Check out this website from OZ!

EnglishWEB recommends this great website from Australia Network for improving and practising your English. It's packed with videos, podcasts, exam info and Business English and the videos are informative and modern. 


VERDICT
: An excellent resource for professionals who need English for their jobs, students preparing for exams, and people who want to improve their general knowledge of English. 

Check it out! Australia Network

For Business: The Business of English is a 15-part series for intermediate to advanced English language learners which looks at the language used in everyday business situations such as meetings, presentations and negotiations. Each episode comprises video and audio versions plus a full transcript, a quiz and useful tips.

Did you resign or were you laid-off?

Did you leave that job because you wanted to, or because the company wanted you to?! Let’s get our definitions clear:

To resign means that you voluntarily choose to leave your job.
Laura resigned from her position as she had been offered a better job with another company.
The politician resigned over the expenses scandal.
Resignation (n) - a formal document giving notice of your intention to resign
Diane is leaving the company next month. She handed in her letter of resignation last Monday.

To be fired/ to be sacked* / to get the sack* means you were terminated for cause; dismissal from employment
Jane was fired for stealing company property.

John finally got the sack after a year of ineptitude.*

*informal/slang

To lay off / To be laid-off / To be made redundant from your job

means to be without a job because there is no more work available for you in a company;  the position was eliminated, without regard to employee performance, usually when a company is experiencing financial difficulties. 

The factory had to cut back production and lay off workers.
200 people were laid-off at the manufacturing plant in northern Spain.
Simon is looking for a new job because he was made redundant last month.

Click here to see how to write a resignation letter

How to: write a resignation letter

The world of work is a small one - somehow everyone knows everyone. So no matter how big the temptation is to write an honest resignation letter (i.e. telling your boss exactly why you are leaving) don't do it! This letter may be included in your employment file and could be shared with potential future employers; therefore, it should be professional and polite.


Below we show you how to write your resignation in a way that won't leave a negative impression of you with your previous employer. Things to keep in mind are:

• be simple: include the fact that you're resigning and the last day you will work.
• be brief and focused: get to the point. No lengthy explanations as to why you are leaving.
• be positive: even if hate your job, don't say it. Make sure that you do not include anything negative about the company, your supervisor, your co-workers, or your subordinates. 
• be polite: thank your employer for the opportunities you have had during your employment. 

When to give a reason: if you're resigning under positive circumstances - you're relocating or going back to school, for example, it's fine to include the reason. If you're resigning because it's a bad job, it's better not to give a reason. 


Example:



Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:


I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as Key Account Manager, effective Monday July 15th. 


I'd like to thank you for all the opportunities that you have provided me during the last two years. I have enjoyed working for the company and very much appreciate the support I have received during this time.


If I can be of any help during this transition, please let me know.


Sincerely,


Your Signature


Your Typed Name


Click here for more templates

"Alas, I am dying beyond my means."

"Alas, I am dying beyond my means." said Oscar Wilde, as he sipped champagne on his deathbed. 


Why is this witty?


'Living beyond your means' is an expression used to say that you are spending more money than you have. People who eat out at expensive restaurants, drive expensive cars, go on fancy holidays, buy designer clothes, but have modest salaries, little savings and no other sources of income, tend to live beyond their means.


Example: 'They bought that house beyond their means'
Definition: Referring to a belief that they cannot afford the house - that they can't meet the mortgage payments 


Extract from The New York Times Opinion Pages 'Living Beyond Your Means'


First, the expansion of consumer credit in the United States has allowed middle class and poor Americans to live beyond their means, masking their lack of wealth by increasing their debt. We might think that people who have "zero net worth” have nothing. But in fact, having zero net worth increasingly means owning a lot (cars, televisions, even houses) – but also owing a lot. As a result people with zero net worth, and even negative net worth, can still feel that they are living the American dream, doing “better” than their parents did while keeping up with the Joneses.


Click to read whole article

Word bank: click on the words to discover the meanings

• witty
• to afford
• mortgage

What does 'afford' mean?!

The most common meaning of the verb afford is; if you can afford something, you have enough money to be able to pay for it.

Example: I bought a new car earlier this year, so I can't afford to go on holiday (I don't have enough money to pay for a holiday because I spent a lot of money on a car.)

I got a bonus at work, so now I can afford that Gucci bag that I have wanted for ages (before my bonus, I didn't have enough money. Now that I have some extra money, I can buy something expensive)

The word afford usually follows: can, could or be able to

For more meanings of this verb click here.

Word of the week: witty

Witty (adjective) means clever and amusing.

A witty person can think of clever, funny remarks and comebacks, making people laugh.  (Not usually rude or offensive).

5 witty quotes:

• Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
• Never interrupt your opponent while he's making a mistake.
• It may look like I'm doing nothing, but I'm actively waiting for my problems to go away.
• Confessions may be good for the soul, but they are bad for the reputation.
• If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.

Quotes from: www.witty-quotes.com

Summer Promotion - Get your English on!

Get ready for summer holidays, fun and travel! 

Take advantage of our summer promo of four lessons for the price of two! 

Level test and needs analysis free. Offer valid until July 31st 2012. 

Email us for info: info@englishweb.it

IDIOM: To be dog tired

To be dog tired means to be completely exhausted.

Business	“After working on this report for 8 hours, I am so dog tired that I can barely see the screen.”
Everyday	“He went to bed dog tired after a long day of shopping with his wife.”

 

How to: ask someone to be a reference

Here are two sample letters asking someone to be a reference for you. If you request this by email, the subject line of the email should read: Your name - reference request.


Formal:

Dear XXX,

I am writing to ask whether it would be possible for me to put you as a reference. I am in the process of seeking employment and the recruiters I'm working with have asked me to provide potential names. 

If you were able to attest to my qualifications for employment, and the skills I attained during my tenure at XXXXX (company name), I would sincerely appreciate it.

It was a pleasure working with you. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

(your name)

Informal/Friendly

Hi XXX,

How are you? I'm fine - am getting down to the job search which is a job in itself! 

Would you mind if I gave your name as a reference for recruiters? It would help me out a lot if you would 

attest to my qualifications for employment, and the skills I attained during my tenure at XXXXX (company name)

It was a real pleasure meeting and working with you. 

Many thanks,

(your name)

How to: Make arrangements 2

Click here to see expressions that you can use to make arrangements and appointments.

Making an alternative suggestion

Examples:

• Would Wednesday suit you? 
• Actually, Tuesday would be better for me.

• Could you make it in the afternoon?
• If it's okay with you, I think I'd prefer the morning.

• What about the following week? Monday at 15.30?
• Could we make it a little later?

Responding positively:

• Ok, that sounds like a good idea.
• Yes, that's fine.
• Yes, that'll be fine
• That's no problem. 

Phrases to learn:

• Actually, XXX would be better for me. 
• If it's okay with you, I think I'd prefer XXX.
• Could we make it a little later/earlier? 

• Ok, that sounds like a good idea.
• Yes, that's fine.
• Yes, that'll be fine
• That's no problem. 

How to: Make arrangements

You can use these expressions in an email or in conversation in order to make arrangements and appointments:

Suggesting a time / day
Examples:

• Would Wednesday suit you? / Would 10.30 suit you?
• Could you make it in the afternoon?
• Shall we say 16.00 then?
• Could you manage Tuesday morning?
• What about the following week? Monday at 15.30?

Phrases to learn:

• Would XXX suit you? 
• Could you make it in the (morning/afternoon)?
• Could you make it on (Monday, Thursday etc). 
• Shall we say XXX then?
• Could you manage XXX?
• What about XXXX? 

Phrasal Verb: PUT OFF

What does this mean?! PUT OFF means to postpone or delay.


We can separate this phrasal verb.


Examples:
I keep putting off phoning my aunt. I really should!


If you use a pronoun, it can only go in the middle of the phrasal verb: put + it + off
I really must phone my aunt, but I keep putting it off.


In business: 
We've put off the meeting until next week. 
We've put the meeting off until next week.
We've put it off until next week.

Being less direct in sensitive situations

Sometimes it is more polite to be less direct. This is a useful tip especially during meetings.


It's easy! You can use the past simple instead of the present simple to raise an issue that may be a bit sensitive:


One thing I wanted to discuss was ......


Instead of


One thing I want to discuss is ....


Both expressions are correct, but the first one is less direct

Wise up!

Wise up is a phrasal verb and expression to literally say:  "act more wisely", to make or become aware, informed, or sophisticated.
(Wise means knowledgeable, clever.)  


We use it to say: "stop being an idiot" 
Typically said in a scolding manner.
1. "I could make a million pounds with my blog" 
"Yeah, right! Wise up." 


or "act more maturely"
2. "Stop acting like a child! It's a sophisticated party and they aren't impressed so wise up."



or "become more aware or informed"
3. "I need to wise up about the dangers of eating processed foods."

IDIOM: Hit the roof!

Meaning: this idiom means to become very angry very quickly. 


Examples:


She hit the roof when she saw her credit card bill!


My boss hit the roof when she saw the terrible sales figures.


Variation: You can also say 'hit the ceiling'


He hit the ceiling when his team lost!






ROOF

CEILING

How to: Making Introductions

Here are some phrases you can learn to make introductions. We've split them into three categories: 


formal
May I introduce you to ... (The President of the USA)


informal
Hello. I don't think we've met before. I'm ... 
I don't think you two know each other, do you?
Hi! You must be ... 

neutral

I'd like to introduce you to ... (Cameron Diaz)

Can I introduce myself? I'm / My name is ... (Silvio B)

Can I introduce ... (a friend of mine)? This is ... (Ben STiller)

I don't know if you remember me. We met ... (at the Oscars last year).

Excuse me, would you by any chance be ... (Princess Lea)?