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…
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….
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…
You’ve studied the grammar rules, learned how to write essays, passed your listening exams, and made dozens of presentations in your class. But when you leave the classroom, you don’t want to use your new language skills. You’re intimidated when you meet a native English speaker. You’re afraid to open your mouth. Why does this…
If you’ve ever taken an online course, there’s a good chance it ended up being more work than you’d expected. Distance education can be a convenient way to take a course, but it can also lead to failure if you’re not well prepared. Features of Distance Education Distance education can also be called distance learning,…
Learning a new language is hard. It takes energy and patience. It’s confusing. It can even be boring at times. So is it worth it? The short answer is yes. Bilingualism is more than a way to communicate with others—that’s just the start. Becoming fluent in another language can have a positive effect on various…