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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!

Discipline and Language Learning in the Age of AI: why focus and consistency still beat smart apps

In the era of AI, learning English has never been easier or harder. With tools that translate instantly, correct grammar, and generate sentences for you, it’s tempting to believe technology can do the work. But while AI can support your learning, it can’t replace the discipline, focus, and human connection that build lasting fluency. True mastery still depends on your brain’s ability to form habits, stay motivated, and practise real communication.

The AI Revolution: Helpful, But Not a Shortcut

AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Duolingo make learning accessible and interactive. Yet many professionals still freeze in meetings or hesitate during presentations.

That’s because AI improves your input: reading and writing,  but not your output: speaking and thinking in English spontaneously. Your brain learns through active engagement, not passive correction. You can ask AI to fix your sentences, but unless you rephrase and use them, your brain won’t retain the new pattern.

Think of AI as your assistant, not your teacher. It helps you prepare, but practice and discipline turn knowledge into confidence.

The Discipline Gap

The biggest barrier to fluency isn’t lack of intelligence; it’s lack of consistency. Many learners start strong but lose motivation once the novelty fades.

From a brain perspective, motivation lights the spark, but discipline keeps the fire burning. 

Dopamine drives excitement at the beginning, but habits wire progress over time. Even ten focused minutes a day can make a difference if you stick with it. Ask yourself: do you learn English reactively — only when necessary — or proactively, as part of your professional growth?

Why the Human Brain Still Wins

AI can process language, but it can’t create emotion, and emotion makes learning stick. The hippocampus, responsible for memory, is activated by emotional or meaningful experiences. That’s why you remember personal conversations better than grammar exercises.

A coach adds that essential human layer: connection, accountability, and motivation. Neuroscience shows we learn faster when we feel seen, supported, and engaged. AI may correct your words, but it can’t coach your confidence.

How to Combine AI + Discipline for Real Progress

• AI for preparation: summaries, vocabulary, grammar help.
• Coaching for practice:  conversation, feedback, intercultural insights.
• Discipline to connect the two: routines, reflection, and regular effort.

Final Thoughts

Fluency is a human skill. No app can replace focus, discipline, and real conversation. Use AI wisely, but rely on consistency and connection to make English truly yours. Ready to go beyond the app?

I help professionals and managers build confidence and clarity through personalised Neurolanguage Coaching®:  combining neuroscience, language, and practical communication skills.

Book your free trial session to discover how discipline and focus can help you finally think and speak in English with ease.

Until next time,

KEEP LEARNING

Warm wishes,

Monika Brabers

10 Leadership Expressions Every Non-Native English Speaker Should Know

In today’s global business world, leadership isn’t just about your expertise. It’s also about how you communicate. Many experienced professionals who speak English as a second language have excellent ideas and knowledge, but sometimes their language doesn’t reflect their true level of authority and confidence.

The good news?

Leadership English can be learned. Once you start using the right expressions, you’ll notice how much more influential and confident you sound in meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations. 

Boost your leadership communication skills in English with these 10 powerful expressions to sound confident and professional.

1. Let’s align on this.
   → Make sure everyone agrees and is on the same page.
2. I’d like to highlight...
   → Draw attention to something important during a meeting or presentation.
3. Let’s look at the bigger picture.
   → Shift the focus to strategy or long-term thinking.
4. This is a priority.
   → Clearly communicate what matters most without sounding pushy.
5. I appreciate your input.
   → Foster a positive and inclusive environment where everyone feels heard.
6. What’s the impact here?
   → Encourage strategic and critical thinking when discussing decisions or risks.
7. Let’s move this forward.
   → Close discussions and shift the focus to action and progress.
8. Can we circle back to this?
   → Stay on track during meetings without ignoring other important points.
9. We’re facing some challenges, but here’s our next step.
   → Demonstrate composure and leadership in uncertain situations.
10. I take full ownership of this.
    → Show accountability and earn trust as a reliable leader.

Why These Phrases Matter

Small language choices can have a big impact. Saying “Let’s align on this” instead of “Do you understand?” immediately sounds more inclusive and collaborative.

Using “What’s the impact here?” shifts your team’s focus to strategy. And “I take full ownership of this” sends a strong message of confidence and responsibility.

Start by using one or two of these expressions in your next meeting or email. You’ll sound more natural, professional, and self-assured. And most importantly, your colleague will notice the difference.

If you’d like to feel more confident communicating in English at work, let’s talk.

I help professionals and leaders develop fluent, impactful Business English, so they can lead meetings, handle challenges, and inspire their teams with clarity and confidence.

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

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

Fluency & Beyond:  Why Your Mind Goes Blank in English Meetings 

You’re sharp, experienced, and confident in your job. In meetings in your own language, you negotiate, persuade, challenge, and clarify with ease.

But then the English meeting starts…
And suddenly your brain doesn’t cooperate. The words disappear. You freeze. You say less than you wanted to or worse, nothing at all.

Does it sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many highly skilled professionals experience this same “brain freeze” in international meetings. Let’s explore why this happens and what you can do about it.

Why does your brain freeze in English meetings?

Even though you know your job and your message, switching to a foreign language under pressure can feel like your brain hits the pause button. Here are 5 common reasons:

1. You don't (yet) have enough of the right vocabulary

It’s not just about knowing English, it’s about knowing the right expressions for meetings.
When you’re searching for words mid-sentence, your confidence drops and the freeze kicks in.

2. You’re overwhelmed and afraid of making mistakes

Perfectionism is a powerful blocker.

Many professionals hold themselves to a high standard, and when you don’t feel 100% ready, it’s safer to say nothing than to risk making an error.

3. You fear being judged

Even though your colleagues are probably more focused on your ideas than your grammar, the fear of “sounding less professional” in English can be enough to paralyze your voice.

4. Speaking in another language is an emotional event

It’s not just technical. It’s personal. Expressing yourself in a second language can feel vulnerable, especially in front of native speakers.

5. Your brain’s fight-flight system is activated

Your amygdala — the part of your brain responsible for detecting threats — doesn’t know the difference between a real danger and a high-stress meeting.
It senses fear and says: “Let’s shut down.” That’s the freeze response.

So… what can you do about it?

The good news? You can train your brain and regain your voice. Here are 5 practical steps that work:

1. Practice useful language with a coach

Role-plays, mini-dialogues, and targeted vocabulary practice in realistic situations help you prepare your brain to respond. It’s like training for a match, not just watching it.

2. Read aloud (yes, really!)

It may sound old-fashioned, but reading business texts or your own meeting notes out loud helps reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation.
The brain remembers better when it hears itself speak.

3. Understand your brain’s fear response

Just knowing about the fight-flight-freeze mechanism can reduce its power. When you feel that blank moment coming, remind yourself:
"Ah, that’s my brain reacting — not a sign that I don’t know enough."

4. Accept that it happens

Freezing up is normal. Many non-native professionals experience it, even after years of speaking English. You are not the only one.

5. Prepare intentionally, not just content-wise

Yes, prepare what you want to say, but also how you want to say it. Write down useful phrases, practice transitions, anticipate questions. Language fluency grows through conscious preparation and repetition.

A quick reminder

You wouldn’t walk into a big meeting in your own language without preparing. So why do it in English?

It’s not about fluency. It’s about readiness.

And finally…

If your brain goes blank in meetings, it doesn’t mean you're bad at English. It means you're human. And your brain is just trying to protect you.

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

Download my free guide: “5 Neuroscience-Backed Tips to Feel Confident in English Meetings”
Learn practical brain-based strategies to stay calm and fluent in any meeting.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NAF0iPYks-plDbF1y4e4MCvV2JqOSWfD/view?usp=sharing

Stop Saying “Very”: How to Sound More Professional in Business English

When using English at work, the words you choose can either elevate your message or hold you back. One common habit that many professionals share is the overuse of the word “very.”

You might often use very good or very interesting or very nice.

But here’s the truth: while clear, these expressions can make your English sound basic, and that’s not the impression you want to give in meetings, emails, or international presentations.

Why It’s Time to Say Goodbye to “Very”

Using “very” again and again makes your language repetitive. And in business contexts, that repetition can come across as weak or even unprofessional. Instead, fluent speakers often choose stronger vocabulary and natural word combinations to express themselves clearly and confidently.

For example:
The presentation was very interesting. → say: The presentation was insightful.
We’re very happy with the outcome. → say: We’re highly satisfied with the outcome.

These alternatives are clearer, more polished, and reflect a higher level of English, which is exactly what professionals need.

During my one-to-one zakelijk Engels cursussen voor professionals, we practice using powerful adverb + adjective combinations. These are commonly used in international business environments and help you sound more confident and competent.

Here are two examples you can start using right away:

Highly:highly skilled, highly likely, highly motivated, highly successful

Fully: fully automated, fully recovered, fully understand, fully unaware, fully operational

These combinations are frequent in professional English and instantly boost the clarity and fluency of your communication.

In my Business English training sessions, we go beyond only words. Using my book, Boost your Business English for Advanced learners - available on Amazon - we focus on:

1.the right word combinations (collocations)

2.common idioms in business contexts

3.impactful sentences for persuasive presentations, networking events, trade fairs, brainstorming sessions, client interactions, strategy meetings, sales pitches, performance reviews, team-building activities, small talk, and polite business communication

4.business cultures: their differences and similarities

5.cross-cultural communication: its pitfalls and powerful benefits

Together, we refine your English so your words reflect your professional expertise.

Ready to sound more confident and move beyond “basic” English?
Book a free, no-obligation trial session available both in person and online. Each session lasts 90 minutes. Choose the package that fits your goals and schedule: 10, 15, or 20 sessions, held biweekly.

Let’s refine your vocabulary, boost your confidence, and expand your international impact. One powerful sentence at a time.

Thank you for taking a moment to read this!

Until next time,
KEEP LEARNING!

Warm regards,
Monika Brabers