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English Language Articles

Browse our library of articles with include advice, tutorials, tips and opinions about learning and using the English language. We have a wide range of articles covering topics including English grammar, examinations, learning English, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

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Adjectives and Adverbs (6), Aptis (1), BULATS (1), Cambridge First (formerly FCE) (1), Cambridge Proficiency (formerly CPE) (2), Conditionals (8), Conjunctions (2), Direct & Indirect Speech (1), Discourse (1), Emailing (8), Functional Language (1), General (10), IELTS (14), Learning and Teaching (27), Listening Skills (1), Modals (1), Past Tenses (2), Phrasal Verbs (1), Prepositions (4), Present Perfect (1), Presentation Skills (4), Pronunciation (6), Reading Skills (24), Social English (5), Spelling and Punctuation (7), Telephoning (10), TOEIC (9), Varieties and Dialects (8), Verbs and Tenses (10), Vocabulary (5)

Latest Articles & Notes

70 ways to improve your English Pinned

Learning a new language can be hard work, so here are 70 practical tips for improving your English that you can do outside of school or college

12 learning vocabulary challenges New

Category: Vocabulary Topic: General
A dozen motivating and realistic targets to help you improve your knowledge of words and phrases

How to teach starting and ending meetings New

How to teach smooth, polite and friendly beginnings and endings of English business meetings.

Writing in English problems and solutions New

Category: Writing Topic: General
Tips for solving the most common ESL writing problems.

10 learning grammar challenges New

Category: English Grammar Topic: General
Ten ambitious but achievable grammar learning targets to improve your motivation and language knowledge

How to start and end IELTS letters New

Tips and useful phrases for IELTS General Task 1 opening greetings, opening lines, closing lines, closing greetings, and name at the end, including opening and closing both formal IELTS letters and informal IELTS letters

Analysis of official IELTS General Writing Task 1 informal letter tasks New

Descriptions of the situations, functional language, number of points to cover etc included in the eleven official IELTS GT Writing letter tasks that clearly need casual/ informal/ friendly language.

Learning English vocabulary problems and solutions

Category: Vocabulary Topic: General
11 practical ways to solve typical issues with memorising and using English words and phrases

How to read English books with your child

Category: Young Learners Topic: Reading Skills
Eight common sense tips on using children's books at home to help kids and parents learn English together, including what to read, when to read it, and how to use it

How to use English songs with your child

Top tips on when and how to use songs at home to teach English to your kids, including advice on the most suitable songs and the best ways to help children learn more from them.

How to make listening to English easier

15 tips on making listening in another language less challenging, including choosing more suitable materials, listening in different ways, and getting ready to listen

How to make learning vocabulary easier

Category: Learning English Topic: Vocabulary
13 top tips on learning words and expressions more easily, including how to select what to study, and how to do so in a more manageable way

How to make learning grammar easier

Category: English Grammar Topic: General
12 top learning grammar on your own more easily tips, including the best things to study and selecting the best ways to do so.

How to read graded readers

Category: Receptive Skills Topic: Reading Skills
The best ways to select, read, evaluate and learn new language from easy readers for language learners such as Pre-Intermediate level fiction.

How to read the news in English

Category: Receptive Skills Topic: Reading Skills
Reading English news for language learning tips, including choosing the best sources of news, the best ways of reading them, and how to memorise the language that they contain.

23 Writing in English Challenges

Category: Writing Topic: General
This article provides 23 methods to motivate yourself to write in English, including writing something every day, setting targets, and practicing exam essays.

21 reading in English challenges

Category: Receptive Skills Topic: Reading Skills
Reading is a valuable tool for improving English skills, but finding the time and motivation can be challenging. This article suggests 21 challenges to help students read more effectively and consistently.

How to write in English more quickly

Category: Writing Topic: General
This article provides 16 tips for improving English writing skills, including writing quickly, editing later, avoiding translation, and using useful phrases.

How to read more quickly in English

Category: Receptive Skills Topic: Reading Skills
Twenty three commonsense reading faster in English tips.

How to read in English outside class

Category: Receptive Skills Topic: Reading Skills
Reading in English is an effective way to improve vocabulary and comprehension. This article provides 15 self-study tips for successful reading, including choosing suitable material, reading quickly, and avoiding translation.

What to read in English outside class

Category: Receptive Skills Topic: Reading Skills
24 manageable and useful things to read to improve your English vocabulary, feel for correct language, reading speed, etc.

How to write in English outside class

Category: Writing Topic: General
Extra writing outside of class or homework is a valuable way to improve language skills. This article provides tips and self-study writing methods for generating ideas, using models, planning, editing, and more.

Important words with schwa by level

Category: Vocabulary Topic: Pronunciation
Words which might be difficult to recognise and/ or pronounce due to an unstressed vowel sound (schwa), at levels from Elementary to Advanced/ Proficiency.

What to write in English outside class

Category: Writing Topic: General
30 things to write for yourself and others to improve your English writing, speaking, vocabulary, etc.

Essential Tips for Fluent English Reading

Category: Receptive Skills Topic: Reading Skills
Learn about Reading Fluency and its importance in understanding English texts, helping you read more confidently and effectively.

Formal Letter Writing - Help with formal and business letter writing. A summary of writing rules including outlines for cover letters and letters of enquiry, and abbreviations used in letters.

Speaking Out - A collection of thoughts, comments and articles regarding some of the issues and discussion points that have been raised in our ESL Forum.

More English Articles

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