Storytelling in the United States: Craft Your Pitch to Evoke the Right Emotions

When you're pitching a product, service, or idea, the way you connect with your audience emotionally can make all the difference. Understanding what emotions you want to evoke and how to craft your pitch or speech to align with those emotions is key to success. In this post, I'll walk you through how to identify the emotions that will resonate most with your audience and offer five language examples to help you tailor your message effectively.

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Farrah Skeiky
5 Essential Office Phrases for ESL Learners

As an ESL learner, stepping into a professional setting can be both exciting and stressful. Knowing the right phrases can significantly boost your English communication skills and make you more confident in the workplace. Here are five essential office phrases that can help you navigate your professional life:

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Farrah Skeiky
Boost Your English Fluency with These Idioms

As an ESL learner, understanding idiomatic expressions can significantly improve your English communication skills. Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning different from their literal interpretation. Today, we'll explore some common idioms that can help you navigate various situations, from addressing challenges to generating solutions.

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Farrah Skeiky
How Culture Shapes Risk-Taking and Innovation in Business: Boost Your Business English Communication Skills & Navigate the U.S. Market with Confidence

Have you ever thought about how cultural norms can impact a team's approach to risk-taking and ultimately, innovation? While everyone might have a built-in aversion to risk, the degree to which we shy away from it can vary greatly depending on your cultural background. This, in turn, can have a significant ripple effect on team dynamics, creativity, and the overall drive to innovate.

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Marike Korn
Persuasion U.S. Style: Bridging the Gap in International Teams

Working in international teams is a fantastic opportunity to gain diverse perspectives and fuel innovation. However, differing cultural backgrounds can create roadblocks to effective communication and collaboration. Misinterpretations often arise due to cultural bias (preconceived notions based on culture), even when we  think we've grasped someone's point of view.

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Marike Korn
Learn about Juneteenth, an American Holiday

As we celebrate on June 19th, Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, highlights the enduring spirit of those who fought for their liberty. Over 250,000 people in Texas remained enslaved for an additional two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, unable to claim their freedom until Juneteenth in 1865.

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Marike Korn
Lost in Translation? How Vocabulary Shapes Your Understanding (and Saves Your Business Deal!)

Have you ever been in a conversation where something just feels "off"? Maybe a colleague laughs at a seemingly serious statement, or a client uses a phrase that leaves you scratching your head. Often, these miscommunications stem from the invisible power of vocabulary – a reflection of our cultural upbringing that can create unexpected roadblocks, especially in the business world.

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Marike Korn
Five English Expressions to Inspire Others

Encouragement is a powerful tool that can uplift spirits and motivate action. As an English coach, I know that knowing how to use expressions that convey encouragement can enrich your communication skills and help you connect with others. Here are five expressions that can be used to encourage someone, along with examples, synonyms, and cultural explanations.

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Marike Korn