Do you remember all of the people who told you that English is one of the hardest languages to learn?  Well, they were right.  This does not mean you can’t learn it. It only means that there are some challenges you will have to overcome..  One of the biggest challenges is learning that English speakers don’t always pronounce words the way they’re spelled. (more…)

Are you struggling to learn English and can’t find any way to make it any easier?  One way to increase your English skills is by taking advantage of the resources available to you on the Internet. (more…)

Did you know that right now, approximately 1 billion people are trying to learn to speak and write English?  Maybe that doesn’t impress you.  Maybe you still don’t think learning another language is something that interests you.  Your family and most of your friends have survived without learning English.  Why should you bother?  In truth, there are many good reasons that you, as a part of this generation, must learn English.  Let’s talk about them. (more…)

One of the best ways to improve your English skills is by working with a private tutor.  Although learning in a class with many students also has its advantages, nothing beats having a person sitting beside you, listening to you speak the language and telling you when you get it wrong–and right. (more…)

When learning a second language, it always seems like a non-stop battle between new material, and what you have always been doing with speech and grammar.  Much of the material that is presented to you seems unorganized, confusing, and many times, there is almost too much of it to handle.  There are two major things you need to have to learn English as a second language; patients, and keeping an open mind.  These two key items will help keep you relaxed and realize that you won’t be able to understand everything at once. (more…)

My mother told me many times when I was younger, “You’ll never learn anything sitting in front of a video game all day.”  Maybe that was true back then, but there is an exciting way now that you can use a video game to help you learn Spanish.  It’s  a program called “My English Coach.” (more…)

How you relate to other people is an essential ingredient in determining whether you will be successful or not in business. If you have a bad attitude and are rude or short with co-workers, clients or associates it is likely that you will not do well in your business relationships. (more…)

The internet is a wealth of information with data and tools at our fingertips to help us to learn English and continue to build our vocabulary as we progress. If you don’t utilize your newfound language skills and keep adding to your vocabulary you will become more hesitant to use it. (more…)

When I first started exploring the idea of getting my children involved in homeschooling, I ran into something of a quandary. I believed that homeschooling had the potential of delivering the best possible education to my children, because we would not have to hold back my kids until other kids caught up with them. However, most curriculum available was woefully behind what was available at better public schools. And certainly it was behind what was available at most of the better private schools.

In short, it seemed to me that the potential of homeschooling has never been fully realized.

That no longer seems to be the case. Fortunately I found something that lives up to the potential that has always existed with homeschooling. The Global Student Network uses cutting-edge technology to deliver course materials 24 hours a day via the Internet. And instead of being written by “educators” with poor or no credentials, all materials come from the best libraries, schools and museums throughout the world. By connecting my kids with a truly first-rate curriculum online, I now feel confident in the education my kids are going to receive. I’ll provide the link for those who want to check it out for themselves. It’s www.globalstudentnetwork.com.<-->

If you are an ESL student who wants to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL it is important for you to be prepared when you take the test. Like all tests it sounds scary but if you concentrate on learning you will do fine. Here are some easy guidelines to follow every day to make it easier for you:

• Listen - Television, movies, radio, music and online programs will help you tremendously because listening will strengthen your vocabulary and if you listen closely to the words you will understand what syllables to stress. Take note of special expressions or slang terms that are used that might be regional or might not.
• Read - Newspapers, magazines, books, textbooks, even labels at the grocery store – al of these things will help you to learn English and are available everywhere.
• Write – Sending emails is ideal for helping you with sentence structure although many people tend to make abbreviations so try to avoid that. In class you can take notes – and not in your native language – especially write down words or phrases that are new to you. Keeping a journal or a diary is a good way to see your progress. It will also make a nice remembrance for later years but gives you good practice now when you need it.
• Speak – Try to speak to people as much as possible. Make excuses to start conversations by asking for directions or asking an opinion about something. The more you practice the better you will be and the easier it will get every day as well.

Here are a few more tips for taking International English Tests. On test day don’t waste time on questions that you aren’t sure of. Skip them and come back to them later but remember to pace yourself so that you don’t run out of time. Most of all – don’t panic if you have been using the tips you should have no problem passing the test.