Has this ever happened to you? You’re talking with an English speaker and everything is going well. Until . . . What did they just say? They go out dancing once in a blue moon? That doesn’t make any sense! This confusing expression is called an idiom, and English is full of them. What Is…
Nice to meet you! How much money do you make? Does this sound like you? Hopefully not! When you’re meeting someone for the first time, you can’t just jump into the BIG questions! You have to start small … with small talk! What Is Small Talk? Small talk is a friendly conversation between people who…
Do you want to communicate like a native English speaker? Focus on pronunciation! The way you pronounce words in English can really affect your communication. There’s no perfect English accent—there are many types of English spoken around the world. But your goal should always be to speak clearly and accurately. Keep reading for some tips…
Do you know your learning style? While it’s common for people to use a combination of styles to learn different things, there’s probably one style that works best for you. In the article 7 Essential Habits to Help You Master a New Language, we talked a bit about the importance of knowing your learning style….
If you’re a language learner, you know it can be difficult to express yourself clearly when you just don’t have the right words. That’s where body language comes in! What is Body Language? Also known as nonverbal communication, body language is how you “say” things without using words. Whenever you communicate, you should make sure…
You already know you can communicate in English without perfect grammar. Even so, you’re probably curious about the kinds of mistakes you might be making as you learn. Take a look at some common speaking errors. The more you know, the easier it will be to correct your mistakes and improve. 1. Prepositions In general,…
When you’re learning something new, you might feel a lot of pressure to do things right. You need to choose the right course, have good study habits, and be organized, focused, and disciplined. But there’s one important thing you might not have thought about: your relationship with the teacher, or rapport. What is Rapport? In…
Would you go on a trip without knowing your destination? For most people, a trip like that would be quite stressful. If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you’ve arrived? Try thinking of your English journey in the same way: If you don’t have goals, how will you know when…
Do you ever feel like you aren’t learning your target language quickly enough? That all those hours of studying aren’t helping at all? Well, you might need to change your technique! To master a language, you need good learning habits. Try these 7 tips to become a more effective language learner! 1. Have a Clear…
Is it possible to be proficient in English grammar but lack oral communication skills? Not only is it possible, but it’s more common than you think. Grammar skills are certainly helpful, and there are situations in which accuracy is important—when you’re writing an academic essay, for example. However, even learners who have perfect grammar can’t…