How to speak better English · Mar 11, 10:09 AM

English is becoming more and more important to do business in Hong Kong. As globalisation continues, companies here need to do business with foreigners from North America, Europe, the Middle East and India. This requires using English as the communication medium. Even doing business with Japanese and Korean clients will mean that you have to use English.

For some, writing in English comes easier than speaking. First of all you don’t have to face to face contact so its much easier. Secondly you have time to go over what you have written and correct mistakes before you send the email out. Lastly, modern software often corrects your writing automatically. The downside with written communication is that if there are any errors they will be easily spotted as the person reading it has time to read and read again your mistakes!

The most difficult skill for most people is speaking. There are a multitude of problems – from not being sure about which tense to use to not having enough vocabulary to express yourself. Of course pronunciation and intonation are also very important.

What is very important to realise, however, is that listening carefully to what the other person is saying is crucial. Quite often people only listen to the first sentence and then start thinking how to answer that particular sentence but then don’t listen to the rest.

This can often lead to miscommunication. For example:

A: Sales figures are down overall in Asia. What are you going to do to help rectify this?
A: Most areas performed badly. However, Hong Kong and Thailand made a profit and we really need to concentrate on Malaysia and Singapore.

B: (Listens to first sentence only).
B: (answers) : Why don’t we launch a sales campaign in Hong Kong?

B has made a big mistake and his boss must wonder if he is up to the job! If he had listened more carefully then this communication error would not have occurred.

In summary, remember that listening is just as important as speaking. And learning to listen properly is a skill that needs to be learnt.

HKEnglish.com runs a selection of interesting and enjoyable English courses. They specialise in one-to-one English tuition and their tutors are experienced, native speakers.

Start improving your English today. Act now! contact them now by email or call their Hotline 2830 9993

— Charles

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