On bullets and biting

There is no silver bullet, and there is no magic wand. No, I'm not talking about the global financial crisis. I'm talking about how to learn business English.

The only time a silver bullet would really work is against a werewolf. As there are no werewolves, there can't be any silver bullets. Not for the global financial crisis, and most certainly not for learning business English.

That doesn't mean you should give up on both. Governments, economists and financial experts are desperately trying to find a way out of the crisis. The US government thought the "$700 billion bailout for Wall Street" would be its silver bullet. It clearly wasn't. Each country has its own specific problems and will have to find an individual way to deal with the crisis. It will take time. It's not going to happen overnight.

The same can be said about learning business English. You have to focus on your individual needs and your own learning styles — and make the most of what is at your disposal. Learning a language does not happen overnight, either.

You need a variety of activities to learn the range of skills you'll need for business. Which is why we've relaunched our website. Our Business Spotlight website is one tool in our range of learning products that you can use to learn business English. Take a look at our new navigation. This is what you will find:

• Language & Skills: grammar topics, vocabulary-building tools; tips and exercises on meetings, small talk, telephoning, presentations, negotiating and e-mails.
  
• Podcasts: a weekly audio file with interviews, language tips, exercises and news items.
  
• News: a look at the global business world and press reports.
  
• Blogs: comments and opinions on global events, intercultural communication, language learning and teaching.
  
• Intercultural: Case studies, fact files and quizzes on working with people from other countries or business cultures.
  
• Careers: advice on job applications, job interviews, networking, qualifications and career choices.
  
• Teachers' Zone: ideas and suggestions for teachers of business English.

If you want to learn a language, you're going to have to bite the bullet and start learning! With our new, redesigned site, we think you'll soon be bitten by the Business Spotlight Online learning bug!

Wise Words:

silver bullet
A bullet that is made of silver and is used to kill a werewolf.
Also: a simple solution to a difficult problem.

bite the bullet
to do something you think is difficult that you have been putting off doing for a while

to be bitten by the bug
to develop a passionate interest in something

We look forward to hearing your comments on our new site!