Globalize your tech impact 🌐

Propel your career forward with English!

May 17, 2023

Bienvenido a otra edición de LevelUp! Bem-vindo a mais uma edição da LevelUp! Thanks to all our 29,840 subscribers and the new 389 folks who joined us this past month. Thanks for being a part of the TECLA community! Gracias! Obrigado!

Fuel Your Tech Career in a Globalized World!

English is the global language of business and technology, connecting over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Proficiency in English offers tech professionals unparalleled advantages:

  • Access to global job markets

  • Participation in international conferences

  • A diverse network of peers

This edition will recap the highlights from our last three classes from Boost, our free English program for tech professionals. Enhance your language skills and unlock new opportunities in the evolving tech industry.

0️⃣ Conquer the Zero Conditional Like a Pro!

The zero conditional is crucial for English proficiency as it accounts for 33% of written conditional sentences, according to the Corpus of Contemporary American English.

The zero conditional allows us to talk about consistent truths. It's a powerful tool that enables us to express general facts.

Let's consider an example to illustrate the zero conditional:

"When it rains, the ground becomes wet."

👉 This sentence showcases the zero conditional by expressing a consistent truth. Whenever rain occurs, the result is always wet ground.

⚠️ The zero conditional always starts with "if" or "when," followed by the simple present tense. It follows a fixed pattern, comprising an "if clause" stating the condition and a "main clause" providing the result.

"If the heat on a stove is turned up, water boils."

👉 This sentence illustrates the zero conditional by conveying a consistent truth. Whenever the heat is increased on a stove, water is always boiling.

📝 Understanding the Distinction Between 'Like' and 'As' to Prevent Common Errors

Let's address the common mistake of mixing up "like" and "as" when comparing. These two words have distinct roles, and it's essential to grasp their subtle differences.

"Like" is a preposition that allows us to compare nouns or pronouns, creating connections between the subject and something else. For example:

"He swims like a fish."

"The dancer moved with grace, like a swaying flower."

"As," on the other hand, is a conjunction that compares verbs or clauses, acting as a linking element between words. For instance:

"I'll go as soon as she arrives"

"As the wind blew, the leaves rustled."

Therefore, "like" compares nouns or pronouns, while "as" compares verbs or clauses.

📈 Master Virtual Meeting Communication for Maximum Productivity!

Effective communication in a virtual setting is crucial for seamless and impactful interactions. Therefore, learning the skills and insights necessary to navigate the digital realm with finesse ensures clear understanding and productive collaboration.

"Sorry to interrupt, but can I just jump in here momentarily?"

👉 This phrase can be helpful when you have something to contribute to the conversation but don't want to interrupt anyone. It's a polite and effective way to make your point without disrupting the flow of the conversation.

"Could you please clarify what you mean by that?"

👉 This phrase helps you prevent misunderstandings during meetings. It's a simple and polite way to ask for more information and ensure everyone is on the same page.

"I'd like to build on what (name) just said."

👉 Want to show your colleagues that you're both engaged and contributing to the conversation? Active listening and teamwork go hand in hand. This phrase is a great way to add to the discussion while also acknowledging the insights of others.

"Can we put a pin in that and return to it later?"

👉 When it's time to stay on track but essential topics come up, use this phrase to acknowledge the issue's importance while keeping the meeting focused and efficient.

"We may not be on the same page. Could we discuss this further?"

👉 When there's confusion or disagreement in virtual meetings, this phrase is a respectful way to seek clarification and ensure everyone is working toward the same goals.

❗Don't Blink, or You'll Miss It!

Did today's newsletter leave you craving more language mastery? Look no further! Subscribe to our exclusive weekly English newsletter and embark on an incredible journey of FREE classes that will skyrocket your language skills and propel you to triumph in your chosen field.

Subscribe now for a phenomenal boost!

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I hope you enjoyed this week's edition! Have questions or topic suggestions? Let's chat! Remember to check out our Discord channel, where you can join a thriving community of 1.560 LATAM professionals who discuss career tips and networking opportunities. We're here to help you soar to the top.

Stephanie Cerf - Head of Community at TECLA.