Mindfulness Reflections

What can a Buddhist monk teach us about learning and using English in our everyday life? In  today's video , Brother Duc Tri, from the Plum Village tradition, generously answers questions such as: What is a Buddhist monk's profession? What role does English play in his life and in his day-to-day context? What is his experience of learning and improving his English skills? What advice does he give lay (not monastic) expert professionals like you looking to improve their English? And much more...! Many of us believe that we cannot reach our life goals until we're able to communicate more effectively in English. In fact, we might see and experience English as an obstacle, a source of pain and suffering. Reviewing our notions can help us understand that we might be limiting our own potential to grow and develop personally and professionally in the present moment as we enjoy our life more deeply, wherever we are and whatever we're doing. I am so happy and grateful to Brother...

Yesterday was such a wonderful day as I offered a free LIVE Masterclass on using English confidently and fluently for professional - and social - purposes (because our work also involves being able to make friends). If you didn't register for it, watch out for the next one - coming very soon! - as I share the replay with everyone who registers and I guarantee that you'll benefit from becoming more aware of what confidence and fluency in English are really made of. (*Hint: it isn't about working very hard, and it isn't about learning and remembering grammar and vocabulary, either). In the meantime, there are only 5 SPOTS left to speak with me 1:1 on zoom this weekend (and I've extended the period to Monday 22nd May). Ideal applicants are interested in learning about and nurturing their own health and well-being, how to reduce stress and anxiety, and are looking to go from independent (being able to understand the main points of clear texts in standard English if they...

Claudia is a psychologist and University Professor in Colombia who is also in charge of maintaining regular contact with a similar University in the US, to organise and arrange student exchange programs and contribute to the mutually beneficial collaboration between the two institutions. She has been studying English for years but has never felt comfortable with way English lessons are structured and delivered. For example, she'd understand the lessons, but found little connection between the topics viewed in class and her personal interests, and she struggled to find ways of applying the learnt grammar or vocabulary to her daily life or work. In this short clip , Claudia shares her experience of joining the Confident English Training program and community. Do you relate to Claudia at all? T here are only 5 SPOTS left to speak with me 1:1 on zoom this weekend (including Monday 22nd May).  Here is the   link  for you to choose a day and time t...

Today's story reflects a very common experience among many of my students and clients. Perhaps it's your story too? Mónica had been studying English for many years in various language schools before joining my program and community. Under the language school systems, her English seemed to improve and she was motivated to continue, but after a short time, she noticed that although she was advancing in levels, she wasn't really learning anything new. Although she had completed an Advanced level, she continued to feel stuck, and worse than that, expressing herself in English still created a great deal of anxiety and frustration, especially as she was looking for career advancement and applying for a new job, which involved English-speaking interviewing processes. Mónica and I have spent a lot of time together in my program, and she has worked hard to implement and incorporate its user-friendly guidelines into her day-to-day life. It takes determination, as well as the diligent...