Call Us Today! +49 (0)176 7730 0337|info@bespeaking.com

Silent Letters in English

2022-10-30T21:28:01+01:00

English can be one of the hardest languages to learn. So if you've decided to take on this job, kudos to you! With all the irregular verbs, similar words with different meanings (like affect and effect), and silent letters in English, things can get pretty hairy (complicated). To try and alleviate (get rid of) some of the confusion, we're talking all about silent letters in English this week on the Bespeaking blog. Silent letters can be tricky when trying to write and spell words correctly, but it is easy when it comes to pronunciation- especially when they aren’t pronounced at [...]

Silent Letters in English2022-10-30T21:28:01+01:00

7 Great Holiday Phrases: Easy English Blog

2021-02-28T11:40:55+01:00

Today is December 1st and that means we are in the holiday season (the time of year we celebrate lots of holidays)! Winter is here, Thanksgiving (in the US) is over, and it’s time to start decorating the house with holiday cheer! What are some holiday phrases in English that you could say to your old or new friends at this time of year? Here on our second Easy English Blog, I'll teach you! Here are some great holiday phrases to get you in the mood! If you missed last month's blog, here it is again - we wrote about [...]

7 Great Holiday Phrases: Easy English Blog2021-02-28T11:40:55+01:00

British vs. American English Pronunciation

2022-10-30T21:11:42+01:00

A friend of mine who was educated at Oxford told me once, “The difference between British vs. American English pronunciation is that British English is correct.” As an American, I feel it’s my duty to disagree. But accents and pronunciations aren’t right or wrong, just different. After the American Revolution and the two countries started to diverge (separate), Americans started doing some things differently from the English in an attempt to differentiate themselves. This is why the Americans, as an example, use their forks the way they do with the tines (the pointy parts of a fork) up, and not [...]

British vs. American English Pronunciation2022-10-30T21:11:42+01:00

American versus British English Spelling

2022-10-30T21:10:18+01:00

If you're someone learning English, the differences in spelling may be confusing, especially if you look at American versus British English spelling. The order of certain letters can be different depending on which variation (type) is spoken, or there can even be some extra letters (like those extra Us. I'm lookin' at you, Brits). English wasn't standardized (where something should be done the same way for everyone) until the mid to late 18th century, so for a good while there, people spelled words all sorts of ways. In the States, we have a tendency (like to) to prefer to spell [...]

American versus British English Spelling2022-10-30T21:10:18+01:00

English Idioms You Should Know: Quiz 2

2022-10-30T20:55:32+01:00

Last week's blog post was our most popular ever! Thanks for that! Here is Part Two of “The List” of English idioms you should know to help you translate your thoughts and understand what is being said to you. Good luck! Check out these ten more common German everyday phrases in English. Can you get them all right? Echt? a) Genuine? b) Real? c) Really? d) B or C While you can use echt in German to talk about the reality of something (for example, echtes Leder instead of Kunststoff), when echt is phrased as a question, the best is, [...]

English Idioms You Should Know: Quiz 22022-10-30T20:55:32+01:00

Everyday English Phrases Quiz Part 1

2022-10-30T15:30:04+01:00

No matter how good your English (or German) is, there are some things that trip up (confuse) even the best non-native speaker. This week we're bringing a bit of fun to the Bespeaking blog... can you translate these everyday English phrases correctly*? Try out this English phrases quiz, and see how many you get right! *brought to you by “The List.” If you know, you know! Mir geht's gut/ Es geht mir gut a) Me goes it good / It goes me good. b) I'm good. c) I'm doing fine / I'm alright / I’m well. d) B and C [...]

Everyday English Phrases Quiz Part 12022-10-30T15:30:04+01:00

Improve Your Business English Conversation Interview Skills

2022-10-30T15:25:00+01:00

Looking for a new job is stressful (feeling worried or anxious) enough. All the applications you need to send, cover letters you need to write, all the selling yourself while at the same time using your English conversation interview skills... it can be quite (very) tiring. And then finally, you get a reply from a company and they want to bring you in for an interview! That's great news! However, the interview can be the most stressful part of the whole process. You have to really sell yourself, while trying to stay humble (not proud) at the same time. It's [...]

Improve Your Business English Conversation Interview Skills2022-10-30T15:25:00+01:00

How to Use More English Every Day

2022-10-30T15:18:14+01:00

If you're determined to learn English (or any language, for that matter), the hardest part can be using it consistently.  To use more English everyday, you need a plan. When I first started learning German in college, I complained a little bit about having German class Monday to Friday for an hour and a half. Then my dad told me that it was necessary to learn the language, as I needed all the practice I could get. As it turns out, he was right (thanks, Dad!). When learning a new language, you need to practice a lot. It's a "use [...]

How to Use More English Every Day2022-10-30T15:18:14+01:00

The Perils of Word-for-Word Translation

2022-09-30T03:36:34+01:00

When I first started taking French in high school, and later when I switched to German at the beginning of college, my professors kept telling me that I shouldn't use Google Translate if I couldn't figure out how to say something. Of course being 14 (and then 18 years old), I thought I knew better and that I could fool them, so I translated a paper through Google Translate when I had too little sleep and a big deadline one night. Needless to say (clearly), that did not go well! While I still might think that I know better than [...]

The Perils of Word-for-Word Translation2022-09-30T03:36:34+01:00

How to Speak Body Language

2022-09-30T03:31:16+01:00

Learning to speak a language isn't just learning vocabulary and pronunciation. It's also about learning to speak body language, learning facial expressions, and how you should react (act in response) to certain things. Learning to speak body language is an important part of any language and culture, so check out this list to get a well-rounded language learning experience! Crossed Arms If you're talking to someone with crossed arms, it could mean one of a few things. Either that position is a) super comfortable for them, b) they're thinking over something, or c) they're unhappy. This one has to do [...]

How to Speak Body Language2022-09-30T03:31:16+01:00

Saying “Hello” in English!

2022-09-30T03:32:12+01:00

As in any language, there are many ways of saying "hello" in English with different levels of familiarity (closeness) and meaning attached to them. Learning how to say hello in English is a necessary (essential) part of learning the language and will help you out immensely (a lot). Here are some of the most common ways to say hello- and when you should use them. Good morning/afternoon/evening This is a greeting that can be formal or informal, which is great because it means that it's versatile (usable in many situations). Coming into the office? Meeting someone for the first time? [...]

Saying “Hello” in English!2022-09-30T03:32:12+01:00

So You’re Traveling to the United States…

2022-09-30T00:10:51+01:00

With vacation season in full swing (at its height), it seems like a good time to talk about the United States. Whether you're traveling to the United States for business or pleasure, your tickets are booked, you've taken the time off, and your bags are just about packed. Now it's time to figure out some of the cultural differences. While it may not seem like Germany and the US are that different, there are definitely things that you should be aware of before you go. From some very small differences, to some very large ones, here are your travel must-knows. [...]

So You’re Traveling to the United States…2022-09-30T00:10:51+01:00
Go to Top