Speaking your own language feels easy.

It isn’t.

It’s one of the hardest jobs your brain does. You just got so good at it that you stopped noticing.

Now do it in English.

You’re looking for the right word. Building the sentence as you go. Checking your grammar. Reading the room. Speaking, all at the same time.

That’s a lot for your brain to handle.

So if your English slows down or your mind goes blank, nothing is wrong.

You’re not bad at English.

You’re doing something your brain has to work much harder to do.

Give your brain a second to catch up. The pause you’re embarrassed by is just the sound of it working.

Quick win: If you lose your train of thought, say, “Give me a second. I’m looking for the right word.” Most people won’t think twice about the pause.

💬 When does English feel hardest for you: meetings, calls or small talk?

You mean well, so you say, “You should try this.” Or, “You should speak up.“

The problem is that “should” can sound like advice. Even with good intentions, it can sound like you’re telling someone what they ought to do.

A small change makes a big difference.

Instead of “You should try this”, say, “You might find this helpful” or “This worked well for me.“

Instead of “You should say something”, try, “If it feels right, you could say something.”

You still offer the idea. You just leave the other person room to take it or leave it.

Next time you’re about to say “should“, see if “might” or “could” fits instead. It often makes the conversation feel lighter.

💬 What’s your favourite way to replace “should“?

Picture a meeting.

A German, Brazilian, Korean, Finn. None grew up speaking English. The call runs in English anyway.

Someone says, “Sorry, my English isn’t very good.”

Good by what standard? No one in the room is the judge. They’re all speaking the same thing. Plain, shared, get-it-done English. The kind that works when no two people learnt it the same way.

That’s what international business English is. Not a weaker version of someone else’s language. Its own language, built for exactly this room.

So you’re not falling short of “real” English. You’re already using the English that works everywhere.

Next time you want to apologise, try, “Let me put that simply.” Same warmth, no apology.

💬 Ever caught yourself apologising for English no one was judging?

After years of working with executives, founders, consultants and specialists, I’ve noticed something delightful. No matter how senior or experienced someone is, certain English‑communication behaviours appear again and again.

So today – purely for fun – here’s a tiny typology of the characters we might meet in real business conversations.

The Silent Nodder

• The vibe: Nods enthusiastically in every meeting, especially when the discussion gets fast.
• The reality: Understands about 40% but has perfected the international gesture for “Please don’t ask me to jump in.”

The Perfectionist Pauser

• The vibe: “I would like to… um… add… one… point…”
• The reality: Translating a beautifully structured sentence from their native language, searching for the perfect nuance while everyone waits politely. 

The Apologetic Expert

• The vibe: “My English is terrible, sorry.”
• The reality: Delivers a clear, elegant, ten-minute explanation of a complex business topic using vocabulary most native speakers avoid.

The Google-Translate Gambler

• The vibe: Uses words like “behoves” and “henceforth” in a casual project update.
• The reality: Copy-pasted from a translation app. Zero comprehension. Full confidence.

The Accent Metamorph

• The vibe: British on Monday, Australian on Wednesday, American by Friday.
• The reality: Their pronunciation depends entirely on last night’s Netflix choice.

The Idiom Enthusiast

• The vibe: “Let’s bite the bullet and hit the sack – it’s raining cats and dogs out there!”
• The reality: Found an idiom list and is determined to use all of them immediately, context optional.

The “Yes” Trap Survivor

•  The vibe: Manager: “Any questions?” Professional: “Yes.”
• The reality: They meant “Yes, all clear.” Now everyone is waiting for a question that doesn’t exist. Internal chaos begins.

If you recognised yourself — or a colleague — in any of these, you’re in excellent company.

Even highly skilled professionals move through these phases on their way to calm, clear, confident English.

P.S. If you’ve met another ‘type’ in your international meetings, let me know. I’m always happy to expand the collection.

 

We’ve been connected for a while. Or maybe you’ve just found me. Either way, here’s a little about me.

I was born and grew up in England, but I’ve lived in Germany for more years than I care to admit. I took up square dancing about 2 years ago (and no, it’s not just for cowboys and cowgirls).

I help German-speaking entrepreneurs and executives speak English with confidence, without chasing “perfect”. I also mentor language trainers who want support in building their own work. And twice a month, I host free Speak Easy Sessions for business professionals who want a safe place to practise speaking.

Before running my own language training business, I worked as a Personal Assistant and Technical Translator. Those years taught me that plain, global English beats sounding flawless every time.

Outside work, you’ll usually find me reading about copywriting and marketing, making prints without a printing press or out walking with my poles or Smoveys (you may have to Google those). Or visiting one of my four children, spread around Germany and Austria.

Your turn now. Tell me one thing about yourself. What’s your favourite snack, your strangest hobby or your biggest English challenge?