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Each year new words enter the English language. Some are added to dictionaries like . Others are old words that are given new meanings. These new words show the evolution of language and the issues affecting the world today. And the most popular words of ... Read More
2019 went by in a flash - and what a year it’s been! We’re just as excited to be looking back on the past 12 months as we are for the New Year. If you’re like us and you’re ready to get cosy with a hot chocolate in hand, we’re sure you’ll ... Read More
Telephone interviews in English can seem scary. Employers often use them to filter-out candidates before the face-to-face round. It’s really important to make a good impression, but there’s so much to think about. What will you say? How do you sound?... Read More
Writing in your only language can be a challenge, but writing in another language can be a complete nightmare ! Where do you even begin? If you are taking your Cambridge B2 First exam you’ll have to write two texts in an 80-minute period. In part 1 y... Read More
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. Traditionally, it signals the start of the Christmas shopping period. Expect to get lots of your favourite products at discount prices and to see lots of shops bustling with people! What once began as a day of ... Read More
The (CAE) is a high-level qualification, designed to show that candidates are confident and flexible language users who have the linguistic skills to live, work and study in English-speaking environments. But like any exam, achieving a good mark isn’t ... Read More
Many people believe that artificial intelligence (AI) translators are surpassing human translators in their ability to accurately translate foreign languages. With the growing popularity of home voice recognition systems like Alexa and apps such as Google... Read More
Apps are a great tool for learning English. They are quick, easy to access and fun. It’s almost like having a mini classroom on your phone - there to use whenever you are bored or have some time to kill. And although apps can’t replace your real-life... Read More
There are four linguistic skills that you utilise when learning a new language: reading, writing speaking and listening. Of the four skills, speaking is often the skill that students find the most difficult. Having a conversation in a foreign language can... Read More
So, you’ve moved onto Part 3, and after completing Part 2 it’s probably a welcome relief to be given some help with the missing words in the text! It’s true that many students feel this to be the easiest part of the Reading and Use of English pap... Read More
Whether it’s in meetings, telephone conversations or networking events, you’ll find specific vocabulary and buzzwords everywhere in the world of business! Knowing these words in English can help open career opportunities and help you communicate effec... Read More
It’s time for some back-to-school motivation. The new school year is about to start and everyone is feeling refreshed and energised after the summer holidays. It’s the best time of the year to really think about how you’re going to approach learning... Read More
Haven’t you heard? Nobody is watching the TV anymore - 2019 is the year of the YouTuber! If you’re an English language student, there’s some great news for you: there are hundreds of thousands of videos to help you learn English and thousands of te... Read More
So, you’ve completed the of your Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE). Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the rest of the exam. But when you turn to Part 2, you see something which looks the same, only they’ve taken away all of the multiple choice options!... Read More
“The problem with the French is that they have no word for entrepreneur.” This phrase was attributed to George W. Bush, evidence of his famed stupidity. ‘Entrepreneur’ is a French word, duh! In fairness, he never said this, but it’s still a fu... Read More
The Gràcia Festival, or , is an annual celebration taking place in the lovely, bohemian neighbourhood of Gràcia in uptown Barcelona. Organized between the 15th and 21st of August, the barrio’s lavishly decorated streets and the festival’s many activ... Read More
Barcelona residents will often tell you than nothing happens in August. It’s too hot and everyone escapes to little villages on the Catalan coast. But is it true? Does Barcelona really shut down in August? Not at all! In fact there are plenty of things ... Read More
Do you have difficulty with the past tenses in English? Do you know the difference between the past simple and past perfect? Knowing what they are and when to use them can be tricky, but don’t worry we are here to help you with all your past tense doubt... Read More
Students who are taking their B2 First Certificate exam (FCE) will be asked to do two pieces of writing within an 80 minute time limit. Part 1 is . Part 2 is where you can get a bit more creative. You might, for example, be asked to write a letter, a repo... Read More
Unless you were raised to be bilingual, speaking two languages can require years of study and hard work. Even once you’ve acquired a second language, it’s a case of use it or lose it. If you don’t regularly speak, read in, or listen to that second l... Read More
What’s better than watching a fantastic, original-language movie in a theatre? Watching a fantastic, original-language movie in an open-air theatre! This summer, returns with an unmissable programme of films to watch on a big white screen stretched acr... Read More
Ever wonder how much time you spend on your phone a day? According to the latest studies, the average person spends on social media per day. A large chunk of that is spent on Instagram, an app with over monthly active users. Sounds like a lot, right? ... Read More
Here comes the sun! That’s right, summer is on its way and, for many, that means a chance to take a well-deserved break and to try some new things too. Summer can be a great opportunity to further ourselves. You might be looking for that promotion at w... Read More
You’ve done the hard part and finally registered for your , congratulations! Now all you need to do is pass it! However, this exam is . That means you’re going to need some practice managing your time, developing a strategy, and building your con... Read More
Everyone is talking about soft skills. They are the personal traits that allow you to be mentally elastic, to adapt to new situations, and to be an excellent communicator and creative problem solver. And why are these skills soft exactly? Because, unl... Read More
Are you struggling to decide which English language exam to take? You’re not alone: with so many different options on the table, it’s a difficult decision to make - especially when you need to choose the right exam for your studies, work, or visa appl... Read More
We’re sure you’ve done a great job answering the questions for of your . But now you’re faced with a completely different challenge. In front of you is a jigsaw puzzle of a story, with some big gaps, odd linking expressions, mysterious pronouns, a... Read More
Imagine you have woken up in Barcelona for the first time in your life. You walk outside and you notice something unusual. There are stands in every corner where people are buying and selling roses. You walk down some streets and see that some stands are ... Read More
Have you ever put on an English radio station or podcast and gone to sleep, hoping that when you wake up in the morning your listening skills will be magically better? Sadly, language learning doesn’t really work like that - at least, not in our exp... Read More
What’s the most challenging thing about going on holiday in an English speaking country? Twenty years ago you might have said ‘asking for directions’ or ‘booking a room in a hotel’, but nowadays, all that can be online - swipe, click, sorted! ... Read More
