An article on the
BBC website today lists 50 examples of "management speak" phrases. One reader wrote: "My favourite which I hear from the managers at the bank I work for is
let's touch base about that offline. I think it means have a private chat but I am still not sure."
June 17th 2008 |
Business culture
If you're motivated, reliable, and prepared to work flexible hours, then you have a good chance of getting a job in the UK. Government studies show that employers prefer the work ethic of Eastern Europeans to British workers.
If you're starting a new job and want to make a good impression on your new colleagues, try these cultural tips!
June 10th 2008 |
Socialising
I'm ashamed to say that the following instructions were written by a native speaker of English. How many errors can you spot? (Hint: look for spelling mistakes, and absence of punctuation.)
June 5th 2008 |
Writing skills
Here are some useful ways you can use to ask people to do things for you. Using the modal verbs could, can, will and would will make what you say polite as well as
concise.
How can you ask your bank to transfer funds from one account to another? A visitor to our sister site (www.english-at-home.com) recently asked for help in writing a formal letter.
May 30th 2008 |
Writing skills
The British government plans to extend flexible working rights to all parents with children under the age of 16. At the moment, parents with children under six (roughly 6 million workers) can ask for flexible working hours.
May 27th 2008 |
Business culture
We use the word "Cheers!" when we toast each other. For example, in a pub when everyone has their drink, someone will say "Cheers!"
How can you tell someone that they are not allowed to do something? Pity whoever it was that had to tell the Portuguese prime minister that smoking on an aircraft contravened his own law banning smoking in public places. (The PM explained that he didn't think he was breaking the law as there was a curtain separating the first-class section of the aeroplane.)
May 20th 2008 |
Speaking skills
How can you politely say that you find something unacceptable if other people in your office are happy with it?
