vocabulary tip: Starting off any email the right way

(March 2023)

Each day, we may respond to dozens or hundreds of email messages between work, school, and our personal email address accounts. It can be difficult to reply to each one with basic niceties without responding to each email like it is a text message rather than a formal mode of communication. I tend to believe that kindness and sincerity should be part of each email even if it takes extra time to draft it.

It is always important to begin an email with addressing the person properly with the following options:

Dear ________________, (person’s name and title)

To Whom It May Concern, (when you do not know who the person is)

Hello _________________,

Hi __________________,

Good morning / afternoon / evening _____________________,

Remember to include in the greetings / salutations part their title if they are a Doctor (Dr.), Lawyer (Esq.) after their name, or if they have a PhD, to include that after their name. If they do not have a formal title but are a man or a woman who you do not know, it is best to write Mr. _______________, or Mrs. ______________, with their last name.

Unless you know the person already in the email message, you should not write their first name in that email when you are introducing yourself to him or her. Remember that the salutations or greetings may be tedious but it is a necessary part of a formal email and conveys respect to the person you are talking to.

When we continue on with the first sentence of the email, I think it is best to ask how they are doing or hope that they are doing well when you email them. Some folks do not enjoy including this part but I think it will only help them respond to you more quickly when you are kind, inquisitive, and wishing them well before getting down to the business of your request or ask or need.

Here are some examples of what I mean in what should be part of your vocabulary when beginning the body of an email:

-I hope that this email finds you well.

-I hope that you have been doing well.

-Thank you for taking the time to make yourself available today.

-How have you been doing?

-Hello, how are you? (after Dear, or To Whom It May Concern,)

-My best wishes to you today.

-I hope you had a nice weekend / holiday / vacation. (If they are back in the office after an extended period away)

Note: Do not be afraid to greet someone in the email with the time of the day in which you are sending the email to them. I always like to put a good morning, good afternoon, or good evening before jumping into the heart of the email message.

It is always important to get your email off on the right foot especially with a new contact so please remember to include a proper salutation in all of your emails and to include a nice kind of greeting in the first sentence. It will make you stand out in a good way with your English vocabulary knowledge and someone will be more likely to respond to you quicker when you are using proper email etiquette too.

vocabulary tip: On Running Daily Errands

(January 2023)

What are ‘errands’ in English you may ask? before we dive into the kinds of daily, weekly, and monthly errands you’ll be likely to encounter in your life in an English-speaking country. Errands are short journeys undertaken by someone usually on behalf of themselves or for their families / friends to collect or deliver something.

Errands can be done on both a daily, weekly, and even monthly basis depending upon if the need is urgent or more relaxed. An example of a daily errand would be going to the grocery store or a local outdoor food market.

Daily errands are those that you have to do each day such as picking up food or groceries especially if you have a small refrigerator. You may need to visit the pharmacy multiple times per week too. Also, bank withdrawals may need to be done more than once as well. If you children / nieces / nephews, you may have to pick them up from school or drop them off there.

Other Examples of Daily Errands could include:

•Going to the post office

•Visiting the local food market

•Going to the local pharmacy

•Checking to see if you have new mail at your PO Box / mailbox

Let’s take a look at a conversation sample for your vocabulary knowledge as to how a daily errand can be started such as deciding to go to a grocery store to pick up a few items:

“Jane: Hello, Dora. How are you doing?

Dora: I am doing well, thanks. I am just getting ready to go grocery shopping today.
Jane: Ah nice, where are you going?
Dora: I am going to buy some apples and oranges if you want me to pick you up some.
Jane: Can I come with you? I want to get some juice and milk too.
Dora: Yeah, sure! It will be good to have some company as I go shopping. Let’s go!”

vocabulary tip: Know Your Command words

(November 2022)

When it comes to the English language, giving commands is rather easy and only takes one word or two, which is a lot shorter than other languages. There are a number of key commands to use in English depending on what you are using them for. In this vocabulary tip, I am going to highlight a bunch of commands and then give the reader some example sentences where commands are being utilized. Please note that while commands do not require an exclamation point (!) after the word(s), it does add weight to the command when you use a ‘!’ instead of a period (.) or a question mark (?)

Giving a command in English highlights the urgency of doing something quickly and often, doing it well. It is meant to convey its importance without delay and without any obstacles being thrown up. When you really want something to get done and have to convey the message quickly in English, commands will be your best friend so it is important to know how and when to use them. From giving directions to instructions to leading a group of people or a team, know how and when to use these commands will serve you well with the English language.

Here are some popular examples of giving commands in one or two words:

Stop!
Go!
Halt!
Stay here!
Move!
Run fast!
Leave now!
Careful!
Watch out!
Get out!
Look up!
Play ball!
Ease up!
Fight!
Charge!

Now that we have a number of command words to learn, let’s take a look at how to use a few of those commands in complete sentences. Check out these examples below:

It was common at the baseball game in the 7th inning for fans of the home team to yell, Charge!, as a tradition.
Jason was driving when his girlfriend, Jessica, yelled “watch out!” so Jason would avoid hitting the deer that had jumped in front of the road unexpectedly.
Mr. Erickson was tired of his students complaining about their grades on the writing test so he sternly told them to get out of the classroom or he would take off more points.
As both boxers stepped to touch gloves to begin, the boxing referred yelled “fight!” to start their heavyweight bout off.
While Derek was on the roof, he almost tripped on one of shingles as he tried to fix the house’s gutters, causing his wife, Patricia, to yell out, “Careful!'“ so he avoid tripping and falling off.

With these example command words and sentences, we now have the blueprint on how to use this kind of vocabulary to be understood clearly and quickly when time is of the essence and the urgency is high.

vocabulary tip: More sports sentences and examples for practice

(September 2022)

When it comes to sports, it’s more than just the name of the sports and how they are played but also how to describe the variation in sporting events and in what kind of sport(s) there are. For example, Baseball is a well-known team sport with individual attributes whereas Tennis is an individual sport that can also be played in teams as well. Then, there are those sport(s) that are entirely individual such as Golf or entirely team-based such as Football (Soccer) or Hockey.

Sports can be described in many ways, but they can usually be divided between being for teams and for individuals. Sports can also be described based on their unique rules and regulations which can range from being easy to being difficult to understand. Sports are distinguished also based on the number of fans and supporter that they have because some are more popular than others.

The fields, pitches, courts, rinks, etc. that sports are played on also lead to their descriptions because they are played in different environments and in different kinds of places from big to small and from hot to cold. There are also numerous sporting events that take place in the United States and around the world in these different environments that are individually focused such as The Olympics or are team-based such The Super Bowl.

Here are some popular and well-known sporting events that you can bring up while speaking with friends, family members, or work colleagues in English:

•The Olympics: Summer and Winter (Aquatic, Recreational, and Field Events)

•The Euro Football Championships (Football / Soccer)

•The FIFA World Cup (Football / Soccer)

•Wimbledon (Tennis)

•Formula One Grand Prix (Racing)

•The Masters Championship (Golf)

•The World Series (Baseball)

•The NBA Finals (Basketball)

•The Stanley Cup (Hockey)

•The Super Bowl (American Football)

In order to put together the vocabulary, rules, and example sports we have learned about, let’s use these sentence examples to practice English speaking about sports as a topic and then try to form your own on paper or by practicing verbally with a friend or a tutor.

Here are some sentence examples about sports to get you started:

“My friends and I really like playing pickup basketball at the local park.”

2. “The runner tried to steal second base, but the catcher was able to throw him out.” (Baseball)

3. ”They call it Soccer in Canada and the U.S. but it’s Football in other parts of the world.”

4. “Would you like to go see the Real Madrid / FC Barcelona game with me next Tuesday?”

vocabulary tiP: The basics of studying and working abroad in English-Speaking Countries

(June 2022)

Studying Abroad involves studying a subject or subjects outside of your country of origin. In this case, I will refer to studying in another country which would be an English-speaking country such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc.

Studying Abroad allows you to take different classes than you would normally, experience another university’s facilities, professors, and campus as well as meet students from that new city or country which you will be living in temporarily. Studying Abroad is also an immersion in of itself as you work to learn the English language, the local culture, customs, and food as well.

Working Abroad is similar in a number of ways but is also for those who are older than students and who have uprooted their lives to join a company and start a job permanently and relocate to a new country for an undetermined period of time but usually longer than a study abroad period.

Working Abroad is the chance to work in another country where your company or business has ongoing operations or to do other work for an NGO or even a school or university depending upon your job. Working Abroad is popular for foreigners in English-speaking countries due to the higher salaries and chance to develop their skills in different areas. Many multinational companies are located in countries such as Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom so the amount of workers within those countries from other nations is sizable.

Here are some examples of English vocabulary words having to do with studying and/or working abroad:

-Exchange Program -Term Program

-Paperwork -Semester -Homesick -Work Permit

-University -Culture Shock -Student Visa

-College -Customs

-Temporary

-Immersion Program -Adaptation

-Permanent

-English Language Center -Employment-Based

-Agriculture

-Study Buddy -Satellite Office

-Manufacturing

-International Students Office -Work Transfer

-Office Relations

-Backpack -Accommodation -Human Resources

-Host Family -Dormitory -Skillset Building

-Year Program -Moving Agency

-Mentor / Mentee

-Au Pair -Shipping Costs

-Company Relations

-Nanny

In a future vocabulary tip, I will write about sentence examples on how to discuss your studying abroad and/or working abroad regarding where, when, why, what, who, and how to describe your experience(s) when people ask about it in English.

Vocabulary tip: showing your appreciation and gratitude

(February 2022)

While in previous tips for English vocabulary, I have focused on the importance of being thankful with the basic words to show it like “thanks” and “thank you.” While these one or two words can make all of the difference, I do believe you can still go above and beyond those words of thanks.

To truly show someone you care or are appreciative, let me include a list of additional words and phrases to use when you want to be genuinely grateful or thankful for what someone did for you.

Here are the list of English words and phrases to show both your appreciation and gratitude in the English language:

“I really appreciate it.”

“I am very appreciative of ______________.”

“I’m grateful for what you did for me.”

“Please accept my sincerest gratitude for your actions / words / deeds.”

“I am very thankful for __________________.”

“I will never forget what you did for me.”

“I’m so thankful for what you did.”

“Thank you very much for how you helped me.”

“I’m so sincerely thankful and appreciative of what you did today.”

“Please accept my deepest gratitude for __________________.”

Some key words to remember in English besides “Thank you” and “Thanks”, which are the basics of showing you care include the following:

-Appreciative

-Appreciate

-Grateful

-Gratitude

-Sincerity

-Thankful

-Considerate

-Selfless

I hope that this tip will help you increase your knowledge of the English vocabulary beyond “thank you” and when you want to give someone praise for helping you or doing the right thing, I hope you can use the list of words and phrases above to help you boost your proficiency in this area of vocabulary.

Vocabulary Tip: The Best Topics for Small Talk

(December 2021)

It can be hard to start up a conversation for the first time with someone you don’t know but whom you were introduced to. Polite conversation can be intimidating as it is hard to figure out what are good topics to address and what are ones to avoid. Let’s start by focusing on the topics that are good to talk about when it comes to small talk:

Best Topics for Small Talk:

The Weather (It affects everyone and changes a lot so you have to be well-versed in the vocabulary).
Sports / Sporting Events (Popular with lots of people and usually is played around the world to some degree).
Types of Music (People are often passionate about music and they like to discuss which songs, bands, or individual artists they most like).
Favorite Movies (Movies are universal enough and come in many genres and in many types so it is a great topic to discuss when getting to know someone).
Books to Read (Not everyone is a reader but many folks enjoy reading books, whether fiction or nonfiction so this is also a good kind of conversation).

There are definitely other topics for small talk that could be part of a good conversation when talking to someone new but they tend to be a bit more personal like friends, family, or work obligations. I would use the top five above before diving into these more personal topics, which can be considered small talk but may not be the best topics to broach with someone new.

Before I finish, let me just add the worst topics for small talk as these tend to be quite personal and also have the high possibility of offending someone when you have differing views or can be quite passionate about.

Worst Topics for Small Talk:

Politics / Political Views
Religion / Religious Beliefs
Someone’s Health Habits
Where Someone Lives or What They Do Daily (Too Personal)
Cultural Perspectives or Customs (Better to wait until you really know the person well before discussing their culture or your culture)

Hopefully, this tip will help you choose the right vocabulary words and phrases to focus on when getting to know someone knew. Remember that there are a number of good topics to focus on when conducting ‘small talk’ and just as many to avoid in the first few conversations when meeting someone. To differentiate the best and the worst topics in ‘small talk’ from each other is hugely important to know which vocabulary in English is best to prioritize so that when you do talk to someone, you know exactly what words to say to him or her.

Vocabulary TiP: A Visit to the Hospital (What To DO and what to say)

(November 2021)

In any language, it’s not a fun usage of vocabulary to describe when you are in pain or are injured. However, if it is an emergency and you need to go to the hospital, your English language skills will definitely come in handy so that the doctors and nurses will be able to help you. More than anything, knowing which words and/or phrases will make a world of difference and prevent any serious miscommunications that can cause you even more pain.

When you end up going to the hospital, there are a few things you should have prepared in order to have a visit that goes well in making sure you get healthy and well again:

•Make sure to let the nearest family members know about your stay and to let the Doctor know who your emergency contact is as well.

•Have a family member or friend but you an overnight bag or a piece of luggage for a longer term stay with your clothes, personal items, and any food that you would like to have in your room.

•Try to bring a book, a music player, or even your laptop to watch movies to make the time go by quicker.

•Make sure to list what medications you are on for the doctor(s) to know about as well as if you have any allergies and/or preexisting medical conditions.

Now, I am not a doctor or a medical practitioner so be aware that this is just general advice but once you are able to make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible, let’s move on to phrases or sentences that can help you communicate with the doctors and nurses there.

Sentences for a Hospital Visit or to Visit someone in the Hospital

”Hello 911, This is an Emergency. My son suffered a broken ankle and needs to go to the hospital.”

“Where is the nearest hospital to here? I need to take my father there immediately.”

“How can I find this hospital? It is called St. Anne’s and is located in the next town over from here.”

“How much of this hospital bill will my health insurance provider cover? Do you know please”

“Hi, I am here to drop off a bag of clothes for my brother. He’s in Room 121.”

“Do you think I should go to the hospital? I have had a high fever for three days.”

“My primary care physician is named Dr. Jones. He told me to come here.”

“Good evening, Could you please tell me where the Oncology department is?”

“Hello, I need to see a doctor immediately. It is a serious emergency, Thanks!”

Feel free to use these sentences as you wish but remember to adapt your vocabulary based on what you are requesting from the hospital room number to the hospital address to where the right department is in the hospital. Please work on phrasing your question correctly so that you will get the right information you need to be able to get your hospital stay finalized or to visit someone there who is close to you like a friend or family member.

Vocabulary Tip: Organize new words by alphabet order (A TO Z)

(September 2021)

A really underrated vocabulary tip to get you to think on your feet when it comes to learning new English vocabulary words would be to create an alphabet list from the first letter A to last letter Z. You have 26 letters and it would be a great idea to create a list in alphabetical order of new words that you have learned or want to use in a sentence and add them to this A - Z list.

Some letters like X or Z or Q will be hard to make new vocabulary words with but if you are new to making word lists, you’ll at least be able to do a few good A to Z vocabulary lists before you start to have trouble giving new words to harder letters in the English alphabet. Vocabulary lists help to keep learners on their toes and to challenge their knowledge of how many words they know in English and for which letter in the alphabet those words start with.

This kind of activity could take a couple of minutes to do on the first A to Z vocabulary list but may take longer to do on the fifth or tenth list you do because you will have to come up with unique words that you haven’t used before on previous vocabulary lists. You are supposed to work harder to learn new words in each alphabet list so that you do not repeat yourself unnecessarily and that you are able to diversify your vocabulary so that you may use different words in your speaking or writing later on rather than the same ones.

I would recommend doing one A to Z vocabulary list each week, which is only 26 unique words to write down. You can do it each night but then you would have to come up with more than 150 unique vocabulary words in just one week, which may be quite challenging. I would make sure that you take your time with these A to Z lists, plot out your unique words to write down, and then if you have extra time, create sentences with these words based on the English alphabet of all 26 letters.

Vocabulary TIP: Asking for forgiveness from others

(August 2021)

It’s a common cliche in the English language but one for which is quite accurate when it comes to how everyone is not perfect and how each person will fall short of your expectations from time to time. “Everybody makes mistakes” is a common refrain when you hear about an error, mistake, or issue that came about because someone did not handle the problem well or created a new one without coming up with a solution. “Nobody’s perfect” is another common English expression that is utilized a lot when it comes to discussing one’s own failings or even admitting your own when it comes to your own mistakes.

However, it is important to go beyond these common English expressions to truly express different emotions such as regret, sympathy, empathy, maturity, etc. when it comes to admitting you were at fault or made a mistake somewhere along the way. After admitting you made the mistake as a mature person would do when they are at fault, it’s important to apologize or ask for forgiveness afterwards so that the person(s) won’t hold your transgression against you in the future. Whether your error or mistake or negligence was an accident or on purpose, you must always apologize to the person that was wronged and to apologize, sometimes in different ways, in order to express your regret and other feelings to the fullest extent.

The vocabulary in the English language in terms of apologizing is pretty straightforward as the same few words coming up over and over again. However, it is important to realize that you should be utilizing different expressions related to those choice words in order to be seen as being more sincere and apologetic when it comes to your vocabulary usage.

Let me start with the best words to use when it comes to apologizing in English without using a longer expression:

Sorry.
My apologies.
I’m regretful.
My bad. (informal)
I messed up.
So sorry.
Excuse me.
I reget it.
I apologize.
I feel bad.
Please forgive me.

It is hard in the English language to say sorry with one word only but the best one to do so is ‘sorry’ which is very quick, to the point, and is sincere enough. Depending upon the severity of the offense that you caused that person or people, you will need to use a longer expression and sometimes more than one to express your deepest regret to them.

Here are some examples of apologizing more formally with longer expressions in the English language:

I am very sorry for what happened.
Please accept my deepest apologies.
I did not mean any of that to happen and I do apologize.
Please forgive me for my recent transgressions.
I regret what happened earlier and feel bad about it.
I feel bad about my words / actions / missteps and hope that I can make amends.
Do believe me when I say that I am very sorry for what happened.
I know it may be difficult to forgive me but I really hope we can still be friends.
It was an honest mistake and I am sorry for what happened.
Please know that I am so sorry for what I did and it won’t happen again.

Everyone makes mistakes in life and it’s important to first, acknowledge that they happened, and next, that if it was your fault then you need to express your apology clearly and with the utmost sincerity. Sometimes, a simple word will do but you may need to use one my vocabulary expressions above depending on the severity of the event or the incident.

There’s no harm, shame in apologizing and it’s vitally important to do it especially when you were in the wrong and for some reason, it negatively affected another person or people. A mature adult or teenager will apologize for their wrongdoing and seek forgiveness. If you do not, you may have other consequences to contend with for your lack of regret and may not be able to make as many friends or be as popular at work or school if you do not acknowledge your mistakes and then say sorry for what happened because of them.

vocabulary tip: visiting the grocery store

(June 2021)

Going to a grocery store is a common errand to run on your own or with family members on a daily or weekly basis. You can buy different types of food there such as fresh produce (fruits / vegetables) as well as meats, dairy, snacks, and even desserts if you want.

You will sometimes be greeted (welcomed) by an employee and ask if you need anything.I would recommend asking a staff member for help if you can’t locate a certain item.

It is always important to be polite by asking “Excuse me”, “Hello, how are you?”, “Could you help me with ___________?” when you shop for food each time. Do your best to bring your own grocery bags rather than using plastic and remember that in most stores, you will have to ‘bag’ (pack) your own groceries.

In order to have a painless experience picking up groceries for you, your family, or even your friends, you’ll want to use these expressions / sentences below:

•“Excuse me, do you know where I can find the _______________ (vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat, etc.)?”

•“Hello, I would like these / this ______ (type / kind of food). How much do you think it will cost?”

•“Do you know which aisle I can find the _____________?”

•“When do you think I should go pick up some ___________ (eggs / nuts / beans)?”

•“Can you help me please? I am looking for _________ today.”

•“What is your favorite supermarket in this town / city? I am looking to go grocery shopping soon.

•“Hi, I am new here. Can you tell me where the nearest supermarket is? I would like to get some food for the week.”

•“Sorry, but where is the nearest supermarket in this town / city? Thanks!”

When you visit a grocery store and you want to practice your English, there will be many opportunities to do so whether it’s with the cashier, the store clerk, the store assistant, or the stocking shelf assistant. There are multiple people at the grocery store who work there to assist customers so don’t feel shy.

They are there to answer your questions and would be happy to make your food shopping experience a painless one. Your English vocabulary may not be perfect but when you are able to express yourself clearly when asking questions appropriately, you will be fine especially if you use my examples above!

Vocabulary tip: Giving directions to someone

(April 2021)

Why should you as an English language learner be willing to give directions to someone who you don’t know or otherwise known as a complete stranger?

Well, besides being the right thing to do and helping someone with their day by being kind and helpful, you can also practice your English to some degree and utilize your directional vocabulary to help that person in need.

Giving directions to people voluntarily is a really nice gesture and is a great way to help a stranger out especially when they really need the help. If you are comfortable with your neighborhood or city, you can be confident enough to do a good job of giving out directions. If you are not too sure or are new to the city or town you’re living in, you shouldn’t feel the need to give out directions when you don’t know where the street / the place or the location is.

It is important when living in an English-speaking country for work or for study to practice conversational skills and giving out directions is a great way of doing that. When you see a tourist or somebody who looks confused, ask politely if they need help because it’s possible that they need some directions.

Here are some vocabulary words that are likely to come up for you when giving directions to someone:

-Northwest

-Opposite

-Northeast

-Past the…

-Southeast

-Behind

-Southwest

-In front of…

-At the corner of…

-Crossroads

-Near to

-Ahead

-Cross

-Next to

-Far away from

-Between

Lastly, here are some sentence examples you can use when giving directions to someone while being courteous and polite:

•“Yes, you can take the first right and then a second left to get there.”

•”No, sorry, I do not know where it is, but the police officer might know.”

•”Well, you’ll need to drive on the highway for ten kilometers before getting off on Exit 53 by exiting the right lane and then you should head south for another kilometer until you hit the supermarket you’re looking for.”

Vocabulary tip: Asking for Directions from someone

(February 2021)

Sometimes, you need to get your daily English practice in and the best way to do this when you’re in a city especially is to ask for directions. If you are new to an English-speaking country, it is likely you will need to ask for directions to get to different places.

If you are nervous, that is okay but it’s best to get help from a stranger than to get lost for an hour or more because you didn’t ask someone. In particular, it’s good to get help from a police office, a train station manager, or a tourist office official if they are around in order to get good directions.

You can build up your self-confidence as well as being able to make requests or ask for help which is a critical part of using English in daily life.

For some vocabulary words and phrases you need to look out for, look at the examples below that someone might tell you when you ask for directions from them:

•To turn the corner

•To take the 1st left

•To take the 2nd right

•To make a U-Turn

•To go past the …..

•To look for….

•To be next to…

•To know where…

•To head straight

These are a few sentences that you should keep in mind when asking someone for directions. The way you say these sentences is often as important as what you say so be measured in your tone and don’t be too pushy or aggressive when asking a stranger for help with directions.

•“Excuse me, do you know where I can find the post office here?” (Asking)

•”Hello, can you please tell me how to get to the train station?” (Asking)

•”Could you please assist me by helping me to find the supermarket?” (Asking)

As you can see from the examples, using the words ‘excuse me, ‘please’, ‘hello’, ‘could you…?’ will often help in terms of convincing the person to give you directions when you are being polite and respectful to them in proper English. More often than not, people will want to help someone in need with directions especially when they use the correct kind of language when you address someone in public who you do not know.

vocabulary tip: going to the pharmacy

(January 2021)

A Pharmacy (noun) is a store where medicinal drugs and remedies are sold to paying customers. Pharmacies are often stocked up with different kinds of drugs for medical use including pills, lotions, and syrups in order to help the customer feel better. The presence of a Pharmacy is also based on an actual field of science and pharmaceutical products are often the product of a lot of testing, trial runs, and experimentation.

Pharmacies are run by actual pharmacists who are experienced with making sure the prescriptions are filled correctly and the medicine is properly administered to customers. You go to the Pharmacy in order to get the remedies or the medicine(s) you need in order to feel better if you are sick or unhealthy. It is a common misconception that you will need a prescription from a doctor to buy anything from the pharmacy.

You can buy plenty of medicine if it is a commercial brand and is often mass produced and for very general cases (Example: common cold) You can go to the Pharmacy to sometimes pick up common items like juices, milk, snacks, and even canned goods depending upon what kind of pharmacy it is. In order to get ‘over the counter’ medicine, you need to have a prescription from a doctor or medical professional and that is the main reason to go to a pharmacy in person.

There are different kinds of pharmacies that we need to clarify, define, and differentiate from each other as they are each unique in some ways even if they are commonly thought of as a ‘pharmacy.’

•Retail Pharmacy – Retail store pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Duane Reade’s, etc.

•Hospital Pharmacy – Attached to the Hospital and easier for patients to pick-up.

•Clinic Pharmacy – Attached to an immediate care clinic or doctor’s office to buy.

•Home care Pharmacy – Serve people (elderly) who cannot leave the home to buy.

•Mail order Pharmacy – Prescriptions are mailed to patients by the hospital.

•Assisted living and Long-term care Pharmacy – Senior homes or assisted living facilities with in-house pharmacies attached to provide the elderly with prescriptions.

•Compounding Pharmacy – Customized medicines for specific patients who need them in order to feel better.

Lastly, there are three unique roles within a pharmacy that each employee takes upon as his or her job when helping the customers get the medicine(s) that they need. Here are the vocabulary words and definitions to be aware of when seeking help at a pharmacy:

•Pharmacist – Handles the fulfillment of prescriptions and makes sure to talk with the medical provider ahead of getting it to the patient in need.

•Pharmacy assistant/medicines counter assistant – Receives, orders, and unloads the medicine and than handles the front desk work of giving it to the patient.

•Pharmacy technician - Using the pharmacy’s computer system to generate stock lists and labels and answering customers questions face to face or by phone.

vocabulary tip: describing your medical ailments and your symptoms

(DECEMBER 2020)

Being able to go to the doctor or to the hospital and describe your ailments is a key part of becoming a better English speaker, especially in a critical situation involving your health and wellness. While not easy to do, it is important to know both the vocabulary and the expressions to use when it comes to describing if you are feeling badly and what you may be suffering from,

Here are some examples of how to describe your ailments or what kind of pain you are feeling:

-To be hurt

-To have a headache

-To be in pain

-To have a stomach-ache

-To be injured

-To be sick

-To have a broken bone

-To have a fractured wrist

-To need surgery

-To need liquids

-To need rest

It is crucial in these kind of expressions to use the main verb before you describe your aches or ailments. You should use verbs such as ‘have, be, or need’ when you tell your doctor or hospital attendant what it is you are suffering from. They will be better able to help you when you can describe in basic detail what is wrong with you and how they can get you to heal.

Beyond your ailments, describing your symptoms in terms of what’s been going wrong with you is key too.

-Headache

-Stomachache

-Cough

-Chills

-Sore Throat

-Loss of appetite / Loss of smell / Loss of taste

-Fever

-Cold

-Disease

-Illness

These are just but some of the symptoms you can have when you are not feeling well but the Doctor will be able to better prescribe you medicine and treat you if you know the name(s) in English of your symptoms.

You can also use I have…I am feeling….I have been experience…I am… to describe your symptoms when you are going to the doctor or to see a medical professional.

vocabulary tip: Types of doctors and medical professionals

(october 2020)

A doctor or a physician is known as a qualified medical professional who can work at a hospital, clinic, or a private office. The doctor has to become certified and pass a rigorous curriculum in what is known as a medical school in order to become a practicing physician. Doctors can be specialists or generalists depending upon their focus of study.

Depending upon your ailment, your general doctor can recommend you go to a specialist depending upon what your symptoms are and what part of the body is ailing you. While Doctors provide services to the public, they differ in terms of their years of experience, their professional background, and their methods.

Here are some types of doctors and medical professionals to keep in mind for your health needs:

General Physician (MD, Primary Care)

Pediatrician (Children Doctor)

Dermatologist (Skin, Hair)

Ophthalmologist (Eye, Vision)

Oncologist (Cancer and Its Symptoms)

Endocrinologist (Hormones)

Gynecologist (Female Health Conditions)

Gastroenterologist (Digestive)

Cardiologist (Heart, Blood Pressure)

Nephrologist (Kidneys)

Dentist (Teeth and Gums)

Urologist (Male Health, Urinary)

Neurologist (Brain, Head)

Psychiatrist, Psychologist (Mental Health)

Internal Medicine Physician (Adults)

Radiologist (Medical Images)

Any of these doctors can help you alleviate your symptoms and put on a path to recovery and feeling better. Once a year, you should be going for your annual physical and to make sure you are in good shape in terms of blood pressure, breathing, and other tests. If your symptoms worsen and you are not feeling better after using home remedies, it would be best for a physical visit in order to describe or show your symptoms to the doctor who specializes in that part of the body or mind.

You should have as part of your health care coverage a primary care physician, often a generalist, who you can go to first to write you a prescription or recommend you to a specialist. Telehealth is also another relatively new option where you can video chat with your doctor to describe your symptoms virtual and he or she can then write a prescription after your call together.

vocabulary tip: Making future plans with new friends or colleagues

(AUgust 2020)

If you end up getting to know someone well whether they were a complete stranger before or someone new at the office and you would like to see them again, making future plans should be the logical next step. When you enjoy someone’s company, have common interests, and have an activity or a thing that you want to do together, it would be enjoyable to get the plans confirmed in advance so you can keep the possible new friendship or partnership going.

Future plans are basically ideas in the works during the goodbye that you would discuss with another person such as a friend or family member or it could even be a complete stranger that you struck up a conversation with. Future plans are not definite, but they are likely or possible to happen and would be suggested for a later date. English-speaking cultures are known for making plans, but they are not meant to be set so strictly as to definitely happen. Still, it is a nice way to show you would like to see the person or people again and that you enjoyed the time spent with them.

Making future plans usually occurs at the end of a conversation and is often linked with saying goodbye to somebody.

There are a number of ways to make plans and in terms of vocabulary, here is how you can set up these plans by using your English effectively:

-Are you free tomorrow morning?

-What are you up to later this week?

-What would you like to do this weekend?

-How do you like to spend your holidays?

-What kind of things do you enjoy doing in your free time?

-Would you like to get together and hang out soon?

-What time do you want to meet up tonight?

-Is it okay if I meet you at ………. (name of place)?

-Hey, it seems like we have a lot in common. Do you want to meet up sometime?

-Thanks for talking with me earlier. We should go out for dinner / drinks / coffee / tea sometime.

Future Plans can involve a number of social gathering ideas such as:

•Going out to breakfast / lunch / dinner (restaurant)

•Getting a tea or a coffee together

•Watching a movie at the cinema together

•Making a picnic

•Playing a sport such as soccer or basketball

•Exercising at the gym, going for a run, or even hiking together

•Playing board games or video games at someone’s home

•Having people over for a party of some kind

vocabulary Tip: minding your manners

(july 2020)

In terms of being able to politely address other people after greeting them, it is important to always ‘mind your manners’. Minding your manners is key to having successful conversations with other people and even making a new friend or two. If you are able to be courteous, kind, and respectful, you will have successfully practiced good manners.

Good manners rely upon using the right words and phrases in the right scenarios. It is best to air on the side of caution and to use them too much than to use them too little. I would recommend mastering these ‘golden words’ as they are known because they indicate that you respect and care about other people and want to make sure they know that you appreciate them and are willing to show gratitude to them. It is also key to make sure that you apologize if you were wrong and did not do something properly.

The overall rule, which is also the ‘golden rule’ is “treat others the way that you would like to be treated.” Treating somebody well involves always trying to observe the golden rule and by following that rule, others will treat you well in return for your efforts. If they don’t treat you well, don’t argue or yell at them but rather cut your interactions with them short and avoid those people who don’t mind their own manners. By practicing good manners, you will attract those kinds of people and potential friends who are polite, courteous, kind, and respectful.

The main words for displaying good manners include:

‘please’

‘thank you’

‘excuse me’

‘sorry’

‘you’re welcome’

‘Please’ involves asking for permission.

'Thank you’ involves showing gratitude or appreciation.

‘Excuse me’ involves requesting that somebody keep their distance or let you through in a public place physically.

‘Sorry’ involves apologizing for an action that you did that was wrong or that the other person did that was wrong.

‘You’re welcome’ involves appreciating the gesture or the gift or the kind words that another person has shown for you.

There are many more English words out there that involve minding one’s manners but I am going to keep it to these five most important ones that reflect the ‘golden rule.’ Without using any or all of these five words in a conversation, your English vocabulary will not be up to the challenge of having a polite or respectful conversation with another person. You want to do your best to make sure you are not being perceived by another English speaker as rude or impolite.

These five words I have chosen and defined for you will make sure that after exchanging greetings, you’ll be able to hold a basic conversation and even make a formal request of another person without being rude or abrasive. Once you have those five words down, we can move on to further advanced vocabulary for practicing good manners in English.

vocabulary tip: Saying Your Goodbyes

(May 2020)

The ‘Goodbye’ is a way in English of how we depart from one another at the end of a conversation. Usually, it is a way for us to express well wishes to one another until we see that person or people again. In English-speaking cultures, saying goodbye is customary so as to not be unsociable or even rude. If you do not say ‘goodbye’ or another form of the ‘bye’ in English, you may likely not see that person again.

Knowing how to say goodbye is a key part of being proficient in the English language. While a Goodbye can be very short, it can also take a couple of minutes to do so and can happen in different ways depending on how close you are to the other person.

A proper goodbye does not take a lot of effort and it will go a long way in terms of helping to endear yourself to other people. It shows good manners to do so and will make you stand out in terms of caring and being kind to others. A goodbye starts with your vocabulary but also is based on your body language and your tone as well. A goodbye can be a simple ‘goodbye’ or it can be more meaningful depending on which vocabulary words you use. A proper goodbye should be sincere, not too short, and with the correct body language to show that you care about the person even if you do not know them very well.

Here are some examples of what a ‘goodbye’ can look like in English depending upon the vocabulary words that you use:

•“Goodbye.” “Take care.” “So long for now.”

•“Have a good day / night / evening / afternoon.”

•“It was so good to see you.”

•“It’s been so nice to see you.”

•“I hope to keep in touch.”

•”Bye.”

•”See you later.” (Formal) / “Cya later.” (Informal)

•”I hope to see you again.” (Formal) / “See you again soon.” (Informal)

As you can see from these various examples, "A “goodbye” in English can be as short or as long as you would like them to be. It can be a simple “bye” or it can be a long "phrase as “It’s been so nice to see you” and “so long for now.” I also put these formal and informal examples to show you that there are different ways of saying goodbye depending on if its’ with family members or friends (informal) or with colleagues at work or strangers who you don’t know very well (formal).

Try a few of these examples out in your English practice to see how native speakers react to your speaking skills. If you mess up, do not get discouraged as it takes some time to improve your ‘goodbyes’ but as long as you put some effort in, you will do well with this important part of English vocabulary.

vocabulary tip: the basics of doing banking

(April 2020)

When you are in a foreign country for a long period of time, the chances are good that you will need to set up a local bank account especially if you wish to be paid in that country’s currency. The English-speaking world has some of the strongest currencies worldwide so it makes sense that you would want to get paid in dollars or pounds during your time living there.

In order to do so, however, you will need to understand some basic vocabulary in English regarding how to do banking either online or in-person. I have compiled a list of both vocabulary words and expressions for you to know in order to deal with a customer service representative of the bank or perhaps a bank teller who does not speak your native language.

Hopefully, this list of vocabulary words and expressions while not being a comprehensive list will help you save some anxiety and stress with using your English to getting the help you need in order to complete your basic banking needs, which is so crucial when you are either studying or working in an English-speaking country.

Account

Interest

Balance

Loan

Bank Charges

Online Banking

Branch

Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)

Certificate of Deposit

Overdraft

Check

Payee

Checking Account

Recipient

Checkbook

Investment Account

Credit

Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA)

Credit Card

Bank Statement

Debit

Savings Account

Withdrawal

Direct Deposit

“Excuse me, can I ask you where the nearest ATM is in this town?”

“Good afternoon, I would like to make a withdrawal of _______ (amount) please.”

“How long will it take for my employer’s direct deposit to show up in my account?”

“Sorry, do you think you can help me? I want to talk to an advisor here.”

“I am looking to find an investment manager to handle my long-term savings.”

“Are there any fees involved if I make a withdrawal at another bank’s ATM?”

vocabulary tip: How to deal with complaints and problems in your work

(February 2020)

When you are working in your industry regardless of what form that takes, there may be complaints that you will have to deal with when you are serving somebody or a group of people.

A complaint is when someone has an issue, not necessarily with you, but perhaps the hotel, the restaurant, the living facility, the tour company, the waiting room, etc. and they want it resolved.

When it comes to a complaint, it can range from being very trivial (not important) to being very serious and demanding an immediate response.

A problem is more serious than a complaint. A complaint can be something that has to be improved for next time and doesn’t usually require an immediate solution. However, a problem is more serious in nature and does require an immediate solution to the satisfaction of the customer or the client. A lackluster response to any problem will reflect poorly upon you as the employee and it will show a lack of caring for the customer or the client based on your inattention to the existing problem.

Here are some good responses or answers you can use in your work when responding to common complaints and/or problems:

´“I’m sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the service we provided.”

´“What can we do to ensure your satisfaction next time?”

´“I promise you that this problem will be resolved as soon as possible.”

´“I understand that you are upset with the situation, but we are doing all we can to fix it as soon as possible.”

´“Would you be interested in a complimentary beverage or snack while you wait?”

´“Would you mind filling out our customer feedback survey to know of any potential complaints or issues with your stay?”

´“We take our customers seriously and will respond to any complaints or problems as necessary.”

´“Thank you for letting us know of the problem and we promise to solve it as soon as we can, ma’am.”

Here is some other common vocabulary words associated with problems and complaints:

-Complaint -To file a complaint

-Resolution -To speak with someone

-Problem -To stay on the line

-Feedback -To offer a discount

-Survey Form -To refund

-Response Time -To provide a free drink / meal

-Manager / Supervisor -”On the house”

-Refund Policy -Client

-Cancellation Policy -Guest

-Delay -Host / Hostess

-Customer -Sympathy / Empathy / Compassion

-Organization -Understanding / Resolve / Duty

-Expertise -Emotional Intelligence

vocabulary tip: checking-out of your hotel / accommodation for travel purposes

(January 2020)

Checking-out means to confirm the end of your stay at your accommodation and to make sure you follow through with the necessary steps involved. You need to check-out before you can leave the hotel, apartment, or hostel bed otherwise you won’t be able to head to the airport / bus station / train station. Checking-out is done so other guests can move in and to confirm the amount of time you have stayed at the accommodation for. Checking-out means handing back your keys, access card, or other form of entry to your accommodation and also to pay sometimes for the length of your stay.

If you are going back home via the airport / train station / bus station, etc., let the hotel or other accommodation know in advance so they can help! Schedule a taxi or a shuttle from the accommodation ahead of time especially if you have an early morning or late-night travel back home.

Even when you are checking-out, don’t be afraid to ask further questions to the staff or the host about how to get to the airport / the bus station / train station, etc. so you can get home safely. Asking for directions or booking things in advance for the return journey home or to your next destination will save you a headache and probably some money too.

Here are some useful questions and responses when it comes to checking out as either the hotel staff member or as the hotel guest:

•Hotel Staff / Front Desk Reception You (The Guest)

•Are you ready to check out? We're checking out of room 203.

•What room were you in? Sorry, we're a bit late checking out.

•How was your stay? I'm afraid that we overslept/slept in.

•Was everything satisfactory? We really enjoyed our stay.

•Will you be putting this on your credit card? We have a few complaints.

•How will you be paying for your stay? We'll be back next time we're in town.

vocabulary tip: overcoming the initial language barrier for travel purposes

(November 2019)

It is likely that most of the people in your English-speaking destination country will not speak much, if any, of your native language. Do not worry though because some survival English will help you get by once you arrive in the country. Please make sure to learn as many of these phrases as possible especially in an emergency or a situation where you really need instant assistance from a native speaker.

-Hello, my name is… My English is not so good. Could you help/assist/provide me with some information?

-Can you help me please?

-Can you assist me please?

-Hello, I am looking to book/plan/confirm my _____________ for _____________________.

-Hello, I am searching for…

-Where can I go to find…?

-Do you know where the nearest….(bank, airport, hospital, store, etc.) is…?

•Do you know where I can search for ___________ or confirm my ___________?

-Hello, (sir or ma’am), could you help me for a few moments? Do you have some time to assist me?

-Hi, do you know about _____________ (place) and can you help take me there please? I am new in this __________ (town, city, country) Thank you very much.

Doing some research about the country’s history, culture, and politics a bit before you decide to book your travel will help you immensely along with these basic phrases to help you communicate if you really need help.

It is also imperative (important) that you practice your English as much as you can beforehand especially with regards to the use of these phrasal sentences so you will be better prepared for a successful visit!

vocabulary tip: introducing yourself to employees / employers

(September 2019)

It’s important when you’re starting a new job or engaging in a new professional opportunity to be able to introduce yourself. Whether that’s to your boss, your colleagues, or to the people you’ll be supervising, a key part of the professional world revolves around communicating effectively and making sure that you are understood by others. There are numerous vocabulary words and phrases that can be used for this type of scenario but I am going to cover the most common that are likeliest to come up in your day-to-day work.

For example, let’s say it’s your first day at your new job and you want to make a good impression, you would want to start off with something simple such as:

“Hello, my name is John Smith, I am the new ____________________, how are you doing today?”

It’s a simple one-sentence but it can make all the difference in how your employers and/or employees see you. First impressions can make a big difference in your life as a professional so it’s important to make sure you get off on the right foot. What you don’t want to do is overcomplicate things and tell too much about yourself. It’s best to keep things short and simple at first and then steadily introduce yourself more and more as you spend more time in your new professional setting. Your employers / employees may not open up to you as much as you would like right away but just be patient and know that it takes time for that to happen and you can do the same as well.

There are also a few rules to always be aware of when it comes to introducing yourself:

•Be kind.

•Be courteous.

•Show respect.

•Listen carefully before talking.

•Use formal language.

•Act like a gentleman or lady.

Each day at work, if you follow these rules, you’ll be quite alright when it comes to getting comfortable at your new professional setting. You can be a bit nervous at first but just try to observe these rules and you should be fine.

Lastly, when it comes to introducing yourself to employers / employees especially the 2nd or 3rd time talking with them, you can use these words and sentences below to help you out to break the ice and get to know them better.

•Hello

•Hi

•I’m …………., What’s your name?

•My name is ………., What’s your name?

•I am from ……….., How about yourself?

•How are you? / How are you doing?

•How is your day going? / How is your night going?

•How have you been?

•How is everything with you?

Introducing yourself well and making a good impression is a key part of being a responsible professional so I hope you will use these words and phrases to help you succeed in a new job. Don’t be afraid to break the ice with someone new and remember to not get discouraged if you make a mistake with your English. Your employers / employees will admire you for trying and they will appreciate your commitment to learning English for work.

Vocabulary tip: checking-in to the hotel / hostel

(July 2019)

When you’re traveling to an English-speaking country, it can be a bit overwhelming to get situated at your hotel or hostel especially if the hotel or hostel receptionists don’t speak your native language. Do not be concerned as let’s work together to learn these words and phrases to help you to get settled in to your hotel regardless if you are there for business or just for vacation. After traveling for hours or for a day, you’ll want to get checked in to your hotel, hostel, etc. without any problems.

To prevent any stress or anxiety, let’s cover the best vocabulary words and/or phrases to use when checking in to your hotel:

Basic Conversation

Hotel Receptionist: Hello sir / madam, how may I help you today?

You: Yes, I would like to check in to my hotel room / hostel please.

-My reservation number / details are…

You: I reserved one room for two people for three nights.

-I am staying in a room with a twin-sized / queen-sized / king-sized bed.

Hotel Receptionist: Will you be paying with cash / debit card / credit card?

You: I will be paying with _____________ (form of payment), please.

Hotel Receptionist: What name is your reservation under please?

You: The reservation is under my name, which is ___________________.

Hotel Receptionist: Thank you very much, sir / madam. We hope you enjoy your stay here at ___________________________. (name of hotel / hostel).

Requests

-I would like to request a room with a balcony / with a nice view please.

-I would like to request a non-smoking room please.

-I would like a wake up call for 6 AM / 6 in the morning please.

-I would like to the maid / cleaning lady to come after 2 PM to clean my room but not before then please.

Questions

Does my room come with free Internet / WiFi?

Does my room come with room service (food and drinks on demand)?

Does my room come with a fridge / minibar access?

What time does the complimentary breakfast begin each morning?

Is there a gym or a pool I can use during my stay?

What are the hours where I can use the gym or the pool?

Does the hotel / hostel offer laundry service for guests’ clothes?

What are some things I should do in the city / town while I’m here?

Do you have a map of the area with places of interest to visit?

Could the bellhop help carry my luggage up to my room?

Cordialities

Thank you very much. I am happy to be staying here.

Thanks for your attention. I appreciate your help checking me in.

I look forward to my stay here. Thanks.

Important Vocabulary Words

To Check-In

To Reserve

Non-Smoking Room

King-Sized Bed, Queen-Sized Bed, Twin-Sized Bed

Suite

Balcony

Room Service

Laundry Service

Maid Service

Complimentary Service

Fridge / Minibar

Form of Payment

Reservation

Luggage

Bellhop

Receptionist

Guest Services

Pool

Gym

Internet Access

vocabulary tip: giving out directions to visitors / tourists

(May 2019)

Often times, when you are living in an English-speaking country or are visiting as a tourists, strangers may come up to you in public or on a street corner to ask for directions. You may not see it as important but it’s a great way to practice your English and even talk to the locals about other topics if you so choose to.

Everyone should be familiar with what directions are in English and the related vocabulary words and phrases that are related to giving out directions / receiving them. It can be a bit awkward if you are not able to give out directions or ask for them in English. You would want to prevent yourself from getting lost or going to the wrong place so it’s important to understand, listen, and speak accurately when it comes to the topic of directions.

Listed below are a number of English vocabulary words, phrases, and sentences that will help you navigate the subject of directions. To comprehend, use, and understand them, it’s key to be able to become proficient in this type of English. Your ability to navigate a city, town, and country is key and to be able to bridge the gap of communication with a complete stranger by asking them in English.

Words

North

South

East

West

Left

Right

Straight

Center

Forward

Backward

Next to

Behind

Below

Above

Inside

Outside

Phrases / Sentences

Go left, right

Hang a left

Merge into the center lane

Head north, south, east, west

You will have to go inside the tunnel.

You should go outside and make a right.

You will have to walk to the center of the city.

The building is above the highway.

When you reach the store, turn left and you will be next to the market.

If you see a ‘do not enter’ sign, go backward.

When you see the park, keep going forward.

My office is located south of downtown New York City.

The beach is located east of the harbor.

West of the farm is where I grew up next to the corner store.

You will have to go ten miles north to reach Washington, DC.

vocabulary tip: discussing the news of the day

(April 2019)

What’s happening in the news tends to come up every now and then in conversation. It’s a subject that may be difficult to avoid. If you have to discuss the news, it’s important to know the words and phrases in English vocabulary that would focus on this particular topic. You can always steer away from this topic in a polite manner because it could lead to discussing politics but talking about the news is a bit more general and less controversial.

Here are the main vocabulary phrases and words to know about when discussing the news of the day:

(Phrases)

-Did you hear about the.….?

-There was a…..

-It happened at (time and place)...

-Did you read the story about …….?

-I just heard about….

-I just read about…..

-I just listened to _________ on the _____________ (radio / TV / Internet).

-Were you there to see it happen?

-They have just said on the news that…..

-You’ll never believe this but…..

-Wait until you hear about this story!

-It was in the newspaper and was one of the top stories!

(Words)

Report

Fact-Checking

Bias

News story

Coverage

Opinion

Article

Newspaper

Social Media

Broadcast

(Verbs)

To cover

To report

To fact-check

To decide

To state

To announce

To conclude

To publish

To highlight

To go off the record (to hide your identity)

To be on the record (to state publicly with your identity known)

To broadcast

As you can see from these examples, there are dozens of vocabulary words associated with talking about the news. It’s an important topic of discussion that is likely to come up. You should remember to be polite and cordial when discussing news or politics with others because it can be a sensitive topic for English speakers! Hopefully, you can use these phrases, words, and verbs to have worthwhile conversations that inform people and spread the right information to them.

vocabulary tip: ordering food and drinks at a restaurant

(March 2019)

There are few vocabulary topics more important than being able to go a restaurant and order food and/or drinks without any issues. The good news is that it is relatively easy to do so with just a basic command of the English language. The bad news is that there are multiple ways to order your food and drinks so it can be a little confusing to know which phrase or sentence you should focus on using.

My advice is to stick with two or three phrases that are easiest for you to use with the waiter or waitress, and take your time to develop your ability to use other phrases over time.

I have listed below a number of different phrases that you can use when responding to the waiter or waitress and also what to say when you’re ready to order your food and drinks. Please be sure to do your best and hone in on a few of these phrases so that you’ll know what to say rather than try to be perfect with knowing all of them at the same time.

-I’d like to have ____________.

-I am ready to order and I would like the __________.

-Could I have the _______________ please?

-May I have the ________________ and a side of _________? Thank you.

-Excuse me, I would like to order now please.

-Can I get some ______________ please? Thank you.

-I would like to order my food now.

-I think I’ll have the __________ and the ____________ please. Thanks.

-May I get the ______________ now?

Let me have the _______________ please.

VOCABULARY TIP: using WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO HELP AND SUPPORT OTHERS

(January 2019)

We use encouraging words in the English language for helping someone out especially when they are not doing well. We want to encourage each and every person to keep on doing their best.

A letter, essay, e-mail or other written form of encouragement in English serves the following purposes:

-An expression of approval and support.

-An act of giving hope or support to someone.

-A belief in others and wanting to help them succeed.

Some Examples:

-Do not give up faith.

-Do not be discouraged.

-Do not lose hope as you will have many more opportunities again.

-It has been a great incentive to get a bonus for my extra sales and I hope that this continues.

-I am confident that our Sales / Marketing team will have no trouble accepting this challenge.

-I am confident that you will make an excellent host.

-Your hard work and determination are greatly valued.

Ten Main Expressions of Encouragement to Use in Your Speaking and Writing

-You’re coming along nicely.

-Keep up the good work.

-That’s good effort on your part.

-You are showing real improvement.

-You’re on the right track.

-Keep going and do not give up.

-Come on, you can do it

-Give it your best shot

-What have you got to lose?

-If at first you don’t succeed, then you must try, try again.

Some Phrases to Inspire People:

(You wouldn’t use these phrases often in regular conversation, but when you are writing speeches or creating motivational essays, they sound very inspirational.)

Always follow your dreams.
You should reach for the stars.
Do the impossible.
Believe in yourself.
The sky is the limit.

To read the full blog post on ‘Using Words of Encouragement in English’, go here: https://www.englishfromatoz.com/blog/how-to-use-words-of-encouragement-in-english

vocabulary tip: knowing about your financial professions and jobs

(November 2018)

Banker – A person who is engaged with the business dealings of a bank.

Auditor – A person who is authorized to examine and verify financial accounts for accuracy and completion.

Accountant – A person trained to compile, interpret, and report financial statements and tax returns that comply with governmental and regulatory requirements.

Financial advisor – A planning partner who helps you to plan out your savings, managing your accounts, creating investments, and giving advice on which kind(s) of insurance you should enroll in. (life, disability, long-term care)

Consultant – One who gives professional advice and guidance regarding business services.

Trader – A professional who buys or sells something such as stocks and commodities in order to gain short-term profits.

Stockbroker – A broker who gives orders to either buy or sell stocks and other securities (they usually work on a trading floor of a stock market but not always.)

Tax official – In charge of collecting taxes and making sure to issue returns or issue payment requests if tax collections are lacking.

Treasurer - a person appointed to manage the financial assets and liabilities of a company, local authority, administrative body, etc.

Financial analyst – Examine financial data and uses their conclusions to help companies and/or clients make business decisions often involved with investing.

Loan officer – Specializes in consumer, mortgage, or commercial loans and acts as the liaison between the financial institution and the applicant in order to get the best loan arrangement between both parties.

Budget analyst – A person who helps organizations and companies allocate their limited resources by developing, analyzing, and executing budgets for both the near and far future.

Investor – A person that allocates capital with the expectation of a future financial return. Types of investments include equity, debt securities, real estate, commodities, currencies, etc.

Financial director – Member(s) of an executive team with responsibility for managing the assets and liabilities of a company to ensure financial health.

Insurance agent - An insurance agent sells, solicits, or negotiates insurance (auto, health care, property, etc.) for financial compensation.

Underwriter – A person or company that underwrites an insurance risk. It is any party that evaluates and assumes another party's risk for a fee, such as a commission, premium, or interest.

Credit analyst – Responsible for assessing a loan applicant’s credit worthiness. Your financial history and/or transactions can come under review by the credit analyst if you are looking for some kind of loan. (can be based off your credit rating)

Fund manager - A fund manager is responsible for implementing a fund's investing strategy and managing its portfolio trading activities. A fund can be managed by one person, by two people as co-managers, or by a team of three or more people. A fund is a sum of money saved or made available for a particular purpose.

Cashier - a person handling payments and receipts in a store, bank, or other type of business.

Payroll manager - Payroll Managers are found in the finance or accounting departments of companies of all sizes, from nonprofits to corporations. A Payroll Manager is in charge of everything that has to do with payroll, which means the work that they do ensures that employees get paid on time and they also receive other benefits such as paid vacation and/or paid sick time off.

vocabulary tip: what to say about shopping

(October 2018)

If you decide to travel or live in an English-speaking country, it’s important to be able to converse as easily as possible about shopping regardless of the item or thing you are looking to purchase. It will come in handy to be able to hold a conversation with the store owner and be able to convey what you are looking for, if you would like to try on an item if you’re shopping for clothes, and whether you need help looking for something in particular.

The key with what to say about shopping is to be polite, courteous, and straightforward. Having a good sense of shopping vocabulary is also important in order to be able to have a successful visit to the store.

Listed below are words and phrases that I hope you will be able to use correctly for the next time you go to the store to do some shopping:

Helpful Phrases

Could I help you?
How may I help you?
How are you doing today?
Hello sir / ma'am, I need your help with…
Could I try it (them) on?
How does it fit?
How does it look?
How can I pay for this item?
What hours are you open today?
Do you accept cash / credit card / debit card?
Is there any item on sale today?
I'm looking for...
I'd prefer...
I’d like to purchase / buy / order….
I’m just looking, thank you.

Useful Vocabulary

Sizes - extra small, small, medium, large, extra large
Measurements - used with specific measurements for pants, suit jackets, etc.
Shop owner
Store assistant
Pants / Jeans / Dress Pants
Waist
Inseam
Credit cards
Debit cards
Cash
Discount / Sale
Coupon
Dressing Room / Changing Room
Shopping Mall
Outlet Store
Length / Width / Height
Mom and Pop Shop (Local Business)
Cashier
Store Manager
Online Shopping

vocabulary Tip: Bantering about Books

(September 2018)

There’s few better ways to boosting your English vocabulary than bantering about the books you’ve read, would like to read, or have read in the past. By being able to discuss the process of reading and then discussing books, you’ll be able to express yourself that much more deeply by talking about things such as the characters, the setting, the story, and the themes of a book.

If you’re learning a second language such as English, you’re likely to want to read some books that are printed in the English language. Therefore, you’ll want to be able to have the vocabulary in mind related to discussing the English books that you have read. Joining a monthly book club, reading a required book for a class, or presenting a book report are all great ways to being able to put your vocabulary to good use when it comes to talking about books.

Listed below are some vocabulary words and phrases that you should have in mind when it comes to ‘bantering about books’ with other English speakers:

reading terminology

Plot

Setting

Characters

Theme(s)

Chapters

Argument

Motif

Storyline

Idioms

Metaphor

Simile

Background

Beginning

Ending

Main Points

Genres

Action

Adventure

Drama

History

Autobiography / Biography

Romance

Horror

Mystery

Science Fiction

Reading questions

What did you think of …….(the plot, the characters, the ending)?

How was the book?

Who was your favorite character?

What was the book about?

What were the main themes of the book?

Would you recommend this book to other people?

Why do you think the book begin / end like that?

What was the setting of the book?

How did this book compare to other books you’ve read?

Which book is your favorite one and why?

reading phrases

It was a very short / very long book.

I thought that the story was interesting.

I don’t like this book because the characters were boring.

I really liked the setting of the book because of how lifelike it seemed.

I believe that the author was trying to create a theme about ‘redemption’ with this book.

I loved the main character of Will the Pirate because he was very intelligent and adventurous.

I would definitely recommend this book to my friend because it was a quick page turner.

I would not recommend this book to my parents because it was too violent.

The themes of the book were really relevant to me.

My classmates liked the book a lot for its action genre but I prefer history books.

Vocabulary Tip: Musing about music

(August 2018)

Music is a powerful topic of conversation that transcends different backgrounds and nationalities. For this reason, being able to converse in English about music is a good bet if you're looking to become a more fluent speaker while practicing with native speakers. There are many kinds of music out there and to express yourself in English about this topic will help you in terms of boosting your vocabulary and improving your ability to come up with creative sentences.

People all over the world love to listen, play, and definitely discuss music in all of its forms. By being able to talk about music in English, you're likely to make some new friends regardless of whether you like jazz, rock and roll, or even hip hop.

Listed below are some groups of words and phrases to use when it comes to expressing music in English:

MUSICAL TERMINOLOGY

beat

harmony

lyrics

melody

note

rhythm

scale

tune

MUSIC EQUIPMENT

amp (amplifier)

headphones

hi-fi or hi-fi system

instrument

mic (microphone)

music stand

record player

stereo system

MUSICAL GENRES

blues

classical

country

dance

electronic

folk

hip hop

jazz

opera

pop

rap

rock

musical phrases

That sounds nice to me.

I like the beat of the drums.

It has a beautiful melody.

That sounds terrible to me.

It makes my ears hurt.

That is more white noise than actual music.

It heals or calms me down.

It stirs my imagination.

It touches my soul.

It is rejuvenating to me.

VOCABULARY TIP: TALKING ABOUT SPORTS

(JULY 2018)

One of the best topics to converse about in the English-speaking world is the topic of sports. Sports whether its American football, soccer, baseball, ice hockey, basketball, etc. are important to a lot of people for different reasons. Some people are avid fans who wear their team jersey any chance they get while others enjoy playing the sports with their friends or family. Regardless if people are watching or playing sports, English-speaking peoples love to talk about sports. If you're looking to improve your English, learning sports vocabulary will improve your conservational abilities and even make you a few friends.

Sports vocabulary is very expansive and includes a wide range of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. If you're looking to dive into a topic that will have a great return on your time studying and learning a particular kind of vocabulary, I would definitely recommend focusing on 'sports.' The best aspect of sports vocabulary is that you'll learn a number of key 'action verbs' and get to use the gerund (-ing) as well. If you look at sports as a whole, there is a lot of running, jumping, playing, diving, swimming, throwing, catching, etc. involved.

Listed below are a number of vocabulary words and phrases that you should focus on learning about when it comes to the topic of sports:

Sports Equipment

Basketball
Soccer ball
Bat
Football
Golf club
Hockey stick
Ice skates
Racing car
Snowboard
Tennis racket

Sports Athletes

Baseball player
Basketball player
Boxer
Cyclist
Footballer / football player
Golfer
Gymnast
Hockey player
Ice skater
Racing driver

Sports Places

Arena
Circuit
Court
Course
Field
Gym
Pitch
Ring
Stadium
Track

Try your best to practice the pronunciation of these Sports vocabulary words and also to write sentences with these words being used within them. If you try hard enough, you'll go the distance with sports vocabulary!

vocabulary tip: discussing the weather

(June 2018)

The weather is a great topic to learn about when it comes to understanding and using English vocabulary. There are numerous words and phrases associated with this particular topic but the ones I have listed below are likely to come up most frequently in a conversation. If you are getting to know someone for the first time, discussing the weather is a good topic to start with because everyone can relate to it especially if it's a hot, sunny day or a cold, snowy day.

Not everyone likes sports or has the same tastes in music but it can be easy to get a conversation going about the weather. There's no debate about what kind of weather it is but you can get people's perspective of how the weather is and whether that person likes it or not. You will be able to learn if that person likes cold weather or hot weather. You can also inquire if that person you're talking to likes when it rains, when it snows, or when it is sunny out.

Here is a list of good vocabulary words and phrases to be used when it comes to the weather:

The Weather forecast

lightning
blizzard
cloud
drought
dry season
wet season
fog
frost
heat
hurricane
ice
maximum temperature
minimum temperature
mist
rain
rainy season
scattered showers
shower
snow
snow storm
storm
sun
sun showers
thunder
thunderstorm
tornado
twister
wind

Adjectives to describe the weather

chilly
clear
cloudy
cold
cool
dry
foggy
frosty
hot
icy
misty
rainy
snowy
stormy
sunny
warm
wet
windy

Temperature

degrees Centigrade / Celsius
degrees Fahrenheit
temperature
above zero
below zero
weather forecast
weather report

Weather expressions

-It's raining.

-It's snowing.

-It's cloudy out.

-It's sunny.

-There's clear skies today.

-It's thundering.

-It's clear out.

-It's going to rain.

-It's going to snow.

-It's warm out.

-It's cold out.

-It's freezing out.

-It's hot.

Vocabulary tip: act out the words and phrases that you learn

(May 2018)

If you are a very visual learner when it comes to remembering and understanding English vocabulary, it may be best to act out the new words and phrases that you are learning. You can physically move your body or utilize your facial expressions in order to match the vocabulary words that are new to you.

For example, adjective words such as 'happy' or 'sad' can easily be replicated by you when you change your facial expressions. By doing that, you're acting out the meaning of the words using your body. This is especially true when it comes to 'action verbs' in that you can act them out to understand them better by using your body's movements.

Some of these action verbs that you can replicate firsthand with physical movement are: run, swim, jump, walk, dive, sit, stand, eat, drink, etc.

There are many vocabulary games that you can do that involve acting out these words or phrases with a partner or a friend. The most popular one would have to be 'charades' where you are given a vocabulary words such as 'eat soup' or 'play baseball', you would act out that action for the rest of the class and they then would have to guess which vocabulary words are involved.

For this game of 'charades', you can switch roles so that you can not only act out the words but also be the one who guesses the name of the word(s) in order to score points and compete to win the game. If you are alone, don't be discouraged because you can act out the vocabulary words you're learning in front of a mirror or your computer's camera if you would like to better associate the words with the actions themselves.

Acting out the vocabulary words you're learning helps to bring them to life and will definitely help you to remember them, and improve your proficiency if you're a visual English learner.

VOCABULARY TIP: FIND OUT WHICH kind OF LEARNING WORKS BEST FOR YOU

(April 2018)

A key part of learning and mastering vocabulary is to find out which way you can learn the words best. Our brains work in a variety of ways when it comes to learning a new language so it's best to try out a few different options when it comes to learning English vocabulary.

Certain English learners may do best in terms of absorbing vocabulary words through visual means whether its' pictures of words or drawing their own pictures to remember what the words are. Visual learners would also need to see the word written down for them in order to remember what it is and what image goes into their head so that they can relate that vocabulary word to.

Kinetic learning is another way in which students may be the most comfortable with in terms of mastering vocabulary. These kind of learners need to interact with the words by writing it down multiple times, reading it in different publications, and using our bodies to touch it if the word is a physical object. Having direct interaction with vocabulary words is one way in which a particular type of learner can become better at using and memorizing the words.

The last kind of learning when it comes to vocabulary words focuses on auditory learning where those students benefit most from hearing the word in order to add it to their active memory. These students have it particularly easy in that they just need to hear the word in order to remember and use it in the future.

Depending on what kind of learner you are when it comes to languages; auditory, visual, or kinetic, you should think about how you have learned vocabulary words in the past and how you feel about it now. Are you the type of student who needs to write the word down or read it out loud in order to have a connection to it? Or do you need to see the word represented visually as a person, place, or thing in order to draw the connection in your mind? A few of you may need to hear the word multiple times being said and to absorb the sound of it in order to remember it for a while.

Every learner will experiment with each type of learning over the course of their studies and it is up to the individual themselves to figure out if they do best with auditory, visual, or kinetic learning. While you'll have to be able to understand how to utilize all three types of learning, you'll most likely have a preference in terms of which kind of learning suits you best.

Ideally, you'll need to use all three methods of learning and do your best to figure out which kind of learning is easiest for you and how to use it for learning English vocabulary as often as possible.

Vocabulary tip: Create flashcards to help you study the words

(March 2018)

Writing down the new vocabulary words in English that you have learned won't always make a big difference. In learning any new language including English, creating flashcards for each new vocabulary word you learn as well as writing down the meaning can make a big difference.

Being able to associate each vocabulary word on the flashcards with either a visual such as a picture of the object, person, or thing or the definition of the word itself will make it much easier to remember the word. Also, writing down whether the vocabulary word in question is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb can also help you to remember what the word signifies.

One side of the flashcard should have the visual of the word itself if applicable or a sentence about what the word means and what kind of word it is. The other side of the flashcard should have the word itself and maybe how to sound it out if you're at the beginning level to make sure that you pronounce it correctly.

Flashcards or index cards are easy to make and they can last a long time. They are also easy to store and keep for further use. By writing down the word, creating the visual, and/or memorizing the definition of the word, these steps will help you remember more vocabulary words and improve your English proficiency.

The best part about the flashcards is that you can practice reviewing / studying them on the bus, on the train, or on a plane. You can take them with you everywhere and you can spend as much time on them as you think would be necessary. If you need someone to help you, your friend or family member can show you the visual / definition and have you guess the name of the vocabulary word to see how much you know. It is really fun and easy to turn your flashcards into an interactive game. If you want to test your vocabulary, turning your knowledge of the flashcards into a quiz would also be helpful.

The effort you'll need to put into creating the flashcards for your vocabulary words will be well worth it as it will be a great study tool. It will definitely help you as the student to develop your memory and understanding about a great number of English vocabulary words.

VOCABULARY TIP: Make a sentence for each new word that you learn

(FEBRUARY 2018)

In order to better improve your English vocabulary, it is important to create a sentence to go along with each new word that you learn. In order to really better your vocabulary with any language, you have to create some context that goes along with the new word(s). When you write sentences based around the vocabulary word, your brain will be able to connect the situations and circumstances associated with that word for the future.

For example, if you learned the word 'love', the best way to understanding the meaning and the context of this important vocabulary word is to write sentences about it.

1. Jack loves Jill because they have a lot in common.

2. I love Mexican food because it is very delicious.

3. Love is the most powerful force in the world.

From these example sentences with 'love', we can draw connections about the word's meaning and its' importance. We now can conclude that 'love' means having a deep passion or affection for somebody or something such as Mexican food or for another human being.

This method of writing sentences for vocabulary words may seem silly but it will help boost your memory about it for the future. You'll now associate 'love' with the relationships of people, an affection for food and other things, or an important drive in our world.

Your brain will better remember the word when you write it down and create different examples about it. Try it out for yourself and let us know how it goes for you!

vocabulary tiP: Use visuals to help remembrance

(January 2018)

In order to remember both new and old vocabulary words, using visuals as a guide is highly recommended for English students. Whether its drawings, pictures, signs, etc., having our eyes and mind stimulated by visuals can help us to remember the meaning and significance of vocabulary words.

Any English language learner can benefit from having lists of vocabulary words and pictures together on sheets of paper so that you'll associate the visual in your mind with the word itself. The sense of sight is one of our five basic senses and having a picture to go off of.

There are numerous online vocabulary games out there as well that can help you to improve your vocabulary. In these kinds of games, you are given a word and you have to match that word with the correct visual. Also, having a visual kind of English dictionary is also recommended to study in that you'll be able to learn and memorize many words and also learn about how they are expressed visually. Printing out vocabulary word lists that come with pictures is also a good idea and will help the English learner to improve in their knowledge too. Reading a simple story in English with pictures describing the vocabulary words is another great idea especially for beginning learners.

Listed below is a flashcard word list with pictures which is a good example of how to improve your English vocabulary with the help of a visual aid:

An example of a flashcard that shows some vocabulary words with corresponding pictures.

VOCABULARY TIP: KNOW YOUR GREETINGS

(december 2017)

When you are first starting out with studying English vocabulary, it would be best to focus first on learning your greetings. This basic category will help you to get by in any English-speaking country whether you're visiting as a tourist, studying at a university, or coming there for a business trip. By knowing your English greetings, you'll come off as being kind, polite, and courteous. This kind of vocabulary could even make you some new friends if you use them often enough. You'll be more likely to start a lively conversation too when you use your greetings.

The locals are more likely to be friendly to you and show you respect in return if you are able to use these English greetings proficiently. Listed below are what I think are the most important greetings to learn and master as an ESL student:

-Hello

-Hi

-How are you?

-How is your day going?

-Good morning

-Good afternoon

-Good evening

-Good night

-It's nice to meet you

-It's good to see you

VOCABULARY TIP: MAKE LISTS OF WORDS IN THE SAME CATEGORY

(November 2017)

When you're trying to expand your vocabulary, it's best to try to create lists of words that you can tie to a certain category. For example, if you're learning about fruits, vegetables, and meats, you're going to want to tie all of those words together to a list of vocabulary words focusing on food in particular.

For example, In that vocabulary list on food, you're going to put down words like chicken, beef, fish, pasta, rice, apples, broccoli, etc. because they all could be classified as food. Now, when it comes to vocabulary lists, you can create subcategories within a main category. In a vocabulary list about food, you may have other subcategories that you make small lists of such as for fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, seafood, etc.

By creating these vocabulary lists or by perusing the Internet to find them, you'll be able to greatly expand your ability to speak and write in English. However, it's important to take an hour or so each week where you're studying these vocabulary lists so that you'll become better at the English language by learning more and more words.

It's also best if you can write down these new words and new lists you're creating yourself instead of taking them from the Internet. It's best to think of the words you know and create the lists yourself so that you'll remember them before by speaking and writing them outloud. It's a lot easier to remember vocabulary words when you're actively learning about them through your own hard work rather than just copying them from someone else or printing them out. Creating lists of English vocabulary lists will allow you to study the language on your own time and to also become a better student by doing the work yourself.

VOCABULARY TIP: LEARN A NEW WORD EVERY DAY

(October 2017)

It may be difficult to pull this off but if you have the discipline, it would be useful to learn a new English vocabulary word each day.

Because of the digital age, it is easier now than ever to learn new words without too much trouble. There are dozens of websites out there that have an English 'word of the day.' You can find the word itself, the definition of the word, and an example of it being used in a sentence.

English from A to Z recommends either Dictionary.com or Thesaurus.com when it comes to finding any new word in the English language. We recommend that you copy the word itself, the example being shown, and its' definition. If you have your own journal or diary, you should add any and all English vocabulary words into your book to study and review later.

This particular tip will take some discipline but if you want to improve your English, you'll need to take some time each day to learn a new vocabulary word. Once your master ten, a hundred, and then a thousand words, you'll improve your language proficiency quite a bit in a short amount of time.

http://www.dictionary.com/
http://www.thesaurus.com/