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Do you want to speak like a native speaker? How much chance?

No chance < Fat chance < Slim chance

These phrases essentially mean there is little or no possibility of something working out positively, although they have slightly different nuances. I would say:

0% chance = no chance

3% chance =  fat chance

5% chance = slim chance

Native speaker like English:                                                                                                            I went for a job interview today but I have fat chance of getting it; there was no chance I could get the job; there was only a slim chance I could get the job.

Simple English: I won’t get the job.

Simple English:                                                                                                                                    Do you think the rookie will make it this year? I don’t think so!

Native speaker like English:                                                                                                      Do you think the rookie will make it this year? No chance!

Simple English:                                                                                                                                    It will be difficult for him to pass the test. We should wish him good luck!

Native speaker like English:                                                                                                      He has a slim chance of passing the test. We should wish him good luck!

We often talk about “probability” (= how much chance something is likely to happen). It is always good to have a variety of expressions to convey different meanings and nuances.

Good luck and Happy English Learning!

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Do you want to speak like a native speaker? Parent talk

Today I am going to explain another phrase using numbers.

Today’s example is: Terrible twos.

This phrase describes children who are around 2 years old that tend to be difficult by crying a lot or having tantrums. How to view a 2 year-old is different depending on cultures and western culture tends to consider that 2 year-olds are hard to handle.

  • A simple phrase: “My son is not obedient and very difficult.”
  • A native speaker phrase: “My son is going through the terrible twos.”

Another example is:

  • A simple phrase: “I do not know what to do with my daughter. She is so difficult!.”
  • A native speaker phrase: “I do not know what to do with my daughter. She is nearly 5 years old but she is as if she is going through the terrible twos.”

Sharing parenting experiences is universally important and interesting. Use this phrase and you will sound more like a native speaker!

Happy English Learning!

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Do you want to speak like an English native speaker? 24-7

I am going to introduce some interesting phrases using numbers.

Today’s example is: 24-7.

This comes from 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it means “all the time.”

  • A simple phrase: “He works all the time.”
  • A native speaker phrase: “He works 24-7.”

Another example is:

  • A simple phrase: “The store is open all the time.”
  • A native speaker phrase: “The store is open 24-7.”

Simple, huh? Use this phrase and you will sound more like a native speaker!

Happy English Learning!

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How do you say とりあえず in English?

How to translate a word into another language?

While I was browsing a book store at an airport, this book title caught my eye. English learners in Japan tend to want to know the exact translation of an English word to Japanese or vice versa. It is possible if things can be clearly defined such as a computer, a camera, an apple, or a pair of shoes. But when a word or phrase is a bit more complicated it is not that straightforward. The book conveys this message very well and it offers a list of Japanese words and how they are translated depending on the context.

The book is adopted from the author’s twitter account so you can check it out.

 

 

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Improving communication skills in English: Professional English conversation online for free

Having trouble talking to new people? Could not talk to people at a party? Feel shy and tend to be silent with people you don’t know well?

Well, you are not a minority. Actually lots of people have these problems and many of us feel we wish we had a different personality, and we wish we knew how to improve our communication skills.

In order to improve your communication skills, you don’t have to change your personality–the way you are is fine. The only things you need to learn are concrete sets of communication skills. In this Udemy course we break down what small talk is, how useful it is, and in what ways we can improve.

Don’t wait! Sign up for the course and improve your small talk communication skills. Good luck!

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Online learning online exercise! Be professional!

I have been a faithful gym goer for over 20 years. Whenever I moved, one of the conditions of our new place was that it should be close to a good gym. I enjoyed a range of activities:  aerobics, yoga, swimming and usually a nice shower or bath. Going to a gym kept me fit and helped me release stress in a busy life.

Although I enjoyed the gym experience, I have also become aware of its drawbacks. One such drawback is that I needed to create time to go to the gym, or whenever I could go to the gym they were not offering the classes I wanted to take. With work and family commitments, I can only go to the gym twice a week on average.

Now I have found a solution to the problem — the solution is available online! I do yoga following “30 days of Yoga with Adriene” on YouTube.  Its quality is excellent and very professional and more than anything the advantage is that I can do yoga anytime in my home!

Online learning and online experiences are fundamentally changing our lives. One image is that we become couch potatoes in front of a computer but it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to leave your doorstep to be active.

Give it a go and find your own way to keep fit … online!

 

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Why is it good to use online learning resources for learning professional English?

Language learning is a difficult task. We have to invest an enormous amount of time to get good at a foreign language, and in spite of long and arduous study, progress feels slow at times.

Research suggests one consistent theme for a successful language learner is persistence. Persistence is thought to be more important than any other characteristic such as talent, intelligence or aptitude. In other words, we have to keep going!

All of us are busy with tons of things to do and at times we feel lazy. But all you need is 15 to 30 minutes everyday to spare for your English studies. If you do so, let’s say for 6 months, I am sure you will notice great progress!

Just find an area or two (such as vocabulary building, English language for meetings, how to give presentations in English, improving your scores in TOEIC, etc.) and invest a little bit of time each day. You will certainly reach your goal some day. Good luck!