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All Ears English Podcast

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Are you looking for a new and fun way to learn American English? Come hang out with Lindsay and Michelle from Boston and New York City and have fun while you improve your English listening skills! We are an English as a Second Language (ESL) podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners around the world. We will show you how to use everyday English vocabulary and natural idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs and how to make small talk in American English. We will also give you special tips on American culture, customs, etiquette, and how to speak with Americans as well as conversation and commentary on study tips, business English, life in America and Boston and New York, how to apply to university in the US, dating, travel, food and more. You'll get TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC help also from The Examiner of Excellence, Jessica Beck. This podcast is for adult students who are professionals and university students as well as ESL teachers. Join the community to learn to speak American English like a native! Connection NOT Perfection!
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Published 2015-01-30

AEE IELTS: How to Dress for Success on the IELTS Exam

13 min
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What should you wear for the IELTS exam?

Today, Lindsay and Jessica talk about how to dress for success on exam day!

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Our clothes affect how we feel, and how we conduct our behavior. Other people can sense if we appear confident and comfortable. Not only that, they might even reflect what they see in us.

On test day, it’s important to project an image that says you’re intelligent, that you take the exam seriously, and that you’re relaxed. You want to be comfortable while sitting through the Writing and Reading sections of the test, but you also want to show your best self to the Speaking section examiner.

 

In order to do both, consider the following “business casual” items:

Slacks: These are the formal pants that would go with a suit. If they’re black, they can go with almost anything.

Boots and leggings: For women, remember to stick with something comfortable — no high heels.

Blouse or collared shirt: For men, there’s probably no need for a necktie, but a nice button-up shirt can allow you to look and feel relaxed while appearing professional.

 

You might want to stay away from:

Sweat pants or suits: These might look lazy, even if they are comfortable.

Blue jeans: While jeans are better than sweat pants, you might look better and feel just as relaxed in a nice pair of slacks.

T-shirts: This might come off as too casual — especially if its a t-shirt with images or text on it.

 

What are you thinking of wearing for your IELTS exam?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Published 2015-01-28

AEE IELTS: How to Connect, NOT Perfect on the IELTS Speaking Section

14 min
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Should you connect not perfect your English for the IELTS exam?

Today, learn how to connect with the examiner, and something you probably don’t know about the exam day schedule!

 

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In the IELTS, you’re not graded for being perfect. You’re graded for communication ability. It’s important to understand that this is connection, not perfection.

After you complete the Reading and Writing sections, there will probably be some waiting time before the Speaking section of your test. While you’re waiting, don’t get nervous! Instead, keep in mind that the examiner is not expecting you to be perfect. He or she only wants you to communicate your ideas the best you can. They want you to be able to connect with them.

 

Does connection not perfection work for you and your English learning?

How will you use it with your IELTS examiner?

Tell us about it in the comments section below!

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Published 2015-01-27

AEE IELTS: How to Impress the Examiner with 5 English Phrasal Verbs

19 min
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Do you need some phrasal verbs for the IELTS exam?

Today, Lindsay and Jessica share 5 English phrasal verbs you can use to stand out and get the score you need!

 

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You will probably be asked to talk about the topics of home, shopping, food and studying in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking Section. You need to prepare for this. One way you can do that is have some phrasal verbs.

Phrasal verbs are a way to sound more natural and native when speaking informally. Though there are many of these to choose from, you only need to use of a few to stand out.

 

Here are five that are easy to use and will impress your examiner:

Bone up on: This means to learn. It’s not only a phrasal verb, but also an idiom. “I had to bone up on my English studies.”

Figure out: This means to learn the details of something, or discover how it works. “I figured out how to fix the television.”

Goof off: When you are having fun, but not working or studying, you can say “I spent the afternoon goofing off.”

Clam up: This is another phrasal verb and idiom. It means that you’re so nervous you couldn’t think of what to say. “I clammed up when she asked me to answer the question.”

Catch up: If you’re behind, and you’re trying to shorten the distance, you might need to catch up.  This can be used physically, like you’re chasing someone, or with your studies. “I fell behind in my homework and have to catch up.”

 

Do you have any other phrasal verbs you’d like to use in the IELTS exam?

Let us know what they are in the comments section below!

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Published 2015-01-26

AEE 260: The United States of Paranoia

15 min
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Are Americans paranoid?

Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss why a few towns in the United States are banning a common winter activity for kids!

 

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Most Americans live in places that get snow in the winter. As children, they probably went sledding at least a few times. But today, some places are trying to ban sledding because it can be dangerous! Towns with sled hills are afraid somebody will get hurt, and the town will be sued.

Some lawsuits are justified, but there is such a thing as a “frivolous lawsuit,” which is a lawsuit that has little merit but is being pursued for money, rather than justice.

 

What do you think about banning sledding?

What do think about suing a “haunted house” park because it’s too scary?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Published 2015-01-23

AEE IELTS: Think You Need to Speak Fast on the IELTS? It's a Myth! How to Bring Your Best Intonation to the Test

14 min
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Do you try to speak fast to sound like a native English speaker?

Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss why you shouldn’t leave your heart behind on the IELTS Speaking Section!

 

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Nobody expects you to sound exactly like a native speaker. People just want to understand you. So if you’re talking too fast and trying to sound like a native, you might actually become more difficult to understand.

Speed is not important. If you speak with clarity and confidence, you will always sound better than if you’re in a rush. You have to be able to relax, pause between sentences, and use intonation and emotion.

 

If you want a high score on the Speaking Section, the examiner must be able to understand what you’re saying. Intonation is important — practice expressing your feelings so you DON’T sound like a robot!

 

How are you going to speak English with your heart?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Published 2015-01-21

AEE 258: 3 Resources to Be An Inspired English Learner in 2015

19 min
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Where do you find inspiration to learn English?

Today, learn 3 places where you can find compelling, interesting content to move you to the next level!

 

We live in a time of abundant online resources for learning English. In fact, there are so many that it can be overwhelming! But Thaddeus believes finding the right ones are the key to keeping your interest so you stay motivated.

 

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Published 2015-01-20

AEE 257: You'll Get to the Next Level AS LONG AS You Listen

15 min
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How do you use “as long as” in English?

On today’s Tear Up Your Textbook Tuesday, find out how to stop using “if” all the time and start using “as long as”!

The phrase “as long as” is a connector similar to “if”, or “provided that”.  It means that meeting certain conditions will allow something to happen. The emphasis is on the importance of meeting the conditions.

Here are a couple ways “as long as” might be used:

  • When do I have to be home?
  • Whenever you want, as long as you bring the car back in good condition.

 

  • “Is your landlord nice?”
  • “He is, as long as we pay the rent on time.”

 

How can you use “as long as”?

Write us a sample sentence in the comments section below!

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Published 2015-01-19

AEE 256: Exaggerate or Understate? 3 Key Differences Between American and British English

23 min
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Did you know there are differences between British and American English?

Today, Lindsay talks with teacher and author Douglas Amrine about three key differences, and why these matter for you in a job interview!

 

Douglas has spent half his life in the United States and half in the United Kingdom, so his accent is somewhere in the middle of the two. His experience has given him clarity about the differences in how Americans and British speak, and how speech is perceived in each country.

 

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Published 2015-01-13

AEE 253: Update Your English! 7 Ways to Sound More Natural When You Greet People in English

16 min
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Does your English sound natural?

Or do you sound like a textbook when you speak?

Today, get 7 tricks to update your English and sound more natural by using real talk instead of textbook talk!

 

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Speaking natural-sounding English can be difficult when you only work with textbooks.  While what your textbook says may be technically correct, some of the phrases might sound outdated or odd to native ears.

 

Can’t find native speakers to practice English with you?

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Here are 7 ways your textbook might tell you how to say something, as well as the ways a native English speaker would really say it.

 

  • Textbook: Hello.
  • Real: Hi!, Hey!, or What’s up?

 

  • Textbook: Are you having a good day?
  • Real: Having a good day?

 

  • Textbook: How are you?, How do you do?
  • Real: How’s it going?, How you doin’?, or How’ve you been?

 

  • Textbook: I’m fine, thanks.
  • Real: Doin’ well., or Not bad.

 

  • Textbook: What are your hobbies?
  • Real: What do you like to do?, What are you into?, or What do you do for fun?

 

  • Textbook: I wish to (do something).
  • Real: I wanna (do something), or I’d like to (do something).

 

  • Textbook: See you.
  • Real: See ya., Take care., or Bye.

 

Do you speak textbook English?

Do you know any other differences between what your textbook says and how native English-speakers speak?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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Published 2015-01-07

AEE 250: 3 Ways to Raise a Bilingual Child with Bilingual Avenue Host Marianna Du Bosq

17 min
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How do you raise a bilingual child?

Today, Lindsay chats with Marianna Du Bosq, a bilingual educator who has three ways to help you raise your child to speak more than one language!

 

The benefits of raising a bilingual child are many. Not only will knowing more than one language open career opportunities for the child when they grow up, research is also finding significant positive cognitive advantages to having a bilingual brain.

 

Marianna believes bilingualism (and even tri-lingualism) is definitely achievable if parents are focused enough. Here are Marianna’s three main points to focus on:

Expose your children to quality language input. Read books, or even use audio books. This way, your child is hearing voices other than those of their parents.

Create a need to use the language. If the child doesn’t have to use the language to get what they want, they’re naturally going to fall back on using the dominant language. Ask your family members help by only speaking one language or the other.

Keep it fun! Children will be far more involved in the language if they are doing the kinds of things they already love to do.

 

Are you a parent interested in raising bilingual children?

Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments section below!

 

Marianna Du Bosq is a bilingual mother, former bilingual educator, and lifetime language learner. She is the host of the Bilingual Avenue podcast and blog where she interviews parents and experts raising and teaching multilingual children, and provides an excellent collection of tips and strategies for anyone choosing this journey.

She is originally from Venezuela, has spent the last twenty years in the United States, and is currently on a one year adventure in the Black Forest in Germany with her husband and two year old daughter.

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Published 2014-12-29

AEE IELTS 2: How to Avoid the Dangers on Speaking Part 1

16 min
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What’s so difficult about the IELTS Speaking Part 1?

What can you do to prepare?

Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss some tactics for avoiding the dangers and allowing yourself to stand out!

 

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Speaking Part 1 of the IELTS includes questions about yourself. You will be asked about three topics, and though it may seem like simple stuff, the danger is that you might become too relaxed and start using one-word answers.

You want to do better than that. In fact, ideally your answers will be 2-4 sentences each!

How can you do come up with that? Do some brainstorming. Think of the question words. Question words can help you think of better answers.

 

Vocabulary is also important in Speaking Part 1. If you want to achieve a higher score, you will need to use a range of vocabulary, including slang and idioms. The examiner wants to hear that you know more than what’s in your textbook. A good strategy is to have a short list of slang and idioms ready to use.

 

What are some good English slang words or idioms that might be helpful to have for Speaking Part 1 of the IELTS test?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-12-24

AEE 242: Why Hollywood Is Not Always Holly-GOOD for Your English

13 min
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Can movies cause problems in speaking natural English?

Today, find out why mimicking phrases from movies can make it difficult to have natural-sounding English conversations!

 

Hollywood is drama. Its stories are fiction. This means that the language used by characters is often unrealistic.

Because of the unnatural dialogue, you don’t want to quote from movies unless it’s understood that you are quoting. Native English speakers do it all the time by slightly changing the tone of their voice. Even then, such quotes are usually made in a context that makes it clear that the usage is a little joke.

 

Some popular American movie quotes:

  • “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump
  • “May the odds be ever in your favor.” – The Hunger Games
  • “May the force be with you.” – Star Wars
  • “Houston, we have a problem.” – Apollo 13

 

While it can be fun to directly quote movies, you want to try to sound more like a real English speaker, not a fictional character.

 

Do you have any favorite movie quotes in English?

Share the ones you love in the comments section below!

 

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Published 2014-12-23

AEE Test Talk IELTS: How to Beat Writing Task 1 on the IELTS

12 min
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Do you need a plan for Writing Task 1 on the IELTS exam?

Today, Lindsay and Jessica share two clear steps for helping you beat it!

 

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The IELTS exam’s written section is divided into two tasks. Task 1 requires you to interpret a map or chart in approximately 150 words, while Task 2 is about 250 words on your own thoughts. Even though it is longer, Task 2 is often easier for test-takers. Task 1, because of the vocabulary needed, can be much more difficult.

The Task 1 chart is usually some kind of line or graph that shows a change over time. To give yourself the language needed to discuss this chart, a good tactic might be to read the business section of the newspaper and pick up the vocabulary you need – words like that describe change, like increase, decrease, decline and skyrocket.

 

In writing your answer for Task 1, keep it clear and simple. A good plan might be to discuss increases in paragraph one, and decreases in paragraph two. That way, your answer is organized.

 

How are you preparing for the IELTS exam’s Task 1?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

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Published 2014-12-23

AEE 241: Could You Listen? Would You Listen? You Should Listen!

17 min
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Do you have trouble using English modals?

Today, Lindsay and Michelle give you three crazy role-plays to understand when to use should, could and would!

 

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Correct use of modals like should, could and would can be confusing.  All three deal with time and possibility, and all three involve telling or asking someone to do something.

 

Should describes the strong possible likelihood of something.  It is also used to give advice.

  • “I should arrive on time.”
  • “You should apply for the job.”

 

Could describes a possibility in the past or the future.  It can also be used as a polite request.

  • “She could have eaten dinner already.”
  • “Could you pick me up at the airport?”

 

Would is most commonly used to make a polite request.

  • “Would you like to come with me?”
  • “Would you ask him about the book?”

 

How can you use should, could and would?

Give us some examples in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-12-22

AEE 240: The Four Mistakes You're Making with Your Emails in English

19 min
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Do you have trouble writing an email in English?

Do you worry about what kind of impression you’re making?

Today, Lindsay and Michelle share four common email mistakes made by non-native English speakers, and how to correct them!

 

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Published 2014-12-18

AEE Test Talk TOEIC 1- How NOT to get Tricked Using Your Power of Prediction

15 min
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Have you ever thought about taking the TOEIC?

On today’s Test Talk, Lindsay and Jessica talk about using prediction in testing, and how it can help!

 

Taking IELTS?

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When getting a bank account, cell phone, or internet connection in a foreign country, you need to be able to ask questions and know the right structures of conversation. If you don’t, you might not be told all of the information you need to know.

By practicing, especially if you’re able to do so with a partner, you can learn to anticipate what might be said by the other person. Doing this is learning to predict, and see what you’re missing. It might make you a better test-taker.

 

A practice conversation might go like this:

  • “I need to open a bank account.”
  • “Okay, to open an account, please complete this form.”

 

  • “Where should I take the form?”
  • “Give it to the woman in the office down the hall.”

 

  • “When can I have my account? Today?”
  • “No, it takes two weeks.”

 

  • “Do you need my passport?”
  • “Yes, and your birth certificate.”

 

If you would like to learn about this strategy, hear advice on how to strengthen it with resources that are free online, and get a practice guide written by Jessica, purchase the full episode.

 

Are you taking the TOEIC-1?

If so, let us know in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-12-18

AEE 239: Say NO to the Naysayer When It Comes to Your English

13 min
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On today’s Deep Thoughts Thursday, Lindsay and Michelle consider a quote from Teddy Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.

 

When he was a child, Teddy Roosevelt was weak, sickly and asthmatic. He had poor eyesight, too. Yet he grew up to be one of America’s greatest symbols of achievement and individual strength. His attitude continues to inspire today, and is summed up in the following quote:

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Published 2014-12-17

AEE Test Talk: Meet the Examiner of Excellence!

19 min
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Are you thinking about testing in English?

Today, Lindsay introduces Jessica, the Examiner of Excellence, who’s here to help you excel at your English tests!

 

Taking IELTS?

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Test preparation doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it should be interesting. When you’re studying for an English test, it isn’t the same as studying for a math test. You need to activate your emotions so you can remember more.

Reading or watching movies in English can help, but you can also practice writing essays on subjects that are interesting to you, or go out and speak English with native speakers. Think of it as test preparation.

 

As for taking the actual test, Jessica has four essential tips to give you an advantage:

  • Be proactive. Take an active approach that involves your brain. Try to think about and predict answers.
  • Trust yourself. Don’t start doubting yourself when answering questions. Often, your first answer is the correct one.
  • Follow directions. Tests are written by smart people. Don’t start looking ahead and trying to race the clock. If you do, you might miss an important instruction.
  • Don’t rush. Don’t worry about timing. Instead, focus on your English and do what the test asks you to do.

 

Have you done any testing in English?

How did it go?

Tell us about it in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-12-10

AEE 234: One Way to Stop Thinking Too Hard When You Learn English

13 min
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Are you nervous about speaking English?

Are you looking for a way around it?

Today, Lindsay and Michelle share a story about one student who overcame his fear of speaking English by being an expert at something else!

 

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An English student in an American business course had little confidence in his English abilities. But when the other students in his course discovered that he understood their subject better than any of them, he was asked to be their tutor. Of course, they wanted him to tutor them in English.

This turned out much better than expected. As a tutor, he had to be in the moment and focused. He couldn’t worry about his inhibitions or nervousness, or making mistakes. And because of this, he was able to take control.

 

A classroom is a safe place to learn English, but you are expected not to make mistakes, and so you must focus on your own perfection rather than connection. Connecting with others is more natural. Try to get out of the classroom and overcome your inhibitions.

 

How do you practice English outside the classroom?

Does it help make you less self-conscious about speaking English?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-12-09

AEE 233: One Super Conversational Way to Talk About Your Plans in English

18 min
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Need some help talking about your plans in English?

On today’s Tear Up Your Textbook Tuesday, Lindsay and Michelle tell you how to talk about the future the way native speakers do!

 

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Usually English textbooks tell you to talk about the future using ‘will’ and ‘going to’. These work, but native English speakers also do it by using the progressive tense. To native ears, this is a more natural and conversational way to talk.

 

Here are some examples of conversation about the future using the progressive tense:

  • “What are you having for dinner?”
  • “Tonight I’m having chicken.”

 

  • “Are you bringing anything?”
  • “I’m bringing wine.”

 

  • “What are you doing tomorrow?”
  • “I’m going to see a movie.”

 

Note that all of these conversations are talking about the future, not the immediate moment.

 

What are you doing tomorrow?

What are you doing next week?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-12-08

AEE 232: What You MUST Know About Interviews in the United States

18 min
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Do you want to get a job in the US?

Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss what you need to know to excel at an American job interview!

 

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Job interviews everywhere focus on skills and training. But in the US, employers are usually interested in character as well. They want to know whether you’re a team player, what your potential is to be a leader, and how you will grow in your job.

As such, they might ask some questions focused more on your behaviors than your skills. It would help to think about these questions ahead of time, so you can be prepared.

 

Some American job interview questions might include:

  • “Tell us about the most difficult/frustrating individual you ever had to work with, and how you managed to work with them.” By asking this, they’re seeing whether you can rise above a problem and keep it from affecting the company.
  • “Give an example of how you’ve broken out of a routine or when you’ve successfully developed a new approach.” Here they’re asking you to show flexibility.
  • “How do you schedule your time/prioritize time when you have a tight turnaround?” With this, you might want to explain how you ask others for help or delegate your work.

 

In answering all of these questions, try to tell a story from conflict to resolution, and keep it under three minutes if possible.

 

Do employers ask questions like these during job interviews in your country?

Tell us about it in the comments section below!

 

 

Brad received his undergraduate degree at New York University in 1984, and spent the next 15 years in the business world focused on sales and marketing. After spending a year testing the English teaching waters in Korea, he returned to the USA and got a Masters degree in TESOL from Seattle University in March 2001.

Since then Brad has worked in London for a summer, spent a few years in Ireland writing TEFL materials for the Wall Street Institute and other companies, and has worked in Germany and Austria as an in-house Business English trainer for companies like Siemens, Deutsche Post/DHL and EADS.

He has also taught many seminars and workshops for various companies on skills like presentations and business correspondence, as well as a business course for two years at the University of Ulm, Germany.

 

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Published 2014-12-03

AEE 230: Going to San Francisco? Learn How to "Get Local" with italki Teacher Sarah Honour

16 min
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Do you want some help with the local English in San Francisco?

Today, San Francisco native Sarah Honour talks about how you can go local with your English in the City by the Bay!

 

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San Francisco is one of the most unique and amazing cities in the United States. It’s residents are technology-centric due to their proximity to Silicon Valley, as well as health-centric and nature-centric due to the progressive philosophy that has long been part of the spirit of the city.

Sarah believes that these traits are found in some of the language that San Franciscans use, and that knowing this terminology can help you fit in just a little better.

Here are Sarah’s three top terms for your visit to San Francisco:

  • “Is there an app for that?”: App is short for application, as in for your phone. Because the Bay Area is near the center of a major technological development region, there are apps for almost everything in the city — from calling a taxi to getting your groceries delivered.
  • Organic, Local, Sustainable and Seasonal: Food quality is really important to San Franciscans. Organic means that no pesticides have been used, local means the food was grown nearby, and sustainable means the environment was not harmed to produce it. Seasonal simply means that it is the natural time of year for the food to grow.
  • “Where’s the wiggle?”: San Francisco is a great city for biking, but it is also a city with lots of hills. The ‘wiggle’ is the route for biking with the least amount of hills to go up.

 

Have you ever been to San Francisco?

Would you like to go?

Tell us why in the comments section below!

 

Sarah is a 31 year old American who was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, studied Communications in Seattle, Washington, and worked for almost 10 years as a nanny (or babysitter) in San Francisco, California.  She now splits her time between San Francisco and Sardinia, Italy where her boyfriend lives. She is an English teacher on italki, and is learning Italian and sampling as much of the amazing food and wine from Italy as she can.

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Published 2014-12-02

AEE 229: Tag! You're It! How to Get Your Facts Straight in English

20 min
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How do you clarify information in English?

Have you ever met someone on the phone or the internet before you met them in person?

Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss tag questions, and how they can help you confirm what you think you know, but aren’t sure about!

 

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A tag question helps you to confirm a piece of information that you think is true, but that you want to clarify. Though they are used as a tool for clarity, they can also be a great way to create conversations.

Tag questions tend to begin with the statement to be clarified, and then end with the question. There are many possible combinations.

 

Some common examples of tag questions include:

  • “You’re from Washington, aren’t you?”
  • “You used to live in New York, didn’t you?”
  • “He can play the piano, can’t he?”
  • “Her birthday is in July, right?”

 

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Do you ever use tag questions?

What kinds of things do you need to confirm or clarify in others?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-11-26

AEE 226: How to "80/20" Your English to Make More Friends with italki Teacher Nick Vance

18 min
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What should be your focus when learning English?

How can you make the most of the time you invest in studying?

Today Lindsay talks with Nick Vance about the 80/20 principle, and how it can improve your English conversations!

 

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Nick believes that 80% of the positive benefits of something come from 20% of the input. In business, some customers are more valuable than others. With friends, though you may have many, only a few are truly close.

In learning English, most of the grammar mistakes a new learner makes are really the same mistake over and over. Correcting these most common 20% of mistakes would eliminate 80% of all grammar mistakes. The best way to identify these is by working with a teacher who can help point out your mistakes.

 

Another way to work with the 80/20 principle is to prepare answers to the most common questions you might get from native English speakers. This will help you comfortably get conversations started — which is probably 80% of the work!

You might prepare answers to questions like:

  • Where are you from?
  • How long have you lived here?
  • What do you do for a living?

 

Do you see the 80/20 principle working in your life?

How so?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

 Nick Vance is originally from Kentucky and has lived in North Carolina, Washington DC, San Diego and Portland. He has been living in Berlin, Germany for 2.5 years.  Nick’s degree is in math but he left that field when he realized how much he enjoyed helping others learn English.  Nick has been helping people improve their English for 4 years and have been teaching online via Italki for about one year.

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Published 2014-11-25

AEE 225: 3 Secrets to Getting a Job in the United States

17 min
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How do you get a job in the United States?

What do employers want and expect?

Today, Lindsay and Kristy talk about 3 things an employer in the U.S. might look for in a job candidate!

 

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If you’re applying for a job, it’s important to know what your potential employer is looking for. Like any other country, the U.S. has a professional culture which places more value on some individual qualities than others. These qualities may be very different from what employers look for in your home country!

 

Some qualities American employers seek in employees:

  • Proactive attitude: Show that you are autonomous and energetic – the opposite of passive. It means to show up early, confirm the time you will meet, and say thank you.
  • Positive attitude: Americans like smiles. But it’s also important that you get along with others and not be pessimistic.
  • Communication: When you actively communicate it shows you are engaged. A big part of this is simply that you let the boss know what is going on.
  • Be a “Giver”: Show that you believe in the vision of the company and are personally invested in its success. In other words, it’s more than a job to you.

 

Are these the same traits that employers look for in your country?

Do you have them?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-11-18

AEE 221: When to Use "The" at Thanksgiving Dinner

19 min
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When should you use the word ‘the’ in English?

Today, in #1 of the Top 15 Fixes series, we discuss the most common article in the English language, ‘the’!

Come back to our site

 

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Use if the word ‘the’ can be a confusing. But there are some rules that can help you get it right most of the time.

 

The first requires that you consider whether the focus is on something specific, or something more general.

When focused on specific items, use ‘the’. If you’re sitting at a table, talking about the food that is actually in front of you, you might say:

  • “Do you like the turkey?”
  • “Yes, the turkey is great!”
  • “Could you please pass the salt?”

When focused on more general terms, you don’t use ‘the’. If you’re discussing food in general, you might say:

  • “Do you like turkey?”
  • “Have you tried pumpkin pie?”
  • “Cranberries are too tart for me.”

 

Geographical terms can also be tricky for ‘the’. In most cases, large, well-known geographic places will have ‘the': the content, the Pacific Ocean, the moon.

With specific countries, a country’s formal name might require ‘the,’ while a less formal name might not: the United States, the Russian Federation; America, Russia.

 

Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series:

 

What have you found difficult about ‘the’?

Tell us all about it in the comments section below!

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Published 2014-11-13

AEE 219: How to Truly Be Free with Your English Goals and Your Life

18 min
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Are you free to follow your goals in life?

Or are you afraid?

Today, learn how freedom comes with fearlessness!

Come back to allearsenglish.com/219 for more!

 

Go here to read the full episode summary

 

There are so many things to be afraid of: loneliness, lack of money, professional failure or meaninglessness. Fears can overwhelm you. But what if you have a vision that’s bigger than fear?

To accomplish anything, you have to get out of your head and into your body. Action means letting go of your thoughts. But to do that, you need the freedom to be fearless.

 

Freedom to be fearless means:

  • Questioning everything
  • Avoiding “perfectionist paralysis”
  • Having goals, but knowing that goals are not always the most important thing
  • Being able to communicate effectively with others when the stakes are high

 

Are you free and fearless?

How does it come out in your life?

Tell us your story in the comments section below!

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