Dealing with Complaints: Staying Calm in English
A customer once threw a menu at me in a busy Sydney restaurant. He was angry. Not at me — his food was cold. But I was the nearest person. My manager came over and…
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Every lesson, essay and journal entry, newest first. 726 published posts.
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Numbers and Money: Maths English for Hospitality
On my second day in a Sydney restaurant, I gave a customer the wrong change. Not because I couldn't count — I could. The problem was the English. 'Out of twenty' meant he gave me…
Small Talk with Customers: The Art of Light Conversation
At Ivy in Sydney I noticed that the best waiters didn't just take orders — they noticed things. 'Did you just come from the theatre?' 'Is this a special occasion?' One question. A real answer.…
Taking Orders: Polite English for Restaurant Staff
My first job in Sydney was taking orders at a small Italian restaurant in Strathfield. I was so nervous. I kept writing the wrong thing. One evening a chef said to me: 'Repeat the order…
Taste in Words: Describing Wine Like a Sommelier
At Uccello in Sydney, I once described a Barossa Shiraz to a table of eight. I used three adjectives — smoky, full-bodied, long finish — and the table ordered a second bottle. Language sold the…
Coffee Talk: Vocabulary from Behind the Espresso Machine
My first week at a Sydney café, a customer asked for a 'flat white'. I nodded. Then I stared at the machine for a full minute with no idea what to do. The other barista…
Presenting in English — Phrases for Every Stage (B2)
I've presented in French, English, and Bengali. The difference between a presentation that lands and one that falls flat is usually not the content — it's the signposting.
Describing Graphs & Charts in English (B2 — IELTS Task 1 / Business)
In my email archaeology project, I turned 15 years of data into readable summaries. The language of data is the language of business — and of IELTS Task 1.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — A Clear Strategy (C1)
I studied for language exams alone in three languages. The best advice I can give you: task 2 is always the same shape. Master the shape and you master the task.
Travel Vocabulary — From Airport to Hotel (B1)
I've moved between four countries. Every airport, every immigration queue, every check-in — here's the vocabulary that gets you through.
Teaching Mixed-Ability Groups — Strategies That Work (B2)
At the Star Casino I briefed teams where some people spoke fluent English and others were still finding their words. Same briefing, same team. Here's how you make it work.
A, An, The — English Articles Made Simple (A2 Grammar)
Bengali has no articles. Moving to Australia, I had to learn them in real time. Every mistake taught me something. Here's the shortcut.
Listening Skills: How to Take Notes Effectively (B2)
Working in hospitality, I listened and acted simultaneously. Effective note-taking is the same skill — trained, not inherited.
Writing a Short Story — The 5-Part Story Shape (A2/B1)
I grew up reading Dostoevsky in secret. Stories saved me. Here's how every great story is built — and how you can write yours.
English for Business Meetings — Phrases That Work (B2)
I ran team briefings in Sydney with staff from 12 countries. The meeting phrases below kept everything on track — and on time.
Pronunciation: Word Stress — The Secret of Being Understood (B1)
My French accent in English used to trip people up — not because of the sounds, but the stress. Stress is everything.
Writing an Informal Email to a Friend (A2/B1 Writing)
When I first arrived in Australia, email was how I kept in touch with home. Here's how to write a great informal email in English.
Phonics: Short Vowel Sounds — Cat, Bed, Pig, Dog, Bus (A1)
The five short vowels are the foundation of English reading. My daughter is learning them right now — let's learn together!
English for Job Interviews — What to Say & How (B2)
I was interviewed in three languages for jobs across three continents. Here's what I learned about what actually works in an English job interview.
10 Essential English Idioms — With Real Stories (B2)
My first year in an Australian workplace, I understood every word but missed the meaning. Idioms. Here are the 10 I needed most.