Ever feel like your business emails and reports go unread? Stuck in a maze of long words and confusing phrases?

Say goodbye to frustration and say hello to plain English, your new business writing best friend!

Think about it: why make things harder than they need to be? Why confuse your readers with fancy words and complicated sentences? 

Plain English helps in two ways:

1. Confidence Boost: When your message is clear and simple, you can send emails and documents with confidence, knowing everyone will understand.
2. Happy Readers: No more confused faces! Your readers will actually understand what you’re saying, saving them time and frustration.

Ready to write like a pro? Here are some easy tips:

1. Use Simple Words: Swap “utilise” for “use,” “paradigm shift” for “big change,” and “leverage synergies” for…well, just say “work together.” Keep it easy to understand!
2. Keep it Short and Sweet: Don’t write long sentences that go on and on. Aim for clear, short sentences that flow nicely. Readers don’t have all day!
3. Active Voice is Powerful: Instead of “The report was written,” say “I wrote the report.” It sounds more direct and keeps your reader engaged.
4. Be Yourself: Don’t be afraid to sound friendly and use examples people can relate to. It makes your writing more interesting and easier to remember.
5. Proofread Like a Detective: Typos and mistakes make you look unprofessional. Double-check everything carefully, or use a grammar tool to help.

Bonus Tip: Put yourself in your reader’s shoes.

What would you want to know? How would you want it explained?

By focusing on their needs, your writing will naturally become clear and easy to understand.

Remember, plain English isn’t about dumbing down your message. It’s about communicating effectively and respectfully with your audience.

Cut the confusing words, write like you speak! Your readers will thank you.

Are you a German-speaking business owner or solopreneur who feels mastering English is like climbing Mount Everest?

Do all those grammar rules, endless vocabulary lists and scary textbooks leave you overwhelmed?

But what if you could improve your English naturally, in just 30 days, without feeling stressed or overloaded?

I’ve adapted Sahil Bloom’s inspiring 30-for-30 Approach and created a 30-day challenge specifically designed to help you boost your English skills.

This method can help you improve your English with small, achievable daily actions. No more stress. Steady progress from day one.

Here’s the plan:

• Just 30 minutes a day: No more freaking out about big commitments. Learn English slowly and steadily, day by day.
• 30 days in a row: Commit to 30 days of daily practice. Build a lasting habit and avoid the start-and-stop struggle.
• Stay motivated: Make learning fun! Listen to cool podcasts, watch videos you like, or chat online with others. The more you enjoy it, the more you’ll want to do it!

Why does it work?

• Small steps every day make English less scary. You learn bit by bit, every day.
• 30 days show you’re serious, not just playing around. This keeps you going.
• 30 minutes each day adds up to 15 hours in a month! Consistent practice helps build confidence and makes learning less overwhelming.

Ready to unlock a world of opportunities with improved English?

Here’s how:

• Get talking: Find a language partner, join an online group or practise speaking aloud. Conversation is key to fluency!
• Flashcard fun: Learn useful words for your business. Add more words each day.
• Read like a pro: Start with easy articles, news or blogs you enjoy. Gradually, challenge yourself with harder texts.
• Write it down: Keep a journal or write emails or even short stories. Writing helps you express yourself. 
• Listen and watch: Find English podcasts and videos you enjoy. Listen carefully and understand spoken English.
• Grammar practice: Do short exercises to learn important grammar rules.

Remember, just keep on going! 30 days of laser-focused practice and you’ll be amazed at how much your English improves. Take control and see the results for yourself!

Bonus tips:

• Set realistic goals and focus on achievable steps.
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re part of the learning process.
• Immerse yourself in English as much as possible. The more you hear and use it, the faster you’ll learn.

The 30-for-30 Approach and these tips will help you improve your English and reach your goals! You can do it!

If you need specific tips, send me an email and we’ll arrange a call.

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?