At The English Center, we’ve seen how Business English empowers Amsterdam—not just in offices and boardrooms, but across the wider community. In collaboration with the Gemeente Amsterdam, our programs support expats, job seekers, and other residents in gaining the language skills they need to participate more fully in professional and social life. By offering high-quality training with a strong social purpose, we’re proud to contribute to initiatives that make a meaningful difference.
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Amsterdam is a global city, and most of the people we support through these community programs come from outside the Netherlands. While some are Dutch, the majority are expats, migrants, or refugees who face the additional challenge of adapting to a new language and culture. For these clients, English is not just a language—it’s a lifeline, a bridge to integration, employment, and independence.
The English Center’s community outreach supports expats, newcomers, survivors of trafficking, sex workers, and job seekers—mainly from outside the Netherlands—by providing English skills that help them integrate, find work, and build confidence in Amsterdam’s diverse community.
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Our collaboration with CTM (formerly ACM) focuses on survivors of human trafficking, most of whom have come to the Netherlands from other countries. These clients face unique and often daunting challenges: many arrive with no English skills and deep trauma, making it difficult even to leave their rooms, let alone participate in a class. As one of our trainers explains:
“My goal in these English classes is not only to teach them English but also to show them that they are able to get control of their lives again and learn a new skill. When they first joined the class, many of them did not know how to express themselves or even tell their mentors or police officers about their experiences.”
To address the wide range of backgrounds and abilities, The English Center adapts its approach—dividing classes into beginner and intermediate/advanced levels, and always focusing on creating a safe, fun, and supportive space. Regular attendance is encouraged, as it’s key to progress and confidence.
The impact goes far beyond language. One teacher recalls a student who, after weeks of gentle encouragement, began to open up, share her dreams, and eventually found a job, built a community, and now enjoys a fulfilling life. “Teaching English is not just learning a skill but it’s allowing the clients/survivors to get some independence and power back into their lives.”
For many, the weekly English class is a highlight—a chance to escape isolation, connect with others, and rediscover joy. As our trainers often note, “Being an English teacher is not just about teaching… you are a friend, a mentor, confidant and sometimes a bit of a therapist.”
Read more about Teaching Survivors of Human Trafficking here
The English Center also works with ACS, an organization dedicated to empowering sex workers—many of whom are foreigners or expats. Language skills are vital for clear communication with clients (who are often also from other countries), for safety, and for business success.
We recognize that sex work is a complex and sometimes controversial topic. It is legal and regulated in the Netherlands, but not in many other countries, and may not align with every reader’s personal values. Our role at The English Center is not to take a position on the legality or morality of sex work, but to provide language skills that help individuals operate safely, confidently, and professionally,
Our classes are designed to be open, dynamic, and free of judgment—covering not just standard English, but also the slang, negotiation skills, and business vocabulary that are essential in their work.
“Sex work is a business and these clients are just businessmen and businesswomen. Essentially, they are freelancers in control of their lives and their bodies.” – English Center Teacher
By equipping sex workers with the language tools they need, The English Center helps them operate more safely and with greater independence.
In partnership with the Gemeente Amsterdam and RMT, The English Center supports low-income job seekers—many of whom are expats or newcomers—aiming for roles in the English-speaking market. The process begins with a personal intake to understand each client’s goals, followed by tailored support in CV and cover letter writing, and English job interview practice. This program is highly effective, with a success rate of approximately 90%.
This hands-on, personalized approach helps clients not only find jobs but also build confidence and independence.
Learn more about our Job Interview Coaching
For The English Center, community work is not a side project—it’s at the heart of who we are. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to learn, grow, and participate fully in society. For our business clients, partnering with The English Center means joining a network that values social responsibility, quality, and real impact.
As one of our trainers says:
“Learning English is gaining power. By learning English, you’re able to find new jobs, express yourself, and perhaps even make new friends. The English Center is just one of the many ways to help survivors do that.”
Whether you’re a business leader seeking business English training for your team, an expat looking to advance your career, or a community organization aiming to support integration, The English Center’s Business English Gemeente Amsterdam programs deliver real results. Join us in building a more connected, confident, and professional Amsterdam—where Business English empowers everyone to succeed.
“Business English Empowers Amsterdam” by A Roberts & Brenda de Jong-Pauley MA, Director, The English Center, 2025
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Green business terms are increasingly valuable for professionals in every sector. Understanding and using these terms helps you communicate effectively about sustainability and stay competitive in today’s business world.
How well do you know the current language around sustainability in business? Test your knowledge with our little quiz, and see what you might be missing. And don’t forget to celebrate Earth Day every year on April 22.
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For professionals in the Netherlands and beyond, mastering green business terms is not just about language—it’s about staying competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape. By confidently using these terms, you can:
What does the term “Circular Economy” refer to?
a) A business strategy that focuses on circular management structures.
b) A financial system based on renewable energy investments.
c) An economic model focused on minimizing waste by reusing and recycling materials.
d) A marketing approach for eco-friendly products.
What is “Greenwashing”?
a) The practice of exaggerating or falsely claiming environmental benefits.
b) Using only green-colored packaging for products.
c) Cleaning industrial equipment with eco-friendly products.
d) A process for filtering water in manufacturing plants.
What does “Net Zero” mean in a business context?
a) When a company’s profits equal its losses.
b) Having zero waste in production processes.
c) Achieving a balance between greenhouse gases emitted and removed from the atmosphere.
d) When a company has no carbon tax obligations.
What does the term “Green Talent” refer to?
a) Employees who commute using public transportation.
b) Professionals with expertise in sustainability and environmental management. c) New graduates from environmental science programs.
d) Staff members who volunteer for community clean-up projects.
What does “Biodiversity-Positive” mean?
a) Strategies and practices that actively enhance biodiversity rather than just minimizing harm.
b) Having a positive attitude toward wildlife conservation.
c) Using only organic materials in manufacturing.
d) Testing positive for exposure to diverse biological elements.
What does the acronym “ESG” stand for?
a) Economic Sustainability Goals.
b) Environmental Social Growth.
c) Eco-System Guarantee.
d) Environmental, Social, and Governance.
What’s the difference between Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions?
a) They refer to different time periods for measuring emissions.
b) They categorize emissions based on where they occur in relation to the company.
c) They categorize emissions based on their environmental impact.
d) They refer to emissions from different industries.
Correct Answer: c) An economic model focused on minimizing waste by reusing and recycling materials.
Explanation: The circular economy is an economic model that aims to eliminate waste by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. Unlike the traditional linear economy (take, make, dispose), the circular economy creates a closed-loop system where resources are reused, repaired, refurbished, and recycled.
How it’s used in business: “Our company is transitioning to a circular economy model by redesigning our packaging to be fully recyclable.”
Why it matters: This approach helps businesses reduce their environmental impact while often reducing costs and creating new revenue opportunities.
Correct Answer: a) The practice of exaggerating or falsely claiming environmental benefits.
Explanation: Greenwashing occurs when a company spends more time and money claiming to be “green” through marketing and PR than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact.
How it’s used in business: “The company was accused of greenwashing after their ‘eco-friendly’ product line was found to contain harmful chemicals.”
Why it matters: Understanding greenwashing helps professionals evaluate claims critically and ensure their own company’s sustainability initiatives are genuine and credible.
Correct Answer: d) When a company has no carbon tax obligations.
Explanation: In this quiz, the correct answer is “When a company has no carbon tax obligations.” However, please note that the widely accepted definition of net zero is “achieving a balance between greenhouse gases emitted and removed from the atmosphere.”
How it’s used in business: “Our organization has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040 through a combination of reduction strategies and carbon offset investments.”
Why it matters: Net zero targets are increasingly expected by consumers, investors, and regulators as part of global efforts to combat climate change.
Correct Answer: b) Professionals with expertise in sustainability and environmental management.
Explanation: Green talent refers to professionals who have skills and expertise related to sustainability, environmental management, and green innovation. These individuals help organizations implement and manage sustainable practices.
How it’s used in business: “Our HR department is focusing on attracting green talent to help us achieve our sustainability goals.”
Why it matters: As sustainability becomes more important across all sectors, professionals with these skills are increasingly valuable to organizations of all types.
Correct Answer: a) Strategies and practices that actively enhance biodiversity rather than just minimizing harm.
Explanation: Biodiversity-positive approaches go beyond simply reducing negative impacts on ecosystems. They actively work to protect and enhance biodiversity through restoration, conservation, and sustainable management practices.
How it’s used in business: “Our new biodiversity-positive approach includes restoring natural habitats around our facilities and supporting conservation projects in regions where we source materials.”
Why it matters: Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem health and resilience, which directly impacts many industries including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and more.
Correct Answer: d) Environmental, Social, and Governance.
Explanation: ESG refers to the three key factors used to measure the sustainability and ethical impact of an investment in a company or business. These criteria help determine the future financial performance of companies.
How it’s used in business: “Investors are increasingly evaluating our company’s ESG performance before making investment decisions.”
Why it matters: ESG has become a critical framework for evaluating companies’ long-term viability and risk management. Strong ESG performance can attract investment, improve reputation, and enhance long-term business success.
Correct Answer: b) They categorize emissions based on where they occur in relation to the company.
Explanation:
6-7 correct: Excellent! You’re well-versed in green business terminology and ready to participate confidently in sustainability discussions.
4-5 correct: Good job! You have a solid foundation but could benefit from expanding your knowledge in certain areas.
1-3 correct: You’re on your way. Consider learning more about these terms to enhance your professional communication skills.
0 correct: Don’t worry. Everyone starts somewhere. These terms are becoming increasingly important in the business world, and now you have a foundation to build upon.
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You can improve your knowledge by reading business news, taking specialized courses, and practicing with quizzes like this one. Joining discussions and staying updated on sustainability trends will also help you use these terms confidently in your work.
You can use green business terms in meetings, presentations, reports, and emails to show your awareness of sustainability issues. Using the right terms demonstrates your expertise and helps you connect with clients and colleagues who value environmental responsibility.
You can celebrate Earth Day (April 22nd) by using green business terms in your professional communication. Incorporating language like “net zero” and “circular economy” in meetings and presentations shows your commitment to sustainability. Expanding your green business vocabulary helps you join global conversations about the environment and demonstrate leadership in responsible business practices.
Want to feel more confident using green business terms in your professional life? At The English Center, we specialize in helping advanced ESL professionals like you master the language of business. Our Business English courses are designed to give you the skills you need to succeed in today’s workplace.
The English Center offers Business English courses at centrally located venues in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, and The Hague—making it easy for you to access high-quality training wherever you work or live. All our locations are well-connected by public transport. Prefer to learn from home or the office? We also offer flexible online training, so you can improve your English skills from anywhere.
Contact us today to learn more about our courses and how we can help you achieve your goals.
“Green Business Terms: Test Your Knowledge!” by A Roberts & Brenda de Jong-Pauley MA, Director, The English Center, 2025, published on Earth Day 2025 as part of The English Center’s commitment to supporting professionals in the Netherlands with relevant, practical business English resources.
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Even fluent speakers mess up their Business English from time to time. Let’s explore 10 common Business English mistakes with explanations and examples. And we have a little test! Do any of these mistakes sound familiar to you? Spot the errors in our mock email and learn how to say these things correctly.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
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Common Business English mistakes include using incorrect prepositions (e.g., “depend of” instead of “depend on”), choosing the wrong tense (“She has gone to the meeting yesterday” instead of “She went to the meeting yesterday”), and confusing gerunds and infinitives (“He suggested to take a break” instead of “He suggested taking a break”). Other errors include redundancy (“return back”) and uncountable nouns (“equipments” instead of “equipment”). These subtle mistakes can impact the impression you make. And while they will not generally stop you from being understood, they may trigger clients and colleagues to think – consciously or unconsciously – Is this person really professional?Precise in how they do their work? Let’s start with a little quiz to find out which of these common mistakes you’re still making.
Below is a business email containing 10 common errors. Can you find them all?
From: Mark van der Berg
To: Sarah Thompson
Subject: Re: Project Update Meeting
Date: March 28, 2025
Dear Sarah,
I have sent you an email yesterday about the project timeline, but I am doubting if you received it. I look forward to meet you and discuss the progress next week. We are with five in the meeting, including the new team members.
He is working on a project since January, and I am used to work long hours with him on previous projects. I will explain you the details when we meet, but basically, we discussed about the new strategy and made good progress.
Please let me know if you need any further informations. Can you repeat again what time works best for you?
Best regards,
Mark
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Who vs. Whom? Learn how to use these correctly in their own dedicated blog post!
To correct your Business English mistakes, identify and understand your weak spots. Get help, practice regularly, and expand your vocabulary.
When writing, proof you work. Proofread. Edit! Then proof it again. We can’t emphasize that too much. Learn to spot your own errors. Then for more protection, use your built in tools, or Grammarly or AI to help identify any remaining errors. And always focus on clear, concise communication. Delete unnecessary information.
You might also consider taking a Business English Course. Not a high-school-type course, but rather a focused one-to-one learning experience with a native-speaker trainer solely dedicated to helping you fix your mistakes.
If you think you now have these common grammatical errors in Business English cleaned up, you may be interested in the bigger, more complex challenge of diplomacy and cultural differences in professional English. Check out our blog post Diplomatic English for Business for 10 logical, actionable tips to navigate this tricky topic!
“10 Common Business English Mistakes” by A Roberts & Brenda de Jong-Pauley MA, Director, The English Center, 2025
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Do you have to give a presentation soon? Wondering how to improve your presentation skills fast? In this blog post we provide insights and tips that you can use right away to help you improve your presentation skills quick, fast, and in a hurry. Let’s get started!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
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At The English Center, we see clients in person and online. Plus we can generally start clients quite quickly, so if you want a few hours (or more) training to prepare for your next presentation, click the button now to get started. Let’s talk!
Presenting is a skill you can always refine, and with the right strategies, you can make noticeable improvements fast. Whether you’re preparing for a big presentation next week or looking to really engage a small audience, this guide will show you how to improve your presentation skills fast. From structuring your slides to mastering body language and voice control, these actionable tips will help you deliver a presentation that leaves a lasting impression.
In this article, we’ll focus primarily on the delivery of your presentation. From the mental art of conciseness to what to do with your hands, a powerful delivery involves your whole body.
Your presentation draft is written, and your slides are organized. Now it’s time to edit—and be ruthless about it! Ever heard the saying, “Kill your darlings”? It refers to cutting out details you love but that don’t serve your message in a meaningful way. These extras can clutter your presentation and waste valuable time.
Use tools like Hemingway Editor to streamline your text, eliminate repetition, and cut out rambling. This free browser tool helps you simplify your language and focus on clarity. The goal is to be concise—clear and to the point. This not only benefits your audience but also makes it easier for you as the speaker, giving you less to memorize and worry about.
What makes a great speaker? Watch videos of effective speakers, from TED Talks to political speeches, and observe their techniques. Pay attention to:
Take notes and incorporate these observations into your own style. The goal isn’t to copy someone else but to refine your speaking persona. For example, if you admire a speaker’s use of pauses, practice adding intentional pauses to your delivery.
Now it’s time to rehearse. While practicing in front of a mirror can help you observe your body language, recording a video of yourself is even more effective. Watching the playback allows you to:
If you have a willing listener, practice in front of them. To take it up a notch, ask them to play the role of a difficult listener—arms crossed, blank expression, no nodding or smiling. This will help you prepare for disengaged or challenging audience members and teach you how to maintain composure.
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It’s presentation day, and the nerves have set in. That’s adrenaline, and it’s not a bad thing! Nervousness is just energy—channel it into enthusiasm and passion for your topic. Here are practical tips to calm your nerves and prepare for a confident performance.
Replace negative thoughts like “What if I mess up?” with affirmations like “I am prepared and capable” or “I’ve got this.” Positive self-talk can shift your mindset and reduce anxiety.
Arrive at the venue early to familiarize yourself with the space, test your equipment, and settle in. Knowing your environment reduces uncertainty and helps you feel more in control.
If possible, chat with a few audience members before your presentation. This can help you feel more connected and turn the audience into friendly faces rather than strangers.
Nervousness often leads to shallow breathing, which can make you feel more anxious. Practice deep breathing: inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for four counts. This calms your nerves and ensures your brain gets the oxygen it needs to think clearly.
If you have privacy, use it to stretch, move, and release tension. Shake out your hands, roll your shoulders, and loosen your jaw. Adopting power poses—like standing tall with your hands on your hips—can boost your confidence. Loosening up your body will also prepare you for effective body language as you step up to speak.
Pay attention to how you stand. Are you rocking on your feet or shifting your weight nervously? These habits can make you appear unsure. Instead, stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart, and own the space. If appropriate, move deliberately around the stage to engage your audience. For example, step closer to emphasize a key point.
To connect with your audience, you need to believe in your message. Nervousness can make you overly focused on reciting memorized words, but this can come across as robotic. Instead, focus on feeling your message. Why does it matter? Why should your audience care? When you speak with genuine conviction, your audience will respond.
Hand gestures can enhance your delivery when used intentionally. For example:
Avoid fidgeting or crossing your arms, as these can signal nervousness or defensiveness.
Eye contact is essential for building trust and connection. Instead of scanning the room aimlessly, focus on making eye contact with individuals in different sections of the audience. This creates a sense of personal engagement.
Avoid relying too much on your slides, as this breaks your connection with the audience. If you find yourself looking at your slides often, it may be a sign that they’re overloaded with text.
Your voice is a powerful tool for conveying emotion and emphasis. Here’s how to use it effectively:
Filler words like “um,” “uh,” and “like” can distract from your message. Here’s how to minimize them:
Improving your presentation skills doesn’t have to take months of practice. By focusing on key elements like body language, voice control, and preparation, you can make a noticeable impact in a short amount of time. These strategies show you exactly how to improve your presentation skills fast, helping you deliver a confident and engaging performance.
Have a look at our post, Business Presentation Skills for some more great advice!
Remember, presenting is a skill that grows with practice, so apply these tips, refine your delivery, and watch your confidence soar with every presentation!
“How to Improve Your Presentation Skills Fast” by A Roberts & Brenda de Jong-Pauley MA, Director, The English Center, 2025
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