But fear not, because there are actually a number of easy (and free) ways you can improve your English abilities without committing a lot of additional time and resources to the objective.

Here are five simple ways you can improve your business English while at the same time maintaining maximum productivity, and keeping costs to a minimum.

Seek help from those around you

If you are fortunate enough to already have a job working with native English speakers, then this is a golden opportunity and resource for you to take advantage of. But here’s the thing: you really do need to be proactive in taking advantage.

There are multiple ways your colleagues can help you: from proofreading work to offering corrections to your grammar and pronunciation. But you must ask them to help because no one will volunteer this assistance. Not because they are unhelpful, but because it would be embarrassing for most people to offer help when it could be interpreted as a suggestion that your English is anything but perfect. You know it isn’t, but others don’t want to be critical, especially if their own second language skills leave a lot to be desired (and let’s face it, most native English speakers are hopeless at speaking a second language).

So actively seek out those colleagues or friends who would be happy to assist you in your objective to improve your English. You need feedback, and lots of it, to help you along the way.

Keep a record

Most people do not follow this advice, but it really is a mistake. Language comes at us so thick and fast that it is impossible to retain all of the information we receive on a daily basis, and this is especially true when you are immersed in the language when living in an English-speaking country.

So give yourself a chance to retain what you are learning by writing things down that are relevant and important to you, from little grammar rules that had previously passed you by to quirky pronunciation (and let’s face it, there are plenty of English words that are pronounced nothing like they are written) and then new vocabulary.

Vocabulary is a particular challenge because there are just so many words and expressions: how can you ever hope to remember them all (and use them)? But that’s the thing, you don’t need all of them. That’s why you have to be selective about the words you want to remember, and this little checklist should help:

·  Is the word useful for your day-to-day life?

That’s it! It’s not much of a checklist, is it? Because the only consideration you need is whether or not you are ever going to need that word. If the answer is ‘yes’, then write that word down somewhere, and give an example sentence (In English) of that word in use.

You can store this information in a little paper book, or on an online file on your phone, for example. All that matters is that you have easy access, and you review the language you include often. And find ways to use that word, both in verbal and written communication, as often as you can/

Use an online grammar and spelling assistant

If you are already working or studying in English, you know exactly how much of a challenge it is to write grammatically correct sentences and to spell everything the way it should be. That’s why it’s important to ask colleagues to help you proofread. But before that, you should be availing of a tool that helps you produce the language correctly in the first place.

Linguix offers an AI-assisted writing tool that can help you produce the levels of English you need to meet your objectives. There are also templates to help you get started with items such as resumes, blog posts or marketing literature.

And as you make grammatical or spelling mistakes, Linguix offers you the solutions you need to produce a quality of English that you can be proud of. There is a free version of the tool that can be downloaded as an extension to Chrome, or a premium plan that offers even more useful assistance.

Use a dictionary

Dictionaries, online or otherwise, seem to have fallen out of fashion, but no self-respecting writer would ever embark on a piece of written work without a trusty dictionary nearby, and neither should you.

Because dictionaries offer so much more than a list of words. They offer synonyms and antonyms, example sentences, and collocations (word partners to that particular word). In short, dictionaries contain a wealth of useful information and are a learning aid that you should continue to avail of long into your relationship with English.

And access media and entertainment

It’s perfectly understandable that if English is not your other tongue, then by the time you have spent a whole day conversing and writing in it, you feel mentally exhausted. In fact, perhaps the last thing you then want to do is spend your leisure time with the language too.

That’s totally natural, but the fact is, full immersion truly works. So that means when it’s time to switch off from work and/or study and entertain yourself, English must still be the priority.

So, do all of the things you would normally do, but do them in English. Here are just some suggestions:

·  Watch movies and TV series in English (with English subtitles)

·  Read books, magazines, online sites and newspapers in English

·  Listen to podcasts, audiobooks and the radio in English

·  Play video games in English-speaking gaming forums

From a business English perspective, simply pursue TV series, books, articles and podcasts that focus on business topics. And follow things outside of your niche too, as you are probably already well-versed in the narrow vocabulary that you need to do your job.

And that’s it! Five simple ways to expand your English abilities without breaking the bank or changing your routine.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Business English appeared first on Linguix Blog.

So, what are the most important words for you to understand before taking a flight? Here is a comprehensive list of the most useful airport vocabulary. Note, that you can use Linguix free grammar checker to prepare a short memo with these words to use at the airport. Also, use our AI paraphraser to make your phrases better.

1.     Airline

Definition: The company that you are travelling with. For example, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Ryanair, United Airlines

Example sentence: ‘What airline are you flying with today?’

 ‘I’m flying with American Airlines.’

2.     Arrivals

Definition: The part of the airport where people exit from the plane

Example sentence: “Can you tell me where arrivals is, please?”

“Certainly. This is departures, so you need to go downstairs for arrivals.”

3.     Baggage reclaim

Definition: the place where you collect your suitcases after you arrive

Example sentence: “We just need to collect our bags at baggage reclaim, and then we will   leave the airport.”

4.     To board

Definition: to enter the plane

Example sentence: “We are starting to board, so we have no more time for shopping.”

5.     Boarding pass

Definition: the ticket which gives you permission to enter the plane

Example sentence: “Can you show me your boarding pass please.”

“I checked in online, so my boarding pass is on my phone.”

6.     Boarding time

Definition: the time that you enter the plane (take-off time is the time when the plane leaves)

Example sentence: “Our boarding time is at 2p.m., and take-off time is at 2.45p.m.”

7.     To book

Definition: to confirm your ticket to travel

Example sentence: “If you want to get a good price on your ticket, it is important to book many months before you travel.”

8.     Carry-on bag

Definition: a bag that you take with you on the airplane (opposite of check-in bag)

Example sentence: “I only have a carry-on bag so I don’t need to wait for a suitcase when I arrive.”

9.     To check in / check-in

Definition: to present yourself and your identification (I.D.) before you take your flight. Most people use online check-in now.

Example sentence: “You only need to check in at the airport if you are checking-in luggage. If you are only taking carry-on bags, then you can use online check-in.”

10.  Customs

Definition: the place where you show your passport after you arrive at your destination

Example sentence: “We just need to collect our bags at baggage reclaim, and then we will leave the airport.”

11.  Delayed

Definition: when the airplane will not leave at the correct time

Example sentence: “Because of the terrible weather, our flight was delayed for three hours.”

12.  Departures

Definition: the place where you get on the plane

Example sentence: “The taxi took me to arrivals instead of departures, so I was late.”

13.  Departure lounge

Definition: the final place where you wait to get on the plane, after the security check

Example sentence: “Only passengers can go into the departure lounge.”

14.  Domestic

Definition: journeys that stay inside the same country

Example sentence: “We must go to domestic departures because we are flying from New York to los Angeles. The departures here are all international.”

15.  Flight

Definition: the journey by airplane

Example sentence: “Our flight leaves at 10 a.m. and arrives at 6 p.m.”

16.  Fragile

Definition: an item that can break easily

Example sentence: “If you have any fragile items in your suitcase, write ‘fragile’ on the bag and take it to the special check-in.”

17.  Gate

Definition: the place where you get on the plane

Example sentence: “Our flight is leaving from Gate 47, so we need to walk for ten minutes to get there.”

18.  Identification / I.D.

Definition: documentation with your photograph and personal details

Example sentence: “Please can you present a valid I.D. before you are allowed to check-in.”

19.  Last call

Definition: the final opportunity to board the plane

Example sentence: “This is the last call for Ryanair Flight 123 to Barcelona. Will passengers please got to Gate 54 immediately.”

20.  Luggage

Definition: your bags (the word ‘luggage’ is uncountable, so you cannot say ‘two luggages’ – two bags is correct)

Example sentence: “We had a lot of luggage when we went to New York as we have three children and we were going for three weeks.”

21.  Long-haul flight (opposite is short-haul flight)

Definition: a journey to a place that is a long way away

Example sentence: “On long-haul flights, it is recommended to walk around the airplane regularly.”

22.  On time

Definition: the plane will depart at the correct time

Example sentence: “Even though the weather was very bad, the plane left on time.”

23.  One-way

Definition: a ticket that takes you in one direction only

Example sentence: “I have a one-way ticket because I am not coming back.”

24.  Oversized / Overweight Bag

Definition: a bag that is heavier (more kilograms) than the allowed limit

Example sentence: “If you bag is more than 25kgs you have to take it to the oversized baggage area and pay extra.”

25.  Priority boarding

Definition: to have a ticket that allows you to get on the plane first

Example sentence: “When you have small children, it’s normal to have priority boarding so you can get on the plane before everybody else.

26.  Stopover

Definition: when you stay in a place in between your flights

Example sentence: “When we flew from London to Sydney, we had a one-night stopover in Singapore.”

27.  Terminal

Definition: the airport building

Example sentence: “Most big airports have more than one terminal. London Heathrow has four terminals.”

28.  Trolley

Definition: the machine you use to transport your bags inside the airport

Example sentence: “I have three big suitcases so I needed a trolley to move them.”

29.  To upgrade

Definition: to improve the quality of your seat on the airplane

Example sentence: “When we arrived at the airport, we got a free upgrade to business class.”

30.  Visa

Definition: official permission to enter a country

Example sentence: “To enter Russia, you need a visa.”

The post 30 Important English Words for When You Are at the Airport appeared first on Linguix Blog.

Yet salary negotiation is a key part of securing a job, as well as climbing that all-important career ladder. But what kind of language can you rely upon to safely navigate the negotiation process? Are there magic words which you can call upon to make all your dreams come true? It may not quite be that simple, but here are seven expressions that will certainly ease the process along:

1) “I’m happy and excited to work with you”

Start positive. It’s really important that you get a good negotiation off to a good start, so by uttering this phrase, you have included a couple of very positive adjectives (happy and excited), you have revealed your high levels of motivation (always good for an organization to see) and you have also positively expressed that you see this as a team collaboration, which once again will impress upon management that you are a team player and will only bring benefits to the company.

2) “I have done some research and…”

Research. It’s a powerful word. Show that you have adequately prepared for this negotiation by using these sorts of powerful words which reveal your professionalism and knowledge of what you speak. It strengthens your position, and impresses those you are negotiating with. It may also lead managers to think twice about trying to pull the wool over your eyes, but don’t be cynical in thinking that this is what everyone is trying to do.

3) “Market”, “Value”, “Competitors” and “Worth”

Four words for the price of one this time as you utilize more expressions which reveal a high level of research and preparation. Remember this is not about what you believe you are worth (even though it may be the case that you do believe that, and if you don’t then no one will), but in terms of negotiation, it is what the market says you are worth (you have done your research, remember!)

Your negotiation will be that much stronger if you are able to justify why you believe you are worth what you quote. And why are you worth that? What is your value to your company? And what are the company’s competitors offering to employees of your ilk? If you go into a negotiation armed with this level of detail, and use these words to add gravitas, you are in a much stronger position.

4) “Are you flexible with that offer?”

So the number that you have been offered wasn’t exactly what you were looking for, or maybe it’s a case that you think you can eke out just a little more. Rejecting the offer flat is a battle cry, and that may create conflict. Softening your language by asking a question using a word such as flexibility is a great way to show your feelings without being overly aggressive or awkward. You are simply putting the ball back in their court. Well played!

5) “If you can do that, then I’m in”

And if you have a number that you are happy to settle with, then why not spell it out accompanied with a phrase such as this? Once again, you have put the ball firmly back in the court of the business, and now you just need to wait and see how they react.

6) “Can I take some time to think it over?”

You are perfectly within your rights to take a little time to mull over your decision (although not too long, of course). In fact, this way of playing it cool usually works in your favor as an employee, in that offers are hardly ever reduced or withdrawn in this period, and you may indeed see an increase in that offer.

But again, don’t think of this as a game, think of this as some valuable time to consider all of your options, because this is an important decision to make. But if you do want to make a counter-offer, you also have time to think about what a good counter-offer would be in the context of what was said in the original negotiation, as well as more time to conduct more valuable research which can back up your counter-offer should you wish to make one.

There is one more benefit of using this tactic too – you may choose to take the negotiation onto email, allowing you to articulately phrase your counter-offer, and why you think that is a fair reflection of your value to the company.

7) “Thank you”

Okay, so this one is simple, but never underestimate the necessity for good manners, even in a salary negation. No, especially in a salary negotiation.

There may be disagreements on figures, the value that you bring to the company, your worth, and even what the market price is for your position – you can expect that even – but it doesn’t take away from the fact that you should always be grateful for the opportunity to negotiate your salary, and grateful for the opportunity to continue to prove your value and worth.

This is not always about gamesmanship and getting the upper hand, but very often a polite and respectful conversation which can have an amicable and positive result for all parties: treat it is as such, and your chances of success will be much greater.

The post How-to: 7 English Expressions To Successfully Get You Through Salary Negotiations appeared first on Linguix Blog.