Do you really need to be fluent?

Abbreviations, acronyms, and nomenclatures can be useful communication tools for people within a group. The downside is that it’s a form of jargon and outsiders often have no idea what you are talking about.  Learn why we use jargon and how to use it effectively (or not!) with your audience. Get my free guide on using acronyms and abbreviations at www.marshallsayenglish.com/jargon. In it, I cover use, punctuation, and even those Latin abbreviations like i.e. and e.g. Marshallsay English – Because words matter

My core belief when it comes to communication is that we should meet people where they are, not where we think they should be.  That means  texts should be written so the greatest number of people can understand them. Others disagree with this idea.  They think that by using overly simple language, we are not challenging people to learn.  This week, I'd like to look at both sides of this argument by examining interpretive texts from art exhibits. However, is not just for museums.  It is an issue I see every day - particularly in a global Business English context.  For more information or to leave a comment, please contact me on my website.  I'd love to hear from you! Marshallsay English - Because words matter. Museums and exhibits mentioned in today's episode: The Städel Museum, Frankfurt The Schirn Museum, Frankfurt Splendor & Misery in the Weimar Republic, Schirn Musuem, Frankfurt

For some reason, people think that to sound intelligent, or be taken seriously, they have to give long, complicated explanations.  In fact, the opposite is true. There is a genius in simplicity.  How do you achieve this? Stay tuned and find out. Marshallsay English - Because words matter. Contact me today for your English language needs or for more information.

People are ready to travel again, and that means reading online reviews. But how you communicate with your guests can mean the difference between getting 1 star or 5 stars. Read on to get my top tips – as well as some functional language – that will leave all your guests feeling like VIPs. Visit me at www.marshallsayenglish.com to find out more about the services I offer. Marshallsay English - Because words matter Interpretive planning - Proofreading - Language training

Generation Z (those 15-25 years old) feel invisible to those in power.  How will this affect how you communicate with this age group?  This week, we'll look at how young people feel about technology, relationships, and the future, as well as the role of museums in this conversation. Contact me if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for an upcoming episode.  I'd love to hear from you. Marshallsay English - English services for those in the heritage and tourism industries.  English language training, proofreading and copyediting, interpretive planning

Often, it isn't a guide’s language skills that determine the quality of the tour. It is their ability to tell a good story. How do you do that?  Listen and find out!  If you'd like to get in touch, have questions, comments, or if you need help developing a tour, please contact me on my website, www.marshallsayenglish.com.  I'd love to hear from you! To see the dining room at Hampton National Historic Site, which is mentioned in the podcast, click here.

Here’s the technique I developed to help you create and give tours in English when English isn't your first language.   If you'd like to get in touch, have questions, comments, or your site needs help developing a tour, contact me on my website, www.marshallsayenglish.com.  I'd love to hear from you!

To many, being fluent means using perfect grammar all the time, knowing nearly every word in the dictionary, and speaking without an accent. Newsflash:  for most people, this is not a realistic goal. My solution is that you should stop trying for complete fluency. Instead, you should first aim for “functional fluency.”  Listen in to find out more.

Landing a job that requires experience presents a real Catch-22 situation for anyone trying to break into a new field. How are you supposed to get professional experience if no one will give you a job to get that experience?  Try volunteering!  Whether you want to learn a new skill, make friends, practice your English, or enhance your CV, volunteering could be the way to go. For more information or to download my free guide "Top Tips for Conference Calls," please go to my website www.marshallsayenglish.com. Marshallsay English - Helping you change the world, one word at a time.

You have an issue you want the world to know about. How do you communicate your message so that people not only listen, but they also care enough to do something about it?  Join me today to find out! Resources:  Marshallsay English, www.marshallsayenglish.com