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.

If you want to speak a fluent, natural English, then American slang needs to become part of your vocabulary.

Here are 12 expressions that you need to know:

1) What’s up?

Meaning: Hello / Hi / How are you?

You’ve heard of the popular smartphone application, WhatsApp, right? Well its name is no accident. It’s a play on words of this popular American greeting which is particularly suitable in informal situations.

Example:    

“Hey John, what’s up?”

 “Hey Sandy.”

Note: In UK English, ‘what’s up?’ can also mean ‘what’s wrong?’, but most young British people will appreciate the difference. It might lead to confusion with some older people, however. Also note that this is a very informal greeting.

2) My bad

Meaning: My mistake

Sometimes we have to admit our own mistakes, and in American slang there is a short expression you can use to do this. ‘My bad’. It’s informal, it’s definitely a younger person’s thing to say, and it’s probably not what you’d say to your boss.

Example:    

“Jane, did you forget to invite Casey to the party?”

“My bad. I’ll call her now.”

3) Awesome

Meaning: Great

Americans love things to be ‘awesome’, which obviously means that something is really really good. It works in all manner of different situations too.

Example:    

“Hi Dave, how do you like my new jacket.”

“It’s awesome. Where did you get it?”

Note: In the UK, and other English-speaking countries, not only is this slang word not used nearly as often, but it can also be considered to be a bit too enthusiastic. British people would prefer ‘nice’ as a way of being a little more understated about something.

4) Cool / not cool

Meaning: Good, I’m happy, fashionable

Chances are you’ve heard this slang word a million times. Not only does it mean that something is good, but in a slightly different context it can mean fashionable, which was the original meaning of the slang word.

Example:     “Hi Sandy, everything is organized for the party on Friday.”

                     “Cool. What time does it start?”

or            “They’ve got some really cool clothes in that new store.”

                     “Yeah, it’s a bit expensive, though!”

Note: Of course, the original meaning of ‘cool’ in English is connected to temperature (slightly more than cold). In traditional English, it can also mean someone who is relaxed (the opposite of someone who panics), or even slightly unfriendly (the opposite of warm).

Tip: The Linguix extension for Chrome or Mozilla can be used to identify the meanings of countless words and expressions, even informal slang words such as those found here. Simply hold down Alt and double-click, and all definitions and synonyms will be presented to you.

5) To be cool with something

Meaning: To accept something / to be okay with it

If you are cool with something, then you are happy enough with it – you accept it. It could be used to ask if someone would be comfortable with a situation too.

Example:    

“We are meeting at 7 on Friday.”

“I’m cool with that.”

or           

“Would you be cool with looking after Rusty on Tuesday?”

 “Sure, no problem.”

Note: You can also state that you are ‘not cool with something’, meaning that you do not accept it, and are not comfortable.

6) To hang out

Meaning: to spend time with people informally

If you enjoy spending time with friends, doing nothing in particular, then this is hanging out. It’s a favorite pastime of teenagers, but works whatever your age.

Example:    

“What did you do at the weekend?”

 “Not much, just hung out with the family.”

7) Loser

Meaning: Someone who has done something stupid, someone not cool

Calling someone a ‘loser’ is definitely not a nice thing, especially if it becomes a term to define a particular group of people in a high school or workplace. However, anyone can be a ‘loser’ for something stupid that they do. Please note that this doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with a competition in which someone wins. It could just mean that the person is not very successful, or made a poor choice.

Example:    

“Did you hear Jason broke up with Jennifer again.”

 “I know, he’s such a loser. She should forget him and find someone better.”

8) You bet!

Meaning: Yes, you are right, correct.

This expression has nothing to do with gambling (where the word ‘bet’ originated) but is instead just a nice informal means of agreeing or confirming that what someone has said is true.

Example:    

“Have you been on holiday? You look well.”

 “You bet! We were in Florida for a week.”

Note: This particular expression doesn’t travel much outside of the United States, but like nearly all American slang words or expressions, will be understood by all native English speakers everywhere in the world.

9) Hot

Meaning: Very attractive

This one is a favorite of teen TV shows, although probably doesn’t sit too well in the modern world of political correctness. However, it can be used for men and women, so stands up for equality.

Example:    

“Have you seen the new guy in Science class?”

“Yeah, he’s hot. What’s his name?”

10) To suck

Meaning: In traditional English, this is a verb which would describe how you use a straw to drink something. However, in American slang terms, it is synonymous with something being of poor quality, or a situation being unfortunate.

Example:    

“I can’t go to the party on Friday as I have to study.”

“That sucks. Can’t you come for a little while?”

or           

“Do you still follow the Bears?”

“Nah, they suck. I like the Steelers now.”

11) Shotgun / to ride shotgun

Meaning: To sit in the front passenger seat of a car, to claim the front passenger seat

The origins of this expression are interesting. When stagecoaches used to cross the American west in the nineteenth century, it was a dangerous business. So alongside the driver was the person armed with the shotgun, who was there for security purposes. The expression has survived till modern times.

Example:    

“Shotgun!”

“Ah! You always get to ride in the front, can’t I have a go?”

“You were too slow, you should have called it.”

or           

“I can’t drive but I like riding shotgun with my friends.”  

“Me too. That way you can control the music!”

12) Bucks

Meaning: Dollars

This one works in a number of countries which use dollars as the currency (Australia, for example). A dollar = a buck, and so on.

Example:    

“How much do I owe you for the pizza?”

“Ten bucks.”

Note: In Britain, ‘quid’ is used in the same way to represent pounds. However, unlike bucks, quid always remains without the ‘s’, so a quid (one pound) or two quid (two pounds).

Tip: Download the Linguix tool today to get all the definitions you need, even if that word is a slang term or expression and has multiple meanings.

The post Essential American Slang: 12 Words and Expressions You Need to Know appeared first on Linguix Blog.

Here are just a few examples of wonderfully natural US-style English idioms which, when sprinkled into conversation, can help you sound like a native.  

Pass the buck

To give the responsibility of doing something to someone else when you are unwilling or incapable of doing it yourself.

Example: My boss is always passing the buck to me, so I am the one who has to do all the dirty work, and I get blamed by everybody for everything, even though it’s my boss’s responsibility.

Going Dutch

This expression is regularly used in dating circles to explain a situation when payment for the cos of something (usually the check) is split between both parties. It means to pay 50/50.

Example: I went on a great date last night. Not only is she really interesting, but she insisted on going Dutch on the check, which I found really refreshing.

Hooked [on Something]

Hooked, as you could probably make literal sense from, means that you are addicted to something. And of course there are many things you can be hooked on, such as a type of food, a TV series, or even a bad habit (such as smoking).

Example:

“How are you enjoying the new Stranger Things series?”

“I’m totally hooked. It’s brilliant.”

To Ride Shotgun

This expression means to ride in the front passenger seat of a car. It is usually used among friends when there is competition for the position (it is highly prized because of the space, comfort, and control of the radio/music system that the seat gives).

Interestingly, this idiom originates from the Wild West, when stagecoaches were regularly robbed by bandits. The driver was joined by a companion who was responsible, quite literally, for the shotgun, in order to protect the coach.

Nowadays, groups of friends are usually heard yelling ‘shotgun’ in order to claim this place (the common practice is that you must be in sight of the car)

Example: Tom was riding shotgun because he was the first to shout ‘shotgun’ when we came out of the cinema.

To Chill Out

This is an extremely popular phrasal verb which can simply be translated as ‘to relax’. You can even use it without the ‘out’ for the same meaning (as people tend to do).

One interesting aspect of phrasal verbs (of which chill out is an example), is that the verb, or the preposition, will often make no sense. In this case, the word ‘out’ clearly has no particular meaning.

Example: 

“Hey John, what are you doing?”

“I’m just chilling out, watching a bit of TV.”

To Hang Out

To hang out means to spend time doing nothing in particular. You can hang out with someone (your friends, for example), or somewhere (the mall). It’s normal for someone to invite you to hang out, we just means to spend some time together doing nothing in particular at all.

And as another example of a phrasal verb, this expression doesn’t make much literal sense at all, but it’s not even supposed to.

Example:

“It would be really great to hang out sometime. What are you doing at the weekend?”

Bells and whistles

When something has the latest technological features, or simply is high specification, then it comes with all the bells and whistles (meaning decorations, which may or may not be useful, depending on the context.). It doesn’t have to be technology-linked either, as a meal that comes with a number of excotic accompaniments can also be said to have all the bells and whistles.

Example:

Look at all those buttons and features. These new cars come with ALL the bells and whistles!

For dinner I had a great steak with all the bells and whistles. 

To Have a Crush [on Somebody]

This is a lovely expression to say that you have romantic feelings for somebody, or are attracted to them. It’s a favorite of high school kids and movies everywhere. And of course, it can be directed at a famous person who doesn’t even know you exist!

Example: “I’ve always had a massive crush on Brad Pitt. He’s so gorgeous.”

Rip-off (Noun)/To Rip [Somebody] Off

This negative expression means that someone has overcharged for a product or service. You could exclaim that someone has ripped you off, or simply state that something is a rip-off when you discover the price of it (when you clearly feel that the price is much to high for what you receive).

 Example:

“How much did you pay for that jacket?”

“I think I paid 100 bucks.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s a rip-off. I saw it in another store for half that price just last week.”

The post Nine Natural English Idioms to Get You Speaking Like a Native appeared first on Linguix Blog.

An idiom is simply a set expression, whose individual words often do not relate to the true meaning. While raining cats and dogs may indicate a heavy rainstorm, we can assure you no pets were harmed in the creation and use of this popular idiom!

We are not speaking about technical language – or jargon if you will. Idioms are clear to all speakers in any context, and they are particularly likely to be found in an office environment, not to mention in interviews and press conferences, or cleverly harnessed in a particularly effective marketing campaign with a catchy slogan.

So, dive on into our list of some of the best-loved, and oft-quoted English idioms which cannot fail to hit the spot in the workplace, and beyond.

Classic workplace favorites

1) Get/Set the ball rolling

Obviously originating from some form of game, this is now a much-loved business idiom which means to start an activity. Every new project has a starting point, and someone who has to begin it, so this is quite literally the beginning of everything you ever do.

In use: “So I think we are all clear on what we need to do. Sally, if you can set the ball rolling by sending an email to get opinions on the subject.”

2) Take the bull by the horns

Not a nod to a traditional Spanish sport, or indeed a risky encounter, taking the bull by the horns is to take control of a situation, often by being decisive. So, don’t be a passive bystander, or watch meekly as your latest project struggles: take the bull by the horns and be the master of your own destiny.

In use: “No one was taking responsibility for the poor performance of the new product until John took the bull by the horns, took charge, and was able to lead the team to success.”

3) Ahead of the curve

A business that is ahead of the curve – a trendsetter if you will – is in a good place. More modern, more advanced, more successful! Similarly, your boss will be most appreciative if you remain ahead of the curve – up-to-date and innovative in everything you do. And a happy boss is a great boss!

In use: “You’ve all done a great job this year, but with increasing competition, we really need to stay ahead of the curve if we want the business to remain successful.”

4) On the back burner

And often used analogy in business is the juggler – a person who has many balls up in the air at the same time. Multi-tasking is an essential part of most jobs these days, but setting priorities is essential. If something becomes a priority, similarly another thing loses importance…for now.

That’s when you put it on the back burner. This idiomatic favorite comes straight out of the kitchen – putting the less important elements to the back of the stove where the heat is reduced. You can almost see it as you do it!

In use: “Thanks for all your work on the training programme but we have to put it on the back burner for now while we concentrate on our new product launch.”

5) Back to the drawing board

Sometimes things are not working out, and something needs to be rethought. That’s when you take things back to the drawing board: literally where many of the world’s greatest inventions began. But it doesn’t have to be a physical thing, you can take any idea back to the drawing board, or go back to square one, to start again on the road to success.

In use: “Unfortunately the new marketing campaign hasn’t been as successful as we would have hoped, so let’s go back to the drawing board, and I’d like some ideas on my desk by Monday.”

6) Think outside the box

Want to be the boss’s favorite? Want to show that you are as innovative as the best of them? Then climb outside the box most thoughts are born into and start thinking! No, not literally! Thinking outside the box means to develop ideas that are outside the norm: innovative and fresh. If you want to get ahead in the workplace, thinking outside the box is a great place to start.

In use: “Our new product needs to be something really special, so I want you all thinking outside the box on this one to come up with something truly memorable.”

Other idioms to help you make your mark (make a good impression!)

7) On the same page

This one’s got nothing to do with books and everything to do with being synchronized in your actions and thinking. Any effective team must be on the same page – success is hard to come by if not. So, make sure you are on the same page as other thriving businesspeople with this old favorite.

In use: “I hope by explaining this to you we can now be on the same page as we go forward.”

8) Up to speed

No one wants to be left behind, and in a fast-moving environment, staying up-to-date is no easy task. Fortunately, you can be up to speed with your business idioms by using this oft-used favourite. No getting left behind for you!

In use: “I want the report to bring me up to speed with all the most recent developments with the project.”

9) Touch base

We could produce a pretty detailed article with all the idioms that have found their way into modern parlance from the baseball field, and here’s another. It’s important to stay in contact and share information is any workplace, so touching base with colleagues is a must. So, don’t say you’ll speak on Wednesday, say you’ll touch base instead.

In use: “Let’s touch base on Wednesday and you can fill me in with developments.”

10) Hit the nail on the head

If you think hitting the nail on the head means identifying the correct thing, then you’d be spot on, which incidentally, has the same meaning. Of course, there are no tools required for this hugely popular idiom, but it’s a colorful phrase nonetheless.

In use: “When you said that we needed to invest more in staff training, you hit the nail on the head.”

11) Too many irons in the fire/bite off more than you can chew/juggling too many balls

Many idioms don’t make sense to a modern audience because the way we do things has changed – we have electricity to thank for a lot of that. So, having too many irons in the fire wouldn’t be a problem these days. But biting off more than you can chew (and hence swallow) or juggling so many balls that you are undoubtedly going to drop one or more? These idioms may have the same meaning, but only two of them would have a modern understanding. Yet our language so often reflects bygone days, so feel comfortable in using any one of these crowd favorites – in this case having a lot of irons in the fire can be a good thing!

In use: “It’s clear what went wrong: you had too many irons in the fire. If you had concentrated on just one or two important clients, you wouldn’t have lost all of them!”

12) Not up my alley/not my cup of tea

This pair of idioms, the first more frequently heard in the States, the second unsurprisingly favored by the British, is great because saying that you don’t like something can be so negative. Of course, in business, and beyond, sometimes you indeed have to let your feelings known, but done like this, you can make a negative situation so much less abrasive. So, if it’s not your cup of tea, or up your alley, let it be known like a native.

In use: “I appreciate all the hard work you have done but I guess this is just not up my alley. But I think with a few changes, it could be just what we are looking for.”

13) Cut to the chase

Pleasantries are always important, no one likes it when someone only talks shop (business, business, business!) But there are moments when the time is ripe to say what you really need to. No more talk for talking’s sake, let’s cut to the chase – the action! Unsurprisingly this well-loved idiom (particularly by impatient bosses) originated in the movie business – the chase being the action required to maintain interest. Yet from Hollywood to the boardroom, this is a colorful idiom that will get the conversation where it needs to be. You can get down to brass tacks too if you prefer – that takes you to the same place!

In use: “I have understood all that you have said up till now, but let’s cut to the chase. What do you really want?”

14) Face the music

Here’s one we hope you never need. As nice as it may sound, facing the music is not recommended, as it means you are accepting the blame for something that you may or may not have done. It’s the moment of truth when the boss reads you the riot act (a few more idioms for you right there), so it really is an idiom to use rather than experience if at all possible.

In use: “I have a meeting with the boss on Friday, I’m pretty sure I’ll be facing the music over that deal that I didn’t close.”

The post 14 English Idioms To Communicate Like a Natural In The Workplace appeared first on Linguix Blog.