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Hier vind je tips, inzichten en inspiratie die je helpen je taalvaardigheid te verfijnen en met meer zelfvertrouwen Engels te gebruiken op je werk.

De artikelen op deze blog heb ik bewust in het Engels geschreven om je nieuwsgierigheid te prikkelen en je alvast een voorproefje te geven van de onderwerpen die ik met mijn klanten behandel.

Happy Reading & Happy Learning!

5 Idioms to Use When You’re Back at Work After the Holidays

Coming back to work after a long, relaxing holiday can be a shock to the system. The pace changes overnight. Yesterday you were having a leisurely breakfast, and today you’re checking your inbox and joining back-to-back meetings.

If you want to make small talk with colleagues, these five idioms are perfect for describing that transition from holiday mode to work mode. They’re short, versatile, and understood in both British and American English.

1. Get back into the swing of things = weer in het ritme komen

Meaning: Return to your usual rhythm after a break.
Example: It might take me a couple of days to get back into the swing of things after two weeks off.

2. Hit the ground running = meteen voortvarend van start gaan

Meaning: Start immediately at full speed and with high productivity.
Example: We’ve got a big project due, so we’ll need to hit the ground running this week.

3. Shake off the cobwebs = weer op gang komen

Meaning: Refresh your mind or body after inactivity.
Example: This morning’s planning meeting should help us shake off the cobwebs.

4. Ease into = rustig aan beginnen

Meaning: Start slowly and gradually build up pace.
Example: I’m easing into work mode after two weeks of sunshine.

5.Get back in the saddle = weer aan de slag gaan

Meaning: Resume a role or responsibility after a break.
Example: It may take a few days to get back in the saddle after the holidays, but we’ll soon be back on track.

Tip for small talk:
Pair an idiom with a quick question to keep the conversation going:

Just getting back into the swing of things. How about you?

I’m easing into my inbox. Did you travel anywhere nice?

Hopefully, after your much-needed and well-deserved summer holiday, you’ve managed to recharge your batteries. Now it might feel easier to get back in the saddle, and maybe even the perfect time to start polishing your English.

Feel free to contact me if you’d like more information about my courses and how I can help you gain more confidence in English at work.

Thank you for taking a moment to read this!

Until next time,

KEEP LEARNING!
Warm regards,

Monika Brabers

Get the full article here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W92zlC6ohM9bUldxPVVmYfS6IHKtbHiT/view?usp=sharing

Growth Mindset in Business English: Beyond the Buzzword

The term growth mindset is everywhere these days. It’s splashed across LinkedIn profiles, motivational posts, and company values. But let’s be honest, it’s often used as a buzzword rather than a lived reality.

For many established professionals, polishing their English is one of those things they know they “should” do… but don’t. Not because they lack intelligence or ambition, but because the barriers are real:

1. Inconvenience → finding time in a busy schedule feels impossible.
2. Fear → worrying that mistakes will damage credibility.
3. Overwhelm → not knowing where to start or which areas to improve.

The result?

They stay in their comfort zone, telling themselves, “I’m good enough.” But “good enough” rarely leads to growth.

Walking the Talk

A genuine growth mindset isn’t just saying you want to improve. It’s taking meaningful action. You have to walk the talk by setting clear goals, creating a plan, and following through.

Obviously, that’s easier said than done.

And that’s where an accountability partner can make all the difference. Someone who not only cheers you on, but also ensures you stay on track, stretch your knowledge, refine your vocabulary, and move away from your lexical teddy bears: the overused words like get, important, very nice, difficult. That’s how you begin to communicate with greater precision and confidence.

Going the Extra Mile

True progress comes when you’re willing to push past the moments when it feels uncomfortable or frustrating. Growth doesn’t happen by accident; it happens through consistent, deliberate action.

Mistakes? They’re not failures, they’re feedback. Every error is an opportunity to grow. Every interaction is a chance to practise. After all, the old adage is true: if you don’t use it, you lose it.

The Grit Factor

Grit, perseverance, and persistence aren’t glamorous. They are the quiet drivers of real improvement.

A growth mindset is not about boasting how “open to learning” you are. It’s about being humble enough to admit what you don’t know, and disciplined enough to keep learning.

From Words to Action: What Works in Business English

If you’re serious about taking your Business English to the next level, here’s what works:

1. Set clear, goal-oriented targets.
2. Track your progress and celebrate small wins.
3. Stay open: see mistakes and every interaction as learning opportunities.
4. Build sustainable learning habits:

• Daily practice and repetition.
• Consciously expanding your idiom and collocation toolbox.
• Speaking aloud and practising pronunciation until it feels natural.
• Listening to the BBC, CNN, or podcasts and mimicking pronunciation.
• Reading articles and books in English, then summarising your takeaways.
• Finding a real motivation behind your learning that pushes you through periods of difficulty and challenge.

Bottom Line

A true growth mindset in Business English is more than a slogan. It’s a commitment to take small, consistent steps that compound over time. With the right mindset, approach, and accountability, you can go from a competent to a confident communicator.

I’d be delighted and privileged to become your accountability partner on that journey. Let’s walk the talk together, go the extra mile, and make your English a tool that works for you, and not something that holds you back.

If you’re ready to take your Business English to the next level, let’s talk about how I can support you.

Thank you for taking a moment to read this!

Until next time,
KEEP LEARNING!

Warm regards,
Monika Brabers