All posts tagged with “blogs”
So, you have learned lots of new vocabulary in class. That’s great!
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.
Everyone has a different way of learning. Many experts believe that we use one of our senses more than the others when we learn and that by learning in a way which suits us we can learn things faster and more effectively. The idea is that we learn best in one of four ways: visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), kinesthetic (moving) or tactile (touching). Use the questions below to work out what kind of learner you are and which tips will work best for you.
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?
We take a look at seven key techniques that can boost your learning – and two widely-used techniques which a recent study has proven may be worth re-thinking.
English has a number of peculiarities that make the language confusing for those who are just learning the language. They include homophones, homonyms, compound words, and word pairs which look and sound similar but have entirely different meanings.
From keeping up with the latest celebrity gossip to finding out about current events, newspapers and magazines have it covered. But did you know that you can actually use newspapers and magazines to improve your English vocabulary?
Taking an English test is a great way to find out what level your language skills are at and might be something you need to do in order to reach your goals in the future. With so many English tests to choose from, is TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS or one of the Cambridge exams best for you? Read on to find out which English test would suit you 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.
They say laughter is the best medicine, and we've got just the prescription for you! Get the giggles with these fun word games you can play with your friends. Who says studying can't be fun?
So, you've decided that you want to improve your English. The question is where do you begin? Learning English can be overwhelming, especially if you don't have any specific learning goals in mind. Here are some tips to help get you off to the right start, and stay on track as you go.
We all know there are far easier things in life than learning a new language. It takes time, practice and dedication. You must take time for it and keep up with it each week, if not every day, to maintain and continue learning. So when taking your EF English Live lessons, make it easier on yourself by following a few simple rules to ensure you are getting the most out of your class.
Speaking English out loud helps to expose any gaps in your vocabulary and grammar. When you’re talking to someone and struggling – whether it’s to finish a sentence or understand what they’re saying, it shows you instantly what you do know and what you don’t, where you’re doing well and what you need to improve. You can learn from your mistakes, and often speaking with a native English speaker is the quickest way to correct them – they can point out to you where you’re going wrong, and help you improve more quickly.
When you’re learning a language there is always unfamiliar territory to navigate and new situations arising. New situations can often make us feel nervous and it’s only natural for nerves to affect our confidence. This is especially true when it comes to speaking.
Congratulations - you have just joined EF English Live and are ready to start learning English.
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.
But with this option comes a lot of potential distractions which could cause you to get into some bad study habits. To help you get the most out of your course and avoid any bad habits to begin with, here are some great tips on how to create a good learning environment
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…
For decades, immersion has been considered one of the more efficient and thorough ways of learning a foreign language. The theory is that putting yourself in an environment where all, or a large majority, of the language spoken, is a second language you will naturally learn the language. Immersion also allows for continued growth.
As you most probably know, 2016 is a leap year. That means you have a whole extra day to help you reach your English goals for the year. Introduced during the reign of Julius Caesar, leap years introduce an extra day (a ‘leap day’) to the month of February to keep the length of the year roughly the same as the time it takes the Earth to orbit the Sun.
For many new students of EF English Live, their first introduction to our school is through a trial period. We hope that this introduction to our school will get you hooked on our learning method and keen to continue your studies with us. However, with some serious commitment, your 30-day trial can actually give your English language skills a big boost.
The ‘phonemic chart’ is a set of symbols that represent all the sounds in spoken English.
When we're sending emails, it's easy to be too direct. This can upset the reader or cause offense. Saying "thank you" is a great way to make your email more polite and personal. What's the best way to do it, though? Find out our top ten ways to say "thank you" in an English email.
Speed up your conversational English learning
Want to learn more? Visit our website to start learning English online today!
The way children learn language is amazing. Up to about age ten, they can acquire them with no need to study grammar. As we get older, we lose that skill but there's still a lot we can learn about a language by practising with kids. In fact, it can help us learn faster and here's why.
We all know that reading books is a great way to learn English. What about if you don't like books, though? Reading a whole book can be tough and time-consuming, especially if you aren't interested in reading books in your native language. So, what can we learn from reading something other than a book?
Do you want to learn how to improve your English pronunciation in 1 week? For anyone learning a new language, speaking is often the most difficult skill to master. Why? Even if you know the right word, you may be nervous about pronouncing it incorrectly. Like anything, perfecting your English pronunciation simply takes practice. EF English Live is here to help, with an online English course designed to quickly boost your communication skills. In fact, we’ll show you how to improve your pronunciation in just one week with a little dedicated practice. Follow these quick tips below and give your English speaking skills a boost today.
How to boost your English writing skills online? The importance of clear and correct written English can’t be overlooked. Today’s students and professionals are constantly communicating in writing—from emails to texts to presentations. Whatever your English fluency goals, expressing yourself well in writing in an invaluable skill.
Learning English can be a great way to meet new people but learning with friends can also increase your chances of success. Here are five ways in which learning English as part of a group will help you reach your goals.
Just like there are countless reasons to learn English, there are plenty of excuses that stop people from actually getting down to doing it. If you have access to the Internet (and if you're reading this article you probably do!) you don't have to worry about many of those obstacles. Luckily for you, opportunities for learning English online are increasing all the time, both in terms of choice and quality.
Reading is a great way to build your vocabulary and range when learning English. Working through a whole book in a second language can be tough, though. It doesn’t need to be that way, though. Inspire yourself to stay motivated with these easy to read and motivating books.
Listening can be difficult when you are learning English. Different accents, new words, and people speaking quickly can all leave you confused. But, don’t worry! EF English Live has four great tips to help you train your English listening skills!
Descriptive Adjectives; General Opinion Adjectives; Specific Opinion Adjectives
When you’re down on motivation, it's a great idea to get some advice from an expert. We don't always have experts on hand, though. If that's the case and you need some advice to help you get motivated to learn English, turn to some of the greatest thinkers of the past with these 19 quotes to help you get motivated to learn English.
Practising speaking is one of the most fun and rewarding parts of learning English. Once you can speak even a little English, there are loads of ways to improve your skills quickly while having tons of fun. Here are ten top tips for improving your spoken English and having a great time while you do it!
There are no shortcuts to perfect pronunciation, however there are some ways you can practise more effectively and improve your skills faster. Follow our ten top tips, start improving your pronunciation today and take a step closer towards your goal of perfect English pronunciation.
Confidence is an interesting thing. Some people just naturally seem to have it, even when they aren't necessarily the best at something. For the rest of us, though, it's something we need to develop over time. There are a few shortcuts, though. Here are six unusual ways you can feel more confident speaking English, quickly.
Do you need help with your study planning? Is improving your English one of your resolutions for the New Year? If so, planning is vital to your success. Being well-organised and thinking ahead can make the difference between success and failure so make sure your keep your resolution and improve your English by following these six simple steps.
Every January, millions of people around the world resolve to lose weight. It's one of the most popular New Year's resolutions there is. It takes a lot of commitment and hard work to lose weight, though. So much so that there's often not much time left in life for other hobbies. So, what about learning English? If your resolution this year is to lose weight and you want to improve your English too, here are five simple ways you can do both at the same time.
As we’ve seen before, there’s a wide range of English exams available for you to check your level or prove you abilities with. Although all exams are slightly different, these speaking tips will help you to score highly in the speaking portion of any exam.
For some, the promise of “guaranteed results” makes something sound too good to be true. However, we’re confident that with the help of our online teachers and interactive lessons, learning English is achievable for everyone. But is there really a guaranteed way to improve your English level online? If you learn English online with us, the answer is YES!
For most of us, email is the most common form of business communication so it's important to get it right. Although emails usually aren't as formal as letters, they still need to be professional to present a good image of you and your company.
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.
Setting realistic goals is the key to success for many things in life. Whether it’s committing to a fitness regime or learning a new language, the beginning can be exciting but overwhelming. Seeing real progress and hitting targets along the way is often what keeps you motivated to continue.
We will help you with tips on how to improve English quickly and easily. We all want to know the easiest, fastest and most effective way to improve English.
There is a saying that it only takes a few seconds for someone to judge you based on your body language, actions, and words. And once someone has formed their impression of you it can be quite hard to change this. That’s why it is so important to always make a good first impression. When you start a new job, it’s vital to make a great impression on your new colleagues. After all, they are the people you will be spending most of your time with while you are at work. So, how do you make a good impression on your colleagues in your new English-speaking workplace? Being friendly is a good start and these English expressions will help you go further in making a great impression on your new English-speaking colleagues. In this article, we will give you advice on how to make a great first impression at work and what phrases to use for your first day at work.
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
You don't need to live in an English-speaking country to become fluent in English. If you are smart about the way you learn English, you don't even need to leave your home town. Use these 10 top tips and see how to learn English without even leaving your city.
Online learning has become more and more common, whether for comfort, adapting to work hours or just having the freedom to study from anywhere. And now with the coronavirus pandemic, as people are having to stay at home, it has become more important than ever.
We’ve already found out about different types of English dictionaries and what they are useful for. This time, let’s have a look at how to actually use your dictionary.
Many people struggle with writing in English and it can seem like a real challenge to improve. Don't worry, though. Here are some simple steps that you can take to improve your written English and impress people with your writing skills.
Conversation is supposed to be a two-way activity. There are times, though, when you might need to take control of a conversation. Maybe it's because you only have limited time, maybe it's to get an idea across, or maybe it's because you are not comfortable with the topic of conversation. Whatever the reason, these simple tips will help you take control of a conversation in English.
When learning a new language it can be easy to have ups and downs from time to time. That’s why it is a good idea to have prepared some motivational quotes that can help you to keep yourself up and never go down.
The term 'Thought leader' is getting more and more common in the English language. As people increasingly turn to online resources to develop themselves professionally, thought leaders are ever more visible predicting the direction that a particular field of work will take in the future and sharing their advice on how to be more effective. There are thought leaders in a wide range of areas but they tend to have one thing in common - many of them have blogs.
It’s every English student’s dream. Being able to speak and sound like a native speaker. If you would like to learn more, read on!
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!
What's it like in France at Christmas? Here are a few traditions from the region of Alsace in France.
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!