Learning how to write effective emails takes practice and patience, but here are some tips to get you started:

 Learning how to write effective emails takes practice and patience, but here are some tips to get you started:

1. Keep it concise: Make sure your emails are clear, concise, and to the point. Avoid long-winded sentences and use simple language that is easy to understand.

2. Use a professional tone: Use a professional tone and avoid using slang or informal language. This will help you to come across as professional and reliable.

3. Use an appropriate greeting: Address the recipient of the email appropriately, using their name and appropriate title. For example, "Dear Mr. Smith" or "Dear Professor Johnson."

4. Include a clear subject line: Make sure your email's subject line clearly indicates what the email is about. This helps the recipient to prioritize and respond to your email quickly.

5. Use proper formatting: Use proper formatting to make your email easy to read. Break up your text into short paragraphs, use bullet points, and bold or italicize important points.

6. Be polite and courteous: Always be polite and courteous in your emails. Use phrases like "please" and "thank you" to show your appreciation and respect.

7. Edit and proofread: Always proofread your emails before sending them. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes, and make sure the email is free of errors and is easy to read.

8. Practice: The more you practice writing emails, the better you will become. Take the time to review your emails and learn from your mistakes. Over time, you will develop your own style and be able to write effective emails quickly and easily.

5 elements of effective email communication

Is email communication a difficult task for you? Do you keep revisiting the typed content and getting approvals? Do you want to cut the clutter and keep it simple yet effective?

Here are a few recommendations to help your mail communication be crisp and compelling.

1. Think of the bigger picture
2. Component your mail into small parts
3. Add necessary information
4. Include pleasantries and better language
5. Finish it with a Call for action

Think of the bigger picture

Every mail communication has an objective. It could be informing, educating, marketing, co-ordinating, and many more. First, fix your purpose for the particular mail and start weaving the mail around your objective. For instance, if your purpose is to educate your customers about your new product launch, you will have to get their attention first, make them learn more about the new product, and eventually enroll in your promotional effort. So get it started by appreciating their loyalty so far and keep moving ahead with things.

Breaking it into small parts

You may need to give more information in the mail and there are chances people might miss important things when they spend too much time reading. So, break your mail into small parts. Each part focuses on the important point and concludes it.

Having all the information in a single para not only distracts the readers but makes it difficult to remember.

Add necessary information

People need the information to act upon your emails. Have a checklist of all the information you have to provide and add them all in order. After the composition of your emails, check if you have given everything that the other person needs to take a decision.

Say, you are announcing an office meeting. You may need to inform the context, time, date, venue, people responsible, and if they have to be prepared on something in your mail. When you do the preparation before sending such important emails, you can avoid multiple loop emails and save everyones' time.

Make it sound nicer

The best part about writing emails is that you have the luxury of using google, Grammarly, and other tools to enhance your writing. An email with appropriate words and a concise message builds a good impression. Use the tools effectively, and find words that could convey the meaning in a simpler way.

For example - Instead of typing "I am sorry that I sent the document by mistake to you. Ignore the mail", you could write "Document was sent erroneously to you, kindly ignore". Sometimes the better choice of words brings more clarity.

Call for Action

What do you want your readers to do after reading your mail? Do you want them to subscribe to the newsletter or do you want them to respond to the meeting announcement? or do you want them to respond to your query?

Whatever is your objective, it should reflect at the end of every mail. If you have sent an invoice to your client and left it there you may not know when your payment would be through. Only when you mention "kindly acknowledge the invoice and inform us of possible date of the first installment", your reader is pushed to do something about your emails.

Mention your call for action clearly at the end of the emails to get the desired response.

"Concise, clear, and well-constructed emails" elevates your professional communication and help you win over people.

 

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5 SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITTEN ENGLISH

 

Many people struggle with writing in English and it can seem like a real challenge to improve. Don’t worry, though. Here are some simple steps that you can take to improve your written English and impress people with your writing skills.

1. Expand your vocabulary

To express yourself clearly, you need a good active vocabulary. That’s not just being able to recognise lots of words – it means actually being able to use them correctly. Do this by learning new words with example sentences, not just word lists.

Tip: When you learn a new word, try learn all the forms of that word and the prepositions that are usually used with it. (For example, rather than just the word ‘depend’, make a note of: to depend on, to be dependent on, a dependant.)

2. Master English spelling

You must know how to spell those words correctly. Incorrect spelling changes the meaning of your sentence. For example: ‘bare’ and ‘bear’ sound the same but ‘bare’ means naked and ‘bear’ is a large animal. Additionally, incorrect spelling makes it difficult for the reader to understand what you’ve written.

Tip: Practice your spelling using flash cards and test yourself whenever you have some spare time.

Ready to take your English to the next level? Visit our website and find more about or specialized Online English Courses and YouTub free lessons.

3. Read regularly

People often say that we learn to write best by reading. Reading in English is useful in many ways. It is a great way to get an idea of the different styles of writing and see how to use words appropriately.

Tip: Choose books or articles with topics that interest you. Learning shouldn’t be boring. Read each text several times to make sure you understand how to use new words and expressions in the text.

4. Improve your grammar

Grammar is very important because it improves the quality of your writing. Always use the appropriate tense and remember to use punctuation. Punctuation is a great way to make your writing clear and fluent.

Tip: Always proof-read your writing twice. The first time, look for general mistakes and the second time look for mistakes with the particular grammar point your are studying at the moment.

5. Just do it!

Writing can be daunting. However, the best way to improve is get a pen and paper or sit in front of your computer and actually write. Be prepared to write several versions of each text because even for professional writers, the first draft is never perfect. Remember, practice makes perfect, so now is the best time to sit down and get started with our free English quizzes!

8 PHRASES TO MAKE A GREAT IMPRESSION ON YOUR ENGLISH WORKMATES

 

There is a saying that it only takes a few seconds for someone to judge you based on your body language, actions, and words. And once someone has formed their impression of you it can be quite hard to change this. That’s why it is so important to always make a good first impression. When you start a new job, it’s vital to make a great impression on your new colleagues. After all, they are the people you will be spending most of your time with while you are at work. So, how do you make a good impression on your colleagues in your new English-speaking workplace? Being friendly is a good start and these English expressions will help you go further in making a great impression on your new English-speaking colleagues. In this article, we will give you advice on how to make a great first impression at work and what phrases to use for your first day at work.

Four things to think about on your first day at work:

1. Confidence, confidence, confidence: We cannot stress this first advice enough. A good confidence is vital when meeting new people. Each person has their own level of confidence and while it’s quite hard to maintain good confidence on your first day at work when you’re surely quite nervous, there are some things that you should try to have in mind when you meet your new colleagues. When you beam with good confidence, other people will feel comfortable around you. But how do other people notice your good confidence? Have in mind your body language and posture when trying to make a good first impression. A good body language is for example a steady handshake, relaxed facial impression, arms unfolded and keeping a good eye contact with the people you speak with. It’s okay to be nervous, but also try to be happy and relaxed, after all they chose you for the position, so do not worry too much!
2. Dress appropriately: Every office place has its own dress code. So, the best thing you can do is to ask your manager before your first day what your office dress code is. Dress to impress on your first day or even on your first week at the office. You want to give the impression of professionalism on your first day, so remember to dress appropriately and professionally when meeting your new colleagues.
3. Be on time: It’s your first day at work and one of the more important things is to be on time! Since it’s your first day, things can go wrong on the way to work. This is a new route that you haven’t taken before so you might not be aware of the possible delays and traffic jams that might occur on this new route. Be well prepared for possible delays in traffic or getting lost on your first walk to work. Arriving early and prepared is better then showing up stressed and sweaty for your first day at work.
4. Smile: Don’t forget to smile! There is nothing like a contagious great smile. This is something that will help you when making a good first impression. A confident smile will be remembered and will make others feel happy around you.

Phrases to use on your first day at work to make a good first impression:

1. Would you like a hand with that?

Helping people put is always a good way to impress. Offer to help by saying “Would you like a hand with that” if it looks like a colleague is struggling with too much work.

2. Could I have your advice on this?

People are always flattered when they are treated as experts. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and make sure you let people know that you value their opinions?

3. I’ll get right on it

If you can start working on a task immediately, let your colleagues know by saying “I’ll get right on it.” Make sure to only use this phrase if you do actually intend to do the task right away – nobody likes to be kept waiting.

4. It’s great to meet you / It’s a pleasure to meet you

If you meet a new colleague working at a similar level in the company to you, say “It’s great to meet you!” the first time you meet him or her. If you meet someone more senior than you, use the more formal “It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

5. I’m looking forward to working together

This is a particularly useful expression for emails and letters. When you start a project with a new colleague or a client, adding “I’m looking forward to working with you on this project” near the end of your email shows respect and that you are keen to get on well together.

6. That sounds like a plan

A nice informal expression to use when one of your colleagues has a good idea about how to do something. If you want to sound even more enthusiastic, you could say “That sounds like a great plan!”

7. Let’s put our heads/minds together

If you think it would be a good idea to work closely with a colleague to solve a problem, you can say “Let’s put our heads/minds together to solve this.” Sometimes, people also say “Two heads are better than one.” This means that it’s better to work together than alone.

8. Let’s get this done

When you are ready to start working on something, you can use a casual expression like “Let’s do this!” or “Let’s get this done!” to encourage your team and colleagues to get started.

TOP 10 WAYS TO SAY “THANK YOU” IN AN ENGLISH EMAIL

 

When we’re sending emails, it’s easy to be too direct. This can upset the reader or cause offence. Saying “thank you” is a great way to make your email more polite and personal. What’s the best way to do it, though? Find out with our top ten ways to say “thank you” in an English email.

The first five of our ways to show your thanks work best at the beginning of the email. Thanking your reader is a wonderful way of opening an email. It sets the right tone and makes the reader feel appreciated, which is very important if you want them to help you again in the future.

10. Thank you for contacting us

If someone writes to enquire about your company’s services, begin your email with this sentence. Show your appreciation for their interest in working with your company. This is also a useful way to introduce the main topic of your email when used with the prepositions “about” or “regarding”. For example, “Thank you for contacting us regarding our current products and prices.”

9. Thank you for your prompt reply

When a client or colleague replies to a previous email in a short amount of time, let them know and thank them. If the reply wasn’t quick, simply removing “prompt” will work, or, you can opt for, “Thank you for getting back to me.”

8. Thank you for the information

If you have asked someone for information, and they took the time to send it to you, use this sentence to demonstrate that you value what they’ve done. Again, you can use “about” or “regarding” to refer to the specific information provided. For example, “Thank you for the information about your current pricing.”

7. Thank you for all your assistance

If someone has gone out of their way to help you, thank them! If you want to offer more specific recognition for what they have done, follow this sentence with, “I really appreciate your help in resolving the problem.”

6. Thank you raising your concerns

Even if a client or manager writes to express some concerns they have regarding your work, you can still thank them. This shows that you value their input and will take their concerns seriously. Alternatively, you may wish to use, “Thank you for your feedback.”

While thank yous at the beginning of an email are typically written to thank the reader for past actions, thank yous at the end of an email tend to imply you are thanking the reader for a future action. By showing your appreciation in advance, you are more likely to get a positive reaction.

5. Thank you for your kind cooperation

If you need the reader to cooperate by assisting you with something, then thank them in advance for their cooperation. You can add the expression “in advance” to this sentence and say “Thank you in advance for your cooperation.”

4. Thank you for your attention to this matter

Similar to above, this sentence implies that you would appreciate the readers’ further assistance. This expression also shows that the request you have made is important and that the reader should pay special attention to it.

3. Thank you for your understanding

This sentence isn’t to congratulate the reader on understanding the words you have written. We use this sentence to say “Thank you” in advance if we have done something or requested something that may cause inconvenience to the reader.

2. Thank you for your consideration

If you are requesting a benefit or an opportunity, such as when you apply for a new job, end your email with this sentence.

1. Thank you again for everything you’ve done

This sentence, which is used at the end, is a bit different from those above. Use this if you have already thanked the reader at the beginning of the email, but due to their great efforts, you wish to thank them again for their past actions.

Now you know how to say “thank you” in an English email, the only question left is who you want to thank.

10 TOP TIPS FOR LEARNING ENGLISH AT HOME

 

You don’t need to live in an English-speaking country to become fluent in English. If you are smart about the way you learn English, you don’t even need to leave your home town. Use these 10 top tips and see how to learn English without even leaving your city.

 

1. Surround yourself with English

You don’t need to be in an English-speaking country to surround yourself with English. Find ways to make English part of your everyday life at home, like writing your shopping list, reading the newspaper, listening to the radio, writing a diary in English, or listening to English on your cellphone while traveling to work.

2. Make English friends

Even if you don’t live in an English-speaking country, there are probably many foreigners living nearby. Find ways to meet native English-speakers: going to foreign bars and restaurants, joining sport and social clubs, or arranging language exchanges. You could even volunteer as a guide at a local tourist attraction to meet English-speakers from all over the world.

3. Find study partners

You don’t need native speakers to practice your English. Find a study partner, or form an English club and meet regularly to speak English. You can motivate each other, and you will learn by helping others with their problems.

4. Use authentic materials

Just reading English in textbooks can get boring. Try reading English texts written for and by native speakers. It will be a challenge at first but a lot more interesting once you can do it. If you can’t find English books or magazines, use the Internet to read the news in English every day. Why not take a look at the EF English Live free Engish resources and check your skills with our free English test, try fun quizzes, learn with our ebooks and more?5. Get online

Get online and you can be in contact with people from all over the world. Join chat rooms or forums, take an online English course, or find a penpal to practice your English while learning about different cultures. With social media, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with friends from all over the world.

6. Set yourself realistic goals

Give yourself a reason for studying: do you want to get a promotion, be able to talk to your foreign colleagues, study abroad, or spend your next holiday in an English-speaking country? Set short-term as well as long-term goals, and keep track of your progress.

7. Listen to real English

Train your ear by listening to English spoken at normal speed, even if you don’t understand everything. Also practice listening without seeing things written down and don’t be afraid to listen to things several times to catch any interesting or unusual vocabulary in there. It’s easy to find free English podcasts online and news agencies from most English-speaking countries have audio and video news available for free online.

8. Find fun ways to learn new words

If you like singing, then look up the words for your favorite English songs. Or if you remember what you see, write new words on ‘Post-it’ notes and stick them up around your house. Make funny example sentences or draw little pictures next to new vocabulary to help you remember it.

9. Learn about the culture

Find out about the people and the culture of English-speaking countries. Learning a language is not just about grammar and vocabulary: it’s about communicating with people who have different ways of thinking as well as speaking!

 10. Have fun!

Learning a language does take work, but you’ll be more likely to stick to it if you are enjoying yourself. Play games, do crossword puzzles, sing songs, read comics, and don’t worry too much about making mistakes – making mistakes is often the way to learn best!

10 TIPS FOR PERFECT ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

Accurate pronunciation is an important part of learning any language, and especially when you’re learning English. The way your speech sounds can have a big impact on whether or not people understand what you are saying and their initial impression of you. The tricky thing about pronunciation is that it not just a question of acquiring knowledge, it’s a physical skill that you need to practise regularly.

How to improve English pronunciation

There are no shortcuts to perfect pronunciation, however there are some ways you can practise more effectively and improve your skills faster. Follow our ten top tips, start improving your pronunciation today and take a step closer towards your goal of perfect English pronunciation.

1. Listen to yourself
2. Slow down!
3. Picture it…
4. Get physical!
5. Watch yourself
6. Copy the experts
7. Practice English alone
8. Find a language buddy
9. Pay attention to intonation and stress
10. Sing a song!

1. Listen to yourself

   It’s often difficult to hear pronunciation errors in your own speech because you are concentrating actually communicating rather than the sound you are making. If you can’t hear your pronunciation problems, it’s tough to correct them. Try recording your speech with your smartphone or PC and making a note of specific areas you need to improve on.

2. Slow down!

   Many English learners think that speaking fluently means they need to speak fast. This is wrong. Speaking too fast reinforces bad habits and makes the speaker sound nervous and indecisive. Speaking slowly will give you time to breathe properly and think about what you want to say next. Because it gives you time to think while you are speaking, you’ll feel more relaxed and be able to concentrate on making your English sound fantastic.

3. Picture it…

   Close your eyes and think about how to make a sound before saying it. Visualize the positioning of your mouth and face. If you have studied with the phonemic chart, think about the sound you are making and how it relates to other English phonemes. If you have used diagrams of the mouth and tongue, think about the shape you need to make inside your mouth if you want to make the sound correctly.

4. Get physical!

   Pronunciation is a physical skill. You’re teaching your mouth a new way to move and using different muscles. Focus on difficult sounds each day. Having trouble with ‘th’? Put your tongue between your teeth (don’t bite down) and blow air out of your mouth. Feel the air move over the top of your tongue.

5. Watch yourself

   Stand in front of a mirror to see the placement of your tongue, lips, and shape of your mouth when you make certain sounds. Compare what you see with a video of a native-speaker saying the same thing.     

   

6. Copy the experts

   There’s no replacement for learning pronunciation from the experts – native-speakers. So listen! Listen to English radio programs and watch television and movies in English. Imitate what you’re hearing – even if you’re not sure what they’re saying yet.

7. Practice English alone

   Pronunciation problems persist because we’re afraid to make mistakes. Create scenarios – meeting someone for the first time, ordering at a restaurant, asking for directions – then act out the dialogue by yourself. Don’t be shy.

8. Find a language buddy

   Getting feedback from an outside observer is crucial. Find a friend who’s also interested in improving their English. Try exchanging recorded messages so you can listen closely to each other’s pronunciation.

9. Pay attention to intonation and stress

   Good pronunciation is more than just mastering individual sounds. It’s also understanding intonation (the rise and fall of the voice) and stress (some sounds in words and some words in sentences are louder or clearer than others). Read poems, speeches and songs aloud, concentrating on the word stress and intonation.

10. Sing a song!

    Learn the words to popular English songs and sing along. Singing helps you relax and just get those words out, as well as helping your rhythm and intonation. Because you don’t need to concentrate on constructing sentences for yourself, you can concentrate on making your pronunciation sound great!

Give each of these tips a try next time you have a chance and find out which of them works best for you. Remember, none of them is an instant fix but they will all help you reach your goals as part of regular practice. Are you ready to improve your English pronunciation?

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