Very few people are good listeners. A good listener listens slowly to what is being said. He does not jump ahead nor does he rush to judge nor does he sit there formulating his own reply. He focuses directly on what is being said. He listens to more than is being said …
Edward de Bono

Ever felt like you’re nodding along in a conversation, yet your thoughts are already miles ahead?

We’ve all been there! Few are outstanding listeners.

A good listener resists the urge to jump ahead, judge or formulate their reply.

They’re tuned into every word, extracting more meaning than meets the ear.

In this post, I’m here to nudge you—next time you’re in a conversation:

👂 Be curious, soak in every word.
🤐 Hold back the urge to respond hastily.
🤝 Show presence, even when you differ.

Active listening takes practice, but it’s worth it.

Let’s fine-tune our listening skills and open up the door to true understanding.

P.S. Writing this reminded me too! Let’s work together to become better listeners!

 

Here’s an example of a dialogue containing idiomatic expressions.

See if you can rewrite it using plain language.

Original Dialogue:

Tom: Hey Lisa, how’s it going? You look like you’re on cloud nine today!

I often hear people say, “I look forward to meet you” when they ought to say, “I look forward to meeting you” if they want to be grammatically correct.

Imagine you get an email saying, “Can’t wait for our chat next week! I look forward to meet you.“

Now, it’s super clear they’re excited, but the grammar’s gone a bit haywire.

It’s like wearing mismatched socks to a fancy dinner. It’s not a big deal! It just stands out.

Swap that “meet” with “meeting” and voilà!:

“Can’t wait for our chat next week! I look forward to meeting you.“

Or even: “Can’t wait for our chat next week! I’m looking forward to meeting you.“*

* In practice, both phrases are widely used and the difference is subtle. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference and the tone you want to convey in your message.

And here a quick reminder:

I’m often asked, “What does a one-to-one session with you look like, Christine?“

This is how I might respond. So only read on if you’re interested!

I believe that real conversations are the key to improving English skills.

I start our session by asking questions to get to know you better. These questions could revolve around your educational background, work history and past experiences.

I encourage your words to flow naturally, without me interrupting or correcting you. Unless, of course, you have a question or need support.

During our conversation, I take notes in the Zoom chat. This allows me to guide you without disrupting your train of thought. I capture essential words and phrases and even offer alternatives or pronunciation help. Are there any grammatical mistakes? These are noted, too. 

We discuss this feedback during our session when the time is right.

Upon request, our sessions can be recorded for you to review at your own pace. This serves as a valuable tool for tracking progress and focusing on areas you need to improve.

You’ll also receive the chat text from our session, a handy resource for further study.

The most exciting part? We engage in real discussions about topics that matter to you—your background, achievements, current work, short- and long-term goals, or any subject you choose to explore.

This is language in action, your gateway to mastering English.

If you’d like to give your English a boost, let’s get together to chat.