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Test your English speaking skills

Just when you think you know English, there is always something new that surprises you.

This is because school exams and IELTS will ensure you have a comprehensive knowledge of English but they don’t always focus on knowledge of subtleties in the language. The difference between “I really don’t think” and “I don’t really think” is big.

Take the quiz to find out why.

Want to learn more? Contact us for a consultation to find out how we can improve your English.

Speaking

Sound natural when speaking English – two common English greetings you might not know!

There are two greetings that always confuse my students.

The funny thing is, these phrases are used all the time by English speakers. I would even say that these phrases are the most common greetings we use in the UK.

Problem is, in English classes learners aren’t always taught these popular greetings.

Whaaat?! It sounds crazy, I know, but it’s true.

Learners read and practise ‘textbook English’ and we all know this can sound quite unnatural and is the reason why new learners sometimes sound like robots.

So, this is my attempt to help you sound more natural.

By the way. If you would like to improve your English and understand real native speaking. Join me for some coaching sessions in the virtual classroom.

Start your journey today by clicking CONTACT in the menu above. Send me a message. Let’s get the ball rolling!

Now, those greetings…

Let’s start with greeting 1 

“How’s it going?”

Tip: People NEVER say this in its long-form – “How is it going?”

Tip: It sounds more like this – How-zit going?

Question: What does it mean?

Answer: How are you?

Question: How do I reply?

Answer: “Good thanks”, “Good”, or “Fine thanks”.

 

Greeting 2 

“What’ve you been up to?”

Tip: People rarely say it in its long-form – “What have you been up to?”

Tip: It sounds more like this – Wha tav you been up to?

Question: What does it mean?

Answer: “What have you done recently?”

Question: How do I reply?

Answer: You can use the present perfect tense, which is the same tense the question is asked in.

“I have + Past participle verb.”

E.g. “I have changed jobs”, “I have been to the movies”or “I have moved house.”

Or you can use the past simple tense.

E.g. “I went to the cinema yesterday”, “I tried a new restaurant last weekend” or “I booked my holiday to Spain this morning.”

 

Speaking

How to give a quick and precise project update in English

Work in a fast-paced environment? Give an efficient update report by prioritizing your words. 

When you are giving a project update treat your words like your to-do list. Prioritze the most important ones and put them at the beginning of your sentences. 

Look at these two updates.

“We will finish the restaurant in 10 days. 

The contractors have completed the fixtures and fittings and the interior designer is in putting the finishing touches to it. 

We have taken delivery of all of the kitchen equipment. 

The haven’t sent the furniture yet.” 

“The restaurant will be finished in 10 days. 

The fixtures and fittings have been completed and the interior is being worked on. 

The kitchen equipment has been delivered. 

The furniture hasn’t been sent yet.” 

 

Which one do you think it most efficient? 

Example one includes details about who is doing the tasks – “We”, the contractors and the interior designer.”

If you a need to be quick these bits of information are not important. The tasks should be the focus.

Fixtures and fittings. 

The interior. 

The furniture. 

 

Example two puts the focus on the tasks by using the passive tense. It is precise and to the point. This is most efficient.

 

How to form the passive tense 

First find the word you want to focus on. 

E.g. The furniture 

Next decide on the tense – past, present or future? 

Put that tense in its verb ‘to be’ form. 

Present simple – is 

Present continuous – is being 

Present perfect – has been 

Past simple – was 

Past continuous – was being 

Past perfect – had been 

Future simple – will be 

Future with going – is going to be 

Finally

Use the verb in the past participle. What’s that? I call it verb 3. See below for examples. 

VERB 1  VERB 2  VERB 3 
Go  Went  Gone 
Drive  Drove  Driven 
Deliver  Delivered  Delivered 
Come  Came  Come 
Put  Put  Put 

 

Now you have your list of components to create an efficient sentence. 

So next time, instead of saying: “They haven’t sent the furniture yet.”

Try this instead: “The furniture hasn’t been sent yet.“

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