How do you keep your business English sharp?
You write emails, participate in meetings and give presentations in English. But is your use of language always correct? How do you ensure that your language use remains professional and natural, even if you don't speak English every day?
Business English isn’t something you can “set and forget”. Your skills will deteriorate if you don't actively maintain them. There are smart, simple steps you can take to keep yourself up to speed. But a short training course at “de Nonnen van Vught” can also help you regain your confidence in speaking English.
Pay attention to fixed expressions
There are many fixed expressions in English that ensure you always come across as professional and polite.
- Could you please…
- I was wondering if you could…
- I’d appreciate it if you could…
- Would you mind…
- Just to follow up on our previous conversation…
- Looking forward to your response
Avoid literal translations such as “I follow this up”. This will make you sound like you are speaking broken English.
Read and listen to native speakers
You can keep your business vocabulary fresh by reading texts written by native speakers, for example. Highlight interesting phrases and make a note of them. This will enrich your vocabulary. Choose from:
- Articles in trade journals or on platforms such as Harvard Business Review or Forbes
- LinkedIn posts from colleagues and international thought leaders
- Emails from English-speaking colleagues — pay attention to how they phrase things
Review your own emails
Read through your own emails. Do you often use the same opening or closing? Vary them. Before you click “send”, read your email aloud. This will help you hear if something sounds unnatural.
Keep speaking English
Do you speak very little English? Then make a conscious effort to seek it out. A few ideas:
- Schedule a weekly meeting in English with a colleague
- Follow an English-language webinar and ask a question via chat
- Find a language buddy at work or through a network
With practice it becomes easier for you to respond spontaneously in conversations. And that's what you want, right?
Look for the nuance
Striking the right tone is very important in international communication. Try to express yourself in a nuanced way. Compare:
- not: I would like you to finish this today. / but: It would be great if you could finish this today.
- not: I understand your point, but… / but: I see where you’re coming from, however…
- not: This is not correct / but: There seems to be an issue with...
Brush up on your English
The best way to maintain a good level of English is to have it checked from time to time. A language trainer from Regina Coeli can show you where you can still improve your English. Perhaps this means adding more nuance to your language use, expanding your vocabulary or improving your pronunciation. With a personalised programme, you can work specifically on your development.
Read more about English courses at Regina Coeli
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