Why are we sometimes so nervous when speaking a language that is not our own?

Perhaps you have thoughts like:

• “What if I sound silly?” 🙊 Guess what? Even native speakers say silly things.
• “Oh no, was that the right word?” 🤔 It’s like a buffet—sometimes you pick the wrong dish, but that’s okay.
• “Everyone’s staring at me!” 👀 Plot twist: They’re probably admiring your courage to speak up.
• “Last time I spoke, I messed up…” 😖 Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process.

So, how can you tackle these worries?

• Practice makes progress (not perfect—that’s boring).
• Embrace your mistakes—they’re steps towards fluency.
• Remember, every English speaker starts as a beginner.

So, next time you feel those butterflies, just imagine them saying, “You’ve got this!” to you. 🦋

I’d love to hear about your funniest English-speaking story.😄

PS And if you want to practise with others who feel the same way, join one of my Speed Networking sessions. I’d love to see you there.

 

Mannomann, heute hab ich mich wieder mal so richtig zum Affen gemacht. 🙈

Also, pass auf: Franz und ich hatten unsere wöchentliche Online-Stunde mit Christine, unserer English Conversation Coach. Alles lief super smooth (ups, schon wieder Denglisch, Christine würde mich jetzt belustigt angucken), also ich meine, alles lief richtig gut.

Wir quatschten über dies und das, und ich fühle mich mega selbstbewusst. Dachte echt, ich hätte den Dreh langsam raus. Aber dann kam’s dicke.

Ich wollte von meinem chaotischen Nachbarn erzählen und sagte voller Überzeugung: “My neighbour is a real messie.”

Du hättest Christines Gesicht sehen sollen. Die guckte, als hätte ich gerade behauptet, Lionel Messi würde nebenan wohnen.

Dann hat sie’s mir erklärt: “Messie” ist mal wieder so’n typisches Denglisch-Ding. Die Engländer und Amis kennen das gar nicht. Die sagen “hoarder” dazu. Oder wenn’s ganz schlimm ist, “compulsive hoarder“.

Klingt irgendwie nach ‘ner fiesen Krankheit, oder? “Compulsive hoarder” – als ob mein Nachbar nix dafür kann, dass er in seinem eigenen Müll versinkt. 🤷‍♀️

Aber mal ehrlich, wer zum Teufel denkt sich solche Wörter aus? “Compulsive hoarder” – da brichst du dir ja die Zunge. Da ist mir unser “Messie” fast lieber. Klingt wenigstens niedlich, so wie ein kleines, chaotisches Kuscheltier oder so.

Franz fand’s natürlich wieder zum Brüllen. Der Typ lacht sich jedes Mal schlapp, wenn ich mich verquatsche. Manchmal könnte ich ihm echt eine knallen. Aber dann seh ich, wie seine Augen so schelmisch blitzen, und… ach, was soll’s. Ich liebe den Kerl einfach, auch wenn er manchmal ein echter Blödmann ist.

Christine meinte, ich soll mir das nicht so zu Herzen nehmen. Es sei doch total normal, dass man solche Fehler macht. Aber ich schwöre dir, nächstes Mal pass ich auf. Kein “Messie” mehr von mir, nur noch schöne, komplizierte englische Wörter.

Wobei… vielleicht sollte ich beim nächsten Mal einfach sagen “My neighbour’s place looks like a dump“. Das versteht jeder, und ich muss mir nicht die Zunge verknoten mit “compulsive” dies und “hoarder” das.

Ach du liebe Güte, dieses Englisch wird echt noch mein Untergang. Aber weißt du was? Ich geb nicht auf. Irgendwann werd ich so gut Englisch sprechen, dass selbst Franz neidisch wird. Ha! Das wär’s doch, oder?

Bis zum nächsten Fettnäpfchen.

Deine Greta

Ever struggled to squeeze your car into a tiny parking space? 

You’re not alone. 

It turns out our cars are getting a serious case of “autobesity*.”

Believe it or not, most car parks were designed when cars were as small and cute as beetles. But these days, our cars are more like rhinos—big, bulky, and hungry for space. 

This “autobesity” epidemic is causing all sorts of problems. Not only is it a pain to park, but it’s also making our roads more dangerous and our air quality worse.

It’s time for car manufacturers to hit the gym and design some slimmer vehicles. And maybe we should all think twice about needing that extra-large SUV. 

Our planet (and our parking spaces) will thank us!

What do you think? Is it time for a car diet, or should we be redesigning our parking spaces? Let’s start a conversation!

*Autobesity is a made-up word that describes the problem of cars getting bigger and bigger over time. It’s as if cars are gaining weight.

Imagine scrolling through your phone, feeling a twinge of jealousy as you see your friends living what seems like amazing lives. They’re lounging on sun-soaked beaches in exotic locations, sharing photos of mouthwatering meals, and laughing with friends at glamorous parties. It seems like they’re always having the best time ever.

You glance at your own life and think, “Man, my life is boring.” The same routine every day—work, home, maybe the occasional night out—feels dull in comparison. So, you decide to shake things up, to break free from the monotony. You quit your job, move to a new city, or splurge on a fancy new car—anything to escape that nagging feeling of inadequacy.

At first, it’s thrilling. The new city buzzes with energy, the car gleams in the sunlight, and your life finally seems Instagram-worthy. But as time passes, the excitement begins to fade. The new city starts to feel just like the old one, the car is just another way to get around, and you find yourself slipping back into a routine. It’s then you start to realise that maybe your life wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, it had its own unique charm—one you didn’t appreciate before.

And here’s the thing: in today’s digital age, it’s all too easy to compare our lives to the curated highlights we see on social media. But happiness isn’t found in constant comparison. It’s found in appreciating the life we have, in recognising the small joys and moments of contentment that make our everyday lives special.

Something we need to remember!

Have you ever been stuck in a conversation, desperately looking for the exit? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. 

Today, let’s learn some fun and polite ways to end a chat.

But please note… The following exit strategies are meant to be taken with a generous pinch of salt and a hearty chuckle.

While these tips might get you out of a conversation, they might not win you any ‘Most Polite Person of the Year’ awards. Use at your own risk.

1. The Classic “Look at the Time!” Trick ⌚ “Oh no! Is that the time? I didn’t realise my pet goldfish needed feeding!” (Spoiler: Your goldfish is probably fine. It’s you who needs saving!)
2. The Fake Phone Call 📱 Pretend your phone is vibrating. “Sorry, I have to take this. It’s my… uh… dentist?” (Pro tip: Make sure your phone isn’t on silent mode first!)
3. The “I Need to Go” Honesty Approach 🚶‍♀️ “It’s been great talking, but I need to go now. My Netflix won’t watch itself!” (Bonus points if you have a show waiting for you)
4. The Future Plan Maker 🗓️ “Let’s continue this another time. How about we meet again when pigs fly… I mean, next week?” (Just remember to bring your flying pig to the next meeting)
5. The Compliment Exit 💐 “This has been such a nice chat. You’re so interesting, I could talk to you all day… but I won’t!” (Flattery will get you everywhere… including out of conversations)
6. The Toilet Excuse 🚽 “Excuse me, I need to use the toilet. It’s been lovely talking!” (The oldest trick in the book, but it still works!)
7. The Group Escape 👥 If you’re at a party, say: “I should go mingle. There’s a plant in the corner I haven’t talked to yet!” (Who knows, that plant might be a great listener)

Remember, the key to ending a conversation is to be polite, but firm. And if all else fails, you can always pretend you’ve suddenly forgotten how to speak English. “Sorry, no English. Goodbye!“

What’s your favourite way to end a conversation? 

Ditch the Dull! Let’s craft an out-of-office message that’s as special as you are.

But how can we transform your out-of-office messages from a snoozefest to a conversation starter?

• Be Clear: Tell everyone when you’ll be back (e.g., “I’ll be back on Monday, ready to tackle your emails with ninja-like efficiency“).
• Offer Help: Got a trusty colleague? Mention them as a point of contact for urgent matters.
• Spice it Up: Humour goes a long way. “Temporarily out of order. Expecting a full system reboot by [date].“
• Share a Bit: Are you off on an adventure? Attending a square dancing convention? Feel free to share.
• Set Expectations: Will you respond while you’re away? Mention if they should reach out when you return.

My out-of-office email template

Subject: Out of Office—Back in the Office on (Date)

Hello there,

Thank you for your message. I’m currently out of the office, taking a break to recharge my batteries.

I’ll be back in action on (return date) and will respond to your message as soon as possible after that.

For urgent matters, please contact my colleague, (colleague’s name), (colleague’s role), at (colleague’s email). They will be able to assist you immediately.

For non-urgent requests, I’ll respond promptly upon my return.

Rest assured, I won’t be away for too long. I’m temporarily trading my ergonomic chair and keyboard for a beach towel—and my spreadsheets for crossword puzzles.

Looking forward to reconnecting when I return, armed with fresh ideas and ready to dive into new projects.

Best regards,
(Your name)
PS: If you have any exciting plans of your own coming up, feel free to share. I’m always on the lookout for new adventure ideas.

Of course, you can always adjust the tone further based on your company culture and personal style.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

PS Listen to George’s AI voice read my out-of-office text: