Polite English: Is it important?
(This article is a collaboration between Leandra King, founder of this blog English with Leandra and author of The Culture Sensitive Phrasebook, and Dylan Gates of British English Coach and creator of the course Master Polite English.) Polite English: does it matter? Does it really matter if you are polite in English or not? How does being…
Are native English speakers strange?
Are native English speakers strange? Why can’t they just say no? (That’s a whole other post I’ll have to write about soon. Maybe in a few weeks?) Why do they have to be so overly polite? Why can’t they just say exactly what is on their minds? Why can’t they get directly to the point…
Did you really understand? What native English speakers say vs what they mean
You thought you understood. But did you? You decide to invite your colleague, Laura, to have dinner with you this Saturday. After hesitation with an “Umm”, she tells you “Well, I guess I’ll have to think about it”. You go away happy that Laura is considering your idea of having dinner this weekend. Tuesday passes.…
Are you tactless and insensitive in English?
You need to stop doing THIS. Whenever you do this, you upset, dare I say anger native English speakers. What is this thing that I’m talking about? It’s making blunt and direct comments. I’m currently doing some research for a phrasebook that I’m creating (Update: The e-guide has been completed and is currently available for sale…
How important are casual conversations in English? Interview with Elena Mutonono
Does any of the following seem familiar to you? Raise your hand if you can relate to any of the following situations: 1) You’re able to write an academic essay in English but the moment someone on the street makes small talk with you, you freeze up and don’t know how to respond. 2) You…
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