Why Feedback Needs More Than “I’m Right”: Phrases you can use when someone disagrees with you
I made a big mistake the other day. I was giving feedback to someone on something they had done. Recently, I have started giving written feedback rather than verbal feedback. This means the feedback is asynchronous. In other words, I write the feedback, the other person reads it in their own time, and then they […]
Five English tips for tech leaders that even native speakers forget
I have been teaching English for over 9 years now, and these are the five English tips that I share with students (maybe not all in one go)! And I even apply them myself during my meetings! 1. Slow down the conversation A short pause is a brilliant thing, especially when you use it to […]
Agreeing and Disagreeing in English
Using precise collocations can significantly enhance clarity in conversations. Here’s how to effectively use collocations about agreeing and disagreeing in English: Agreeing Collocations Disagreeing Collocations Why Should You Care? These collocations express slight nuances. For instance, “tend to agree” indicates cautious agreement, while “complete agreement” indicates full consensus. And by using them, and using them […]
Want to Sound More Like a Native Speaker? Stop Apologising!
Have you ever noticed how often non-native English speakers apologise during conversations? They apologise for grammar mistakes, for forgetting words, or even for their accents. Ironically, native speakers rarely do this. So, if you’re aiming to sound more natural and confident when speaking English, the first step is simple: stop apologising. Let’s dive into common […]
Real English in Tech: Phrasal Verbs You’ll Actually Hear
Ever wonder why native English speakers say “figure it out” instead of “determine the cause”? It’s because phrasal verbs are how people actually speak, especially in the world of software development.But here’s the tricky part: they’re not just slang; they follow very real grammar rules. Let’s take a closer look 👇 🔍 Grammatically Speaking…A phrasal […]
Stop Saying “It Depends”: How to Sound More Professional in English Meetings (for Developers & Team Leads)
If you work in software development or lead a technical team, you’ve probably said “It depends” more times than you can count. And yes.. in tech, everything depends on something. But here’s the problem:Saying just “It depends” makes you sound vague, uncertain, or even unprepared, especially in meetings with non-technical stakeholders. In this article, we’ll […]
Beyond LGTM
We’ve all done it, written “LGTM” (Looks Good To Me) or “+1” in a code review when we’re in a hurry. And sure, sometimes the code really looks good. But is that brief comment in a code review enough to encourage your team to improve their skills and reduce technical debt? Let’s explore why clear, […]
Good Enough
Here’s the thing: If you’re waiting to feel completely confident before stepping into real-life scenarios (like job interviews, meetings, or conversations with new people), that moment may never arrive. Confidence doesn’t appear magically. It builds through action, experience, and yes… through making mistakes. Breaking your bubble Your English-speaking comfort zone might look like: To truly grow […]