Gestern mit Christine habe ich gemerkt… mein Englisch wird immer flüssiger. Langsam aber sicher…

Ich habe gelernt, dass im Englischen länderspezifische Wörter IMMER großgeschrieben werden. Anders als im Deutschen.

Ob es die Sprache meint (“I speak English”), die Menschen (“the English”), oder das Adjektiv (“It’s an English car”), egal – wir müssen immer “English”, “German”, “French” usw. großschreiben.

Zuerst habe ich mich gefragt, ob das wirklich wichtig ist. Warum sollte ich mich darum kümmern? Aber dann dachte ich: “Na gut, wenn ich schon meine Kommunikationsfähigkeiten verbessern will, dann nehme ich dieses Detail auch mit.”

Christine hat mir drei Tipps mitgegeben:

1️⃣ Nimm dir Zeit, um die Regeln der Sprache zu verstehen – es führt einfach kein Weg daran vorbei.

2️⃣ Nutze Tools, die dir dabei helfen können, deine Texte zu korrigieren und zu verbessern. Apps wie Grammarly oder Sprachlern-Apps wie Babbel sind sehr nützlich.

3️⃣ Übung macht den Meister. Schreibe so viel wie möglich in Englisch. (Christine sagt, ich könnte sogar versuchen, meine Social Media Posts auf Englisch zu verfassen. Aber noch bin ich nicht so weit.)

Ach, die Regeln der englischen Sprache können manchmal verwirrend sein. Aber mit viel Geduld und Praxis werde ich sie meistern.

Deine Greta
PS Ich schließe heute mein Tagebuch mit einem zufriedenen Lächeln und denke: “Jetzt aber erstmal einen Kaffee… oder doch lieber ein ‘English breakfast’?” 😉

Ever wondered why some phrases just don’t sound right in English, even though they make perfect sense in another language?

“In former times, people relied on handwritten letters to communicate over long distances.”

Does that sound natural to you? To native English speakers, it might sound unusual and old-fashioned, like something out of a poem.

Let’s explore this language mystery together. 

While “in früheren Zeiten” or “früher” is common in German, in English, we usually say “used to.” This phrase not only means something happened in the past but also describes a past habit.

Here’s a simple tip to sound more natural:

• Instead of: “In former times, I used to live in Hamburg.”
• Say: “I used to live in Hamburg.“

It might feel strange at first, but practice will make you better. 

Imagine: At your next global meeting, you amaze everyone. Someone asks about your background, and you casually reply, “I used to work for Siemens.” No one looks puzzled; everyone nods in agreement. You’ve nailed it.

Using “used to” will make your English sound better and more authentic. This way, you’ll not only be understood, but you’ll also be seen as an articulate and fluent speaker.

What English expressions or phrases did you find strange at first? How did you get comfortable using them? And share this post with someone who would appreciate these subtle but important differences in English.

Happy networking and keep speaking English like a pro!

Ever feel like something’s missing in your English? Like you’ve studied hard but still can’t speak fluently? Here’s the thing: It’s not just about more vocabulary or grammar. It’s about practice.

Let me tell you about Sarah, a client of mine.

Sarah runs her own business, but her English is holding her back. She has a huge presentation coming up at the beginning of next year and needs to confidently present her ideas to a room full of international experts. (She’s got other things in the pipeline, but we won’t talk about those now.)

Sarah knows she needs a sustainable plan to improve her spoken English. She’s created a strategy that can fit seamlessly into her busy life:

Weekly 1:1 Coaching: We meet once a week for personalised coaching sessions, focusing on conversation skills and presentation preparation, peppered with just the right amount of grammar to keep Sarah’s language sharp and polished.

Spicy Learning: Sarah will be joining my “Chilipepper” group, where she can practise English with other business professionals in a fun and dynamic environment once a week. I’ve also suggested she find a conversation buddy in the group for additional practice.

Vocab In-Between: Sarah has downloaded an app called Repetico to help her learn new vocabulary during any short breaks.

Babbel in the Breaks: She has also started to use the Babbel app to learn English at her own pace.

Podcast Power: During her weekly long-distance drive to a client, Sarah listens to podcasts on business topics that interest her and discusses the topics out loud to herself in English. (A technique I love.)

This isn’t about cramming endless grammar rules. It’s about consistent, practical exposure to the language. 

Sarah knows she needs to practise regularly to improve. Continuous training is her secret weapon. She understands the path can be tough, but she also knows that every master was once a beginner. By sticking with her program, Sarah will succeed.

What’s your top tip for improving your English? Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

As you dive into the depths of English, those pesky pitfalls are just waiting to trip you up. But fear not—we’re here to navigate this language labyrinth together.

Verb Tenses: Das ewige Problem

Let’s talk about verb tenses—das ewige Problem, right? 😅 In German, you might be used to saying “Ich habe es gestern gesehen” for past actions, but in English, the simple past reigns: “I saw it yesterday.” 

Another common mistake is using the present continuous tense when the simple present tense is more appropriate. For example, saying “I’m doing it every day“ instead of “I do it every day.” 

Each tense tells its own story, so let’s get them straight. Practise forming sentences in different tenses to get a feel for their distinct uses.

False Friends: The Betrayers

And then there are those treacherous false friends—words that look familiar but betray you with a different meaning. 

Watch out for “become” (which means “werden,” not “bekommen”) and “sympathetic” (which means “mitfühlend,” not “sympathisch”). Oh, and “aktuell” meaning “currently” and not “actually.” 

Keep a list of these deceptive words handy to review regularly. You’ll find a comprehensive list of false friends here.

Prepositions: The Devil in the Details

Ach, prepositions! Direct translations can be a pitfall.

So, pay attention to common phrases and their prepositions; practice will make these details second nature. Consider phrases like “interested in,” not “interested on,” and “depend on,” not “depend from.”

Pronunciation: Taming Tricky Sounds

Now let’s address pronunciation—English sounds can trip up even the most seasoned “Sprachkünstler*innen”. 

The sound ‘w’ is often pronounced as ‘v’ by German speakers of English. Practise with this  resource here.

Don’t let those tricky sounds dampen your spirit. Use online resources or language apps to practise pronunciation regularly.

Idiomatic Expressions

Directly translating idioms from German to English can lead to confusion or incorrect usage. Familiarise yourself with common English idioms to use them correctly and understand their meanings or avoid them completely!

Join the Conversation

Du bist nicht allein auf dieser Reise! Share your own experiences or tips with me. Let’s create a space where we can chuckle over our mistakes and celebrate our progress together. Who knows—you might just help someone dodge an English faux-pas today. 😊

Remember, learning a new language is a journey full of small victories and occasional slip-ups. Keep practising, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to seek feedback.

Together, we can navigate these challenges and celebrate every milestone. Happy learning! 🌟

Your English-speaking guests are eager to experience real German food?

There’s no better place to start than a proper German Brauhaus. 

Imagine warm wood tones, the scent of freshly baked pretzels wafting through the air, and a buzzing beer garden at the back. This is where the real magic happens.

🍴 On the Menu 🍴

Sauerbraten: Marinated for days in a tangy, sweet, and slightly sour sauce, this melt-in-your-mouth roast will make you wonder why you ever looked forward to a hot dog.

Kartoffelklöße (Potato Dumplings): Fluffy clouds of mashed potato goodness.  Don’t let the name fool you.

Rotkohl (Red Cabbage): Sweet, tangy, and oh-so-flavourful. Perfect with the Sauerbraten.

Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel): The king of desserts. Flaky pastry filled with warm, spiced apples. Forget apple pie!

But Wait, There’s More!

No German meal is complete without a proper drink. Whether it’s a frothy Weizenbier (wheat beer) or a crisp Pilsner to quench your thirst, the options are plentiful. And for the adventurous, a shot or two of Obstler (fruit schnapps) might just have you singing German folk songs. 

Beyond the Food: The Joys of Gemütlichkeit

But wait, it’s not just about the food. Gemütlichkeit means cosiness, warmth and friendliness. The whole vibe. So, sit back, relax, and soak in the atmosphere—and prepare to have your mind (and stomach) blown.

Let’s go!  🎉

Ach, wie liebe ich die Stunden mit Christine. Langsam fühle ich mich sicherer. Die Angst, Fehler zu machen, wird immer weniger. Und ich weiß jetzt, dass es nur eine Übungssache ist.

Gestern habe ich etwas Neues gelernt. Als Christine mich nach meinem Werdegang fragte, fing ich an: “In former times … “

Christine zwinkerte und erklärte, dass der Ausdruck für ihre englischen Ohren ungewöhnlich und altmodisch klingen würde. Native Speaker verwenden die Formulierung “used to”. Dies bedeutet nicht nur “früher gewohnt”, sondern kann auch eine Gewohnheit aus der Vergangenheit beschreiben.

Im Meeting heute wurde ich sogar nach meinem Werdegang gefragt. Und siehe da, es hat geklappt. Meine Antwort: “I used to live in Hamburg and work in an office with a view to the Aussenalster.” Niemand guckte ratlos. Die Teilnehmenden nickten zustimmend. Ach, es war ein großartiges Gefühl.

Es liegt an uns, die Nuancen zu lernen und anzupassen. Unser Englisch wird dadurch einfach besser und authentischer klingen! 💬💪 So werden wir nicht nur verstanden, sondern auch als wortgewandte Mitstreiter wahrgenommen.

Ist es nicht großartig?

Deine Greta