When Catriona came to visit us from Scotland, she was brimming with excitement about something.

She had heard about our German “Kaffeetrinken” tradition and was eager to experience it. ☕️ She loved the idea of taking a break in the afternoon to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a slice of delicious cake.

“You mean you do this every afternoon?” Catriona asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Absolutely,” I replied, pouring her a cup of coffee (confessing that we often just have a biscuit on weekdays). “It’s our way of taking a break and enjoying life’s simple pleasures.”

Catriona’s eyes practically popped out of her head when she saw all the cakes. She went from being curious to fully committed after one bite. I swear, she was like a child in a sweet shop. From classic Black Forest gateau with its layers of rich dark chocolate cake, thick cream, and cherries to fruity apple strudel to the well-known Bienenstich (Bee Sting cake), she was on cloud nine.

By the end of her visit, Catriona had fallen in love with “Kaffeetrinken” and decided to take this lovely tradition back to Scotland. Who knew a cup of coffee and a slice of cake could be so life-changing, right?

So, next time you’re feeling stressed or need a little pick-me-up, why not try “Kaffeetrinken”?

Grab a cup of coffee and a slice of cake (or a biscuit — no judgments here), and give yourself permission to slow down and enjoy the moment. It’s a small step towards a more mindful and balanced life.

Trust me, it’s a tradition worth adopting.

Or is it something you do already? 

I still have my English accent when I speak German. So don’t worry about having an accent when you speak English.

A client recently shared that his English accent was holding him back in meetings, making him hesitant to speak up and share his ideas.

This made me think: Accents are often seen as a weakness, but what if they’re a strength?

Here’s why your accent is awesome:

• It reflects your background and journey, making it a conversation starter rather than a barrier.
• It builds trust. People connect with authenticity, and your accent shows you’re a global citizen who has experienced different cultures.
• It’s your unique selling point. In a world full of monotony, your accent makes you stand out, adding charm and personality to your communication.

Like my client, I once worried about my English accent when speaking German. However, I found that people often saw it as charming. I mean, who wouldn’t find my attempt at “Schnürsenkel” endearing?

So, embrace that accent!

P.S. And send me a funny story about your accent or mention a famous person with an accent whom you admire (e.g., Arnold Schwarzenegger, anyone?).

Gestern im Englischtraining ging es mal wieder rund um die kleinen Helferlein der Sprache – die Suffixe oder Nachsilben.

Heute stand “-ish” im Rampenlicht, und ich muss sagen: Dieses freche Kerlchen hat es in sich! Wer hätte gedacht, dass so ein kleines Wortteilchen so vielseitig sein kann?

Also, aufgepasst, denn jetzt kommt die “Greta-Crash-Kurs-Version” von “-ish“:

“-ish” als Adjektiv-Zauberstab:

Einfach “-ish” an ein Nomen hängen und schon haben wir ein brandneues Adjektiv, das eine Eigenschaft beschreibt. “Childish” für den Freund, der im Sandkasten buddelt statt Aktienkurse zu studieren, “yellowish” für die alte Lampe, die im Wohnzimmer steht und ein warmes Licht verbreitet oder “bookish” für die Bücherwurm-Schwester, die lieber liest als fernzusehen.

Beispiel:
My sister is more bookish and intellectual than many of her colleagues.

“-ish” als Zeit-Jongleur:

Mit “-ish” meistern wir die Kunst der ungefähren Zeitangaben. Perfekt für lockere Plaudereien mit Freunden, aber Vorsicht im Büro! “Let’s meet at six-ish” ist da die Rettung, wenn man sich nicht ganz sicher ist, wann man fertig wird. So hat jeder etwas Puffer und es gibt kein Stressgeschrei.

Beispiel:
Let’s meet around 7-ish. Then we don’t have to rush.

“-ish” als Mengen-Magier:

Auch bei Mengenangaben ist “-ish” unser bester Freund. “Three hundred-ish” Menschen auf dem Festival oder “a tablespoon-ish” Zucker beim Kochen – mit “-ish” liegen wir immer ungefähr richtig und zeigen gleichzeitig, dass wir locker drauf bist.

Beispiel:
Use just a teaspoon-ish of salt. I never know the exact measurements.

“-ish” als Alters-Diplomat:

Alter ist ein heikles Thema. Man will ja niemanden beleidigen, besonders wenn man sich mal nicht ganz sicher ist. Mit “-ish” umgehen wir diese Situation galant. Statt “My colleague is 42” sagen wir einfach “My colleague is forty-ish“. So drücken wir höflich aus, dass wir ungefähr wissen, wie alt er ist, ohne uns festzulegen.

Beispiel:
I think my colleague is in his late thirties—maybe 38-ish.

Ich kann es kaum erwarten, “-ish” in meinen nächsten Gesprächen auszuprobieren. (Franz wird Augen machen, der war nämlich gestern nicht dabei!)

So, das war’s für heute, liebes Tagebuch. Bis bald,

Deine Greta

Meeting someone who’s just starting out in their career or a new hobby can be exciting.

You want to encourage them, but finding the right word to describe their beginner status can be tricky. Some terms can be kind, while others might sound a bit cheeky.

Here are a few suggestions to help you find the right word:

1. Apprentice An “apprentice” is someone learning from a more experienced person. Originally, it was used for someone learning a trade. It’s perfect for situations where mentorship is involved.
   Example: “Meet my apprentice. He’s still learning the ropes, but at least he knows not to mix up salt and sugar now.”
2. Beginner Sometimes, the simplest term is the best. “Beginner” is clear and easy to understand.
   Example: “As a beginner, it’s okay to make mistakes. Just maybe not on the company-wide email next time.”
3. Freshman Commonly used in schools, “freshman” can also describe someone who has recently started a job or activity. It’s light-hearted and easy to understand. Example: “Our freshman here just discovered that ‘bring your own lunch’ doesn’t mean ‘eat everyone else’s’.”
4. Greenhorn This term is a bit old-fashioned but charming. It suggests someone is new and inexperienced, but eager to learn.
   Example: “Our greenhorn here just learned the hard way that ‘reply all’ is not always your friend.”
5. Learner “Learner” emphasises the process of learning and growth. It’s a positive and encouraging term.
   Example: “Our learner is making great progress. Yesterday, he finally figured out how to unmute himself on Zoom!”
6. Newbie “Newbie” is a casual and friendly term. It’s widely used in many contexts, from gaming to professional environments. Just be sure the person you’re describing has a good sense of humour.
   Example: “Our newbie is getting the hang of things. Yesterday, he finally found out that the printer has a paper tray.”
7. Newcomer This is someone who has recently arrived in a place or recently become involved in an activity.
   Example: “Our newcomer is quickly learning the ropes and fitting in well with the team.”
8. Novice This is a classic term that means someone is new to something without any negative connotations. It’s respectful and acknowledges their beginner status. Example: “Don’t worry, even the best chefs were novices once. Just try not to set the kitchen on fire.”
9. Rookie (mainly US English) Often used in sports, “rookie” is a fun and informal way to describe someone who’s just starting out. It has a playful tone but is generally well-received.
   Example: “Hey rookie, you might want to read the instructions before assembling that IKEA furniture.”
10. Trainee A trainee is someone learning a job or skill.
    Example: “Our trainee is picking up things quickly and shows a lot of potential for the future.”

Remember, the key is to choose a term that matches the personality and sense of humour of the person you’re describing.

Do you have any more terms to add?

“I don’t dare to speak because I don’t want to make mistakes.”

Does this sound familiar? Have you said this to yourself?

If so, listen to me. This mindset will only hold you back from speaking English fluently.

Babies don’t worry about making mistakes. They learn by trying!

Do you think babies worry about pronouncing their first words perfectly? Of course not! They simply experiment, babble away, and eventually, we understand them.

That’s exactly how you should approach language learning. Forget about your perfectionism. Mistakes are a crucial part of the learning process.

Here’s how you learn a new language:

• By speaking. The more you use the language in everyday situations, the faster you’ll learn it.
• By making mistakes. You learn from your mistakes and improve your language skills.
• By mispronouncing words. Good speakers of the language will still understand you and might even help you improve your pronunciation.
• By fumbling sentences. This helps you get used to the grammar and sentence structure of the new language.
• By using words in different contexts. This broadens your vocabulary and teaches you to use the language flexibly.

So, be bold and speak up. The more you speak, the better you’ll become.

Remember: Mistakes are not failures, but signs that you’re learning something new.

Why should you believe me?

Because I’ve been working with German-speaking business professionals for over 24 years. And I see that it works.