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UK English vs US English Words

2022-10-30T21:13:45+01:00

Over the past few weeks on the Bespeaking blog, we've discussed the differences between British and American spellings and pronunciations. To finish up with this series, we'll finally talk about UK English vs US English words. This one is particularly (very) interesting to me as I find myself using more and more British English vocabulary words the longer I’ve lived in Germany. I know that sounds strange, but as I've said before, most of my friends here in Berlin are British, so I've been picking up on (learning/using) a lot of their vocabulary over the past year. Between that and [...]

UK English vs US English Words2022-10-30T21:13:45+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

9 French Words Used in English

2023-07-09T17:48:41+01:00

As we all know, English is a great "catch all" language in that it is one big mish-mash of other languages, and boy oh boy, does English love taking words from French! We've already written about German loan words here and here, and last week about Yiddish.  But what about French words used in English? About 45% of English words have a French origin. 29% of those words are directly stolen from French. (This is the same percentage of words in English with Latin origin). Suffice it to say (it is sure that), French is one of the biggest influencers [...]

9 French Words Used in English2023-07-09T17:48:41+01:00

10 Yiddish Words Used in English

2022-10-30T20:58:12+01:00

English is a wonderful language because it can be a bit of a "catch-all" from other languages. We've written before about German loan words, and the next language we steal directly from is Yiddish. Yiddish is the language spoken by Central and Eastern European Jews and derives (comes) from Hebrew, Slavic languages, and other Germanic influences. I love Yiddish words, partly because they're so much fun to say. English borrows a bunch of words from Yiddish, so here are 10 of our favorite Yiddish words used in English: Bagel Bagels (Yiddish: beygel) are one of my all-time favorite breakfast foods. [...]

10 Yiddish Words Used in English2022-10-30T20:58:12+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

How to Write a University Motivation Letter

2022-10-30T15:27:11+01:00

For those of you who are starting your last year of high school, or know someone who is, it's time to start writing your university motivation letter and applying to college! Applying for university or college can be a challenging task…and I remember it well. You're trying to manage (handle, do) your normal school work, but at the same time you're trying to find the right school to guide you into the future you want. And once you send out your applications, you check the mailbox (or Inbox) nervously (worried or anxious) every day for their response (answer). But first [...]

How to Write a University Motivation Letter2022-10-30T15:27:11+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

Learning English Online

2022-09-30T03:44:11+01:00

If you've finally decided to take the plunge and learn English, the next step is to find a school that's right for you. The possibilities are virtually (ha!) endless with many types of schools to suit all types of students when learning English online. If you have the time and the access, a physical school might be the right fit for you. But for those of us (English teachers, too!) who just can't seem to find enough hours in the day, learning English online can be the perfect solution. What's Different About Learning English Online? Not much, honestly. As an [...]

Learning English Online2022-09-30T03:44:11+01:00

German Loan Words Part 2

2022-09-30T03:40:03+01:00

Last week here on the Bespeaking blog, we started our exploration into German loan words in English. And while we won't finish that this week (a teacher's work is never done!), we'll dive a bit deeper still. Here are five more German loan words in English. Are there any that you find surprising? Gestalt Did you ever hear the term gestalt mentioned in your psychology (the science of the mind) class in college? If you did, you have the Germans to thank for it. In German, Gestalt is a shape or a form, and this is part of what's behind [...]

German Loan Words Part 22022-09-30T03:40:03+01:00

Is English Vocabulary Hard?

2023-06-28T19:12:36+01:00

We're shaking it up a bit (doing something different) this week on the Bespeaking blog! People always ask me if German is a hard language to learn and my answer always goes a little something like this: “To an extent, yes.” The grammar can be quite difficult. But when it comes to English vocabulary words themselves, it's relatively easy. If we are talking about loan words, or words that have been borrowed from another language, English usually takes the cake as the "cool" language to borrow words from. But did you know that these four English vocabulary words are actually [...]

Is English Vocabulary Hard?2023-06-28T19:12:36+01:00

To, Too, or Two?: Fun with English Homophones

2022-09-30T03:35:01+01:00

Have you heard of  English homophones? Do you know the difference between wound and wound? What about to, too, and two? If you do, you're probably a pretty proficient (experienced, skilled) English speaker. But even fluent speakers need a brush up once in a while! English homophones are two or more words that sound the same but have different spellings and/or meanings. Check out this list of English homophones and see how many you get right! To, Too, Two There are three different spellings for the word to (or too, or two), all pronounced the same way. To means expressing [...]

To, Too, or Two?: Fun with English Homophones2022-09-30T03:35:01+01:00
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