Why Fluent Non-Native English Speakers Still Struggle to Communicate Clearly… and What Actually Helps

Many accomplished professionals speak English fluently yet still find communication in the workplace unexpectedly challenging. They contribute valuable insights, manage teams and lead projects — yet sometimes their ideas don’t land as intended. This is rarely about...

Sing Your Way to Better Language Skills

I got into pronunciation training because of my love for singing — and because, believe it or not, I learned to speak Spanish with a pretty decent accent by belting out songs. Over the past two years, I’ve had the joy of reconnecting with a group of Chilean and Greek...

What Is a Phrasal Verb?

If you've ever been puzzled by phrases like "turn up," "give in," or "run out," you're not alone. These aren't just random combinations of words – they're phrasal verbs, and they carry meanings you can't always guess from the individual parts. Take the verb turn. On...

VOCABULARY: Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are verbs that are used with prepositions or adverbs, thus creating a different meaning from the original verb. For example, TURN is different than TURN ON (meaning to flick the switch to on, or the more sexual meaning of to excite) or TURN INTO (which...

SPEAKING CLEARLY: Communication as a Two-Way Street

Many of us know the English idiom, “It takes two to tango.” This saying applies very much to communication between native and non-native language speakers – especially in a multicultural, immigration-rich society like Canada.

It is common for non-native English-speakers to feel that any misunderstanding is due to their errors with English. This perception often drains confidence….

JOKE OF THE MONTH: A Canadian Breakfast?

A guy walks into a bar. He's relatively new to Canada and he likes beer. So, he orders his favourite imported beer. As he finishes his beer, he asks the bartender a question. “Next time I visit your bar,” says the new Canadian, “I’d like to order a Canadian beer. What...

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