Great website for English language news

I'd like to share a great resource I've just found for English language news on a huge range of topics from a wide variety of sources, all in one place: http://www.newsnow.co.uk/ . Updates are frequent, too.

It has been added to my Favourites list. Check it out!









(Image from http://anysnapshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Earth-Globe-Icons-Set-Free-300x205.jpg )

Grammar Check Infographic: 10 Common Writing Mistakes

This infographic was designed for blog writers but the advice applies to any form of writing.

An infographic by GrammarCheck

Using Conditionals in English

We all know that constructing "if" sentences ("conditionals") in English can sometimes be tricky.

Here's a superb mind map from ZDENDA to help you navigate!

Just click on the image to enlarge it.



More information can be found at http://www.engames.eu/conditionals-intermediate-grammar/ .

Is it impossible to translate some words?

Lucy Greaves writes,

"No two languages map neatly on to one another with direct correspondences between words. Languages are bound up with the cultures of their users and have all developed in different contexts and along different paths. There is also a great deal of variation in the way different individuals relate to the language they use."

Read the complete article in "The Guardian" here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jan/31/word-untranslatable-lucy-greaves?CMP=twt_gu

Do you believe some words cannot be translated? Can you think of examples in your first language?

Has your first language contributed any words to English?

What strategies do you use when you can't translate a word into English?

Don't forget to check out the great blog at http://www.freewordcentre.com/blog/2013/03/more-of-our-favourite-untranslatable-words/ !

Join "Ask the Experts" -- Live Chat on IELTS Official Facebook -- Feb 07 2014

"Don’t forget to join the ‘Ask the Experts’ live chat session on the IELTS Official Facebook page 07 Feb at 13.30-14.30 GMT.

This session you can ask any questions you have on the Academic Writing test.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/IELTSOfficial .


Find out the time of the session where you are: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/"

(From: IELTSOfficial)

Do you know the name of this Australian animal?

Do you know the name of this distinctively shaped creature?



This fellow (not real, of course) has travelled with me for at least fifteen years, in Australia, Asia and the USA.

If I had to choose a favourite among Australia's many unique and diverse forms of wildlife, it might indeed be this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wombat

The wisdom of John Lennon

Do you agree?

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year, bringing everything you wish for and more!

Traditionally, we wish others a "Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year".

Enjoy this video of Sydney's spectacular New Year fireworks:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/10544410/Sydney-celebrates-arrival-of-2014-with-spectacular-fireworks.html

Learn English Through Films

Films are an interesting and entertaining way to improve your English. Films expose you to language used in a (largely) natural way in a variety of accents and give many insights into the cultures of English-speaking countries.

Here's a great source of free online films:

http://www.openculture.com/freemoviesonline

Have fun!

Talking About the Future in English

Talking about the future

Here's a quick review of the main ways we talk about the future in English.

Let me know if you have questions!


 present continuous


definite arrangements

We're having a party on Saturday night.

They're driving to Wilmington tomorrow morning.

She's coming for lunch on Sunday at 1.00.


 going to


plans and intentions

I'm going to do my homework tonight.

We're going to play tennis next week.


predictions from something in the present


(The sky is cloudy.) It's going to rain.


 will


simple future

(He's 20 years old.) In 5 years he will be 25 years old .

It will be summer in January.


something we decide to do just before/as we speak

O.K. ! I'll answer the telephone !


Reading:

Here's a link to an article on predicted marketing trends in 2014: http://www.sugarspunmarketing.com/blog/marketing-evolution-changes-come-2014/#.UrmcSfk_tNM

After reading the article, make sentences about the future using

1. present continuous
2. going to
3. will

Examiner approved IELTS Tips

Go to http://www.ieltsessentials.com/prepare/essentials_pack.aspx to download IDP's free examiner approved IELTS tips.

You will need to complete a brief form before you can download.

Hope it helps!

Australians are living longer, are healthier and better educated than a decade ago

"Australians are living longer, are healthier and better educated than a decade ago, according to a snapshot released by the Bureau of Statistics.

The Measures of Australian Progress report is broken up into four areas: society, economy, governance and environment. It has found a nation in good shape in most areas."

Read the complete article at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-14/progress-report/5091566 .

What are the five areas in which Australia has seen progress?

Which are the two areas in which there has been regress?

Three Great Time Management Tips

Feeling your days slip by way too quickly? Most of us have hectic schedules to manage.

"We've all experienced it. The day ends, the to-do list is longer than it was in the morning, and you don't know where the time went. It just seemed to fly away.

Actually, the issue is never time. Time is time. It doesn't fly, walk, or crawl. The issue is how effectively you manage the time you have."

Read the article at

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201311/umm-what-just-happened-my-day

for three great tips.

Have a productive day!