Speak Business English Like an American » LESSON 3 - Discussing a New Ad Campaign
Lisa: Ted would like to run some ideas by us for our new ad campaign.
Ted: Please keep an open mind. Remember that nothing is set in stone yet. We're still just brainstorming.
Sam: I hope that doesn't mean we're about to hear a lot of half-baked ideas!
Ted: I think you're going to like this. Our idea is to use a black bear as our mascot. Our tagline can be: "Strong enough to satisfy a bear."
Lisa: It would be great if people would associate our brand with a bear — strong and independent. That would really improve our brand equity.
Sam: I don't want to throw cold water over your idea, but where did you get the idea for a bear?
Ted: Didn't you hear about that bear at a campground a couple weeks ago? He entered a tent and drank two dozen Pacific beers! What a great endorsement for Pacific beer!
Lisa: I think we're on the right track with this campaign. The bear should generate lots of buzz. Everybody will be talking about the bear who loves Pacific beer!
Ted: And here's the icing on the cake: he won't demand an arm and a leg to plug our product. In fact, we can probably pay him in beer!
Sam: Okay, you've twisted my arm. Let's run with the idea.
Ted: Great. I'll flesh it out some more and touch base with you in a couple of days.
NOTE: You will also hear the singular form: to run an idea by someone.
NOTE: There is also the expression "brainstorming session," in which a group gathers to come up with new ideas or to solve a problem.
NOTE: You will also hear the variation: to throw cold water on.
NOTE: "Buzz" is a popular word for "attention."
NOTE: Icing is the creamy glaze put on top of a cake to decorate it and make it sweeter. The cake is already good enough — putting icing on top is something extra which makes it even better.
If you already speak some English and now would like to speak more like a native, “Speak English Like an American” will help you. One of the keys to speaking like a native is the ability to use and understand casual expressions, or idioms. American English is full of idioms. Speak English Like an American will help you understand and use idioms better. It contains over 300 of today's most common idioms.
English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.
English the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to Language and Culture in the U.S. is your very own ... well, guide, to... yes, American language and culture . You’ll find tons (a lot!) of vocabulary, all of it used in real-life ways.
The purpose of the Illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories series is to introduce English language learners to common idioms through humorous examples and illustrations. The lessons in this book will both entertain and enlighten students while providing exposure to how each idiom can be used in a variety of contexts.
The purpose of the Illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories series is to introduce English language learners to common idioms through humorous examples and illustrations. The lessons in this book will both entertain and enlighten students while providing exposure to how each idiom can be used in a variety of contexts.
Do you want your English to sound natural and fluent? Idiomatic expressions are essential to natural sounding English, but they can be challenging to remember, and even harder to use in conversation. This simple and straightforward program can help you master hundreds of useful and common idiomatic expressions. Best of all, you don't need a book, so you can listen anywhere and anytime it's convenient. It's a piece of cake!
Everyday Conversations is intended for sixth- and seventh-grade students of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL). Students can listen to and/or read dialogues in English. Topics of the conversations include introductions and small talk, shopping, asking for directions, hobbies, and giving advice.
More Speak English Like an American brings you another 300+ idioms and expressions you need to know. Maybe you have already read Speak English Like an American. But this is not a necessary requirement. You can start with this new book, if you like, and work back. This popular ESL book features a new story and new American English idioms and expressions.