Transform your international communication skills with this unique, easy-to-read guide.
Is that clear? is a small and user-friendly guide for any native English speaker working or socialising with international colleagues and friends.
Condensed into bitesize chapters, this indispensable book explores the common barriers to effective international communication and is packed with practical tips on how to adapt your English and improve your intercultural skills. Is that clear? gets the tone just right, taking something quite complex and turning it into an insightful and enjoyable read. It really makes you think about how you communicate with speakers of other languages and the kind of confusion you can create – without even realising.
From rephrasing idioms to reducing your use of overly polite language, Is that clear? offers simple solutions so that you can get your message across clearly.
An essential tool in any multilingual setting.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Contents
Introduction 5
1. Adapting your language
1.1 Time to pause 10
1.2 Cut down on unnecessary words 12
1.3 Lost in translation 14
1.4 At cross purposes 16
1.5 Making small talk work 18
1.6 Questions can be difficult 20
1.7 Disappearing sounds 22
1.8 When politeness is a problem 24
2. Inclusive not exclusive
2.1 Letting others join in 28
2.2 Making multilingual groups work 30
2.3 Does it all have to be in English? 32
2.4 Talks and presentations 34
2.5 Virtual conversations 36
3. Last but not least
3.1 Identity crisis 40
3.2 Pronunciation 42
3.3 Accents 44
3.4 Did you hear the one about…? 46
Conclusion: Is it time for change? 48
Appendix A: Phrasal verbs activity 51
Appendix B: Idioms activity 57
Appendix C: E2 speakers – issues and
solutions activity 65
Answer key 69
About the authors 79
Acknowledgements 83
Über den Autor
Kathryn Alevizos has lived and worked in France and Greece. On returning to the UK, she taught business English to companies including BMW and Schlumberger as well as teaching general English in universities and private language schools. She also spent several years teaching refugees and asylum seekers in colleges of further education. She has worked as a teacher trainer on CELTA courses and is a published author with Pearson. Kathryn is a consultant for Cambridge Assessment and has chaired and written for various international exams.
Kathryn now lives in Gloucestershire with her Greek husband and two children. Having a second language in her family has given her an added insight into the challenges of international communication.