Communication Skills: Express Yourself Clearly Archives • Page 2 of 7 • English with Kim

Express Your Ideas Clearly – Organize Your Thoughts and Communicate Effectively in English

Let’s talk about four changes you can make to how you communicate in order to ensure that your message and your meaning are clear. These tips will encourage you to better express yourself using the language that you already have. Let’s get started! Identify Your Key Message The first thing you can do is identify your key message before every interaction. By key message, I mean the most important point, idea, or feeling you want … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Show You’re Listening with Intonation – Short Questions and Responses For Better Conversations in English

Go on… What happened? I know! Seriously?! No way! Want to have better conversations in English? Then show you’re listening and interested by using short expressions and questions that reflect how you feel through your intonation. These expressions and questions are rejoinders or short responses that show you’re actively participating and engaged in the conversation. Without them, the conversation may feel a little one-sided and the other person may feel less motivated to keep talking. … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Reflecting on Racism and Its Effects on English Language Teaching and Learning

In 2020, there were massive protests across the United States in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many, many other Black Americans. Across all 50 states, people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds came together to clearly assert that Black Lives Matter. I too believe that Black Lives Matter and stand with the Black community. For centuries, the Black community has suffered violence and systemic racism from white people … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Asked to Repeat Yourself? What to Do When You Have to Repeat a Word or Idea in English

I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you repeat what you said? Would you mind saying that again? As a non-native speaker, you’ll be asked to repeat yourself every once in a while. Maybe you mispronounced a word, used language that didn’t quite work, or the other person simply didn’t hear what you said. When this happens, you might freeze, wondering if it was a word or the whole idea that the other person missed. … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Stop Saying Sorry About My Accent | Stop Apologizing for Your English

Do you find yourself apologizing for your accent or your English before you’ve even started a conversation? As non-native speakers, we may feel the need to acknowledge that we don’t speak with a perfect accent, or that we make mistakes because we’re still learning the language. To be perfectly honest with you, I used to do it too! For many years, I’d point out that I have an obvious accent in Spanish every single time … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Three Simple Ways to Sound More Polite and Tactful in American English

Have you ever been told that you’re too direct, too demanding, or too aggressive when you’re speaking English, especially at work? Just like kids, when we first learn a language, we focus on communicating clearly in the most straightforward way possible: I’m hungry. I want some pizza. Where is the train station? I’m looking for the ATM. This language is simple, precise, direct. As your language skills continue to evolve, you’re able to add more … Read the article and watch the video lesson