Let me introduce you to 8 words that’ll have you saying, “Where have you been all my life?“ 

1. Food Coma 🍔💤

You know that feeling when you’ve stuffed yourself silly and all you want to do is to have a rest? Yes, there’s a word for that: food coma. Next Christmas, when your colleague asks why you’re sprawled out on the office sofa, you can simply mumble “food coma” and doze off guilt-free.

2. Unfriend 👥❌

Remember when “friend” was just a noun? Now it’s a verb, and so is its opposite! It’s when you stop being friends with somebody, but it’s not quite “enemy” level. 

3. Cellfish 📱🐠

We all know that person who’s glued to their phone 24/7. Next time you’re out with your cellfish friend, casually drop this word. Maybe they’ll get the hint and put their phone away… or maybe they’ll be too busy scrolling to notice. 

4. Textpectation ⏳📱

Sent a risky text? Now you’re sitting there, staring at your phone, waiting for a reply. Congrats, you’re experiencing textpectation. It’s like waiting for exam results, but somehow even more stressful.

5. Chairdrobe 👕🪑

We’re all guilty of this one.That blouse you wore for an hour? Where does it go? On the chairdrobe, of course. It’s where clothes go when they’re not clean enough for the wardrobe, but not dirty enough for the laundry.

6. Nonversation 🗨️👻

We’ve all been trapped in a nonversation. It’s that completely pointless chat that goes nowhere. Pro tip: Drop one of these new words into your next potential nonversation. Either you’ll spark an interesting discussion, or you’ll confuse the other person enough to escape.

So there you have it.

8 words to spice up your vocabulary and maybe even your life. Next time you’re in a food coma, having a nonversation with a cellfish friend, just remember: language is evolving, and so are you! 😎

Which of these words is your favourite? Or better yet, have you got any quirky words of your own to share? Let’s start a conversation… or maybe a nonversation! 😉

Imagine this: It’s 7 AM, the world is still quiet. You take your first sip of coffee, and bam—the day officially begins.

That rich aroma fills the air, the warm mug in your hands, and suddenly, the emails feel less daunting. And your to-do list? Totally manageable.

1st October is International Coffee Day. And, if you’re like me, that’s a cause for celebration!

Whether it’s a smooth espresso or a frothy cappuccino (with oat milk), there’s something magical about coffee. It’s more than a drink—it’s the fuel for creativity, productivity, and let’s face it, some of our best conversations.

Here’s a fun challenge: next time you grab your coffee, practise ordering it in English. “Could I get a flat white, please?” ☕

Small steps like this can make a big difference in boosting your language confidence.

So, how do you take your coffee?

Looking for ways to keep your English skills fresh and exciting? I’ve got you covered. Here are some fun and effective tips to help you maintain and improve your language skills.

Speaking and Listening

• Talk to yourself (and pretend you’re not crazy): Have conversations with yourself in the mirror, using different voices for each person.
• Become a podcast addict: Find captivating shows in English and listen regularly.
• Binge-watch like a pro: Stream shows and movies in English with subtitles.
• Get fit and fluent: Watch workout videos in English to improve your language and your muscles.
• Sing in the shower: Listen to songs and sing along. Dancing is optional but highly recommended for maximum fun.

Reading and Writing

• Dear Diary, today I wrote in English: Future you will thank you (or laugh at your mistakes).
• Read everything: Books, articles, cereal boxes—it all counts! Read aloud to practise your accent (and entertain your pets).
• Cook up some language skills: Use English while cooking. Warning: This may result in delicious food and improved vocabulary.
• Become a (free) teacher: Help others learn English. Teaching is the best way to learn, plus you’ll make new friends.

Remember, keeping your language skills fresh should be fun. So, don’t let your hard-earned knowledge escape.Catch it and keep it with these silly but effective tricks.

Which activity would you like to start with?

Puh, was für ein Tag! Heute hab ich mich echt getraut und war bei Christines “Speed Networking” dabei. Klang erstmal total fancy, ne?

Also, da sitz ich vor meinem Laptop, Herz klopft wie verrückt, und denk mir: “Greta, jetzt gibt’s kein Zurück mehr!“

Zack, bin ich im Zoom-Raum und seh’ lauter Gesichter – alles Leute, die auch Englisch üben wollen. Irgendwie beruhigend, dass ich nicht die Einzige bin, die noch üben muss.

Christine begrüßt uns super nett auf Englisch. Ich versteh’ fast alles, nicke eifrig und grinse, als wär ich voll der Profi. Naja, fast.

Das Warm-up war zum Glück kurz. Wir sollten uns nur kurz vorstellen. Als ich dran war, kam’s tatsächlich ganz okay raus: “Hi, I’m Greta, I run my own business in Cologne.” Gar nicht schlecht, häää?

Dann ging’s los mit den 6-Minuten-Gesprächen. Ich lande im ersten Break-out-Room mit Sven aus Hamburg. Er ist auch ein bisschen nervös, aber wir kichern beide über unsere kleinen Versprecher. Irgendwie macht das die Sache entspannter.

Die nächsten Runden werden richtig cool. Klar, wir verhaspeln uns alle mal, aber es fühlt sich an wie ‘ne Runde mit Freunden, die einfach ‘ne neue Sprache ausprobieren.

Eine Frau namens Lisa erzählt von ihrem Startup, und ich kann sogar ein paar Fragen stellen! “How did you come up with that idea?” Bäm! Greta, die Businesswoman!

Nach 30 Minuten bin ich überrascht, wie schnell die Zeit verflogen ist. Mein Hirn fühlt sich an wie nach ‘nem Workout, aber irgendwie… gut.

Franz hat mich danach angerufen und gefragt, wie’s war. Ich hab ihm erzählt, dass ich jetzt fließend Englisch spreche und nächste Woche einen TED-Talk halte. Er hat nur gelacht und gesagt: “Klar, und ich bin der neue James Bond.“

Fazit: Es war aufregend, manchmal noch holprig, aber echt cool! Alle waren super nett und in der gleichen Situation. Beim nächsten Mal bin ich auf jeden Fall wieder dabei – vielleicht sogar ohne Schweißausbrüche vorher.

Gute Nacht, liebes Tagebuch.

Deine mutige (und jetzt ein bisschen stolze) Greta

You feel like your language learning is stuck in quicksand? We’ve all been there.

Hitting a plateau is super common. But don’t worry—I’ve got some tips to help you get back on track.

MAKE LEARNING A HABIT

Remember: Language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Build small, sustainable habits and integrate them into your daily life.

Why not listen to a podcast while having breakfast? Or learn a new word every time you brush your teeth? Or play the Freerice game or listen to a 6-minute TED talk during your coffee break?

KEEP IT FUN AND REWARDING

Let’s face it, if learning feels like watching paint dry, you’ll want to run away screaming. So, we need to make it fun and set new rewards for ourselves. 

You might like to use a simple grid or chart (see below) or even a digital app like Habitica to help you stay on track.

When you reach your goal, celebrate with your reward. 

And watch those little habits add up over time, like pennies in a piggy bank.

You’re Already Awesome, You Know?

Don’t forget—you’ve come this far, and that’s something to be proud of. Hitting a plateau doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever; it’s just a sign that you’re ready to take your skills to the next level. 

Keep making language learning a fun, rewarding part of your life, and remember that small steps lead to big progress.

So, celebrate the little victories, keep those habits rolling, and trust the process. You’ve got this! 🌟

Ever had that moment when you’re face-to-face with your favourite star, heart pounding, palms sweating, and you blurt out, “Can I have your autogram, please?“

Welcome to the club—the exclusive group of German speakers who’ve stumbled into the tricky world of ‘false friends.’

In German, it’s “Autogramm.” In English, it’s “autograph.”

But in the heat of the moment, when you’re standing there, starstruck, your brain decides to play a little prank on you. Suddenly, you’re asking for an “autogram“—which sounds less like a signature and more like a high-tech gadget or an avant-garde fitness routine.

Imagine this: You’re at a glitzy Hollywood premiere. Brad Pitt strolls by, and you excitedly call out, “Brad! Brad! Can I have your autogram?” He pauses, slightly bewildered, perhaps wondering if you’re offering him a vintage telegram or suggesting a new Instagram feature.

Or picture yourself at a book signing with your favourite author. You nervously ask for an “autogram,” and they might start sketching out a diagram of a car. “Auto-gram,” right? Not exactly what you were hoping for.

So, what’s a German speaker to do in this linguistic minefield? Here’s a handy tip: Think of it as asking for a “graph” of their signature. “Auto-graph.” Simple, right?

And when in doubt, just go with, “Can I have your signature?” It might not sound as fancy as “autogram,” but it’s a surefire way to avoid those awkward moments when your favourite celebrity looks at you like you’ve just asked them to solve a quantum physics problem.

Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be the coolest German speaker in town the next time you’re rubbing shoulders with the stars.

Just don’t ask for a “Handy” picture—that’s a whole other blog post!