Can you say no?

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John

March 18, 2009Category: Beginner, Vocabulary

How to say ‘NO’!

Do you know how to say ‘no’? Sometimes it can be difficult! Especially if someone really pushes for you to say ‘yes’.

Today, let’s look at a common way to say ‘no’. It is also polite!

“No thanks, I’m alright.” OR “No thanks, I’m right.”

Example:
Q: Would you like some tea?A: No thank you.

Q: Oh, go on! It is very nice tea!

A: No really, thank you, but I’m alright.

Remember: It is okay to say ‘no’. In fact, I think it is very important to say ‘no’! If you say ‘yes’ all the time, people will treat you badly!

Today’s sentence is a very clear, polite way to say ‘no’. Try it for yourself!

Question: Do you know any other ways to say ‘no’ politely?

Practice: Would you like some beer?

Put your answer in the comments!

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Tags: Beer, I'M Alright, I'M Right, No, No Thank You, People, Polite, Tea

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Business – Answering the telephone

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John

January 12, 2009Category: Beginner, Business English

Today, let’s look at how to introduce yourself on the telephone.

When you answer the phone in English, what should you say?

A) Hello, I am John speaking.

B) Hello, this is John speaking.

C) G’day, John is talking.

The correct answer is: B!

Yes! On the phone we us the phrase ”This is …. speaking”.

So how about in business calls?

The same thing! The phone rings… You can say:

“Australia Corporation, this is John speaking. How may I help you?”

PRACTICE:

IN THE COMMENTS, RECORD YOURSELF ANSWERING THE PHONE.

You can either TYPE your answer, or RECORD yourself using ‘add audio only comment’. (You need a microphone to record yourself!)

HAVE A TRY!

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Tags: Answer Phone, Answer The Phone, australia, Business Telephone, Business Today, Correct Answer, Microphone, Phone Rings, Phrase

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Meeting people in English

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John

December 16, 2008Category: Beginner, Culture

Today, let’s talk about how to meet people who speak English!

It can be hard to make new friends, even if they speak your own language!

Q: So how can I find friends who speak English?

A: Well, first of all, remember English speakers are people, just like you! You may find it very difficult if you think, “I am going to go and find an English speaker and become friends to practice my English!”

Just like making friends in your own country, you need to make friends naturally!

Q: How can I meet new people and make friends?

Usually, people make friends with people who have:

the same experiences or background
the same interests

Example:

Same experiences or background?
- Maybe you are going to the same school, or work together.
Same interests:
- Maybe you play the same sport, or like the same kind of music.

Places to meet friends:

At work?
At school
Join a sports club
Join a social group, such as a church or youth group
Join a volunteer organisation?

Remember: Go somewhere safe to make friends. I don’t recommend you try to make friends in bars and pubs!

Question: Where do you go to make new friends?

Have you made any friends on this site? How did you meet them?

Put your answer in the comments!

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Tags: Background, Bars And Pubs, English Speaker, English Speakers, English Today, Experiences, Find Friends, How To Meet People, Kind Of Music, Meet New People, Meeting People, Music Places, New Friends, Places To Meet Friends, Social Group, Speak English, Sports Club, Volunteer Organisation, Youth Group

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Making Friends in English

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John

November 18, 2008Category: Beginner

Today, let’s talk about making friends!

To make friends, you need to start by talking to someone! But how can you start a conversation in English with someone you don’t know?

To answer that question, you should think about how you make friends in your native language.

Usually you will start by talking about something that you both have in common. Some examples include:

something that is happening around you (for example, if you are at a bus stop you can talk about the time of the bus, if you are at school you can talk about your class, if you are at a party you can talk about the food or drinks or music)
the weather.

So, don’t be shy! Try to start a conversation today!

Quick Quiz:

What would be the best way to start a conversation? Say: