Insider advice for professional speaking: Part 2 Speaking up
By James, March 14 2021In the previous post on professional speaking, we focused on managing nervousness. This post will look at how to project your voice and speak clearly.
In the previous post on professional speaking, we focused on managing nervousness. This post will look at how to project your voice and speak clearly.
As a theatre actor, I was so nervous at the start of nearly every show. But over time, I learnt to be confident in front of audiences. Now, let me help you with your speaking.
When we have a tight deadline, most of us can finish a lot of work quickly. But if the deadline is far away, that same work takes much longer. Why is that?
There are so many English proficiency tests that are available. Some are offered in one specific country, others are offered and used globally. The table below will help you to figure out which test best fits your needs!
Thinking of taking the IELTS? So am I. Remember to study for it—even if you're a native speaker!
Intonation is sometimes described as the music of language. Without it, our voices are flat and lifeless, but with it, even simple language can be funny, memorable or moving.
When you speak, how much does the audience remember, and which parts do they remember? The answer may help you re-think how to be an impressive communicator.
Should you use jargon with your colleagues? How about with your clients? How about in a speaking test? Here's a simple but powerful rule to guide you.
Ideas change, and what's radical to one generation may be normal to the next.
Speaking tests are a performance. You have to show your skills.
Successful students are the ones who don't let a disappointing test score stand in their way. We've all received a score at one time or another that we weren't thrilled about.
This is when we ask ourselves: Do I take this as a failure or as a chance to learn? Do I give up or try harder?
The quote, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn” sounds very similar to the famous quote “You win some, you lose some,” but the message is entirely different.
One of the most frequent questions I get is, "How long should my G.B.C. answer be?"
My immediate thought is always, "How long is a piece of string?"* But this is not a helpful answer! What follows is the actual answer I give to students who ask me this.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is an important figure who has a particular way of approaching some topics: he openly says, "I don't know."
Specific language is far stronger than general language. Specifics transport the reader or listener and give them a clear image, while general language forces the reader or listener to do the work of imagining what is meant. Let's look more deeply into this.
Many non-native English speakers make the mistake of thinking that formal language is always a safe language choice. This is not the case. These days, the American workplace style is becoming more casual and language is going the same way.
Students at the English Farm write some amazing G.B.C. answers, and we like to share the best of the best.
This piece has had minor corrections by a teacher, but the logic, structure, and word choice are the student's.
Strong answers require strong endings. This post will teach you a very simple way to end with maximum impact.
First, let's take a look at an answer with good evidence and reasoning:
Do you think work-life balance is important?
Students at the English Farm write some amazing G.B.C. answers, and we like to share the best of the best.
This piece has had minor corrections by a teacher, but the logic, structure, and word choice are the student's.
Students at the English Farm write some amazing G.B.C. answers, and we like to share the best of the best.
This piece has had minor corrections by a teacher, but the logic, structure, and word choice are the student's.
Test season is stressful—after preparing for months, the last thing you want is for your performance to be limited by your nerves. One way to manage anxiety is by using Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR).