English We Learn vs. English We Actually Hear

One of the interesting things about learning English is discovering that the expressions we learn in class are not always the only expressions we hear in real-life conversations.

This doesn't mean that what we learn is wrong. Quite the opposite: expressions such as “Be careful”, “Come here” or “Calm down” are perfectly correct.

But everyday English gives us other options, and learning them can help us understand conversations more easily and sound more natural ourselves.

Be careful! → Watch out!

Both expressions can warn someone about danger.

“Be careful!”
“Watch out! There’s a car!”

Watch out! is particularly common when the danger is immediate and you want someone to react quickly.

Come here. → Come over.

These expressions are not exactly interchangeable.

Come here simply means “come to this place.”

Come over is often used when someone comes to where you are, especially when you are inviting them to your home or another place where you are staying.

“Come here for a minute.”
“Why don't you come over for dinner?”

Context makes the difference.

Calm down. → Take it easy.

Both can be used when someone is worried, angry or stressed, but the tone can be very different.

“Calm down. Everything is fine.”
“Take it easy. Everything is going to be fine.”

Calm down can sound quite direct, and depending on the situation and the speaker's tone, it can even make someone more annoyed.

Take it easy can sound softer and more reassuring.

Wait a minute. → Hold on! / Hang on!

When we want someone to wait for a moment, we have several possibilities.

“Wait a minute.”
“Hold on, I'll check.”
“Hang on, I'm almost ready.”

Hold on and hang on are especially common in informal spoken English.

Hurry up! → Come on!

Hurry up! is very direct.

In everyday conversation, Come on! can also express impatience or urgency.

“Hurry up! We're going to be late!”
“Come on! We're going to be late!”

But come on has many other meanings too. Tone and context are essential.

So, should we stop saying “Be careful” or “Wait a minute”?

Absolutely not.

The goal isn't to replace the English we learn with “more natural” English.

The goal is to expand our repertoire.

As learners, we often know one way of saying something. As our English develops, we start recognizing different expressions and understanding why a speaker chooses one rather than another.

That's an important part of becoming a more confident English speaker:

not just knowing what something means, but knowing how people actually use it.

And that's where context, tone and register become so important.

Real-life English isn't always about learning more words. Sometimes it's about discovering different ways to use the words you already know. 

What to say when you don’t have much experience

One of the most difficult moments in a job interview is being asked about experience you simply don’t have.

Maybe you’re just starting your career. Maybe you’re changing careers. Or maybe you have experience, but not in this particular field.

Your first instinct might be:

I don’t have any experience.

But don’t stop there.

You may not have experience in that specific job, but you probably have some of the skills it requires.

Think about what you have done

Have you:

• worked with customers?
• organised information?
• solved problems?
• worked as part of a team?
• learnt something quickly?
• dealt with people?

These experiences can be more useful than you think.

Instead of this:

Interviewer: Do you have experience of working with clients?
You: No, I don’t.

Try this:

You: I haven’t worked with clients in this particular field, but I have experience of dealing with customers and understanding their needs.

(Maybe you worked as an assistant in an estate agency, sold clothes in a shop, or worked as a secretary.)

You are not pretending to have experience you don’t have.

You are showing the interviewer what you can do with the experience you already have.

A useful structure

I haven’t… yet, but I have…

I haven’t worked in this area yet, but I have experience of…

I don’t have much experience in this field, but I’ve worked with…

I’m new to this area, but in my previous job I learnt how to…

You don’t need to have done exactly the same job before.

Think about your experience. Then think about the skills that could be useful in this new role.

How to make short answers a little more interesting

You don’t need perfect English to give a good answer in a job interview.

And you definitely don’t need long, complicated sentences.

But try not to stop too soon.

Do you enjoy working in a team?

You could say:

Yes, I do.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

But try adding one more thing:

Yes, I do. I like sharing ideas and working with other people.

Or:

Yes, I do. In my previous job, I often worked as part of a small team.

Answer + one more thing

Are you good at solving problems?

Yes, I think so. I usually try to stay calm and find a practical solution.

Do you like learning new things?

Yes, I do. I enjoy learning new things, especially when I can use them in my work.

Have you ever worked under pressure?

Yes, I have. In my previous role, there were times when we had to finish things quickly.

You can add:

• a reason
• an example
• a detail
• something you learnt

You don’t need advanced vocabulary.

Just answer the question, then add one more thing.

It’s a small change, but it can make the conversation more natural — and give the interviewer a better idea of who you are.

 A2+, B1, B1+, B2 activities 

 

Why You Shouldn’t Memorise Your Answers Word by Word

When preparing for a job interview, it’s natural to practise your answers. In fact, preparation can help you feel more confident.

However, memorising your answers word for word can create a different problem: you may start to sound rehearsed.

Interviewers usually want a conversation, not a perfect speech. If you forget one word, you might panic or lose your place. You may also sound unnatural because you are trying to remember the exact sentences you prepared.

A better idea is to prepare key points instead of a complete script. Think about:

• the main idea you want to communicate;
• one or two examples from your experience;
• useful vocabulary you may need.

Then practise explaining the same ideas in different ways.

For example, instead of memorising:

“One of my greatest strengths is my ability to work effectively under pressure.”

You could remember the key idea “I work well under pressure” and explain it naturally:

“I think one of my strengths is that I can stay calm when there is a lot to do. For example…”

The message is more important than using the same words every time.

How to Talk About Weaknesses Without Sounding Fake

The question “What is your biggest weakness?” can feel difficult. The problem is that many people give answers that sound carefully prepared rather than honest.

For example:

“My biggest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist.”

This answer is very common, and interviewers have probably heard it many times.

Instead, choose a real but professional weakness. Then explain what you are doing to improve it.

A useful structure is:

Weakness → Example → Improvement

For example:

“In the past, I sometimes found it difficult to delegate tasks because I wanted to control every detail. I realised that this wasn’t always the best way to work, so I’ve been trying to communicate more clearly and trust other people with responsibilities.”

This answer sounds more believable because it includes self-awareness and action.

You don’t need to pretend that your weakness is secretly a strength. Be honest, but choose something that doesn’t make you unsuitable for the job.

Remember

A good interview answer is not a perfect answer. It should help the interviewer understand how you think, what you have learned and who you are as a professional.

Prepare your ideas. Practise your English. But when the interview starts, try to have a conversation.

That sounds much more natural than a memorised speech.

 

If you want to improve your English, you don’t always need a long lesson or hours of study. Small, regular practice can make a real difference.

That’s why I recommend trying English in Small Doses activities. They are short, practical and easy to include in your day.

You can use them to practise vocabulary, grammar, speaking or writing without feeling overwhelmed. Just choose an activity, spend a few minutes on it and try to do it regularly.

Little by little, you can build confidence and make English part of your everyday routine.

You don’t need to do everything at once. Just start with one small dose.

 

          What to say when you don’t understand the question

You’re in a job interview. The interviewer asks you a question… and you don’t understand it.

First: don’t panic. You do not need to pretend you understood.

The best thing you can do is ask for help clearly.

Try:

Could you repeat the question, please?
When you didn’t hear it well.

Could you say that again, please?
Simple and useful.

Could you explain what you mean by…?
When there is one word or expression you don’t understand.

Do you mean…?
Then say what you think the interviewer means.

For example:

Interviewer: How do you handle conflicting priorities?

You: Sorry, could you explain what you mean by conflicting priorities?

This is much better than giving an answer to a question you didn’t understand.

Remember: asking for clarification does not make you look weak. Pretending to understand and giving the wrong answer can be much more difficult to recover from.

The interviewer is not expecting you to understand every single word perfectly. They are also evaluating how you communicate.

                    How to buy yourself a few seconds to think

Sometimes, you understand the question perfectly.

The problem is that you have no idea what to say.

And those three seconds of silence can feel very long.

So, instead of rushing into an answer, use a thinking phrase.

Try:

That’s a good question.
Let me think for a moment.
I’d say…
I think there are two things to consider.
Well, from my experience…
That’s interesting because…

For example:

Interviewer: What would you say is your biggest weakness?

You: That’s a good question. I think one of my weaknesses is that sometimes I focus too much on the details.

These phrases are useful because they give you a few extra seconds to organise your answer.

But be careful: don’t learn one sentence and use it before every answer.

And remember: silence is not always a problem. You are allowed to pause, think and answer.

A job interview is not a speed test.

           A job interview is a conversation, not an English exam

One of the biggest mistakes people make when preparing for a job interview in English is treating it like an English test.

They worry about using the right tense.
They try to find sophisticated vocabulary.
They prepare perfect answers.

And sometimes they forget the most important thing:

They are having a conversation with another person.

In a real interview, you need to do much more than speak correct English.

You need to understand the question, think, react, explain, give examples, clarify something if you haven’t understood, and keep the conversation going.

And yes, sometimes you will hesitate.

You may say:

“Let me think for a second.”

You may ask:

“Could you rephrase that?”

You may start an answer and change direction halfway through.

That’s not bad English.

That’s real communication.

So, in my next posts, I’m going to focus on some of those small but very useful things that can make a real difference in an interview:

→ What to say when you don’t understand the question.
→ How to buy yourself a few seconds to think.
→ Why you shouldn’t memorise your answers word for word.
→ How to talk about weaknesses without sounding fake.
→ What to say when you don’t have much experience.
→ How to make short answers more interesting.
→ How to give examples instead of just making general statements.
→ What to do when the interviewer interrupts or changes direction.
→ How to ask good questions at the end of the interview.

Because preparing for an interview in English shouldn’t be about learning perfect answers.

It should be about becoming better at having the conversation.

And that is a skill you can actually practise.

       Job interviews: don’t try to sound perfect

In the previous post, we worked on three questions:

What do I do? What am I good at? What am I looking for?

Now let’s use those ideas to answer:

“Tell me about yourself.”

This is where many candidates make the same mistake: they try to sound impressive.

But a good interview answer doesn’t have to sound impressive. It has to sound believable.

Imagine a real person saying:

Well, I’m currently working as an administrative assistant. I’ve been doing that for about four years. I mainly deal with clients and paperwork, and I also help with some of the day-to-day organization of the office. I’m quite organized, and I think I’m good at dealing with people, even when they’re not particularly easy. Now I’m looking for something where I can have a bit more responsibility and, ideally, use my English more.

Is it perfect?

No.

Does it sound like something a real person could actually say?

Yes.

And that matters.

You don't need to say:

I am a highly motivated, results-oriented professional with excellent interpersonal skills who thrives in challenging environments.

Unless… that's genuinely how you speak. 

What makes the first answer work?

It gives the interviewer something real to work with:

• what the person does
• what their actual responsibilities are
• two genuine strengths
• what they are looking for

It also leaves room for the interviewer to ask follow-up questions.

And that's important.

An interview isn't a speech competition. It's a conversation.

Try this

Don't write a “perfect” answer.

Imagine the interviewer is sitting in front of you and simply asks:

“So, tell me a little about yourself.”

Answer as you would naturally explain your professional life to another person.

Then ask yourself:

Would I actually say this out loud?

If the answer is no, simplify it.

Your goal isn't to sound like a native speaker.

Your goal is to sound like yourself — in good English.

 B1, B1+ and B2 lesson plan

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 A bilingual visit to Teatro El Círculo

Today we had a wonderful bilingual guided tour of Teatro El Círculo, one of Rosario’s most beautiful and historic theatres.

We discovered fascinating stories about its history, architecture and the people who helped make this place part of the cultural life of our city. It was also a great opportunity to enjoy English in a different context, surrounded by art, history and culture.

Thank you to Lucía (our guide) and to everyone who joined us and made this morning so special!

Una visita bilingüe al Teatro El Círculo

Hoy disfrutamos de una hermosa visita guiada bilingüe al Teatro El Círculo, uno de los teatros más lindos e históricos de Rosario.

Conocimos historias fascinantes sobre su historia, su arquitectura y las personas que hicieron de este lugar una parte tan importante de la vida cultural de nuestra ciudad. También fue una excelente oportunidad para disfrutar del inglés en un contexto diferente, rodeados de arte, historia y cultura.

¡Gracias a Lucía (nuestra guía) y a todos los que nos acompañaron y hicieron de esta mañana una experiencia tan especial!

 

 

Step 1: Know What You Bring to the Interview

Before preparing answers, take a few minutes to reflect on yourself. A job interview is not only about answering questions correctly. It is also about explaining clearly who you are, what you can do, and what you are looking for.

Start with these three questions:

1. What is your current profession or field of study?

Think about your current job, your professional background, or what you are studying. Try to describe it in two or three clear sentences.

Sample answer:

I’m currently working as an administrative assistant at a small company. I’ve been in this role for three years, and I’m responsible for organizing documents, communicating with clients, and supporting the management team.

If you are a student:

I’m currently studying Business Administration. I’m in my final year, and I’m particularly interested in marketing and project management.

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2. What two or three skills are you most proud of?

Choose skills that are relevant to the kind of job you want. Think about abilities you have developed through work, study, volunteering, or personal experience.

Sample answer:

I’m proud of my communication and organizational skills. I’m also a reliable person, and I always try to meet deadlines and support my team.

Useful skills to consider:

communication • teamwork • problem-solving • organization • creativity • leadership • adaptability • attention to detail • time management • customer service

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3. What kind of job would you like to apply for?

Think about the position, the industry, the type of company, and the responsibilities you would enjoy.

Sample answer:

I’d like to apply for a position in digital marketing. I’m interested in working for an international company where I can develop my skills, work with creative teams, and take on new challenges.

Another example:

I’m looking for a job where I can work directly with clients and use my communication skills. I’d also like to have opportunities to learn and grow professionally.

¡Ahora te toca a vos!

Tomate unos minutos para responder estas tres preguntas. No te preocupes por escribir respuestas perfectas: por ahora, concentrate en identificar las ideas principales.

Podés escribir tus respuestas en un cuaderno, en un documento o directamente en los comentarios. Más adelante, las vamos a usar para construir una presentación clara, natural y segura para responder una de las preguntas más frecuentes en una entrevista:

“Tell me about yourself.”