What is Accent Reduction Training or Pronunciation Training? Let's start by answering the question, "What is an accent?" An accent is a distinctive, complex system of pronunciation, usually based on the speaker's native language and geographical, social, familial environment. We all speak with accents, and we all have attitudes about them. In the world of ESL (English as a Second Language) the term near-native English indicates the highest achievement, meaning that the L2 speaker sounds like a native speaker of an accepted standard accent.
This article outlines some things that you can do yourself. Do you really want to significantly improve your English accent and get professional advice on your pronunciation? Then take a look at our English Accent course, for those who want to seriously work on their accent.
In this article, we discuss accent reduction training: why it can be surprisingly hard and how to approach it. This article is intended for both teachers and learners of general and business English. We hope it will help you think more about this habit we call “our accent” and decide if your English accent is A-OK, or if it needs work.
Spoken language, when learned as a teen or an adult, is really a miracle of decoding symbols into meaningful sounds that match receiver expectations, and that's not easy.
Why? Most of us learn a second language with our eyes, not with our ears. Thank goodness, that's changing, but in many classrooms, learners still absorb language through books and documents rather than by listening. That means you are decoding letters. Words. Spelling. And while some languages provide consistent, predictable connections between letters and sounds, English sadly, does not.
English spelling is (often) dreadfully disconnected from English pronunciation. It's almost like a sadist devised this language for maximal challenge. Well, talk to the Brits about that. 😉 In any case, please accept the fact that English pronunciation is often disconnected from English spelling. More about that later!
Babies learn with their ears and therefore grow into expert native speakers. By the time reading has been added to their behavioral repertoire, the exact sounds and structures are perfectly encoded and not much disturbed by the unintuitive spellings associated with so many words.
While our adult brains are much slower and have to manage both sound and symbols, language learning, like eating your veggies, is good for you and your brain!
According to this article in Discover Magazine, "Learning anything changes your brain, of course, at least a little bit. But learning a language does it in high gear. John Grundy, a neuroscientist at Iowa State University who specializes in bilingualism and the brain, explains that learning a new language causes extensive neuroplasticity in the brain. In other words, when you learn a new language, your brain gets rearranged, new connections are made and new pathways are formed.
Grundy and his team have developed something called the bilingual anterior to posterior and subcortical shift model. That’s a mouthful, so they call it BAPSS, for short. The BAPSS model shows that in the early stages of learning a new language, most of the action takes place in the frontal lobes, in the anterior, or front, part of the brain. But as you get more fluent in your new language, the process shifts to parts of the brain that have to do with what Grundy calls “more automatic motor processing and automatic sensory information.” This is the point where you happily notice that you just read a phrase or answered a question in your new language without having to consciously translate. Read the entire Discover article here.
In accent reduction training, you learn new habits that become "automatic behaviors." An ESL learner who wants to speak well and be easily understood must form new habits that are stronger than the old habits in order to sound better in conversation, meetings, etc. when there is no time to plan. Speech is an automatic behaviour. The speaker’s brain must KNOW, without any thought-delay, the correct way to make the sound with tongue, teeth, lips and throat all doing exactly the right thing in the moment. Just like riding a bike or driving a car. You know what to do, automatically.
Accent training clients often present with missing sounds, sound substitutions, and confusion about spelling and its relationship to pronunciation. Other common problems include poor or incorrect intonation, missing liaisons, and over pronunciation of schwas and other squeezed-out syllables, just to name a few things. Let's consider a common problem sound. Meet the schwa.
The schwa is the most common English sound and yet it is often mispronounced. This sound is the sound you would make if you were punched in the stomach. It's a primitive sound, a bit like a grunt. It's also the sound English speakers make when they can't think of what they want to say next. It's a filler sound usually written as "ugh...."
To practice the schwa sound, try this target sentence, "Up the bluff, Bud runs with the cup of love" and speak the schwa vowel sound (ugh) consistently, across every word, regardless of the spelling. Can you do it? It helps to NOT look at the written words as you are speaking it.
To hear the schwa, watch The English Center's short Schwa Pronunciation video at You Tube.
Accent reduction training requires identifying these pronunciation errors (old, "fossilized" errors) isolating those errors, helping the client hear the errors, providing information about how to make the sounds more correctly, and providing lots of practice material and opportunities so that new habits can be formed. The client must commit to self-correction, too. Accents cannot be “fixed” in one hour per week.
With accent training, “the devil is in the details.” I have found that good English accent training really does take drilling down on the details. Many people do not hear their errors, and even if they do, they have no idea about how to correct them. So accent teachers must be very willing to work on isolated sounds with simple exercises. The point is that, in the very beginning, the teacher should never use tongue twisters or anything terribly challenging or confusing. Minimal pairs can be used to help isolate differences, but initially, the learner must drill the correct sounds without a lot of interference.
Accent reduction training is a process successive approximation, so keep it simple in the beginning, and repetitive, with lots of feedback. Just help the learner build new habits – new patterns – that can become unconscious. Yes, the goal is unconscious, automatic behavior.
The ESL pronunciation journey goes something like this:
Reference: Susan Cook, American Accent Training. (Unfortunately, this book may have gone out of print.)
It could be said that pronunciation training is very much like teaching someone to dance. It is all about a combination of physical actions that provide a particular, recognizable result. While the artistry is essential because language music / intonation delivers loads of meaning – the learner must achieve the nuts and bolts items as well. Teachers must be willing and able to “get in the weeds” on sound production and learners must be committed to lots of practice to achieve real change.
No. While the ESL world divides accents into two big categories, AE American English and BE British English, there are many more kinds of English accents, both national and regional.
In England, the 30+ dialect names/nicknames (which can overlap) include RP Received Pronunciation, BBC English, Posh, Estuary, Cockney, New Cockney, Geordie and Yorkshire, to name just a few.
In North America, you have standard AE, Canadian English, southern US English, New Jersey English, New York English (every borough has a sound) Boston English, Valley Girl English, Mid-Atlantic English, Texas English, to name just a few.
And of course there's Australian English, New Zealand English, Irish English, Scottish English, Welsh English, South African English... and the list goes on.
Check out this article for Nederlanders about the Amerikaans-Engelse Uitspraak
Second language learning, such as ESL, is really an amazing feat that can create new brain connections and pathways in adult brains. And in the case of ESL accent training, our newly trained brains can tell our sound producers, which are called articulators, exactly what to do. FYI for you language geeks – the articulators include the tongue, lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, hard palate, soft palate, uvula pharyngeal wall and the vocal cords.
For many speakers, the goal does not have to be near-native English, it may just be spoken English that is understood by most people most of the time. But if you are going for your personal best – the CEFR C2 advanced near native level of spoken English – then be careful of over perfection. Or perhaps I should say that perfection does not mean perfection, because native speakers do not speak perfectly. To achieve true near-native status you have to flow and learn when to omit, reduce, connect, contract and to sound informal.
Conclusion: Do you want to improve your English accent and speak English more confidently? Then start now with targeted exercises and discover how you can perfect your pronunciation with the right guidance.
Author: Brenda de Jong-Pauley. MA. Brenda is the director of The English Center. She studied education and psychology in the US and lives in Amstelveen with her Dutch-Australian husband.
First published: 13 September 2023, Updated: 23 August 2024
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In this business presentation skills article, you'll take a deep dive into English business presentations, looking at the soft skills and smart habits that contribute to successful, engaging presentations that will leave you feeling proud – and leave your audience feeling impressed.
Do you have an important business presentation coming up? Gotta do it in English? :-/. Check out the following courses and get ready to shine.
This business presentation skills blog is packed full of great advice. Before you start this article, please be an assertive reader and find the items below that are useful for YOU. Some of these tips are probably already in your presentation toolbox, but others may be new. So scroll through, take what you need and leave the rest.
Before your next presentation, please take an honest inventory of your spoken English. How is your pronunciation, articulation, intonation, voice quality, rate of speech, pausing/phrasing? Are you easy to understand? Does your voice sound pleasing to your audience or is it staccato, harsh, too high-pitched, flat (lacking intonation) or halting (lacking fluency)?
Accents and pronunciation are a big topic, but the bottom line is that when your English contains too many sound errors, such as sound substitutions or missing sounds, your English can be tiring to follow and hard to understand. Accents can be fine and add charm to your English, but it is best to find out what errors you're making and how significant they are. In other words – do they interfere with communication? If they do not, no worries. If they do, you need to fix those mistakes. It's that simple.
Articulation is a critical business presentation skill and can mean being understood – or not – by your audience. Ask any actor. But like many things, balance is critical. While mumbling (under articulation) is always a no-no, over articulation can make you sound stiff and condescending. In native English, many sounds are omitted or linked. Achieving a connected, native sound is a good goal.
Language music? In a business presentation....? Yes!
Be sure that you are correctly using intonation (the ups and downs, fast and slow, stretches and contractions of English words and sentences) to carry meaning. Without proper intonation your English presentation will lack meaning. Let me repeat that. Your spoken English will lack meaning in the ear of the listener because English relies on language music (intonation) to carry meaning. Without the proper use of intonation, your English presentation can sound confusing, bored, lifeless or just plain lazy.
For example, raising your tone at the end of a sentence usually signals a question, while a falling tone suggests a statement. If you say “You’re going to write the report” with flat intonation (no rise at the end), it sounds like a command! English speakers expect these tone shifts to understand what you're really trying to say. Without proper intonation, even a simple sentence can be unclear.
What is a good voice? What is good voice quality in a given language? That depends on the language. Be aware that the “normal” voice quality in your native language may be very different than that which the English ear finds pleasing. That does not make any other language-sound right or wrong, but it is a practical matter that you do not want to irritate, confuse or bore an English-speaking audience. Business is competitive, and your sound must capture your audience.
Looking for a relevant book from a top Ted.com speaker? Check out Julian Treasure’s, “How to be heard: Secrets for powerful speaking and listening.” Or maybe Chris Anderson's "Ted Talks." Both books are widely available.
The most popular English voice is a throat or chest voice with a relatively low pitch. It is sometimes called “the daddy voice,” regardless of gender. This voice signals seem to trigger confidence and will automatically put your audience at ease. If you already have a mid to low voice, you are in luck! If not, there are ways to try to lower your voice pitch. Read "How to make your voice deeper."
If you think maybe you "speak through your nose," try this little test. Say ah in your normal way. Then use your fingers to pinch your nostrils together so that no air can come out. Then repeat the ah sound. If the sound does not stop or change quality, you do not have a nasal voice. A nasal voice is not generally preferred in English, although American actress Fran Drescher made it her trademark in the popular TV show, "The Nanny."
A nasal or unusual voice can be an asset for business presentations, voiceover work, etc. – if it makes you memorable, so if you have an unusual voice and you can't or don't want to change it, embrace it. Make it your trademark!
How fast should I speak when giving a business presentation? Pace, like pitch, tends to go up when we are under pressure. Control your pace in order to give your audience time to process what you are saying. Do not try to impress by speaking quickly. You will only leave your listeners behind; without enough time to derive meaning from your words. And do not go fast because you imagine that people will not notice your errors if you go fast enough. Or they will think you speak English well because you speak it fast. That doesn’t work.
The best presenters take a moderate pace and use phrasing (pauses) to delineate meaningful units of speech. Listen to Obama. He does a great job of phrasing: delivering bite size units of meaning that build on one another, leading the listener gently and confidently on precisely the path he has chosen. No listener is left behind with his expert phrasing!
See this collection of Obama speech snippets from NBC News.
Most experts say about 150 WPM is a good rate for a business presentation. Read your script with your timer on to calculate your pace and do your best not to speed up when you’re on stage.
Control your speed and you will not only give people enough time to process what you are saying; you will signal confidence. It's like you’re letting the listeners know, “Hey, this is my time. I have something of value to say and I’m not going to rush through it.”
Your register is simply the level of formality you will use. Getting this right is important, but for those of you presenting to your own company, maybe even to your own team, this will be super easy. You know your company culture perfectly. But when you are out of the office or go abroad, keep it in mind. Company culture is trending hard toward less formal, but it can differ from business to business and certainly from country to country. Being too informal can be insulting and being too formal can make you appear pompous and socially distant / lacking empathy. As an extra note, when you do leave the country, please be sure that you are well versed on social norms so that you do not, as we say, “put your foot in your mouth.”
After you have prepared your instrument (your voice), you can proceed. Next…
Define the purpose of the presentation for yourself. Why are you giving this presentation? Identify the main goal of your presentation; know your motivation. This is internal information and may or may not be shared with the audience, but just like an actor has to know the motivation of the character, you have to know why you are going to take the stage and present! Whether it's simply to deliver a standard weekly presentation for your team or it's a C-suite, high stakes, make-or-break performance, know your “why.”
Ask yourself: What are the intended takeaways for this business presentation? Takeaways are the most important thoughts and facts that the audience will not forget. These are usually bitesize, memorable and repeatable soundbites. If the audience leaves your presentation with no repeatable takeaways, you did not succeed.
And please consider how your audience should feel when they leave? You might call this an emotional takeaway. Should they feel…?
Now begin gathering your information in your platform of choice. Collect the relevant data, facts, and supporting materials. Start building the business presentation in your presentation platform – whatever program you like. Of course your company probably already has a template in a particular platform.
Organize your presentation into a logical structure with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Each part should flow smoothly into the next. Be sure that the beginning and end are strong and clear.
Edit the outline for a narrative or story arc. If you can create some excitement, tension, or anticipation, that helps bring your business presentation to life. Add some surprise or humour if appropriate. See Nancy Duarte's "The Secret Structure of Great Talks" for help with this.
A hook is a great way to capture your audiences attention at the beginning and get them really engaged. It can be something as simple as an interesting fact about your topic, a question about your topic that you will answer by the end of the presentation or a funny saying that relates to your topic. What is most important is that you don't start with the same introduction as most other presenters....."Hi, my name is Jane Smith and today I am going to talk about The History of Concrete Production in The Netherlands". Zzzzzz.....
Source or design engaging visuals: Create simple, clear, engaging graphic slides that complement your message. Keep the screens clear and uncluttered. Obviously, use appropriate branding.
Resist the temptation to have lots of text on your screen because humans are really not good multitaskers (trust me on this), and they will stop listening and start reading when they are presented with loads of small print. The text in your presentation should only be points that you elaborate on during your talk.....NOT every word that you say. That's why the program is called PowerPOINT.
If a line or two of text is so compelling that you must put it on the screen–then put it on the screen all by itself. Those big words will be quickly read and will signal that THESE. WORDS. ARE. IMPORTANT.
When the business presentation outline and slides are in good draft form, you are ready to…
Yes, write a script. Giving a good presentation is a bit of theatre, so just like a good actor, write and learn your script.
Practice, Practice, Practice.
Rehearse your business presentation script many times. Practice speaking confidently and at a comfortable pace. Familiarize yourself with your content and visual aids. The best ways to practice are standing, with a mirror, a friend/partner, with your phone’s native audio recorder or with your phone’s video function.
Listen to feedback and listen to your recordings / watch your videos. There’s always room for improvement. Keep rehearsing until you feel good about what you hear. It does not have to be perfect or to sound native, but it should be (given time restraints) your personal best. When you know your "lines," add those lines to the note section of your screen (visible only to you) or go "old school" and use index cards with key words and phrases to keep you on track with your more-or-less memorized script.
Once you know the script rather well (perfection is not required) you can work on other aspects of your presentation stage craft, such as…
Body language is, according to some experts, more important than your words. Whether that is really true or not is unimportant, but please be assured that body language does matter a lot. Use these tips for better body language in presentations:
>> Pro Tip #1: More about body language and stage fright: Some research shows that “making yourself big” before going on stage or entering the conference room may help you feel more confident. Check out Amy Cuddy’s TED presentation, “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are.” It's been viewed 69,198,787 times!
>> Pro Tip #2: Use your phone’s video recorder to see you how you really look on stage and edit your body language accordingly.
>> Pro Tip #3: Watch this great video from American university's Stanford Graduate School of Business, "Make Body Language your Superpower."
A short list of hand gestures that help your audience "take onboard" what you are saying. Coming from your neutral, hands-at-your-sides position, use the:
Did you know that the maximum length for a Ted Talk is 18 minutes? Of course, your business presentation may be shorter, but be aware that a longer presentation means you have to work harder to keep the audience engaged.
When rehearsing, trim or extend your presentation to fit the allotted time or your content. And if there is no required length, plan to keep your presentation "short and sweet." Keep it to the point. Be concise and yes, leave them "begging for more." OK, enough idioms.
>> Pro Tip Time: Use your phone’s native timer to keep you on schedule. Plan for questions and discussions, if applicable. (More about handling questions later.)
Incorporate interactive elements, story/stories, show-stopping stats and can't-look-away visuals to capture your audience's attention. We live in a very visually and auditorily stimulating, TikTok kinda world, so do not deliver a lecture or simply instruct. Thou shall not bore thy audience. Use your content, voice, body language and slides to keep them focused on you and the info you are sharing.
In some cases, you will want to encourage questions and participation during the presentation. In other cases, you will ask the audience to hold questions till the end, but in any case, you must prepare for potential questions. Be ready for expected questions with well-researched answers. But what happens if you do not understand the question? This is a real and understandable fear for presenters.
First of all, always have a helper in the audience. This person (a strong English speaker) will help you handle difficult questions. Next, accept the fact that you will not understand every question and that this doesn’t always mean your English listening skills aren’t good enough. It may simply mean that the questioner has a strong accent or used confusing word order, bad grammar, etc. So don’t worry about it. Just politely ask them to repeat the question. When you think you understand, restate the question and then answer it. If you still do not understand the question, ask your helper to restate the question. Failing that, tell the questioner to chat with you after the presentation. You have to keep things moving.
In a bigger hall, you might have several helpers, working the crowd with a microphone and repeating questions in an easy-for-you-to-understand manner.
Also appropriate for a big crowd is to have the helpers collect the question and then speak them to you. In that scenario you do not get questions directly from the audience and only have to listen to one person (your helper), who’s accent and manner of speaking you know and easily understand.
Of course, you should also practice likely questions with best answers. Remember, the best answer is concise and to the point. Don’t go on and on. Most people have pretty short attention spans and you have to allow time for several questions. Do not get stuck.
Test all necessary equipment and technology (e.g., projector, microphone, laptop) well before your presentation. Have backup plans in case of technical issues. Tech issues are common and when “all eyes are on you” it’s not pleasant to have to solve those problems in real time. And definitely have a designated tech assistant who can assist as needed and certainly jump in if you have a technical glitch.
Finally, remember the famous quote, “It’s not what you say, it's how you say it.” Confidence, enthusiasm, clear speech with good pacing/phrasing plus a pleasant voice will combine with a well-structured message for a successful presentation.
Business Presentation Skills: Author, Brenda de Jong-Pauley MA, Director, The English Center. This post was updated in 2024.
How to speak so that people want to listen (Julian Treasure)
TEDxEast - Nancy Duarte The Secret Structure of Great Talks
TED Studio - Chris Anderson TED's secret to great public speaking
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Zakelijke Engelse Werkwoorden: Een uitgebreide lijst met essentiële werkwoorden, duidelijke definities en praktische voorbeeldzinnen voor vergaderingen, presentaties en gesprekken met klanten en collega’s.
Deze lijst is perfect voor iedereen op CEFR-niveau B2+ (Intermediate / Advanced). Gebruik deze zakelijke werkwoordenlijst als lesmateriaal of als test. Hoe goed ken jij deze zakelijke werkwoorden? Gebruik jij ze vol vertrouwen op kantoor? Test jezelf en boost je zakelijk Engels!
Wil je jouw Zakelijk Engels skills naar een hoger niveau tillen? Bekijk onze Zakelijk Engelse cursussen en ontdek welke cursus aansluit bij jouw doelen.
Ben je op zoek naar een manier om snel beter te worden in zakelijk Engels? Ga dan voor onze spoedcursus zakelijk Engels: een intensief traject dat jouw zakelijk Engels binnen no-time naar topniveau brengt. Al onze zakelijk Engels cursussen worden gegeven in privé setting door een Business English specialist.
Hieronder vind je een handige lijst van meer dan 100 populaire zakelijke Engelse werkwoorden, ideaal voor het uitleggen en beschrijven tijdens vergaderingen, presentaties en discussies. Sommige van deze woorden kunnen ook als zelfstandig naamwoord gebruikt worden, maar deze lijst richt zich uitsluitend op actiegerichte woorden (werkwoorden).
In de internationale zakenwereld is een sterke zakelijke Engelse woordenschat onmisbaar, en werkwoorden spelen daarbij de hoofdrol. Ze zijn de motor van je communicatie: actie, dynamiek en precisie in één. Of je nu een presentatie geeft, onderhandelt met klanten, of samenwerkt met collega’s, de juiste werkwoorden helpen je om je boodschap precies goed over te brengen.
Werkwoorden zorgen ervoor dat jouw ideeën helder en overtuigend overkomen. Ze geven gesprekken kracht, instructies duidelijkheid en presentaties impact. Met een breed scala aan zakelijke Engelse werkwoorden kun je niet alleen beter communiceren, maar bouw je ook sterkere relaties op. Je laat zien dat je een pro bent, wat je positie als waardevol teamlid of leider versterkt.
Daarnaast geeft een rijke werkwoordenschat je een voorsprong op de internationale markt, waar Engels vaak de voertaal is. Het gebruik van de juiste werkwoorden straalt zelfvertrouwen, professionaliteit en geloofwaardigheid uit—factoren die cruciaal zijn voor je carrière. Dus of je nu indruk wilt maken tijdens een pitch, een ingewikkeld idee wilt uitleggen of jezelf wilt onderscheiden in een internationale meeting, het beheersen van zakelijke Engelse werkwoorden is de sleutel tot succes.
Kortom, met de juiste zakelijke Engelse werkwoorden communiceer je sterker, werk je efficiënter en open je de deur naar nieuwe zakelijke kansen. Investeer in je taalvaardigheid en til je professionele succes naar een hoger niveau!
Op zoek naar een bedrijfscursus Engels die naadloos aansluit op de wensen van jouw team? Bekijk onze op maat gemaakte cursus In company training Engels.
50 Business English vocabulaire woorden die je al kent: Lees en luister
5 Pro Tips: Zakelijk Engels Woordenschat vergroten.
Bijles Engels voor tieners: Op maat privé begeleiding Engels voor scholieren. Locaties in Amsterdam, Den Haag, cursus Engels Amstelveen en online.
Voel je je zenuwachtig (bang), onvoorbereid of overweldigd door de Engelse grammatica, schrijven, spreken, luisteren en/of lezen die je moet leren? Ja? Dan is deze blog post voor jou!
English Center docenten zijn allemaal professionele native-speaker docenten van ons in Amsterdam-based team. De aanpak is op maat, vriendelijk, ondersteunend and gefocust maar ook organisch voor een totalle verbetering, groter Engels inzicht, fluency en gemak.
Nee! Dit is één op één privé bijles Engels met een docent die Engels als moedertaal heeft en die zich richt op JOU, je verwarring, frustraties, zorgen, doelen, opdrachten en toetsen. English Center docenten zijn in kwaliteits Engelse taaltraining gespecialiseerd.
Ja. maar niet alleen hulp met je huiswerk, maar ook ondersteuning voor Engels succes voor examen en in de toekomst.
De lessen vindt je plaats bij jouw thuis of op onze locaties in Amsterdam, Den Haag en Amstelveen. Ook makkelijk online!
The English Center werkt met scholieren op alle niveaus - Brugklas, 2/3/4 MAVO/HAVO/VWO t/m 5HAVO and 5/6VWO.
Wij bieden wekelijkse sessies van 1 uur (of meer) met een vriendelijke, native-speaker docent die je helpt om u voor te bereiden op jouw Engelse examens.
We werken met je tekstboek dat je op school gebruikt om je te helpen de grammatica te begrijpen en met extra activiteiten om je te helpen de vaak vreemde grammaticaregels te begrijpen. Het kan zijn dat je in de klas veel grammatica oefeningen moet maken en voor veel studenten is dit niet zo leuk en een hele uitdaging en ook saai. Wij maken het leren van grammatica relevant voor hoe je in het Engels communiceert en geven veel voorbeelden waarom je iets op die manier zegt. Grammatica moet je niet 'uit je hoofd' leren, maar op een natuurlijke manier leren en gebruiken in een normaal gesprek of bij het schrijven.
Ja, scholieren krijgen veel schrijfoefeningen - zowel leuk also serieuze betogen ter voorbereiding op schriftelijke examen. Je leert hoe je de structuur van de essay moet schrijven en hoe je verschillende woorden kunnen kiezen en gebruiken. (synoniemen)
Onze docenten Engels helpen scholieren graag om zich voor te bereiden op mondelinge examens waarin je moet praten over romans, gedichten en korte verhalen. We helpen je om te leren hoe je de thema's, personages en relaties van deze boeken op een leuke en boeiende manier kunt bespreken, zodat je deze boeken goed genoeg begrijpt om er zelfverzekerd over te praten en er ook echt plezier aan beleeft! We kunnen je ook helpen boeken te kiezen die je interesseren vindt en die leuk zijn om te lezen.
Het leesvaardigheids examen aan het einde van het jaar is de laatste test van je Engelse vaardigheden. Het is een goed idee om je hier na de kerstvakantie op voor te bereiden. Op examenblad.nl staan veel oefentoetsen. We beginnen samen met de korte teksten en geven tips en technieken voor het lezen van de vragen en de teksten. Het goede nieuws is je hoeft niet altijd de gehele tekst te lezen!!! Je moet gewoon weten waar je op moet letten in de tekst. Er zijn natuurlijk nog andere methodes die we je leren terwijl we ons door de oefenexamens heen werken. Wanneer het zover is, dan ben je er klaar voor de eindexamen!
We zullen ook voorstellen om Netflix series te kijken als huiswerk! Ja, je hebt het goed gehoord! Dit is een geweldige manier om je luistervaardigheid te activeren en woordenschat te onthouden. Maar je moet ze wel bekijken met Engelse ondertiteling.
We hanteren een leuke, holistische benadering van je lessen Engels en zorgen ervoor dat je voorbereid bent op je toetsen en examens, maar vooral dat je elke les in het Engels spreekt, leest en schrijft met feedback van een moedertaalspreker. Zo zal je productieve gebruik van het Engels je een voordeel geven tijdens de examens.
Als je in 2024 eindexamen doet, is het nu tijd om je voor te bereiden op alle Engels vaardigheden; spreken (mondeling), schrijven, luisteren en lezen. In je bijles Engels, begin je nu met het opbouwen van een grote, mooie woordenschat, uitstekend begrijpend lezen en slimme, hypermoderne skills voor het maken van toetsen. Wacht niet tot het laatste moment. Je eindexamen Engels zal erg moeilijk worden, maar wij zullen je helpen met alles wat je nodig hebt om te slagen.
Tot slot, onthoud dat Engels een hulpmiddel is, een vaardigheid die je je hele leven zult gebruiken voor hoger onderwijs, werk, reizen en plezier. Engels opent vele deuren en maakt van jou een wereldburger. Bent jij er klaar voor? Laten we dit samen doen!
Lees hier over wekelijkse training Engels.
Of bel +31 20 823 0569.
Onze native-speaker docenten Engels helpen sinds 2009 studenten met Engels en Engels examen.
Learn about CEDEO certification here.
Download our CEDEO client satisfaction report pdf hier.
Een nuttige blog over Engels teststrategieën.
Heb je altijd al willen klinken als een echte Amerikaan, zoals in de films? Wij geven al zo’n 16 jaar accent training, en in deze blog delen we onze 14 meest waardevolle tips voor wie zijn of haar Amerikaans Engelse uitspraak wil verbeteren.
Wil je je Amerikaans-Engelse uitspraak perfectioneren? Bekijk dan eens onze Cursus Uitspraak Engels. Je krijgt les van een Amerikaanse docent die jou 1-op-1 training geeft en voorziet van feedback. Je kunt de cursus volgen op locatie in Amsterdam, Amstelveen of Den Haag, of online.
Not Dutch? No problem! Deze tips zijn waardevol voor iedereen die Amerikaans Engels wil leren. We richten ons in deze blof vooral op Nederlanders, maar de adviezen zijn toepasbaar voor iedereen met een B1-C2 Engels niveau die zijn of haar Amerikaanse accent wil verbeteren. Met onze tips klinkt jouw Amerikaans Engels voortaan een stuk vloeiender en natuurlijker. Ready? Let’s go!
Why choose The English Center for your training?
We are CEDEO-erkend and get excellent Trustpilot reviews for our Business English courses in Amsterdam.
Lees verder over onze Engelse uitspraak cursus
Amerikaans Engels leren: de intonatie is de muziek
Intonatie is alles in Amerikaans Engels. Dus: zeg het met overtuiging! Als je spreekt, wees dan bewust van de boodschap die je wilt overbrengen en leg nádruk op de woorden in je zinnen – ook wel ‘language music’ genoemd – om je verhaal kracht bij te zetten. Amerikanen staan bekend om hun luidruchtigheid, zelfvertrouwen en enthousiasme. Krachtige intonatie is daarom essentieel voor een goede Amerikaans-Engelse uitspraak.
Maar eerst: hoe klínkt dat nou, zo’n Amerikaans accent?
Volgens Ann Cook, auteur van American Accent Training, klinkt het Amerikaans Engels:
“…brutaal, luidruchtig, direct vriendelijk, informeel en een beetje speels.”
Engelse intonatie en taalritme
Gebruik een dalende intonatie voor uitspraken. Dit betekent dat je toon langzaam naar beneden gaat totdat het laatste woord of de laatste woordgroep weer omhoog komt.
- “I love going to the MOVIES.”
- “I hate coming home to a DIRTY KITCHEN.”
- “My boss is a REAL PAIN IN THE ASS.”
- “The tech department is DRIVING ME CRAZY!”
Of kies ervoor om het werkwoord en het bijbehorende zelfstandig naamwoord extra nadruk te geven:
- “My colleague KILLED IT in her PRESENTATION.”
- “I LOVE going to the MOVIES.”
- “I HATE coming home to a DIRTY KITCHEN.”
Amerikaans Engels leren: de ‘hum’ van de Amerikaanse uitspraak
Amerikaans Engels heeft een vloeiende, verbonden klank. Spreek niet elk woord afzonderlijk, maar verbind ze soepel met elkaar, alsof je een Amerikaanse jazzmuzikant bent – vloeiend en met ritme.
Amerikaans Engels klinkt niet staccato! Oefen om een vloeiende ‘hum’ te krijgen met de volgende oefeningen: zing klanken zoals “mamama, nanana, sasasasa, bababa, lalalala” in een vloeiende monotone toon.
Of oefen de ‘ommmm’ chant – welbekend bij yoga beoefenaars. Word je meteen een beetje Zen!
H3: Maak gebruik van woordgroepen of “sound units.”
Barack Obama is één van de sterkste sprekers van onze tijd. Luister eens naar hoe hij zijn zinnen opbouwt en waar hij pauzes inlast, en probeer zijn stijl na te bootsen. Onthoud: zonder pauzes, geen duidelijke zinnen. Gebruik pauzes om je boodschap kracht bij te zetten.
Houd je stem laag, achter in je keel en in je borst.
Zoek je diepe, rijke ‘daddy voice’.
Rol of tril je R niet. De Amerikaanse R vereist een relatief stilstaande tong zonder contact met het gehemelte. Laat bij het uitspreken van de R in het midden of aan het einde van een woord de klank goed doorklinken. Girl wordt gurrrrl. Pearl wordt pearrrrl.
Wil je meer weten over de Amerikaanse R-klank? Lees onze post over rhoticity bij The English Center. Lees The English Center post about rhoticity.
Video: The English Center, “Secrets of English Pronunciation: Rhoticity”
Geïnteresseerd in de geschiedenis van de rhotic R? Bekijk de video met Ben Crystal
Hoe klonk het Engels in Shakespeare’s tijd? What Shakespeare’s English Sounded Like
Videos: Wil je meer Amerikaans klinken? Bekijk Rachel’s English met meer dan 300 video’s over Amerikaans Engels.
Wil je juist een niet-rhotic R? Bekijk The Pronunciation Studio. “The Silent R”
Vervang de T in het midden van woorden door een D: Butter wordt budder. Better wordt bedder.
Spreek de O in woorden zoals love, cover, ton en honey uit als een schwa (zoals in "Up the bluff, Bud runs with the cup of love"). Denk aan: luv, cuver, tun, honey.
Bij het uitspreken van klinkers in woorden zoals ferry en fair, maak je dezelfde klank. Hetzelfde geldt voor pin en pen, hen en his, en ben en bit.
Voor de A in woorden zoals can’t en man, houd je je mond en kaak strak en klein. De klank blijft vlak, achter in je keel en kort. Het helpt om de klank wat nasaal te maken.
“I’m going to” wordt I’m gonna of I’m goin’. “I’m gonna DO it! I’m goin’ OUT t’night!”
“Is” wordt uz.
Reduceer “to” tot t’: reduceer today, tomorrow en tonight tot t’day, t’morrow, t’night: “I’m goin’ t’ the store t’morrow, t’day, t’night.”
Zeg coulda, shoulda, woulda: “I coulda helped him, I shoulda helped him. But I didn’.”
Laat de t-klank weg na didn’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t: “You shouldn’ do that. No, I definitely wouldn’ do that if I were you.”
Zeg “fer” in plaats van “for” – “Let’s buy some gifts fer the kids.”
“I want to" becomes – I wanna
“a lot of” becomes – alotta
“for sure” becomes – fersure
“It will” becomes – it’ll
“Like it or not” becomes – likuternot
“The last time I was” becomes – the last time iwuz
“You don't have to”becomes – youdonhafto or youdonhafta
“I don’t know” becomes – I dunno
”There will be” becomes – therullbe
Leer populaire Amerikaanse uitdrukkingen gratis via onze blogserie. Deze Amerikaanse idiomen zijn handig voor zakelijke gesprekken, maar ook voor informele gesprekken, bijvoorbeeld “op kantoor.” Veel van deze uitdrukkingen zijn trouwens ook in Brits Engels bruikbaar.
Bekijk hoofdstuk een van onze Business English Idiom serie
Bekijk hoofdstuk twee van onze Business English Idiom serie
Bekijk hoofdstuk drie van onze Business English Idiom serie
Bekijk hoofdstuk vier van onze Business English Idiom serie
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Aanbevolen boek: American Accent Training door Ann Cook, Barron’s, 4e editie (verkrijgbaar op Amazon).
Meer weten? Lees verder over onze cursus Engelse uitspraak.
Wil je een gratis consult met een native-speaker docent om je Amerikaans Engels te verbeteren, je accent te verminderen, of om te werken aan de uitspraak van de R-klank? Onze lessen zijn zowel online als op locatie mogelijk, met Amerikaanse en Britse docenten. Bel ons op +31 20 823 0569 of gebruik ons contactformulier.
We staan je graag te woord.
Auteur: Brenda de Jong-Pauley, Director, The English Center. Updated 25 July, 2025.
Vertaling: L. de Ruijter
Duizenden tevreden leerlingen gingen je sinds 2009 voor
Wat onze studenten van ons vinden: Bezoek TrustPilot voor geverifieerde beoordelingen.
Go to our Summer English Course 2025: Amsterdam, Den Haag and Amstelveen
Summer is the perfect time to immerse yourself in a transformative language learning experience. With our Summer Course English, you will discover a unique opportunity to follow an intensive English immersion course while enjoying summer. Our summer course offers include Private English Speed Courses in Business English, Teen English, General English and Test Preparation.
Summer is the perfect time to dive into English. A Summer English Course offers a unique chance to learn English intensively while exploring the vibrant streets, beautiful museums, and rich history of Amsterdam or The Hague. Our classes are held in the most beautiful historic spots of these cities. Plus we see clients in Amstelveen and online. Find the best location for you with these links for Intensive Summer English Courses in–
Amsterdam: Museum Quarter or by Central Station
Close to Den Haag Central Station
In Amstelveen (with free easy parking!)
The summer course uses the same proven methods as our Intensive Business English Course and General Intensive English Course. These private courses are customized, ranging from 10 to 30 hours per week, and can be taken anywhere. Check out the course pages for more information.
At The English Center, you can follow Private, Customized Intensive English Courses ranging from 10 to 30 hours per week over a period of one, two, three weeks or more with a choice of locations.
With our flexible approach, you can choose a course that fits your schedule and budget. Plus, you’ll have time to explore Amsterdam or The Hague, where almost everyone speaks English, giving you plenty of opportunities to practice while enjoying the summer. Best of all, you can start quickly!
A note about the locations: Our popular course locations in Amsterdam include Van Eeghenlaan 27, in the Museum Quarter and right by the Vondelpark, and Binnenkant 24, just minutes from Amsterdam Central Station.Plus we also see clients in Amstelveen (Chirurgijn 51), Den Haag (Raamweg 4) and Live Online.
Please note all meetings are by appointment only! You can contact us here.
Find more information about our locations in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Amstelveen.
In today’s globalized business world, English is the undisputed language leader. From Amsterdam to Paris to Munich, business people must speak English in order to communicate with colleagues and partners from around the world.
In many international companies, English is the official company language, so employees must use English all day– English for meetings, English for sales, written English emails and reports, English presentations and speeches, English customer service… the list is endless. And even if your company has not yet chosen English as the company language, workers are still expected to perform well in English.
Expectations re: your performance of business English tasks will start in the job interview process and continue through every activity, spoken and written. Colleagues, bosses and clients will notice your:
..and while perfection is not required, your English proficiency can be a great asset in your professional profile. CEFR level B1 across speaking and writing skills is generally the minimum, while higher level jobs will require higher level skills. Many workers need to perform at advanced levels of English proficiency (C1-C2).
These Private Customized Business English Courses focus on practical scenarios, such as presentations, negotiations, and business correspondence. Taught by experienced native-speaker trainers, these English lessons are tailored to meet your level, career needs and interests, ensuring rapid progress and increased confidence in your professional English abilities.
Note! Are you a resident of Amsterdam who needs to make a career change and is getting support from the UVW? The English Center works with the Gemeente Amsterdam program known as Switch. With Switch, your private course in Business English Job Interview training might be paid for. Read more about Switch here.
Does your teen need academic lessons to boost their English level in preparation for the next school year? Let us support them with focused, positive attention on exactly the academic skills they need. These teen English lessons are private 1:1 courses, always taught by a native-speaker teacher. English lessons help teens achieve both short- and long-term academic goals.
Don’t let English become a source of anxiety for your teen. Personalized teen English tutoring with a talented native-speaker teacher helps kids with:
If you would like to improve your overall English proficiency, The English Center’s Private General English Intensive Courses are a good choice. Designed for learners of all levels these courses offer a comprehensive approach to language acquisition. Through engaging activities and interactive discussions, you’ll develop your grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The one-on-one setting enables personalized attention and fast progress, making these courses ideal for those seeking a focused and results-oriented learning experience.
You can choose an intensive English course ranging from 10 to 30 hours per week over a period of one, two, three weeks – or more. With this model, you can choose a course that fits your schedule as well as your budget AND allows time to explore Amsterdam, where almost everyone speaks English. And best of all, you can start quickly!
For C1 and C2 learners who already possess a solid foundation in English and wish to take their language skills to the next level, The English Center offers Private Advanced English Intensive Courses. These courses dive deeper into complex grammatical structures, idiomatic expressions, and advanced vocabulary. By engaging in thought-provoking discussions and stimulating activities, you’ll refine your language abilities and gain the fluency needed to confidently navigate academic or professional environments.
Many of our clients are already at a C1 or C2 level, but they understand that language learning is a lifetime journey and one can never speak a language too well! Advanced learners often wish to focus on just one or a few aspects of English, such as English pronunciation or English presentations skills. With an advanced private English course, you can go deep with everything from the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and The Economist, to poetry and great literature.
If you have an upcoming English language proficiency exam, The English Center’s Private Test Preparation Courses will equip you with the necessary tools for success. Whether you’re preparing for the IELTS, TOEFL, or a Cambridge Exam, an experienced native-speaker English tutor will guide you through the exam format, diagnose weaknesses, work with you in targeted practice, and offer invaluable test-taking strategies. Through intensive test preparation and personalized guidance, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge needed to achieve your desired score.
As with all our intensive English courses, you can choose an intensive English Test Preparation course ranging from 10 to 30 hours per week over a period of one, two, three weeks – or more. And best of all, you can start quickly!
Would you like to start with a free test? Try the English Center Level Test
Or The English Center’s Business English Test of Idiom, also free and without obligation.
Read more about test preparation here.
Embarking on a summer English course with The English Center in Amsterdam is an exciting opportunity to combine language learning with exploring our enchanting city. From private business English intensive courses to test preparation courses, our range of programs caters to learners of all levels and goals. With our client-centric approach, you’ll benefit from personalized attention, experienced native-speaker instructors in a friendly, supportive learning environment.
Are you ready to take your English skills to the next level this summer? Our tailored courses are designed to meet your specific needs and help you achieve your goals. Whether it's for business, academics, or personal growth, we have the perfect course for you. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your English and enjoy the vibrant cities of Amsterdam and The Hague.
Take the leap this summer! Invest in YOU and your language skills. Visit our website to learn more and start your summertime English language learning journey today. Or call +31 (0)20 823 0569. We are happy to speak with you!
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Find your Business English Voice with a 1, 2 or 3 week Spoken Business English Course such as our Business English Conversation Course for a deep-dive in business communication. Or check out our Intensive Business English Course in the Heart of Amsterdam, right by Central Station or in the Museum Plein neighborhood, right by the Vondelpark. Or ask us about Live Online courses! Weekly spoken English lessons and in-company training are also available
We meet clients in Amstelveen, Den Haag, Live Online and at corporate locations. Read more about In Company English Training and request a proposal.
Our courses with native-speaking trainers are specially designed for business people who want to quickly enhance their spoken English language proficiency in a highly interactive 1:1 learning experience, designed to improve spoken English fluency and confidence.
Whether you're aiming to improve your presentation skills, negotiate with confidence, have better meetings, greater diplomacy, or to speak more fluently, this course will build your skills, confidence and pleasure in speaking English.
✅ Broaden your business vocabulary.
✅ Increase fluency and boost your speaking confidence.
✅ Develop diplomatic language skills.
✅ Enhance your presentation and public speaking abilities.
✅ Gain a competitive edge in the global business landscape.
Our experienced English Center trainers are 100% native-English speakers from the UK, US and Australia. They possess a wealth of knowledge as well as teaching credentials and communication skills and social-intelligence. They are dedicated to guiding you towards fluency and proficiency in a supportive and engaging environment.
Call us. We are happy to speak with you in English or Dutch. +31(0)20 823 0569
As I write this post, Valentine’s Day is almost here, and in honour of this most romantic of all holidays, we want to share a story first published 428 years ago. You know the title of the story already – it's Shakespeare’s The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
What, you say? I don't know that title. Well, that very wordy title is exactly what it was called when it was first penned, but some clever editor shortened it to simply "Romeo and Juliet," a play that stands alone as the most iconic love story of all English language love stories. And despite its shortened title, all the joy and pain of true, young love is contained within this story, and no other poem or play is more associated with romantic love than is this tragic tale of two “star-crossed” lovers.
Vocabulary tip: The term "star-crossed" is used when a relationship appears doomed to fail. The meaning derives from astrology, whose adherents believe that the stars control human destiny.
Spoiler alert 🙁 the young lovers die in the end.
Are you an actor? Do you want to improve your pronunciation so that you sound more native? Do you need to learn an American or a British accent? We offer private diction coaching and pronunciation training to help you achieve exactly the right sound for your English-speaking role.
"It's in the prologue of Romeo and Juliet that Shakespeare introduces his new phrase "star-crossed lovers"—and the "stars" (fate, luck, destiny?) do seem to conspire against these tender young lovers.
Romeo is a Montague, and Juliet a Capulet. Their families are enmeshed in a feud, but the moment they meet—when Romeo and his friends attend a party at Juliet's house in disguise—the two fall in love and quickly decide that they want to be married.
A friar secretly marries them, hoping to end the feud. Romeo and his companions almost immediately encounter Juliet's cousin Tybalt, who challenges Romeo. When Romeo refuses to fight, Romeo’s friend Mercutio accepts the challenge and is killed. Romeo then kills Tybalt and is banished. He spends that night with Juliet and then leaves for Mantua.
Juliet’s father forces her into a marriage with Count Paris. To avoid this marriage, Juliet takes a potion, given to her by the friar, which makes her appear dead. The friar will send Romeo word to be at her family tomb when she awakes. The plan goes awry, and Romeo learns instead that she is dead. In the tomb, Romeo kills himself. Juliet wakes, sees his body, and commits suicide. Their deaths appear to finally to end the feud.”
Scroll down to see 3 Romeo and Juliet videos (if you can't wait), but we recommend that you read the opening text:
"Two households, both alike in dignity
(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene),
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage of their death-marked love
And the continuance of their parents’ rage,
Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;
The which, if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend..."
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Would you like more Shakespeare? Yes? Read our most popular post, “Shakespeare: Ten Favorite Quotes and a Beautiful Apology.”
Or you can read about the 10 quotes, In Dutch.
Read our "Shakespeare's Language of Love" post.
Are you looking for a great trainer? Would you like to meet an English Center teacher in a free online appointment?
Would you like to speak with a British Accent? Are you interested in pronunciation training?
The English Center of Amsterdam is your source for advanced English, pronunciation training, and business English training in the Netherlands and everywhere online with Zoom – always with a top native-speaker business English trainer. We help clients learn to speak English fluently with personalized courses online and in person – in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Hoofddorp, and Den Haag.
Trailer: Balcony scene
Video: Shakespeare's Globe
Video: A quick, easy summary of Romeo and Juliet from SparkNotes
The English Center. Since 2009, thousands of learners have trusted our courses.
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Brenda de Jong-Pauley, February, 2023, updated 2025, 2026
Shakespeare – Ten Favorite Quotes and a Beautiful Apology
Updated May 2024, 2026
William Shakespeare is universally revered as the greatest English playwright of all time. His words have influenced authors across the globe and across time. Shakespeare's plays are full of irony and word-play that have earned him a preeminent place in history. Here are ten of our favorite quotes from the marvelous plays of the man universally known as "the bard," Mr. William Shakespeare.
(As You Like it, Act 2, Scene 7)
With these lines, Shakespeare tells us a little about how he sees the world. He believes that, like actors, we play many parts/roles and pass through seven stages of life, from “mewling” infant to “mere oblivion” (death). This quote reminds us that, in our own lives, we are mere performers playing the roles we are given. Perhaps the playwright is reminding us that we should not take our own dramas too seriously.
(Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2)
This quote, originally spoken by Julius Caesar in the play by the same name, shows the stark difference between cowardice and bravery. With this line, Shakespeare tells us that a cowardly man will let the fear of death stop him from truly living. The coward dies many “small deaths.” every time he lets the shackles of fear stop him from doing something. The courageous man, on the other hand, lives his life to the fullest and dies but once, when death comes to claim him.
(The Merchant of Venice, Act 3, Scene 1)
This quote is part of a monologue by Shylock the Jewish moneylender, in which Shylock displays his humanity while defending his right to revenge. In the play, he is cheated out of collecting the debt that he is owed. He has been wronged, and as described in the old testament, he wants revenge. It does not end well and Shylock loses it all. Despite the tragic outcome, this monologue was a bold move from Shakespeare – challenging the strong anti-semitism of his time.
(Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2)
The story behind this quote is one of my favorites. Within Hamlet, there is another play that is created by Hamlet to point out the wrongdoings of his mother, the queen. In the play within the play, the queen vows to love her husband forever, and to never remarry (which the real queen has done). When asked what she thinks of the play, this quote is the real queen’s commentary on the character (which is based on her). Important note: In Shakespeare’s time, the word “protest” meant to vow or promise. The real queen feels that the queen in the play loses her credibility by making such lavish promises.
(The Tempest, Act 4, Scene 1)
According to Shakespeare, life is fleeting, and our greatest accomplishments and fondest relationships will one day be nothing more than a memory, like something we remember from a dream. This “little life” will one day be completed by what many call the endless sleep, or death, leading us to wake from this world.
(Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1)
This quote is commonly assumed to have a double meaning. It is spoken by Hamlet to Ophelia, but truly seems to be directed at all women, and his mother in particular. If Hamlet means a nunnery – as we know it now – it points to the fact that then Ophelia can’t bear vile men who are cruel to others. On the other hand, in Elizabethan England, the word “nunnery” was slang for brothel! If the latter was Hamlet’s real meaning, he is criticizing Ophelia for being unchaste.
(Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 1)
This quote is in Latin and loosely translates as ‘Even you, Brutus?’ In the play, these are Caesar’s last words when he is killed by the conspirators. Their leader, Brutus, is a long-time friend of Caesar, who saw the danger of Caesar’s ambitions and felt he needed to be stopped. This quote lives in our memory because it symbolizes ultimate betrayal by a trusted and beloved friend.
(Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 5)
Romeo and Juliet. Their very names conjure fantasies of passionate, romantic, tragic love.
This warning is spoken to Romeo by Friar Lawrence. Romeo responds to the friar that he doesn't care if he lives or dies, so long as Juliet is his. The friar feels that a love that burns as hot as theirs is likely to be consumed by its own flame and passion. With this quote, Shakespeare is no doubt evoking both meanings of “violent” – the common meaning of rough and brutal, as well as the somewhat less common meaning of rushed, impetuous and hotheaded.
(Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3)
In Hamlet, Polonius gives this advice to his son, Laertes. Despite Shakespeare’s inclination towards irony, this line feels honest and sincere. Exquisite in its simplicity, these timeless words tells us how to live a true and authentic life.
(Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1)
This is probably Shakespeare’s most famous quote. It is part of a monologue in which Hamlet, in a state of emotional desperation, questions whether or not to end his life. According to Hamlet, to live is to have no power in what befalls you. The only way to fully claim your power is to choose death, where there is safety from life’s many torments.
Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets have certainly left a massive mark on the English language. With hundreds of words and phrases attributed to our most famous English writer, you are probably quoting William without even realizing it! But if I perchance did not quote your favorite lines here, please accept my humble apology.
And speaking of apologies 😉 to conclude this article, please enjoy Shakespeare's most famous (and beautiful) apology, from A Midsummer NIght's Dream.
(Act 5, Scene 1)
"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."
In this beguiling speech, Puck asks to "restore or "make amends." He also asks to be "pardoned." What vocabulary can we pull from this speech, and what insights can we gain about the act of apologizing, in Shakespeare's time.... and today!
Today, we still use some of the same words to apologize. We say, "pardon me" and I want to "make amends." We can say, "I hope I did not offend you", and we can shake hands ("give me your hand") to show that there is no ill will between us.
And that's our happy ending!
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Would you like to improve your skill as an English writer ? We look forward to speaking with you! We are based in the Netherlands and we see clients in the heart of Amsterdam, in Den Haag, in Amstelveen, online and in-company.
1. “All the world's a stage” Watch the video here.
3. “If you prick us, do we not bleed?” Watch the video here.
4. “The lady doth protest too much, methinks” Watch the video here.
5. “We are such stuff as dreams are made on” Watch the video here.
6. “Get thee to a nunnery.” Watch the video here.
8. “These violent delights have violent ends” Watch the video here.
9. “This above all: to thine own self be true” Watch the video here (begin viewing at 0.50 min).
10. “To be or not to be, that is the question” Watch the video here.
And...A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 5, Scene 1 Watch the scene here.
June 2019
Isabelle Tomlow
PR and Communications Intern
The English Center
Updated February 2021, 2024, 2026
If you love Shakespeare, you love English! Read this next Shakespeare blog post with more Shakespeare Quotes from Romeo & Juliet.
Do you need better English communication skills for your work? For more information about our business English courses online or at your office in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Den Haag and the Randstad, please call us +31 (0)20 823 0569 or complete our form.
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