅

Mittlerweile kann ich über solche Missgeschicke schon lachen. Sie zeigen mir, dass ich noch viel lernen muss, aber gleichzeitig auch, dass Fehler dazugehören.

Humor ist die beste Medizin!

So versuche ich, meine Fehlversuche mit Humor zu nehmen und sie als Lernerfahrung zu nutzen. Immerhin lerne ich so neue Wörter und Ausdrücke auf die spaßigste Art und Weise.

Apropos Wörter:

Heute habe ich ein neues Wort gelernt: “Serendipity“. Es bedeutet “glücklicher Zufall” oder “unerwartetes Glück.” Und genau das ist es, was ich mit meinen Englischkenntnissen erlebe. Ständig stoße ich auf neue Herausforderungen, aber auch auf unerwartete Momente voller Freude und Lernerfolg.

Ich bin gespannt, was die Zukunft bringt!

Deine lernwillige Greta

Did you hear about the German-speaking business professional who confidently entered a meeting room and announced, “I have broken my head all day.” 🙈 Yikes!

What she really meant to say was, “I’ve been racking my brains all day.”

Losing something in translation can lead to some awkward or even hilarious situations.

But when it comes to business, such blunders can lead to embarrassing situations, even costing potential opportunities.

Here are some common mistakes that German-speaking business professionals may make when speaking English:

• Using “become” instead of “get.”
• Confusing “eventually” with “eventuell” (which in English is “possibly” or “maybe”).
• Saying “we see us” instead of “see you.”

But don’t worry. These language hiccups are all part of the learning process.

So, if you’ve ever made such a blunder, laugh it off, learn from it and move on.

And remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about striving for progress. Keep practising and keep improving!

Do you have a language blunder story you’d like to share with me? 

Many people ask this question—whether in a professional context or privately.

But is perfect English the ultimate goal?

Think about it: languages are for connecting, sharing ideas—not winning awards for the best accent.  At the end of the day, one thing matters: Do we understand each other?

Sure, there are situations where speaking accent-free English may be advantageous. Perhaps you’re an interpreter at the United Nations or a voice actor for Hollywood blockbusters. But for most of us, getting our message across is more important than perfect pronunciation.

Imagine a brilliant scientist with a revolutionary idea. Her research isn’t less amazing because she presents it with a charming German accent, right? The same goes for business deals. The CEO’s message matters, not how London-y he sounds. It’s all about impact, not a perfect “R”. 

So let’s release the pressure of having to speak like a native speaker. It’s about understanding and being understood. And about feeling comfortable expressing ourselves, fearlessly!

Plus, the world’s full of charming accents! Imagine if everyone sounded the same—how boring would that be? From this perspective, accents are actually something beautiful.

Now, tell me! Is it a top priority for you to speak English like a native speaker, or is the focus more on effective communication? 

I’d love to hear opinions and experiences.

PS My grand plan was to conquer German, accent-free. Well, let’s just say my mission is not quite accomplished! But hey, at least now everyone knows I’m the friendly Brit in town.

The Brits are masters of dry humour and understatement. 

“Not bad” usually means “absolutely great.” And a “bit of rain”? Well, you might want to bring your boat along. 

“It’s a bit of a squeeze in here” means the room is packed. “I’m a bit peckish” means I’m starving. And “I wouldn’t say I’m a genius, but I’m certainly above average” means I’m a genius!

Why do they do it?

It’s all about being polite and humble.

Brits don’t want to brag or boast about their accomplishments. And they don’t want to seem too emotional.

Understatement is a way of showing that they are confident in themselves without being arrogant.

How to Understand Understatement

But if you’re not British, it can be hard to understand what someone is really saying when they use understatement. 

So here are a few tips:

• Listen for the tone of voice. The tone of voice can often be more important than the words themselves. If someone says, “Well, it was an interesting experience,” in a sarcastic tone, they’re probably not being as complimentary as they seem.
• Look for body language. Body language can also be a clue. If someone shrugs their shoulders and says, “It was okay,” they probably didn’t think it was that great.
• Consider the context. What was the situation leading up to the statement? If someone just finished a marathon and says, “Well, I survived,” they’re probably being pretty humble about their accomplishment.

So, the next time you hear a British person downplay their achievements or feelings, don’t take it personally. It’s just their way of expressing themselves.

And by the way … writing this text was a bit of challenge …

Oh sorry, what I mean was that it was incredibly difficult!