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Slang for English Learners

AIR DATE: Tuesday, June 12th 2012
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Photo credit: Tricia Wang / Creative Commons

Classes are available to learn English grammar and vocabulary. Even conversational English is available. But where do you learn slang and its appropriate uses?

A recent Wall Street Journal article shed light on the challenges that slang presents for non-native English speakers in the workforce. It explained that while many immigrants know the language of their profession, they are held back in business because of challenges presented by small talk.

A Portland-based company has taken on this challenge, by scouring celebrity interviews and explaining the meaning of phrases like "slacking off" or "chilling out."

How important is it to be able to speak informally in professional settings? How did you learn proper and improper English as a non-native speaker? When do you still struggle with slang?

 

 

Tagged as: business · language

Photo credit: Tricia Wang / Creative Commons

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