Fresh on the blog

Collocations are key to communicating in English. So what are they, and where do you find them?

Let’s look at a personal question today. In the G.B.C. test, there are often questions about travel, and it’s a good idea to think about potential places you would like to visit (or places you have been) and the reasons why you are attracted to the place.

Thinking of taking the IELTS? So am I. Remember to study for it—even if you're a native speaker! 

Have you ever seen comedy from another culture and wondered, why is this considered funny? Believe it or not, this even happens to English speakers from different countries.

Giving negative feedback is hard. This post will make it a little easier by introducing three phrases you can use to give feedback while still showing respect for their effort.

A lot of people misuse in and later. Are you one of them?

Some pronunciation strategies are ineffective. But, by using the right strategy, you can sound much more like a native speaker.

The words enough and too are easy to understand, but many students fail to use them correctly. Or, even if they are correct, they may be unnatural. I've heard too many mistakes, and I've had enough! It's time to master too and enough.

Prick up your ears for these 10 idioms using the word "ear"!

When you speak, how much does the audience remember, and which parts do they remember? The answer may help you re-think how to be an impressive communicator.

Can you be yourself in a second language?

Learning happens in four stages. Knowing which stage you are on means you know where to go next—or if you are finished!

Should you use jargon with your colleagues? How about with your clients? How about in a speaking test? Here's a simple but powerful rule to guide you.

Ideas change, and what's radical to one generation may be normal to the next.

In English, the negative component can be put in a variety of places. But, as long as the meaning is the same, the negative element should go as close to the beginning as possible.

Stressing a word when speaking, by saying it longer, louder or with higher intonation, will show the listener which word is key. 

Speaking tests are a performance. You have to show your skills.

The Grammar/Syntax section of the G.B.C. test is one in which the majority of students score below 3, with scores of 1 or 2 being very common.

Many students who have studied vocabulary still don't score well in the G.B.C. test. We'll show you why.

We'll help you understand the Delivery section of your G.B.C score sheet. You'll also learn how to approach delivery to maximise your score.