Ever felt a bit nervous speaking in a different language?

Imagine asking for a “baguette s’il vous plaît” in a Paris bakery. Sounds okay, right? But what if the shop assistant responds?

Learning languages is like a rollercoaster. Sometimes, it feels great. And sometimes … well, more like an embarrassing moment on ‘Germany’s Next Top Talent.’

The key is to be confident. Believe in yourself and don’t worry too much about mistakes.

Remember Günther Oettinger, the former German EU Budget Commissioner? His English was far from perfect, but he didn’t let that stop him.

Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RrEQ8Ovw-Q.

People sometimes made fun of him, but he didn’t give up. He showed us that it’s okay to speak even if it’s not perfect.

English is constantly changing. New words are added to dictionaries every year. And old words fall out of use.

So, if you think your English isn’t perfect, don’t worry. Just relax and remember Günther Oettinger.

Outdated language can make our communication seem old-fashioned.

Want to add some energy to your English emails?

Use clear, simple words that everyone can understand easily.

Here are some examples of how to update those old business phrases:

• Instead of: “In response to your inquiry, I am writing to inform you that …,” try: “Thank you for your message. I’m happy to let you know that …”
• Instead of: “Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions,” say: “Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.”
• Instead of: “I would be grateful if you could send me the report by the end of the day,” go for: “Can you send me the report by the end of the day, please?”
• Instead of: “Enclosed, please find the document you requested,” write: “I’ve attached the document you asked for.”

Don’t you think these phrases sound a lot fresher?

Embrace these tips and infuse a breath of fresh air into your business communication.

Your readers will thank you.

You’ve just booked the all-inclusive holiday of your dreams. Amid the euphoria, you cheer, “Thanks God it worked!“

But wait! Was that correct or was it an embarrassing mistake in your English? 

The English language can be tricky, even for native speakers. With its irregular verbs, prepositions in unexpected places, and expressions that sometimes defy logic. 

The correct phrase is ”Thank God”—an expression of gratitude often used to express relief or joy:

1. Relief: When we feel relieved or thankful that something positive has happened, especially after a worrying or challenging situation. For example, “The test results came back negative. Thank God!”
2. Joy: When expressing joy for something good that has occurred or acknowledging a positive outcome. For instance, “Thank God for the support of my friends during tough times.”

Have you ever said “Thanks God” and not realised that it’s not fully correct?

Emails are becoming more casual in today’s fast-paced business world, where remote work and mobile devices are the norm.

So, what does this mean for your email endings?

Well, you can still use a formal ending like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” if you’re writing to a client or someone you don’t know well.

But if you’re writing to a colleague or business friend, you might like to use a more informal ending.

Something like:

• “Cheers!”
• “Best wishes”
• “Talk to you soon”
• “Thanks again”
• “Best of luck”
• “Talk to you later”
• “See you soon”
• “Have a great day!”

You can even come up with your own unique ending. Just make sure it’s appropriate for the situation.

Something like:

• “Cheers to a great week ahead!”
• “Best wishes, and thanks for your help.”
• “Talk to you soon, and let me know if you have any questions.”
• “Thanks again for the opportunity to work with you.”
• “Best of luck with your presentation tomorrow!”
• “Talk to you later, and have a great weekend!”
• “See you soon, and I’ll bring the coffee!”
• “Have a great day, and enjoy the sunshine!”

Next time you’re writing an email, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. A friendly and informal ending can make your email more engaging and relatable. 

One of my favourite email endings is “Talk to you soon!” It’s short, sweet and to the point. And conveys a sense of familiarity and friendliness.

So what’s your favourite informal email ending?