After around 8 years of virtual coffees and collaborations online, I finally met up with Jane. Jane is a translator who is based in Germany, but this year she came to England for a different kind of networking tour.We discuss why Jane decided to meet people one-to-one rather than in large groups, plus how this approach can be helpful for both developing your network and improving your language skills. I love the flexibility of online meetings and the fact that I can connect with people all across Europe. This is important for me because most of my customers are miles away from the town where I live. At the same time, there’s something really cool about meeting online friends for the first time in real life!We also talked about designing schedules that are flexible enough to accommodate changes, some things you can do to make life easier if you’re operating in an additional language, and some of the things that Jane learned while she was here in the UK.How about you? When was the last time you took an online business relationship offline?You can also visit the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode207

Sometimes we neglect our active language skills because it can be easier or more enjoyable to focus on the passive ones. In today’s podcast episode, I explain the difference between active and passive language skills. I then give you 8 ideas of things that you can do to improve your active language skills.You can find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode206and you can find more information about the conversation club here:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/conversations

"I don't have much time. I'll just write the email in my first language and put it through a translation website. That'll be ok, won't it?"In episode 205, I share why it won't be ok and I talk about some better strategies that you can use:Find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode205

Happy New Year everyone!I mention two things during this episode:1. The free 31-day English language challenge - sign up by 31st December 2022 www.englishwithkirsty.com/31days 2. The conversation club:www.englishwithkirsty.com/conversations If you have any questions, you can write to me at podcast@englishwithkirsty.com 

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Anja Rohde, who shares stories from her own experiences of language learning, as well as some practical ways in which you can put your new knowledge into practice as a language learner. Anja runs a site called Fremdsprachen-Jobs, a site for advertising and finding jobs that require additional language skills. She also teaches German and works as a job coach. Founded in 2013, Fremdsprachen-Jobs has become a leader in the online job market, specialising in foreign language services in the German-speaking countries (D-A-CH). And it is part of a larger network of diverse foreign language professionals. Through Fremdsprachen-Jobs, employers are able to find those candidates with language skills who really fit their organisational needs, whether as employees, freelancers or trainees. In addition, language professionals from all industries and freelancers such as translators, interpreters, and teachers, are able to find positions where they can actively use their language skills or find new clients. Anja took over this project in July 2021 because it compliments and is a valuable addition to her work as a German teacher  and job coach. Anja has been teaching German since 2011 and she's been working as a job coach since 2020.find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode203 

In today's episode, we’re changing things round a bit! Instead of asking the questions, it’s my turn to answer! Carol Constant, who you will probably remember from episode 199, asked me some language-related questions about my journey and recent experiences. We talk about my trip to Vienna last week, where I presented at a conference in German for the first time, my motivation for learning languages, when it’s good to stop doing things that clearly aren’t working for you, how relationships with others are so important for learning another language, and the links between language, culture, and food!  We also talk about my new conversation club. If this made you curious, you can check out the conversation club's page: https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/conversations 

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Alina Bota Tăbușcă about What is a marketing coach and how can having one help you in your business? The parallel between marketing coaching and language training. Developing your brand voice and brand identity in another language. How working in multiple languages can create bridges for entrepreneurs. Plus Alina’s new dog Luna! Find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode201

In today's episode, I want to talk about mindset. It’s important! Of course you need to know what you’re talking about, to use the right words in the right way, and to be competent. However, the way in which you approach meetings in another language, the way you treat yourself, and the stories that you tell yourself are also important! I am using my recent experience of participating in meetings in Romanian. I talk about 10 key points that are related to our mindset and how we prepare for meetings in another language. You can find out more on the show notes page:https://englishwithkirsty.com/episode200

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Carol Constant about effective ways to remember things better. After a long career in corporate, Carol followed her true vocation and founded Bemensa. Bemensa offers training in 2 different areas:Pre- employment tests and Mensa test preparation.<Talent development workshops for companies, on skills like problem-solving, creative thinking etc… Bemensa’s app is also launching in July 2022 to help you grow your career. To find out more, visit the show notes page:https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode199

In today's episode, I'm reflecting on my language learner journey so far so that I can decide what worked well in the past, and what I no longer want to do. This will help me to have a more productive and enjoyable experience of learning Romanian - because I can review what I've learned through studying German and Turkish. Do you relate to any of these points? If you'd rather read my article on the lessons I've learned, it's available on my <a href="https://englishwithkirsty.com/2022/04/22/lessons-to-learn-from-my-past-language-learning-adventures/"> blog.</a> Alternatively, you can visit the <a href="https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode198"> show notes page.</a>