Learn English Online

VocaTube - English vocabulary about illnesses and health problems

2012-01-25T23:19:00.002Z

How do you say “I have a headache” in English? What if you get sick and you don’t know how to explain your symptoms to the doctor? Whether you know it or not, we’d like to invite you to read the following article that contains a series of videos from YouTube with a lot of English vocabulary about illnesses and health problems.

Remember that vocabulary can only be improved with practice and listening through repetition. It’s difficult for everyone to understand from the beginning but you’ll notice that the more hours you listen, the better your understanding.

Vocabulary about illnesses in English – elementary English

Link to the video on YouTube

Great video that teaches different health-related vocabulary – elementary English

Link to the video on YouTube

Subtitled video from Mr Duncan about health and exercise – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Good subtitled video with vocabulary about teeth and the dentist – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Subtitled video teeth idioms – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Visiting the doctor – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

Making doctor visits fun with Sesame Street characters – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

Two Great Apps for Your Phone - Podcasts and Vocopedia!

2012-01-16T22:07:00.002Z

Learning any new language is a difficult process, and many people consider English to be one of the hardest languages to learn. Not only is English proficiency important for strictly English majors today, but it is also important in many fields of work ranging from information technology to medical transcription.

But technology is a wonderful tool that can help you learn English more quickly and effectively. With most mobile phones allowing development of apps, and popular internet browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome doing the same, there are now more tools than ever available to help you learn English. Here are some of the best ones out there. As a bonus, all the apps listed are free - just download and get started!

LearnEnglish Elementary Podcasts

The British Council's Learn English division has numerous apps for mobile phones and Facebook targeted at English language learners. The free Elementary Podcasts app is designed for elementary English learners, and helps increase spoken and written English proficiency.

Each podcast is 20 minutes long and features two speakers who ask the listener questions about English. The listener can answer the questions as the podcast progresses. A written transcript is also provided in real time alongside the audio, allowing the listener to read alone with what is being spoken. If the learner is confused, there is an option to contact the podcasters via Facebook directly from the app so their questions can be answered.

Download LearnEnglish Elementary for iPhone and iPad

Download LearnEnglish Elementary for Android

Download LearnEnglish Elementary for Nokia

Download LearnEnglish Elementary for Blackberry

Vocopedia

For English language learners of all proficiencies, from those who are just starting out to advanced speakers, the free Vocopedia Android app is a great vocabulary builder with many interactive features that will add an element of fun into your language learning.

Over 3900 English words of varying difficulties are presented on flashcards, alongside their synonyms, their part of speech, and examples of their usage in real sentences. You can bookmark flashcards and save specific flashcard sessions to go over later. Also included is a hangman game that features words from the flashcards. This app is useful not just for English learners, but also for those studying for tests such as the SAT, the GRE, or the TOEFL.

Download Vocopedia for Android

These apps aren't designed to completely replace all the other elements of your learning process (classes, books, and one-on-one lessons), but when used alongside them, they are great ways to start enjoying the process of learning English. The days of learning without technology are long gone now. These days, your phone and computer are some of the most important tools you have to make your goal of learning English a reality.

This is a guest post by Marina Salsbury. Marina planned on becoming a teacher since high school, but found her way instead into online writing after college. She currently writes on a variety of topics, but always seems to veer back to education-related articles.

Dictionary with ‘real’ British translation

2012-01-11T22:33:00.001Z

British people are known for being very polite when speaking and expressing themselves. However, those who learn English and come from societies that use a more 'direct' way of communicating can misunderstand the message being transmitted.

The following is a list of examples (includes humour) that explains what a British person says, what they mean and what others understand from such expressions.

Table 1: Dictionary with ‘real’ British translation
What the British say	What the British mean	What others understand
I hear what you say	I disagree and do not want to discuss it further	He accepts my point of view
With the greatest respect...	I think you are an idiot	He is listening to me
That's not bad	That's good	That's poor
That is a very brave proposal	You are insane	He thinks I have courage
Quite good	A bit disappointing	Quite good
I would suggest...	Do it or be prepared to justify yourself	Think about the idea, but do what you like
Oh, incidentally / by the way	The primary purpose of our discussion is...	That is not very important
I was a bit disappointed that	I am annoyed that	It doesn't really matter
Very interesting	That is clearly nonsense	They are impressed
I'll bear it in mind	I've forgotten it already	They will probably do it
I'm sure it's my fault	It's your fault	Why do they think it was their fault?
You must come for dinner	It's not an invitation, I'm just being polite	I will get an invitation soon
I almost agree	I don't agree at all	He's not far from agreement
I only have a few minor comments	Please re-write completely	He has found a few typos
Could we consider some other options	I don't like your idea	They have not yet decided

GrammaTube - an explanation about the difference between “used to” and “would”

2011-12-19T22:54:00.002Z

Many students of English have trouble with the difference between “used to” and “would”. We use both of these to talk about things in the past which we don't do now or are not happening now. Sometimes both “used to” and “would” are OK in one sentence - sometimes only “used to”.

This post contains a selection of YouTube videos that explain in a clear way the difference between “used to” and “would” when talking about things in the past.

Grammar can be one of the most difficult skills to develop in English but it is without doubt the key to progress throughout your learning. A good grammar base will help you to write properly and speak in English, hence improving communication with other people.

Good subtitled video with differences between “used to” and “would”

Link to the video on YouTube

Great video that explains how to use “would” in the past

Link to the video on YouTube

Good subtitled video with examples about using “used to” and “would”

Link to the video on YouTube

The difference between I used to, past simple and would for past habits

Link to the video on YouTube

A Guide to Free Online Exposure to English

2011-12-10T19:36:00.006Z

The internet is providing more people with access to language learning resources than ever before. In addition to great online courses, modern students also have a wide range of free tools at their disposal. By using your initiative and staying motivated, you can greatly lower the cost of studying English.

Exposure Is Key

Before looking into your options, you must understand that exposure is fundamental to learning a new language. You need to hear, read, write and speak English as frequently as possible. An online resource will only work if it guarantees a decent amount of exposure. Don’t bother wasting your time with an online resource that doesn’t benefit you – it will only frustrate you and sap your motivation. Here is a short step-by-step guide to using free online resources to gain exposure to English.

Step 1 – Listening (BBC Languages)

BBC Languages is an excellent online resource for people who want an introduction to English. One of the best features on the site is that it encourages the online community to participate in the learning process. Every week the site releases a video in which Londoners are asked a question. By listening to these short videos, you are exposed to the natural speaking habits of native English speakers. This exposure will make you feel more comfortable in real-life situations.

Step 2 – Writing (Language Schools)

Many language schools offer free services on their websites. Visit these web pages and pull off any information you can. Free tests are useful to download, as they will help you gauge your progress. When searching for online resources, look into the language schools London, Toronto, Cape Town and New York offer. These are some of the major hubs of English learning, and schools in these destinations tend to feature more online resources.

Step 3 – Reading (Project Gutenberg)

If you enjoy reading, then Project Gutenberg is the site for you. It features a wide range of e-books with expired copyrights that can be downloaded for free. Project Gutenberg recently added a Kindle option, which allows Kindle owners to download the books directly to their e-readers.

Step 4 – Constant Exposure (Blabbinit Podcasts)

Our mobile phones are powerful tools, and they offer great language learning potential. Today, we can stream videos no matter where we are. Instead of always listening to your favourite songs, why not download an English podcast to listen to while in your car or on the way to work? Blabbinit has 30 English-learning podcasts, which you can stream for free. By maximising the amount of time you listen to English, you will be able to improve your language proficiency faster.

Step 5 – Speaking (Skype)

A great way to communicate with a foreign friend is through Skype. If you feel self-conscious, you can start by typing instant messages. As you become more comfortable, you can begin to speak in person and even use the video call feature. This will enable you to practise reading, writing, listening and speaking on a regular basis. Skype is great for people who don’t have many foreign friends, because it provides the exposure that is so necessary for language learning.

Step 6 – Total Immersion (Travel)

Sometimes the best way to learn is by throwing yourself in at the deep end. Visit an English-speaking country and try to communicate with locals. When you are surrounded by a language every day, your proficiency will grow and you will learn to enjoy using the language more.

Final Pointer

Even if you have signed up for an English course London, Toronto, New York or Cape Town offers, you should still take advantage of the free resources at your disposal. If you supplement your English lessons with online learning, you will maximise your exposure – and that means you will get fluent faster.

Guest post by Damien Venuto on behalf of Content Lobby. Content Lobby’s copywriters have experience creating original and quality content for sites across the web. If you’re interested, feel free to contact them at info@contentlobby.com.

Three great apps to learn English that you should add to Google Chrome

2011-12-06T22:45:00.002Z

Lyrics for Google Chrome

This fantastic extension for Google Chrome allows you to get the lyrics of any song on YouTube, Last.fm, Grooveshark and Google Music.

It’s very easy to use. If for instance you visit YouTube and watch a musical video on the address bar you’ll see the icon for the app; if you click on it, a text box with the lyrics for the song will appear on the right side of the video.

Learning English through listening to music is very amusing and effective. You can find some tips and more resources on this learning guide to learn English from scratch using Music.

Add Lyrics to Google Chrome

How Do You Say

This extension allows you to improve your level of English by getting real-time words pronunciation just by highlighting them on the web page. For example, if you visit the website for the English newspaper The Guardian, you’ll see on the address bar the icon for the app (the United Kingdom flag). It’ll be in a shade of grey and if you click on it and then on the “Enable” button you’ll be able to use the real-time pronunciation functionality:

You’ll then be able to select any word from the text and listen to its pronunciation. This app is really useful for learning how to pronounce new vocabulary.

Add How Do You Say to Google Chrome

American / English Radio

Last but not least, a great extension to increase your number of listening hours and thus immersing yourself more in the English language and improving your listening comprehension skills. This app allows you to listen online to several stations from the US and GB like Kiss, BBC Radio 1 or Pulse 87.

Using this app is very simple, you just need to launch it and select the station that you wish to listen to.

Add American / English Radio to Google Chrome

VocaTube - English Vocabulary about the Hospital

2011-11-24T21:39:00.002Z

Do you know the meaning of surgeon, ambulance or examining couch? Not really too sure? Don’t worry, this new post on the VocaTube series comes to the rescue.

In this post, we present several videos with which you’ll learn vocabulary related to the hospital. Moreover, videos are sorted according to the levels of difficulty (from the elementary to the advanced level) so you’ll be able to jump and watch only the ones you’re interested in.

Remember that vocabulary can only be improved with practice and listening through repetition. It’s difficult for everyone to understand from the beginning but you’ll notice that the more hours you listen, the better your understanding.

Great video with questions and answers for children – elementary English

Link to the video on YouTube

Health Professions – elementary English

Link to the video on YouTube

Hospital movie words – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Visiting someone in the hospital – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

The Hospital, subtitled series (part 1) – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

The Hospital, subtitled series (part 2) – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

The Hospital, subtitled series (part 3) – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

Two Free Apps to Learn English with your BlackBerry Phone

2011-11-21T21:57:00.003Z

It’s quite amazing seeing how learning English has evolved over the last few years. The Internet revolution came first; it allowed learning English from any remote area connected to the net. In recent years, a similar revolution has been happening with smartphones and their apps.

If you have a BlackBerry phone and wish to learn English, this article will be especially useful for you. We describe two great and free apps to learn English that you can download from BlackBerry App World.

English Word Usage Examples

This app makes it easier to learn new vocabulary in English as you can look up sample sentences (there are more than 100,000), and learn how to use the vocabulary properly.

You can also share your knowledge by sending the sentence to you friend via e-mail.

Download English Word Usage Examples from BlackBerry App World

Dictionary.com - Dictionary and Thesaurus

A wonderful English dictionary for your BlackBerry phone; the main features of this app are:

More than 325,000 words and definitions
More than 275,000 synonyms and antonyms
Phonetic and audio pronunciations
Spelling suggestions
Recent history
Social networking functions
Email integration.

This app also features the Word of the Day functionality. There is no doubt that Dictionary.com is a must-download for your mobile phone.

Download Dictionary.com - Dictionary and Thesaurus from BlackBerry App World

A brief introduction to compound and complex sentence construction in English

2011-11-15T23:17:00.004Z

You can dramatically improve your English writing skills by revising paragraphs written in short, simple sentences so that they reflect a deeper understanding of your subject. You can do this by combining and connecting previously written simple sentences into longer complex sentences which communicate more information and display a firm grasp on written English. A few compound and complex sentences express a more nuanced thought than a whole paragraph of shorter sentences with limited meaning. I’ll give brief examples of how you can incorporate compound and complex sentences into your everyday writing.

Compound sentences

The easier of these two structural styles to grasp is the compound sentence. Compound sentences essentially link together two independent simple sentences, often by adding a coordinating conjunction such as “but,” “and,” “so,” “yet,” or “for”. Though grammatically correct, it looks strange when two short sentences that address the same idea follow each other in a paragraph. Compound sentences work to unite short sentences into a coherent long thought that addresses several aspects of the same main idea. Below are a few examples of simple sentences transformed into compound sentences. I’ve underlined the coordinating conjunction in each compound sentence.

Simple sentence: I won tickets by calling the radio station. The DJ told me to invite along all my friends to the show!

Compound sentence: I won tickets by calling the radio station, and the DJ told me to invite along all my friends to the show!

Simple sentence: Mary said she could come to the show. She got sick the day before.

Compound sentence: Mary said she could come to the show, but she got sick the day before.

Complex Sentences

Complex sentences link together an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses and contain multiple verbs, thus explaining much more information in one sentence than a string of related simple sentences. The independent clause and dependent clause are typically linked by a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whose, etc.) or a subordinate conjunction (when, because, since, although, so, etc.).

The best way to think about the difference between independent and dependent clauses is that independent clauses make grammatical sense on their own, independent of anything else in the sentence. Dependent clauses, on the other hand, depend on the independent clause to make grammatical sense -they can’t stand by themselves. The following are examples of complex sentences with the conjunction underlined and the dependent clause in bold.

Complex sentence: We sold our quota faster than the team that walked because we biked.

Complex sentence: I ate the cookies that you left out.

Complex sentence: Jeff said he thought he compiled more data than I did.

Complex-Compound Sentence

A little more difficult than the previous two sentence types, the complex-compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses, usually linked by a dependent clause. These sentences can communicate several big ideas about the same subject without breaking the thought for a new sentence. Below are a few examples of complex-compound sentences with the linking dependent clause underlined.

Complex-Compound sentence: Although Frank enjoyed cooking, he always forgot to buy groceries ahead of time, so he usually went out to eat for dinner.

Complex-Compound sentence: I started eating an apple every day at lunch, but George, who loves his junk food, continues to eat chips.

Complex-Compound sentence: Jessie didn’t care about the weather before, but since the storm, he’s made a point to bring his umbrella everywhere.

This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99 @gmail.com.

GrammaTube - learn the difference between “used to”, “be used to” and “get used to”

2011-11-13T20:04:00.003Z

Do you know the difference between “used to”, “be used to” and “get used to”? “Used to” is for past situations that are no longer true, “Be used to” is a verb phrase for situations or activities that you do regularly and “Get used to” indicates that you have adapted or become accustomed to something you may or may not like.

In this new post on the GrammaTube series we introduce several videos chosen from YouTube that will allow you to understand and properly use the expressions “used to”, “be used to” and “get used to”.

Grammar can be one of the most difficult skills to develop in English but it is without doubt the key to progress throughout your learning. A good grammar base will help you to write properly and speak in English, hence improving communication with other people.

Good explanation showing how to use “used to” in a sentence (by Learn American English)

Link to the video on YouTube

Many examples to learn how to use “used to”

Link to the video on YouTube

Entertaining video that explains “used to” through several songs

Link to the video on YouTube

Great explanation showing how to use “be used to” (by Learn American English)

Link to the video on YouTube

Learn how to use the expression “get used to” (by Learn American English)

Link to the video on YouTube

Common mistakes with the expressions “used to” and “be used to” (by JenniferESL)

Link to the video on YouTube

Differences between “used to” and “be used to” (by Steve Ford)

Link to the video on YouTube

Common mistakes in English: “get used to” (by JenniferESL)

Link to the video on YouTube

Good video with the difference between “used to” and “I’m used to”

Link to the video on YouTube

Three effective tips to increase your reading comprehension in English

2011-11-07T15:09:00.002Z

Increasing their reading comprehension level is the goal of many ESL students; the ability to understand more complicated texts and even being able to understand English newspapers is really satisfactory. The good news is that the path to reach a good level of comprehension would not be so hard if you put into practice the following tips.

1. Learn and practise all the vocabulary that you can. The secret to increase your reading comprehension is to increase your vocabulary base. Very often, when you don’t understand the meaning of a sentence, it’s because you don’t know the meaning of one or more words within it. In the same way, the more you read, the more new vocabulary you’ll learn hence progressing on your reading level. One of the big advantages of learning vocabulary this way is that you are learning vocabulary within context.

To increase your vocabulary base, we recommend you to visit the Vocabulary section where you’ll find many free resources. If you’d like to learn new vocabulary by watching videos, don’t miss out the VocaTube series.

2. Always have a good dictionary to hand. A bilingual dictionary is basic in order to search for the meaning of the words that you don’t know and therefore give a proper meaning to what you’re reading. When you look for a word, make sure to re-read the sentence in English again until it makes sense.

If you have an upper-intermediate or advanced level of English, you should be using a monolingual English dictionary in order to get the definition of the word in English. For those who like reading online content, there are many dictionaries available on the Web that will solve all your queries. You can find a selection of them on the Dictionaries section.

3. Be constant and get to know your limitations. Don’t start reading detective stories if you have a basic level of English. Instead, don’t be ashamed to choose titles for children where the amount of used vocabulary is reduced and easier to understand. From there and once you feel comfortable, you can move on to teenage titles to finally reach novels.

It’s also very important to be constant and to set realistic targets like reading 3 hours during the week or a book every week. If you’re constant, you’ll notice that your vocabulary increases progressively along with your reading comprehension.

If you travel to Ireland, the UK, the US or any other English speaking country, don’t forget to pay a visit to a bookshop. Many of them have second-hand books and you’ll be able to get bargains like 4 books for 1 euro, a pound or a dollar. Get some books whose difficulty matches your level of English and start reading them. If you don’t mind, you can underline and write the meaning of the words that you search for in the dictionary.

If you’re not travelling to an English speaking country, have a look at websites like Amazon or eBay for the relevant country (Amazon UK, eBay UK, Play.com, Amazon US, eBay US). You’ll probably find a book that you like at a reasonable price (remember to add the postage and packing costs of your country of residence).

Finally, when you feel comfortable with your reading comprehension level, try giving it a test by reading some of these online newspapers :)

Three Free Mobile Apps to Help You Learn English

2011-11-01T21:03:00.003Z

It is hard to learn a new language, and English is one of the hardest languages to learn in the world. Not only does English have words that sound the same but mean different things, it is also full of rules with exceptions, and sometimes doesn’t seem to follow rules at all. How can you hope to grasp such a complex language? Well, these three free mobile apps might help.

EF Mobile English Basic Edition. The world’s largest online English school, EF Englishtown, has gone mobile. EF Mobile English provides you with a wide range of interactive learning tools, including: 5,000 flashcards, audio tools, listening tests, pronunciation practice tools and much more – all at your fingertips.

EF Mobile English Basic Edition is available on iTunes

Busuu Mobile App. It has an extensive vocabulary: over 3,000 words and key phrases. It covers from beginner to advanced intermediate levels (A1 - B2). It also covers 150 different topics using day-to-day situations. It has comprehensive audio-visual learning material with photos and recordings by native speakers. Sections include vocabulary, dialogues and interactive tests. It works on iPhone (incl. iOS 4, optimized for Retina display), iPad, iPod touch and Android; no internet connection required.

The free version includes 20 complete learning units. Learning progress can be synchronized with your profile on busuu.com, the famous online community for learning languages with over 3 million users.

Busuu Mobile App is available on iTunes and Android Market

Mango Mobile App. Mango Mobile Library Edition is a powerful language learning platform that delivers fast, easy and effective language learning wherever your travels take you. The free app accesses the Mango Languages courses available through your library, and works just like Mango online. Simply touch the screen to reveal answers and to hear pronunciations by native speakers.

You’ll learn vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture in each lesson. For the app to work, you must have an account with Mango set up through your library’s website, and an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Once the app and lessons have been downloaded, you can learn at your own pace, with or without an internet connection.

Mango Mobile App is available on iTunes

There are many more free mobile apps that help learners of English to succeed, but these three should get you started on the path to learning. It takes time, patience, and practice, but anyone can learn to speak, read, and write English well. Good luck and happy learning!

This is a guest post by Kate Croston. Kate is a freelance writer, holds a bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She writes guest posts for different sites and loves contributing internet service related topics. Questions or comments can be sent to: katecroston.croston09 @ gmail.com.

VocaTube - Vocabulary related to Volcanoes

2011-10-30T20:38:00.001Z

We’re bringing you today a special VocaTube inspired on the recent events happening on the El Hierro Island.

The list of videos compiled on this post describes the fascinating topic of volcanoes and will allow you to learn the related vocabulary as well as practice your English.

Remember that vocabulary can only be improved with practice and listening through repetition. It’s difficult for everyone to understand from the beginning but you’ll notice that the more hours you listen, the better your understanding.

Good video to learn the shape and forms of a volcano – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Different types of volcanoes – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

Excellent video, inside a volcano – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

Another interesting video about volcanoes – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Don't Get Desperate! Native Speakers Have Problems with English Too

2011-10-27T23:01:00.001+01:00

Non-native English speakers often think of native-like English as the end goal of their studies, when all aspects of their English from pronunciation to punctuation will be perfect. However, there are common grammatical problems even native speakers face, and that ESL students taking classes online or in any formal program should be aware of as well. Here, several common problems of native English speakers are discussed, and suggestions offered for how ESL learners can avoid these pitfalls.

One problem is that of speech errors such as eggcorns, mondegreens, spoonerisms, and malapropisms.* These errors occur often in natural speech, even for native speakers. Word choice errors such as malapropisms and eggcorns are particularly common, and occur in both speaking and writing. When unsure of word choice, use a dictionary or other reference to select the most appropriate term. Asking for clarification and written examples can also help make sure that new vocabulary items and phrases have been heard accurately, and used appropriately later.

Many aspects of written English are particularly problematic for native English speakers, and may be for English language learners as well. One such problem is misuse of common homophones. Confusion of “to,” “two,” and “too;” “there,” “they're,” and “their;” “your” and “you’re;” and “its” and “it’s” are seen in all kinds of writing, even at the college level. To avoid these errors, become familiar with common homophones, and make sure to use the correct one when writing.

Another common writing error that native speakers often encounter is that of sentence fragments, incomplete parts of sentences that are punctuated like whole sentences. Typically, fragments fail to include all the components required in a complete sentence. To avoid sentence fragments, check each sentence carefully to make sure that it expresses a complete thought, and to make sure that each one includes a clear subject and verb.

Run-on sentences represent the opposite problem. Run-ons are created when at least two different sentences are joined together without a proper connector. One of the most common types of run-on sentence is a comma splice, where two independent sentences are joined with just a comma. Repairing this problem requires either adding a conjunction or separating the two clauses into two different sentences. To avoid problems with run-on sentences, English language learners should become familiar with proper use of commas and conjunctions. Practicing this knowledge through proofreading can greatly reduce sentential errors such as run-ons and fragments.

Native speakers of English also struggle with other nuanced grammar rules. Most college essays written by native English speakers include some misplaced modifiers, dangling participles, and stranded prepositions. As a matter of fact, many native English speakers are unaware of what these terms mean. This is because native speakers tend to rely more on intuitive knowledge of English than on rules they learned in grammar classes. For non-native speakers, paying close attention to grammar rules and thinking consciously about the grammar being used in writing assignments will help minimize these kinds of errors.

The errors outlined above are common occurrences for both native and non-native English speakers, but can be avoided by focusing on a few key techniques. First, be aware of these types of problems, and consciously focus on avoiding them when writing. Second, try to keep a dictionary and a good grammar reference handy in order to clarify any problematic areas. Finally, always proofread written work carefully, and repair errors as needed. English language learners should remember that native speakers' English isn't always the best English.

* Speech error glossary:

Eggcorn: consistently incorrect use of a similar-sounding word, like saying “elk” instead of “ilk.”

Mondegreen: mishearing the sounds of a word or phrase so they form something else, as in “also into cats” instead of “oh so intricate.” This commonly occurs with song lyrics.

Spoonerism: mixing up the sounds within a word or phrase, as in the famous example of saying “queer old dean” instead of “dear old queen.”

Malapropism: the accidental substitution of a similar-sounding word.

This is a guest post by Marina Salsbury. Marina planned on becoming a teacher since high school, but found her way instead into online writing after college. She writes around the Web about everything from education to exercise.

VocaTube - Describing people in English can be easy, learn how

2011-10-20T23:00:00.002+01:00

How can I recognise your friend Mike? How does he look like? On our daily life, this is one of the most frequently asked questions, so it’s important to know how to describe people.

In this new post about the VocaTube series, we present you a list of high quality educational videos that we have selected from YouTube. These videos will show you the most relevant vocabulary related to describing people in English.

Remember that vocabulary can only be improved with practice and listening through repetition. It’s difficult for everyone to understand from the beginning but you’ll notice that the more you listen, the better your understanding.

Good video with 7 adjectives for describing people in English – elementary English

Link to the video on YouTube

How to describe different types of people – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Interesting video where people describe their loved ones – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Learn how to describe adults and children with this video – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

Conversations where several people are described – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

ESL Kids - great website for the kids to learn English

2011-10-17T23:24:00.002+01:00

Whether you’re a teacher or a parent (or both) and are looking for a website where children can learn English, you’ll find ESL Kids a strong ally.

ESL Kids offers many resources like flashcards, worksheets, games or songs. And all for free!

It’s worth describing these online resources in more detail:

Flashcards: sorted by different themes like actions, the alphabet, body parts, buildings, Christmas and many more. For each theme, you can choose between several sizes for the flashcard, all of them in PDF format so you won’t have any compatibility problems.
Worksheets: create your own worksheet in 3 simple steps: choose a theme, click on “New Random List” and finally choose a model for your worksheet (bingo, “Rock-Paper-Scissors” game and many others.)
Games: 8 pages of innovative and funny games to use in the classroom.
Songs: a good collection of lyrics from all kinds of popular kids’ songs.

Visit ESL Kids to find out more about these great resources.

Use Social Media to Improve your Language Skills

2011-10-14T22:06:00.006+01:00

To really understand another language, you need to get to grips with the way it is used by its native speakers. Learning a language using a textbook is a good way to get to know the basics. What textbooks don’t do is help you to understand how people use language in real settings.

Social media is a fantastic resource for language learners who want to get to know a language from the inside out.

What is social media?

Social media includes any kind of website that people use to connect with each other. That includes sites such as Facebook and Twitter, forums, blogs and anywhere else people talk to each other online. There’s also an increasing number of sites designed specifically for language learning. They allow language learners to talk to each other, and with native speakers, and often include language learning exercises to try. What all social media platforms have in common is that they allow people to create informal networks that are not bound by geography. That is what makes them so useful to language learners: they are informal, fun, easy to use, and allow access to a far broader range of experience than would be possible without them.

Things to do with social media

1. Find like-minded native speakers

Use Twitter and Facebook to talk to native speakers on their own terms. Think about your interests and activities, and try to find native speakers who share them. So, if you’re into mountain biking, find a page in French on Facebook aimed at French mountain-biking enthusiasts. If you’re learning a language with a view to move abroad, find pages related to jobs you’d like to do, or towns you’d like to live in. It’s a great way to increase your knowledge of specialist terms that are relevant to you, as well as to improve generally.

2. Find new tools

Use specialist social media sites for language learning. Many offer you the opportunity to try exercises and then chat to fellow language learners. They are like a virtual international classroom. While many people still want to learn English and other languages in a real classroom, many others are unable to do so because of time and cost restraints. So, if you want to improve your job prospects by taking business English lessons but you can’t travel to the UK or the US for whatever reason, free social media sites could make this possible.

3. Find solutions with fellow learners

Learning a language online rather than in a classroom could be a lonely experience. If you’re not careful, you can miss out on what is usually a social experience. Aside from the classroom-based learning, when you study abroad, your new city inspires you to immerse yourself in the culture. For example, for international students at somewhere like St Georges English school London can provide a vibrant social setting in which to learn a language. But when you are learning on your own, all those long evenings spent memorising vocabulary could keep you from interacting with others. Social media allows language learners to chat informally in their own language or the one they’re learning, picking up hints and tips on how to progress.

This is a guest post by Alice Cuninghame on behalf of Content Lobby. Content Lobby specialises in creating free, quality content for websites and blogs. If you’re interested, feel free to contact them at info@contentlobby.com.

GrammaTube - learn the differences between those confusing words

2011-10-08T18:11:00.004+01:00

You have probably misused more than once words like choose & choice, wish & hope or hear & listen. A usual example is:

INCORRECT: You made the wrong choose. (Choose is a verb and means to select from a number of possibilities).
CORRECT: You made the wrong choice. (Choice is a noun and it is the act of choosing).

In this new post we introduce several videos chosen from YouTube that will allow you to understand and properly use these words.

Grammar can be one of the most difficult skills to develop in English but it is without doubt the key to progress throughout your learning. A good grammar base will help you to write properly and speak in English, hence improving communication with other people.

Common mistakes in English, difference between choose & choice

Link to the video on YouTube

Common mistakes in English, difference between wish & hope – part 1

Link to the video on YouTube

Common mistakes in English, difference between wish & hope – part 2

Link to the video on YouTube

Common mistakes in English, difference between wish & hope – part 3

Link to the video on YouTube

Common mistakes in English, difference between wish & hope – part 4

Link to the video on YouTube

Another English lesson that covers wish and hope

Link to the video on YouTube

Good video with differences between hear and listen to

Link to the video on YouTube

Are you listening? Can you hear me? – learn the differences between hear and listen

Link to the video on YouTube

Learn how and when to use look, see and watch

Link to the video on YouTube

Are you studying for TOEFL?

2011-10-06T22:22:00.002+01:00

Anybody willing to go for a full time on –campus higher education abroad must be aware of the criteria in qualifying the admission, which also includes qualifying the TOEFL test. Designed to test the English language skills, this test is mandatory for gaining an admission in an U.S.A university along with other universities across the World. A rough estimate shows that around 6,000 colleges and universities worldwide recognize this test score for admission.

Now, before your mind is filled with thoughts of how to prepare for TOEFL, you need to understand what the test is all about.

Understanding TOEFL test

TOEFL stand as an abbreviation for Test of English as a Foreign Language. Designed to test the English language skills of a candidate aiming for an admission at an abroad university, this test usually judges one’s writing, listening, reading, and speaking ability of English. The test is generally conducted over four and half hours time with a 10-minute break in between. The Internet based test, which is the latest version, is ranked on a scale of 0 to 120 points with each section divided into 30 points. Well, when it comes to qualification marks, the criteria set may differ with universities with the general graduating score being ranked at 82.6.

Preparing for the TOEFL

TOEFL, as a test is feared by almost all individuals aiming an admission through the foreign university. However, you need to keep in mind that the test though is challenging is not unbeatable. Effort and practice on your part can help you obtain the score. Here is a quick look at some of the tips that would help you prepare for TOEFL:

Approach the test with a preset plan.
Always prepare well as there is no place for underprepared individuals.
Prepare for the individual sections differently.
Listen to the Native American speakers via American radio, CNN and other likes.
Practice grammar exercises regularly to enhance your command over grammar.
Read as much as you can to sharpen your vocabulary skills.
Practice speaking in English with your friends to increase your speaking power.
Learn 5 to 10 words everyday and practice writing and speaking ability with those words.

However, for obtaining best results, get yourself a TOEFL Test guide and take free online tests to judge your English language command. ETS offers a number of free and paid presentation materials to help you with the TOEFL preparations, take help from those guidebooks. You can also have a look at the official TOEFL website and take the sample test online for judging your skills. The FAQ section details you all the necessary information required to sit for the test.

Fight your fear and learn the language at its best to secure an admission at a foreign university.

This guest post is a contribution from Mellisa Spears. She loves English Language and writes on topics related to learning the language or preparing for English tests. She also writes for other topics like Online MBA and Distance Learning Courses.

Learn English Abroad

2011-10-03T22:52:00.004+01:00

Using the resources to learn English available on this blog, you can improve your level of English up to upper-intermediate or advanced level. However, if you do want to step up your level, studying and doing exercises just a few hours during the week is not enough.

For many of us, we return to our daily lives where we’re surrounded by people that speak our native language and our brains will still think in that language. Is it possible for my brain to think in English? Absolutely yes! And it’s in those moments when you fulfil the long journey to feel secure and proud of your level of English. A total immersion in a foreign English speaking country is the step that’ll provide you with: full command of the language, fluency when speaking and even being able to think in English.

When taking English courses abroad, you’re also getting to know a new culture and people from all over the World (living in dormitories or family homes), apart from discovering amazing places like the UK, Ireland, Malta, the US, Canada and others. With over 40 schools in 8 countries, Kaplan International offers all kinds of English courses. There are many factors to take into account before studying English abroad and we recommend starting with three simple questions:

Where should I go to study English?

Start by choosing a country that appears interesting and then pick a city. You can find some of the places that Kaplan offers on below video:

Link to the video on YouTube

In each of the options below, you’ll find yourself living in a different culture and totally immersed in English:

Learn English in England: the main city is obviously London. You can also study in Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester and coast towns like Bournemouth or Torquay.
Learn English in Scotland: the beautiful city of Edinburgh has a very active university life and it’s a unique place from a cultural point of view.
Learn English in Ireland: the Irish capital, Dublin, combines a medium sized city with a very friendly and interesting atmosphere.
Learn English in Malta: this island combines many features that make it a very interesting alternative place to study English.
Learn English in the US: you can study English on flat 63 of the famous Empire State Bulding of New York and in Boston, Miami, Chicago, Washington or in cities of the West coast like Los Angeles, San Francisco and others.
Learn English in Canada: Vancouver and Toronto will show you the Canadian culture.
Learn English in Australia: you can study English in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Cairns, with a combination of incredible weather, spectacular natural views and a very active social life.
Learn English in New Zealand: Auckland is the entry point to this country, one of the most impressive destinations for its natural beauty.

What type of English course fulfils my goals?

The type of English course that you choose depends on your personal and professional goals. If you’d like to reach speaking fluency, you’re looking for an immersion of several weeks at least. It’s possible to do it within 6 or 12 months.

Apart from the length, you should also consider the content of the course. Below are some of the most interesting options:

Intensive English Course
General English Course
English for Business
Exam and university preparation courses, like Cambridge, GMAT, TOEFL or IELTS
English for and Academic Year or Semester
Work and English study
And before travelling, you can take an English preparation course.

Where can I stay to boost my learning of English?

To achieve a total immersion on English and culture of the country, it’s important that you live along with other English speaking people, far from your native language. The two best options for these are:

Accommodation on a family house: you’ll live with a local family, enjoying an English speaking atmosphere all the time. You’ll have your own private bedroom in any of the destinations that Kaplan offers.
Accommodation on dormitories with international students: you’ll be staying with students from more than 100 different countries.

We recommend you to explore some of the options and analyze which of the Kaplan schools is the ideal for you. Don’t forget to define the type of course, length and accommodation. There are many options to study English abroad! You can contact a Kaplan student advisor through this form to get more details and specialized help in order to choose the right course, destination and accommodation for you.

GrammaTube - talking about quantity in English: few, little, much, many, a lot

2011-10-01T12:55:00.002+01:00

There are several quantifiers (a determiner or pronoun indicative of quantity) in English like few, little, much, many or a lot. ESL students find them confusing and use them incorrectly.

To help you understand them, we have chosen several videos from YouTube that explain how to properly use quantifiers through lessons and real life examples.

Grammar can be one of the most difficult skills to develop in English but it is without doubt the key to progress throughout your learning. A good grammar base will help you to write properly and speak in English, hence improving communication with other people.

Good video that explains many common and not as common quantifiers

Link to the video on YouTube

Learn how to use quantifiers “much”, “many” and “a lot”

Link to the video on YouTube

Common English expressions related to quantity, learn the difference between “a little” and “a few”

Link to the video on YouTube

Comparison between “There is” and quantifiers

Link to the video on YouTube

Funny song to practice “how many?” and “how much?”

Link to the video on YouTube

Learn the differences between “few / a few” and “little / a little”

Link to the video on YouTube

Another great video with the differences between “few / a few” and “little / a little”

Link to the video on YouTube

The Ability to Master a Foreign Language is like Running a Marathon

2011-09-23T22:12:00.002+01:00

The ability to master a foreign language is like running a marathon. Crossing the finish line when the race is over is a great accomplishment, but that 26.2-mile run has many ups and downs along the way.

Just when you think you have the hang of the trail, hills and bumps start appearing. Sometimes when the road looks easy, it is actually the hardest part of the run.

A welled trained marathon runner prepares themselves for weeks and makes sure they are equipped with the right tools to make their run as successful as possible. A never give up attitude, along with their preparation and tools, overcomes human weaknesses such as fatigue and body soars acquired along the route.

Learning a Language like a Marathon Runner

Just as a marathon runner prepares and makes sure they are equipped with tools to run a successful race, language learners need to take the same approach with learning a language; the tools and preparation required to learn a language are different, but they are just as important.

There are many tools language learners can use to learn a language. Dictionaries, literature books, language learning software, television, and native speakers are just a few of the tools language learners equip themselves for success.

Using Tools to Help You Succeed

While spending 24 months in the country of Haiti, I armed myself with the tools listed above to run the language learning marathon. I remember the plane ride into Haiti from Miami. At the time I could only pick out a few words from the native speakers, but I had been studying with Haitian Creole speakers and a dictionary with flash cards two months prior. These tools helped me get a great foundation for learning a foreign language but when I first arrived in Haiti and started hearing these words spoken from native speakers I realized speaking like a native was a whole different ball game.

The first day into the country, I was placed in a house with 4 native speakers, and was there for 12 months. The only English I saw or heard was from my English-to-Haitian Creole dictionary and letters from home. This tool was vital to helping me understand the language I was starting to learn.

Each month that passed was like a mile in a marathon, and I became stronger in the language each day. I went from only knowing what was being talked about by picking out a few words of a conversation, to finally being able to converse.

By the time I left the country, I had mastered the language. I even made natives astonished by my vocabulary, pronunciation, and the speed in which I could speak Haitian Creole.

Mastering the English Language

After returning home, I entered college and went back to mastering my native language of English. I became aware of how lucky we are to have spelling and grammar automated tools, and wished there was one for every language spoken. I know I could have used them when I was learning Haitain Creole!

Given my experience with learning a foreign language I believe spelling and grammar tools are undervalued. If used effectively, I believe they can only speed up the pace of mastering a language. These tools help explain why the English language works the way it does, not just that you have made a mistake.

Remember that learning a language is a difficult task. It will not come in one day, but rather over a period of time just like finishing a marathon. Arm yourself with the right tools to succeed, and look for tools that you might have over looked. Happy Learning!

The author of this guest post is Kody Carling. Kody works for Mangoco, a web design company based out of Ashburn Virginia. You can follow him on Twitter @K_carling.

VocaTube - Learn how to say many different types of houses in English

2011-09-18T22:52:00.002+01:00

On this new episode of the VocaTube series, we’re bringing you a list of videos sorted according to the levels of difficulty with which you’ll learn the most relevant English vocabulary related to types of houses. You’ll be able to learn interesting vocabulary like hut and understand the meaning of maisonette or cottage.

Remember that vocabulary can only be improved with practice and listening through repetition. It’s difficult for everyone to understand from the beginning but you’ll notice that the more hours you listen, the better your understanding.

Introductory video to learn the types of houses in English – elementary English

Link to the video on YouTube

Entertaining song that describes several types of houses – elementary English

Link to the video on YouTube

Excellent video with types of houses where British people live – intermediate English

Link to the video on YouTube

The most expensive house in the World – advanced English

Link to the video on YouTube

Add value to your CV by improving your level of English

2011-09-12T22:50:00.002+01:00

Whether you’re looking for a job or not, it’s always good to acquire new skills and knowledge to help improve your Curriculum Vitae (hereinafter referred to as ‘CV’). These can be directly related to your profession (like a training course) or can be more generic like languages.

There’s no doubt that knowing languages will always open new doors for you as we live in a globalized World with companies having offices in every continent. The professional communication language is English and as such, mastering it is an essential requirement to access to a good job.

If you have decided to improve your level of English, you could be in one of the following situations:

You have a job and a good amount of free time. Good for you, make the most of that time and willingness to learn English. On this blog you’ll find hundreds of free resources, learning guides and innovative ideas to learn English.
You have a job but not much free time. How can you learn English if, when you finish work, all the academies are closed? Who wants to learn English when you have only 3 or fewer free hours per day? The answer to the first question is that there are loads of flexible ways to learn English and many of them use the Internet. If you are looking for some tips on how to learn English online, start by looking at our learning guides. With reference to the second question, when there’s not much time you have to prioritize; it may look as if learning English doesn’t give an immediate advantage, but in the medium and large term it’ll turn out to be very beneficial for sure.
You don’t have a job. The positive side is that you probably have a lot of free time, the negative side is probably all the rest. How can you study English if you don’t have enough money to study in an academy? It seems to be a tin can tied to its tail situation. Fortunately, you can study English for free so no need for money. As with the person with a job but not much free time, we’d recommend you start with our learning guides. Also don’t forget about finding a person to speak English with in some of the social networks to learn languages.

If you’re looking for a job, the most important thing is to keep a positive attitude and never give up. You could also offer to do some voluntary work with charities. Apart from getting to know people, this looks good on your CV. Potential employers often take note of voluntary work contributions.

At Learn English Online we’d also like to thrown in our two penneth. If you have studied a course related to English teaching and are looking for a job, we invite you to collaborate on this blog. If you actively collaborate on the blog, your name will appear on the “Active Contributors” section. If you prefer, it could also include a link to your profile in a professional network like LinkedIn or Xing.

And as always, at Learn English Online we’d like to keep helping you with the best online resources to learn English.

If you have any questions about how to become and active contributor or write a guest post, drop us an email to:

How to Prepare for IELTS?

2011-09-09T17:00:00.002+01:00

‘Why Learn English’ for higher studies or professional growth is one question that pops up in the mind of every learner of the language? Well, the answer is simple- enhancing the English language skills comes up as a necessity for qualifying for a degree program in United Kingdom or for succeeding in the professional growth. If you wish to Study in UK for your higher academic degree then, qualifying the IELTS test ranks as one of the most significant step to your success. Canadian, Australian and U.S universities along with the UK universities, also recognizes this test widely.

What is IELTS all about?

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing system. This particular test is designed to evaluate your proficiency in the English language. It is based on a nine-point band, where a nine signifies the highest mark complementing the equivalency to the highly educated native of the country. Preparing for IELTS requires you to brush all the four skills of the language that includes writing, speaking, reading, and listening in an academic context. You can sit for this test at periodic intervals throughout the year and are organized at centers worldwide.

What is the Qualification Mark for IELTS

Usually, an undergraduate student needs to score a mark of 5.5in average for university admission, while a postgraduate needs to score an average of 6.5. Some universities ask for a higher course for a few chosen programs. Preparing for IELTS should be done keeping in mind the score requirements.

How to Prepare for IELTS Exam?

Preparing for IELTS requires you to enroll at study centers focusing on training the students in accordance to the exam. These days, online classes are also available, which you can take up via the road of Distance Learning. However, you also need to focus on your study techniques for qualifying the IELTS exam. The following tips should help you cut the score required for admission in UK universities:

Know about the test and the module. The skills that are being tested require a thorough brush up and hence needs time.
Make sure you are using your study time properly. Organize a planned timetable and follow it at best. Take mock tests frequently and try to cut through the past score achieved.
Study each skill differently and with proper focus, as each skill is being marked independently in the test. Know your weakness and work towards it.
Make sure that you are aware of the exact procedure of the test and the way you are marked or the time given for the test. Set the clock accordingly and appear for mock tests.
Only learning for the test according to the curriculum is not advisable. Submerge yourself in English; join an English club, develop reading habits and watch and listen to English channels.

Learn English and qualify the IELTS test to offer your dreams the wings to soar above all.

This is a guest post by Melissa Spears. She is attracted to English language and loves to explore the internationally recognized language at a global base. She writes about English Language Learning and English test preparations.