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    English with Kirsty

    A podcast for busy people who want to improve their business English or develop their communication skills. For further information, see www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast

    en-gbKirsty Major100 Episodes

    Episodes (100)

    Episode 195: EwK196 - Are you using these terms that may confuse someone with English as a first language?

    Episode 195: EwK196 - Are you using these terms that may confuse someone with English as a first language?

    This episode is based on an article that I wrote for the <a href="https://www.fremdsprachen-jobs.de/news/confuseanenglishspeaker/"?> Fremdsprachen Jobs</a> site about words and phrases that are used by German speakers, and that sound like English, but which don't mean the same thing, or don't mean anything in English!

     

    I decided to talk about this here because some of the topics can be applied more broadly in terms of words that might make sense to you and everyone in your office, but not to people from other parts of the world.

     

    Every language has these words and phrases, even more so as English is increasingly used for business. I chose examples from German because I am most familiar with those.

     

    Can you think of any more?

    Episode 194: EwK195 - 3 things that we can stop doing as our language skills improve

    Episode 194: EwK195 - 3 things that we can stop doing as our language skills improve

    Happy New Year!

    Today I'm talking about three important skills for language learners. It is important to develop these skills, but they all become less relevant and necessary as our language skills improve.

     

    Find out what they are in today's episode, and let me know if you can think of any more to add!

     
    The links and other information that I mention are on the <a href="https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode195/"> show notes page.</a>

    Episode 193: English with Kirsty 194 - Better business networking in English

    Episode 193: English with Kirsty 194 - Better business networking in English

    Today I'm sharing with you my conversation with Jane Eggers from Jane Eggers Translations. We share our tips and experiences when it comes to attending business networking meetings in other languages. We hope that the things that have worked for us might also work for you too if you find yourself in similar situations, or if you want to attend more of this kind of meeting to present yourself or your business in English.

     

    Even if this isn't relevant to you, many of our ideas will also work if you're taking part in meetings in English, or any other additional language that you may have.

    You can find out more on the show notes page:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode194 

    Or, if you're interested in the business networking in English course, you can find out more here:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/about-the-lessons/business-networking/ 

    Episode 192: EwK193 - Episode with Nicole Hynek

    Episode 192: EwK193 - Episode with Nicole Hynek

    Nicole is the founder and Creative Director at Hynek Associates, a digital marketing and communications agency in the UK. She was born to a Czech father and British mother, giving her a unique experience and insight into culture and language growing up. Nicole started out in photography in 2005, learning the industry from the ground up. She added film to her portfolio in 2012 and has continued to grow and develop both herself and her business since that time. She has an MSc in Business Psychology and is currently a part-time PhD student in Organisational Psychology at the University of Worcester. 

     

    We talk about Nicole's experience of learning a language as an adult, the value of exploring a language with those who actually speak it, the way your personality and how you express yourself can change as you move between languages and cultures, how Nicole's experiences have helped her in her business, and the importance of really listening when you want to communicate and understand the other person well.
    <a href="https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode193"> Find out more on the show notes page.</a>

    Episode 191: EwK191 The importance of listening ... to yourself speaking English

    Episode 191: EwK191 The importance of listening ... to yourself speaking English

    When we think about listening skills, it's often in the context of understanding others. 

    Many of my multilingual clients see speaking in English as a challenge. It's a challenge that I understand too, because I also face it when I'm using other languages in which I don't feel as confident.

    Part of the solution to this problem is to become more used to and comfortable with listening to ourselves speaking the other language. In this episode, I explain why this is important and give some suggestions on how to do it.

    <a href="https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode191"> You can find the show notes page here.</a>

    Episode 192: EwK192 - Interview with Jennie Eriksen

    Episode 192: EwK192 - Interview with Jennie Eriksen

    Jennie is the owner at <a href=https://masteryourmessaging.com"> Master your Messaging</a> and <a href=https://lovelyvoice.com> Lovely Voice.</a>  

     

    This is how Jennie introduces herself:

     

    " I’m Jennie Eriksen and I work with clients on effective online communication and messaging. 

    As a confidence and visibility coach, I help clients who are struggling to confidently show up online with an engaging message, whether that’s a networking meeting, a Facebook Live, Webinar, Summit or maybe as a podcast guest, or speaker.

    I work with clients to create memorable messaging.

    Together we work on laying the foundations of how you talk about your business, make genuine connections, and ensure your message resonates with others so people understand what you do.

    This work goes hand in hand with my narration work. As a professional voiceover I write and narrate for clients worldwide. I know first-hand how difficult it can be to get your message right, every time.


    We talk about how to come across authentically in networking meetings, some of the benefits of attending meetings online, and, at a time when some of us are doing a lot more talking, how to take care of your voice.

     

    Episode 190: English with Kirsty 190 - Interview with Nic Călinoiu

    Episode 190: English with Kirsty 190 - Interview with Nic Călinoiu
    Nic is an engineer with vast experience in the IT and Telecommunications industries. He is also the National Director for Ireland at the Mindset Owners Club. He is married and has four children.

    Our conversation covers many language-related topics, including methods to learn a language, the experience of studying for a PHD abroad, raising multilingual children, and working in an international environment.

    You can visit the show notes page here.

    Episode 189: English with Kirsty 189 - Interview with Eva Tunez Salvador

    Episode 189: English with Kirsty 189 - Interview with Eva Tunez Salvador
    This week I have another conversation to share with you.

    Eva is a Spanish translator who is passionate about international trade and the cultural and linguistic challenges linked to it. Her multilingual translation company, Genuine Translations, helps businesses break all the marketing, legal and technical translation barriers by translating their products’ labels, localising their website, providing certified translations and so much more. Eva is also the Co-Founder of Local to Global, a one-stop gateway for all exporters’ cultural, linguistic and branding requirements.

    We discuss Eva's work, points to consider when working with contacts in Spanish-speaking countries, and some of the problems that can arise when companies don't take the time to source quality translations.

    You can find out more on the show notes page.

    Episode 188: EwK188 - Communication is a shared responsibility

    Episode 188: EwK188 - Communication is a shared responsibility
    This week I have a conversation to share with you. I was talking with Zanne Gaynor and Kathryn Alevizos from Acrobat Global about how communication is a shared responsibility, especially when you're working in international settings where some people are not using their first language.

    English is often used as a common language for business, but those of us for whom English is a first language have a role to play in making sure we communicate clearly. This isn't about reducing complexity or speaking to people like children, but it is about cutting out unnecessary words that don't add value, avoiding expressions that could be confusing, leaving enough time for people to process, and not making assumptions - among other things.

    The conversation is packed with tips about how we can be better communicators in international settings, what good experiences we all had as language learners, where people took the time to make conversations easier, and some ways in which you can help others to feel included.

    We also talk about Zanne and Kathryn's books, "Communication in a multi-lingual world" and "Communication in a neurodiverse world".

    You can find out more on the show notes page:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode188/

    Episode 186: EwK 186 - proofreading and editing - interview with Craig Smith from CRS Editorial

    Episode 186: EwK 186 - proofreading and editing - interview with Craig Smith from CRS Editorial
    This week I've been talking to Craig Smith of CRS Editorial. This is how he introduced himself:

    " Hi. I’m Craig Smith from CRS Editorial. I am an editor, proofreader, copywriter and journalist with over 20 years' experience of working across many formats with different-sized organisations and for a wide range of target audiences."

    Find out about Craig's new business, the difference between an editor and a proofreader, and what you can look out for when you're checking your own writing.

    You can find the show notes page here:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode186

    Episode 185: EwK185 - Empowering staff to improve and use their language skills

    Episode 185: EwK185 - Empowering staff to improve and use their language skills
    Some of my customers have come to me in search of English training, not because their companies are not investing in their training, but because something about the courses that are being offered to them isn't quite working.

    This episode is for managers who want their staff to be more confident users of another language, although many of the points apply to other types of training and development too. If you're not a manager, you could also apply some of the tips to your own learning.

    I've gathered together feedback about what hasn't been working for people, and included my own tips and solutions. Some points are about identifying and selecting the right type of training for the task. Others are about supporting staff to implement and practice what they have learned.
    You can find the show notes here:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode185

    Episode 184: EwK184 - The stories we tell ourselves and others

    Episode 184: EwK184 - The stories we tell ourselves and others
    Today I am bringing you an interview with Rachel Surtees, a psychotherapist whom I met at a business networking meeting recently. This is how Rachel introduced herself:

    " As a psychotherapist I am fascinated by people and their interactions with each other. I am deeply curious about the stories we tell ourselves in order to make sense of our world and especially how these stories then become our subconscious guides to our behaviour in future interactions. When we become aware of our unconscious stories it paves the way for us to be more choiceful in our future interactions which can be a very liberating place to be."

    Our conversations covers many topics, but we talk about what Rachel does, why she believe stories are important, how they shape our interactions, and how changing the stories we believe about ourselves or other people can lead to better relationships and better communication with others.

    The show notes page is:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode184

    Episode 183: EwK 183 - Communicating with difficult colleagues

    Episode 183: EwK 183 - Communicating with difficult colleagues
    We've probably all experienced them at some time - colleagues who make life that bit more difficult, with whom we find it harder to communicate, or who do things that frustrate us.

    What are some things that we can do to make communicating with them or addressing these problems a bit easier?

    These tips won't fix all problems, but ultimately we're only responsible for how we communicate or react, so it's worth thinking about that to ensure that we are being constructive - even when it's really hard!

    You can find the show notes here:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode183

    Episode 182: English with kirsty 182 - Interview with Janina Neumann - bilingual graphic designer

    Episode 182: English with kirsty 182 - Interview with Janina Neumann - bilingual graphic designer
    Today I’m bringing you an interview with Janina Neumann, a bilingual business owner and graphic designer whom I met recently through business networking.

    Janina is a bilingual graphic designer, intercultural management trainer, and business owner of Janina Neumann Design. JND is a bilingual design company, helping clients create a social impact in the UK and abroad. Working with social enterprises, charities and councils, Janina helps clients communicate their message equally effectively across different languages and cultures. Janina speaks English and German fluently and has a keen interest in learning new languages, including French and Farsi.

    The show notes page is here: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode182

    Episode 181: EwK181 - Lauryn Bradley’s tips on communicating well to make a good impression and build strong business relationships with customers

    Episode 181: EwK181 - Lauryn Bradley’s tips on communicating well to make a good impression and build strong business relationships with customers
    Today I’m bringing you an interview with my friend and business mentor, Lauryn Bradley.

    Lauryn Bradley is one of the UK’s leading business strategists. Think of Lauryn as the epitome of understated brilliance. No fanfare. Just results. She has owned, started, scaled and sold global businesses for herself and her clients for almost 30 years. Lauryn is an introvert entrepreneur, prefers an easy life and is a cheerleader for building social equity. Lauryn is an online business mentor + trained consultant, not a business coach, so unlike most coaches, Lauryn has the practical experience and geek-ery to show you how to grow your business to 7 figures and beyond.

    Here are some of the points that we explore in our conversation:
    •Good communication as a way to build relationships
    •Communicating well to make a good first impression
    •Responding to and learning from negative feedback
    •Making sure that auto-responders and those who work for you are following your brand’s communication style
    •Lauryn’s resources to support women business owners.

    For all the links and extra information, come over to the show notes page:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode181

    EwK180 - 8 tips for better online meetings

    EwK180 - 8 tips for better online meetings
    Many of us have found ourselves in more online metings during the last weeks and months. Whether you love them or hate them, it looks as though they'll be here to stay for a while!

    I've put together eight tips about how you can communicate more effectively in online meetings. These include things to avoid, things to change, and things to try.

    Let me know if you have any tips that you would add, and also whether any of these tips have helped you.

    You can find the show notes page here:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode180

    Episode 179 - Interview with Jennifer Jones - Writing Coach

    Episode 179 - Interview with Jennifer Jones - Writing Coach
    Jennifer is a writing coach who helps business owners become confident, happy writers by showing them that writing doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it. She does this so more of us can get our stories and voices out and join the conversation, so to speak, so you can grow your business, help your clients, and work towards creating a society that celebrates and values all of us.

    In this interview, we talk about different approaches to writing, Jennifer shares the best writing advice that she's been given, and she explains what's coming up in her writing retreat in October.

    This is not a paid advertisement - I want to encourage people to write and get their voices heard, and I think that this event, which is free to attend if you sign up to attend live in October, will be a great way to help anyone who's thinking about writing their first book.

    Visit the show notes page for the links and further details about Jennifer's work and her writing retreat:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode179

    EwK178 - Finding good listening resources with Cara Leopold

    EwK178 - Finding good listening resources with Cara Leopold
    On this week's episode of the English with Kirsty podcast, I have another interview for you with Cara from Leo Listening.

    In the interview we talk about

    * >Bridging the gap between what you want to listen to, and actually enjoying listening to things, such as your favourite movies or TV series in English
    * >Differences between the types of listening materials that are available to language learners;
    * Why it's sometimes hard for learners to find good listening resources, and what they can do to fix the problem;
    * Practical listening techniques that you probably didn't learn at school;
    * How practising your listening skills can also help you to become a better speaker of another language, particularly if you're listening to conversations;
    * Listening resources for personal development;
    * Questions to ask yourself so that you can find the best listening resources for you.

    Here's the show notes page:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode178

    English with Kirsty 177 - apps for learning languages - Duolingo review

    English with Kirsty 177 - apps for learning languages - Duolingo review
    I'm a language learner as well as a teacher.

    I don't believe language learning apps can replace tuition where you can ask questions/get personalised feedback, or practise with other speakers of the language, but I do think they're a great way to support your learning, strengthen your language skills, and help you to build your vocabulary.

    In this episode, I talk about my experiences of the Duolingo app - which features I find helpful, and which skills are harder to develop with this kind of app.

    You can find the show notes page here:
    https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode177