All posts tagged with “english”
It doesn’t matter whether you read The Times of London, the New York Times, the Boston Globe or the The Guardian.If you want to learn English twice as fast, do it by reading the Sunday paper.
Online classes, one-to-one private tuition, in a group - there are so many ways to learn English these days. Learn English online and you’ll learn quickly and affordably; learn in a group and you could have more fun, or maybe you need the extra support of a private tutor? Which way is best?
A popular pastime in the UK is to play a board game, especially on a cold, rainy day. Board games can be a great way of having fun with friends and if you pick the right one, it might even help you improve your English too. Here’s the EF English Live pick of three board games that will not only provide hours of entertainment for you and your friends, but also stimulate your mind to challenge its linguistic prowess.
There are three stages to learning a new skill, such as studying TOEFL or TOEIC to improve your English in college or the workplace. At each stage study tips can make your work easier and more successful. Firstly, you need to acquire the words, grammar and structures of the language. As you go along, you need to use the language (which is one of the best ways of learning it as well). Finally, as with many things we study, there is likely to be some form of examination to pass. That is what is used to confirm our level of competence with our new language. Often, this is where TOEFL or TOEIC becomes your assessment process.
Throughout the ages, proverbs have expressed well-known wisdom and advice. Take a look at these common English proverbs, and apply their truths to your English language learning.
Music can have a dramatic effect on our emotions. It can affect our feelings and bring back memories from our past. As well as stimulating our emotions and memories, music can have a powerful affect on learning. Harness the power of music to learn English faster with these five fun techniques.
If you dream of studying in the States, TOEFL could be your ticket to success. As with any exam, good exam technique is as important as your English ability and could make the difference between getting the score you need to study in the States and missing out. This is especially important for the internet-based TOEFL test. Make sure you get the score you deserve with these terrific tips for tackling the TOEFL test.
Maybe you've been planning to study English. Or maybe you just want to improve your skills. But you've been putting it off. It takes so much work, and you don't have the time. Or do you? What if it was possible to improve your English in just three minutes a day? Would you believe it?
"It is never too late and you are never too old to start something new!" says EF English Live student Ellen Rema. Ellen began to learn English at the age of 50, and in just a few years, she has made amazing progress!
Building your English vocabulary can seem daunting when there are so many words you don't know. Feel like you'll never get there? Here are some tips to help you boost your word power.
Everyone wants to know the best, easiest, and fastest way to learn English, or for that matter, anything!
Improving your grasp of English after studying hard is a great achievement – and one that definitely deserves a reward. But why not choose something that brings you even closer to your ultimate goal – a fluent grasp of English?
Not everyone learns in the same way. We all have different learning styles based on our background and personalities, and many scientists have tried to categorize the way we learn into different styles. One of the most popular systems was developed by a man called Neil Fleming and uses the categories below.
One of the best ways to learn English is to practice it every day. I understand that life gets busy and on some days it can seem difficult to find the time to log into your EF English Live account and take a class or complete a new lessons. However, there are many other simple ways to fit some English learning into your daily life, even on the busiest of days.
When you don’t have much time to study or you feel that you aren’t making progress with your English, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to learn. Don’t give up! Learning English is a challenge that you can conquer. Use these simple tips to get the most from your course and your study time.
Learning to take responsibility for your studies is vital if you want to become fluent in a language, but it’s important to remember that learning a language is not just about you.
Whether you’re a karaoke hero or just sing secretly in the shower, singing is a great way to improve your language skills. Here’s why:
When I was learning languages at school, I was always afraid to speak in class. I think it was because I was worried that people would laugh at me if I made mistakes. I got OK grades in French and German, but was never able to speak fluently.
We all have busy schedules these days: working, cleaning, running errands, taking care of the kids, making time for friends, visiting the family - the list goes on! How is one supposed to learn a new language effectively with all these other tasks? Keep on reading to find out some helpful, quick and easy ways to learn English if you don’t have much time.
What’s so bad about leaving out the article? There are some mistakes that native speakers of English can “forgive” (not consider such a big deal, say it’s OK), such as the occasional wrong verb tense, the mispronunciation of a word or the wrong word in a sentence. But, when native English speakers hear the absence of the necessary articles (“a”, “an” or “the”) before nouns, they often think to themselves, “Wow, this person really can’t speak English.”
Spelling mistakes can ruin what would otherwise be a great piece of writing. They are easy to avoid and here are some ways to do just that.
There are two common English expressions using the word ‘notes’. We often say ‘to make notes’ or ‘to take notes’ but what’s the difference between the two?
Have you ever searched for ‘English dictionary’ on Amazon.com? I did the other day and guess how many results came up …
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? There’s an easy way to check. Take a look at a glass with water up to the half-way point. Does it look halfempty or halffull? If it’s halfempty, you are a pessimist. If it’s halffull, you are an optimist.
Don't worry, this isn't a test. In fact, this isn't even a comparison of your English skills versus the English skills of a native speaker. Rather, I'd like to show you mistakes that even native speakers of English are prone to making. That's right, nobody's perfect, and native English speakers are far from it. You just might be better at English than a native speaker...Want to find out?
The passive voice in English can often be difficult for learners. In this article, you can learn about its purpose and how to use it properly. We will also compare it with the active voice to get a better feel for how the passive voice can be used most effectively.
You grew up learning your mother language through songs. Science says the same approach can be the secret to going deeper in a new language.
What are the seven most common mistakes foreigners make when speaking English? Let’s take a look at them and learn how to avoid them in everyday conversation.
Good, old-fashioned paper flashcards are still an effective way to study! You can make your own DIY SRS (Spaced Repetition System) without yet another app.
Charlemagne once said that by learning another language, you gain another soul. Immerse yourself in the Italian culture: history, art, food, traditions, and even vacation spots! In this article by la studentessa matta, learners of the Italian language can take a deeper look into a day of life in Italy…
Writing a journal in English is a great way to practise your skills, reflect on your English learning, and motivate yourself to keep learning more. It seems like a lot of work, though. If you're struggling with your English journal, try these tips to help you succeed.
One of the most important things that you can do when learning English is to just practice speaking it! This article will give you 5 effective tips to help you improve your skills, vocabulary, pronunciation and confidence when speaking English.
The present perfect tense in English can be tricky because many languages lack an equivalent. Luckily, this guide will help you learn what the present perfect is and when to use it.
How do we improve our English speaking? With lots of practice. Lots of correct practice! Every piece of correct speaking practice takes us one step closer to confidence and fluency.
Gain confidence and sound more fluent with important phrases to structure your speaking response in the TOEFL exam
Avoid sounding boring when speaking English by sounding repetitive. If you simply answer questions in a direct fashion, you’ll sound like a robot. Learn new ways to avoid this question-answer speech routine.
Happy New Year! Have you set your new year’s resolutions? This is the first article on italki for 2018. Welcome to the new year and new beginnings. Read about all the ways people celebrate the turn of the calendar year.
Ever find yourself passionately explaining something and then, bam, you stop mid-sentence searching for a word? Frustrating isn’t it! Learn about how you can better use adjectives and verbs to express your ideas.
Holiday travel plans are fast approaching! Do you have the right English vernacular get yourself from the airport to your travel destination? For a smooth and relaxing journey to an English-speaking destination, try learning these phrases here!
Ineffective vocabulary revision sessions? Memory like a sieve (a very poor memory)? Before you Google ‘early onset dementia’, read this article to make sure your focus is top-notch.
It’s important to differentiate from informal and formal spoken English. Read more on particular word choices while speaking in the two forms of English as well as potential pitfalls when speaking formal English.
Read here about the step by step process of utilizing your favorite song(s) to improve on your English. Included in this article are a list of English songs, not only pop songs, that can help you improve on your fluency.
There’s always an ongoing rhetoric about the merits of native-speakers, which is well-deserved, but this isn’t just a one-way street. Read here about the merits of being a non-native English speaker.
To save both you and your teacher’s time, be clear on what you want to get out of your lessons to enrich your business English. If possible, have some non-confidential business material prepared for your lesson so that your teacher can go through with you tailored instructions on how to reply to such materials.
This can be an embarrassing question to ask even in your native tongue, let alone traveling and speaking a foreign language elsewhere, learn the many ways to ask where you can ‘relieve’ yourself.
Do you often feel left behind during English listening exercises? Learn here how recognizing the context of a dialogue and looking out for keywords are two ways you can use anticipation to get better results.
Hit YouTuber Lucy from 'English with Lucy' joins us to talk about becoming an English teacher, discovering Spanish through immersion, and the power of self-motivated learning. Read the interview!
It's fascinating, diverse, and free: Learn here why Youtube is a better friend of English learning than your usual TV or film regimen!
One great reason to learn English is for work opportunities, which also means learning a new business culture. Let this article guide you through the ins and outs of American office language, from sports metaphors to basic manners.
How often do you say "until" when you should really say "by", or confuse "since" and "for"? This article points out some of the most common English mistakes you might be making, with explanations to help you avoid them in the future.
How do you find your way in English when you're new to the language? One of the best things you can do for your learning is to ask the right questions. These 10 make a great start for the next time you connect with your teacher!
Whether speaking your native language or one that you are learning, speaking smoothly and with a pleasing rhythm can help you make a connection with your listeners. Try these tips for using the "parallel structure" to build nice, complex sentences.
They may be some of the tiniest words in the language, but English prepositions like "in" and "on" can have a huge impact on the meaning of a sentence. Make sure you're using them correctly with the tips in this article.
If you think you've tried everything to improve your mastery of English sounds, you won't want to miss this article. Discover what spectrogram sound imaging reveals about subtle pronunciation differences between similar words!
When people say they want to speak better English, often what they mean is they want to speak more confidently. From targeted vocab research to studying topics suited to your personal interests, this article has plenty of advice for taking control of your learning.
With so many different words that sound exactly the same, English challenges learners not only to spell them correctly but also to tell them apart while listening. This article should help new learners with some of the most commonly confused homophones.
Attending language meet-ups and following a YouTube series about your target language are great ways to keep your motivation high. So are scheduling your lessons in packages and keeping track of your progress in writing. This article has plenty of advice to keep you moving forward.
To master English pronunciation you'll need to develop a feeling for prosody -- the rhythm, melody, stress, and intonation that together communicate a sense of meaning to listeners. Learn how to make your English "listener friendly" with the tips in this article!
Here is a practical scenario you might encounter the next time you plan to buy a gift for your friend or friends. Read this article to figure out when it’s appropriate to ask the sales clerk for ‘the other’ thing or ‘another’ one of the things you want to buy.
Many textbooks tell you that there are substantial differences between British and American English. In reality, the differences are relatively minor. Have a look at this article to learn just how easy it is to switch between British and American English.
In this article, you will learn the various reasons for learning English today, as well as the limitations if you decide not to learn it. In addition, you will learn how higher education does not guarantee a job, while knowledge of English opens doors. Finally, you will discover the importance of encouraging children to learn English from a young age, especially from native teachers.
Do you hate grammar? Does the idea of spending long hours studying make you wish you didn't have to learn your target language? If so, this article can help by providing you with a different way to view grammar that will hopefully make it much more fun, interesting and quicker to learn.
Reading is a wonderful tool for improving your English. In addition to increasing your reading aptitude, it can also be used to improve your writing, speaking and listening abilities, while giving you important insight into natural, native speech. In this article, learn some powerful tips to help guide you as you learn English through the written word.
Why do Chinese speakers have difficulty pronouncing certain words in English? Today, we explore seven common errors native Chinese speakers make when conversing in the English language.
Looking for ways to transform your academic English skills? With this article, you’ll learn the most useful phrases to give your dissertation or thesis a real lift and make it sound authoritative, self-assured and worthy of a top mark. With every collocation there is a short definition and an example sentence from a real academic paper.
Learn to keep a conversation going in English with several important phrases and questions that help you confidently speak with other people.
A few tips on how to improve your vocabulary with the help of word formation.
Take a look at some English jokes, idioms, and a famous quote to get you laughing and to start your week off enjoyably.
The article aims to give simple and rapid instructions in order to write a complete and professional curriculum vitae and a cover letter.
The most popular verb used nowadays in English is the verb "to get". There are many different situations and many phrasal verbs in which this verb is used as well. In this article, I will try and help you determine the various meanings of the verb "to get", and hopefully give you the confidence necessary to make it a part of your vocabulary.
During the IELTS interview there are several things that you can do to improve your score. Go through this list to make sure that you get the best grade you can achieve!
To get an IELTS score of 7 or above, you'll need a new strategy. Don't waste your time or money taking the exam unless you can follow these 4 steps.
Weird English words with bizarre spellings are all around us: why is 'colonel' pronounced 'kernel'? Here is a list of words to help you improve your writing.
Do you find it difficult to know when to use 'go', 'to go' or 'going' in english? Here are some examples and exercises to help you find your way.
Are you using proper English for your formal business communications? Improve your English business emails and get quicker replies with these phrases.
Keep yourself motivated and double your learning by using your target language to learn something new! Even beginners can use English to learn computer programming...
English writing isn't just about knowing the vocabulary. Noticing these 5 basic things will improve your English writing (and learning) right away.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Bob's your uncle," and not understand what it meant? "Sure look it," read ahead to find out! Here are some of the most common phrases you will hear in Ireland and the United Kingdom....
Have you ever tried to say something in English to the best of your ability, only to have your teacher respond, "Sorry, what did you say?" You're convinced that you said it correctly, but something is wrong! Here's what you can do ...
Do you find it hard to memorize lists of words and phrases in large amounts? Deploy the use of a mind map, an invaluable tool that will help you organize vocabulary words, to-do lists and multiple processes in a quick and efficient manner…
There are opportunities every day to practice speaking English. I am only going to touch on a few so that you can begin to see some possible situations for practice...
Not only can learning English be fun; it should be fun! So what do we mean by fun? First, let’s see what we don’t mean...
LOL, LMAO, WTF! What do they mean? Internet slang rules today's conversational landscape. Keep up with the trend...
“Hello, how are you?” “I’m fine, and you?” Actually, these kind of greetings are not commonly heard. I’d like to introduce you to a few casual greetings and ways of sounding more friendly or casual when greeting friends or family...
Remember more, faster, and more accurately by personalising the many pieces of language (words, phrases and collocations) you encounter to your own life.
Going abroad isn’t always a realistic option to become fluent in a language, so here are some tips to practice more English speaking, and increase your fluency at home...
When you are meeting different teachers to find the one that’s best for you, do teachers ask questions in your first session? Every time you meet a person you’ve never met before, most people ask questions and introduce themselves in the same way. I will show you some common questions and how to answer them.
Who says learning English is all work and no play? Try these 10-minute English learning activities daily, and you will improve your skills and have fun!