Vocabulary: Adding ‘wise’ to make adverbs from nouns
Intermediate to advanced level (B2-A2)
It is useful to have a rather informal way to express ‘concerning’ or ‘relating to’ which we can use in speech and writing. You take a noun and add ‘wise’, often with a ‘-‘. Some are more common than others. Let’s look at a few:
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Grammar: don’t let it be a big problem
Lower intermediate to advanced level (B1-C1)
Learning English outside the UK, the US, Australia etc can often be about learning ‘grammar’. This makes people think you need to know ‘rules’ before you can speak or write. However, in my experience, a heavy focus on a grammar problem can stop people learning and communicating. Continue reading
IELTS: Life Skills by Skype exam preparation
New English test at A1 and B1 level
Since April 2015 there have been two new IELTS tests. The A1 IELTS Life Skills test is designed for people who need a ‘Family of a Settled Person’ visa. The B1 test is suitable for people applying for ‘indefinite leave to remain (to settle) or citizenship’. You can prepare for IELTS Life Skills by Skype. Continue reading
Listening: Good website for English podcasts
All levels
Learning tip: learning by listening
All levels
Have you ever had the experience of thinking you knew how to pronounce a language and then when you listen to a native speaker, it just sounds different? You should try learning by listening. Continue reading
Updated FCE and CAE for 2015
Intermediate to advanced level (B1-C1)
Cambridge English have made some changes to their First and Advanced exams. The biggest change is that now there will only be 4 papers instead of 5 because the Reading and Use of English are being put together in the same paper. Continue reading
Writing: keeping it simple and clear
Intermediate to advanced level (B1-C2)
Have you ever read a piece of writing and then asked yourself ‘What did that mean?’? I certainly have. I’m not talking about short emails from friends but rather longer, more complicated essays or reports. Continue reading
Matthew Youlden speaks 9 languages – here are his learning tips
I saw this list in an advertisement for Babbel courses. I think these language learning tips are really useful (edited by me): Continue reading
From January 2015, there will be an update to the Cambridge English First (FCE) exam. The new exam will have 4 papers instead of 5 and it will be 30 minutes shorter. Continue reading
Many students come to Britain to study in an English language school but the quality can vary a lot. Find out how to choose a good school. Continue reading
IELTS: about the Academic version
Upper-intermediate to advanced level (B2-C2)
There are two IELTS exams: the General and the Academic version. Continue reading
Pronunciation: English sounds
All levels
If you want to hear the individual sounds of English, you can use Adrian Underhill’s interactive phonemic chart. Just click on the symbol to hear the sound and an example word. http://www.macmillanenglish.com/phonemic-chart/. There is also a great free app http://www.soundspronapp.com/ Continue reading
Reading: book level test (graded readers)
All levels
Reading is very important if you want to improve your English quickly. It shows you hundreds of examples of good grammar. It also teaches you a lot of vocabulary and expressions. Seeing the same words again and again will help you remember the words you learnt in the past. However, you need to find reading of the right level for you. Continue reading
Learning tips by level
Learning a language is different depending on your level. Continue reading for some learning tips and advice. Continue reading
Here are some useful websites if you are looking for a dictionary. There is also a really useful website for seeing how words are used in a sentence and an interesting website which helps you understand phrases. There are also websites about English exams, business articles in English and a link to a reading level test. Continue reading
A few years ago most students would own a bilingual dictionary and sometimes an English-English dictionary. Today you can find definitions on your mobile phone or tablet.
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Reading: London visit
Lower to intermediate level (A2-B2)
Recently I met some old friends in London. We spent the day looking at the sights as we walked around the city. Continue reading
Pronunciation: not stressing syllables
All levels
Effective English pronunciation is often about deciding which part of a word is important and which part or parts are not important. If a syllable is not important, we often change the standard vowel sound to something more relaxed. You should try to learn how to do this. Continue reading
Punctuation
Intermediate to advanced (B1-C1)
If you want to have really clear writing don’t forget to use hyphens (-). In English we can use them to show more clearly what we are trying to communicate. Continue reading
Vocabulary
Elementary to intermediate (A1-B2)
Phrasal verbs are very common in conversational English. They usually have 2 or 3 parts to them.
What you need to know
Lower level (A1-A2)
Teachers, coursebooks and language schools more or less agree about what a student needs to learn at elementary level (A1) Continue reading
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
Advanced level (C1/C2)
If someone has misunderstood you, you can give them more information to make clear who you are talking about: Continue reading
Vocabulary: verbs ‘must’ and ‘have to’
Pre-intermediate level (A2/B1)
Here are some of the rules for the staff at 2 companies using ‘must not’ and ‘don’t have to’: Continue reading
To be honest I can’t be sure because I’ve never met him but I have an idea why. Old English was a Germanic language that was influenced by the Old Norse language of the Vikings and then by the Norman French that came with William the Conqueror’s invasion of 1066. Continue reading
Homestay with English lessons can be a good solution if you are very busy and have little time to visit Britain. Often you have the choice of 15, 20 or 25 hours of lessons per week with excursions or activities in the local area. Continue reading
Grammar: uncountable nouns
Lower level English (A1-B1)
Oh no there’s nothing in the kitchen and I’m very hungry. Continue reading
Relationships vocabulary
Intermediate level English (B1)
Tom grew up in Brighton, not far from the sea. His parents met in March 1990 and after a short engagement they got married in July that year. Continue reading
Vocabulary: adverbs in a police story
Advanced level (C1)
Read the story and try to guess the meaning of the adverbs (in bold). Check with a dictionary to see if you are right. Continue reading
Pronunciation: vowel sounds
Elementary to intermediate level English (A2/B2)
English pronunciation is not very phonetic so it is useful to remember groups of words that have similar sounds. On each line 3 words have the same vowel sound but 1 is different. Which one is it? Continue reading
Writing: organising
Intermediate to higher level (B1-C1)
What is most important when you write? Is it grammar or vocabulary? In my opinion it is the organisation of sentences and paragraphs. Without a logical organisation, a piece of writing is often very difficult to read and understand. Continue reading
International English Language Testing System
IELTS scores range between 1 and 9 but most people get a score between 4.5 and 7.5. If you go to a typical language school you can expect to improve your IELTS score by 1 point approximately every 12 weeks. Continue reading