Category Archives: Higher level

Higher level English lessons

Pronunciation: Hesitating to sound natural (2)

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Pronunciation and speaking: hesitating
Lower intermediate to advanced level English (B1-C1) 

Speaking continuously is quite difficult, even for native speakers. Almost all speakers of English need to pause frequently. Hesitating gives you more time to think and choose the right words. Continue reading →

Speaking and writing: Giving a presentation

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Speaking and writing: giving a presentation
Intermediate to higher level (B1-C1) 

Have you ever listened to a presentation and thought: ‘Why are they just reading what’s on the slide?’? Not only can this quickly send the listener to sleep but it’s also a waste of a great opportunity. Here are some tips for giving a presentation: Continue reading →

Speaking and grammar: How to make an offer

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Speaking: making an offer
Intermediate to higher level (B1-C2)

You can make an offer in English in many different ways. Here are some examples:

  • ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ or more informally just ‘Like a cup of tea?’
  • ‘Do you fancy a cup of tea?’ or just ‘Fancy a cup of tea?’
  • ‘Do you want a cup of tea’ or just ‘Want a cup of tea?

Continue reading →

Reading: Margaret Thatcher

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Reading
Very advanced level (C2)

Yesterday Margaret Thatcher died. Some people were sad but others celebrated her death by opening bottles of Champagne and dancing in the street. However most would probably agree that she was one of the most formidable politicians of the 20th century who changed the economic and political face of Britain. Continue reading →

Reading: What did the Olympic opening ceremony mean to you?

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Reading: London Olympics
Advanced level (C1-C2)

If you were one of the hundreds of millions watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics, I wonder what you made of it. Most British people I spoke to found something that impressed them but of course if you watched it on TV you could only see what was broadcast and imagine the atmosphere. Continue reading →

Reading: Tour de force

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Reading
Advanced (C1-C2)

I first noticed Bradley Wiggins about 10 years ago. His long sideburns and mod haircut made him stand out from the crowd. His look was so unusual you might have thought he was a computer geek, a trainspotter or a statistics-obsessed anorak. His name didn’t help either. When he spoke he was also different: he had an attitude. Continue reading →

Speaking: Congratulating a business colleague

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Speaking: Business dialogue
Intermediate to advanced (B2-C2)

Imagine you have just come out of a business meeting where a close colleague (Harry) was very impressive. You decide to tell him what you think. Here is a possible English dialogue: Continue reading →

Reading: England football managers

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Intermediate to higher level (B1-C1)

There has been an interesting range of England managers over the years. Now, during the Euros we have Roy Hodgson. He wasn’t everyone’s first choice and he certainly doesn’t have the media-friendly personality of say a Mourinho but he is regarded as reliable, genuine and all-round nice bloke. We shall see in the coming days if his qualities are enough to get the England team through to the final stages of the competition. Continue reading →

Reading: Queen Elizabeth – who and what is she?

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Reading: Politics
Upper intermediate to advanced (B2-C2)

She is certainly well-known, or at least her image is. Her face is on stamps and the UK currency but most of the time she is only seen at royal visits or ceremonies. At the opening of Parliament the Queen reads a speech but this is written by the government. At Christmas she reads a message to the country but this is very formal and usually just a summary of some of the things that have happened in the year. Continue reading →

Pronunciation: Syllable stress practice

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Pronunciation: syllable stress
Pre-intermediate to advanced level (A2-C2)

The highest mountain in Britain is Ben Nevis in Scotland. However I think the real mountains are in the language! Some students speak English with a flat accent but this makes their pronunciation very difficult to understand.  Continue reading →

Pronunciation: Linking English words – a Mini story

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Pronunciation and listening: Word linking
Intermediate and higher level (B1-C2)

In normal conversation it is common for many words to be linked together. This can make listening to English a little difficult at the beginning. You can learn how to link words together. Practising linking English words will improve your listening and speaking.   Continue reading →

Vocabulary: Words that go together

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Vocabulary
Upper intermediate to advanced level (B2/C1/C2)

In English many words have a special relationship with other words. For example verbs and nouns:

suggest an alternative
realise an ambition
make a change
pay one’s way
resolve a situation
live one’s dream Continue reading →