| Of course you speak English - who doesn't? But how | | | | Practice vowels & consonants |
| well do you speak this international language? Are | | | | An additional challenge in English is that we have so |
| you clear, concise and grammatically correct? Do | | | | many words that are identical except for the vowel. |
| people talk about you and the things you say? And | | | | Take this string of words for example: mat, met, |
| are they talking for the right reasons? | | | | mitt, mutt, mate, might and moot. Do they all sound |
| It used to be that just speaking English (at any level) | | | | different when you say them? They should! |
| was enough to open the doors of opportunity, but | | | | Read the words in random order and have someone |
| times are quickly changing. Most recent estimates | | | | write down what they hear. Did they hear what you |
| place speakers of English as a fluent second language | | | | said? Create other lists of words like this to identify |
| or additional foreign language at over one billion. | | | | your problem sounds and practice, practice, practice! |
| It is no longer an advantage to speak English, but a | | | | Consonant sounds can be just as tricky. Be sure you |
| requirement! Just speaking English isn't so impressive | | | | differentiate between voiced and unvoiced sounds, |
| anymore - unless you speak it really well. | | | | for example, 'd' and 't.' The words 'said' and 'set' |
| Many talented and competent professionals who are | | | | should sound different. You should be using your |
| doing their best to speak good English are left behind. | | | | voice to make the 'd' sound, whereas the 't' sound |
| Many don't even realize why. How many times have | | | | only uses air. |
| you heard a colleague make the same mistake over | | | | You can create word pairs similar to the vowels |
| and over again and never corrected him? | | | | above to practice these sounds and others like 'v' |
| Perfecting the way you speak is challenging, but by | | | | and 'f,' 'z' and 's,' 'b' and 'p,' and 'g' and 'k.' |
| applying these tips and tricks, you will ease | | | | Speak grammatically |
| communication, speed up your work flow and | | | | For most, grammar lessons are thankfully a thing of |
| become a more effective business leader. | | | | the distance past. Although lessons usually weren't |
| Speak Clearly | | | | fun or interesting, there was a reason why we were |
| Since English is being used as a lingua franca by more | | | | drilled in English grammar. |
| and more non-native speakers, clarity should always | | | | Have you ever thought about what your grammar |
| be your first priority (whether English happens to be | | | | says about you? |
| your native language or not). There are a number of | | | | Proper grammar signals a higher level of education, |
| things you can do to improve the clarity of your | | | | professionalism and, in many cases, success. |
| speech. | | | | Breaking grammar rules can signal a lack of attention |
| Slow down | | | | to detail, laziness and can be a general irritant and |
| We all speak too fast. It's a terrible habit! And the | | | | distraction for those who do observe grammar rules. |
| faster we speak, the more mumbled our speech | | | | Not to mention the miscommunication that can |
| becomes. | | | | happen in written correspondence like email. Think |
| Slowing down the pace of your speech is vital in | | | | how much time is wasted clarifying the meaning of |
| situations where visual communication is lacking, for | | | | mails where the structure is so mangled that the |
| example an international conference call. It is just as | | | | message is lost. |
| important however, while running a meeting or | | | | If you feel like you never really learned grammar |
| delivering a presentation. | | | | properly or think you might be making mistakes, but |
| Make sure everyone can follow what you are saying | | | | don't really understand why, seek out answers to |
| at all times. Otherwise, what's the point of saying it? | | | | your questions. |
| Enunciate | | | | 1. Ask a colleague whose language skills you admire |
| Colloquial speech is littered with signs of laziness. We | | | | to proof-read some of your written work. Ask them |
| drop word endings, run our words together and | | | | to be honest with you about your mistakes. If you're |
| create sentences that never seem to end. | | | | making the mistakes in your writing, you can assume |
| Sometimes it is too easy to take this style of speech | | | | that you are making the same mistakes (and then |
| into the boardroom. | | | | some) in your speech. |
| Be sure to enunciate your words. Put a special focus | | | | 2. Have a grammar reference on hand at all times - |
| on word endings such as 'ed' and 's' that act as | | | | right next to your English dictionary. Local book |
| grammatical markers. | | | | stores have plenty of references in the language and |
| If you leave the 'ed' off of a past tense verb (Our | | | | linguistics sections. |
| profits increase last year instead of 'increased') it | | | | 3. Enroll in a refresher course in English. The right |
| sounds as though you are making a very basic | | | | teacher can make the subject interesting and |
| mistake in English. | | | | enlightening. And speaking better English is definitely |
| Your education, aptitude and credibility could be | | | | worth the investment! Your colleagues and clients will |
| questioned. | | | | thank you! |