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11-19
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[img]TOEIC is an English proficiency test for non-native speakers to find out whether they can communicate well in English independently in a foreign country. While TOEFL and IELTS tests are aimed at students who want to do further studies in an English-speaking country, TOEIC is for business and employment. So, if you want to work or do business abroad, then you should take the TOEIC test. It has listening, reading, writing, and speaking sections. Though the test is quite easy, the test takers make some common mistakes that affect their test results. Here we will discuss these mistakes and learn how to avoid them.

Not being familiar with the test format

When preparing for the test, the first thing you should do is look at the format and register it in your head permanently. The test has two sections: Reading and listening. The question types of each section are different. If you are not familiar with the format before the test, you will waste a lot of time during the exam figuring out the solution to a question. To avoid this mistake you must do lots of practice tests. That way you will know what to expect at the test. The listening section has four parts: conversations, talks, photographs, and question-response.

Not giving importance to time management

You must remember that it is a time-based exam. You will get limited time to complete all your questions. The candidates often don't manage time properly during the exam and so end up not completing the questions. The worst part of this is that they often leave out questions whose answers they know. To avoid such mistakes you must do timed practice tests. Have a stopwatch ready and see how long it takes you to answer the questions. Remember that the Reading section has 100 questions which you must complete in 75 minutes. The listening section also has 100 questions which you must complete in 45 minutes. Practice completing each section within the allotted time.

Not improving vocabulary

Many candidates think that they have enough vocabulary in their store and so they don't need to improve it. They are thinking in the wrong direction. If you have a limited vocabulary then you won't understand many of the questions asked during the exam. This test covers diverse topics; so not knowing enough words can be a disaster. You must practice new words every day. When you come across a new word, don't just memorize it. Try to write it in a sentence so that you can easily recall the word later. You should learn the synonyms and antonyms. Using flashcards is a smart move toward learning new words. [img]

Neglecting grammar

Though you won't have direct grammatical questions in this test, you must know the ins and outs of English grammar. The examiner will test your grammar skills when you answer the questions. You may end up giving wrong answers in the Reading section if you have poor grammatical knowledge. Before the exam, you should review the grammar rules from a good English grammar book.

Translating everything to the native language

Many people try to translate everything into their native language before answering any question. This process can be time-consuming and may lead to giving wrong answers. You must improve your English thinking skills so that you don't have to rely on translating.

Not practicing the listening section

You can get a lower score if you don't practice the listening section enough. You should listen to news, songs, and podcasts regularly before the exam to improve your listening skills. Remember that the accent can vary from person to person. You should be able to understand any accent. Instead of focusing on a few words you must look at the whole picture. That way you will find it easier to understand the context.

Giving random answers

As it's a multiple-choice test, many people tend to guess the answers, especially when there isn't much time left. But this strategy can lower your chances of getting the answer right. Instead of random guessing, you should use techniques like elimination strategies. If you have to guess, make an educated guess and not a random one. Look out for the main idea and focus on the purpose of the conversations.

Rushing into answers

Though there is a time limitation, you shouldn't rush into answers. You must take the time to answer and review them. Reviewing decreases the chance of giving wrong answers or missing out on answering any question.

Not properly reading instructions

No matter how many times you have done practice tests at home, you should read the questions carefully in the exam hall. Some questions ask you to write two answers, for example. So, if you don't read the instructions then you might miss out on answering a question properly.

Rushing through speaking and writing tests

In the TOEIC exam, the speaking and writing sections are given together. If you are sitting for the speaking test then don't rush to your answers. Take some time to understand the question and plan your answer. When answering questions in the writing section, focus on the opening, body, and closing of your content.

Be stressed before the exam

You shouldn't be stressed right before the exam. This will affect your performance and you will get a poor score. Try to sleep well the night before so that you have a clear head before you go to the exam hall. You should practice relaxing techniques to get rid of stress and anxiety. You can try doing yoga or meditation. Deep breathing exercises are also helpful. By knowing the common mistakes that people make when taking the TOEIC exam, you can increase your chance of getting a high score. By remembering these tips you can avoid simple mistakes in the TOEIC exam. Remember that there will be questions whose answers you may not know. But by avoiding these mistakes you can ensure that you answer the known questions correctly.
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[img]Like TOEFL, IELTS is also a test to know your level of English. But unlike TOEFL, there are two types of IELTS exams; General Training an the other is Academic.

IELTS writing

In this section, you must write an essay on a given topic. By knowing how the essay is marked, you can change your strategy to impress the examiner. You must link your ideas before starting your essay. So, the ideas must be coherent. You should use various vocabularies to demonstrate your language-related skills. The examiners expect that you will not only use rich vocabulary in writing but also use various grammatical structures properly. When practicing IELTS writing, make sure to time your essay and count the number of boxes in the report. As a rule of thumb, you should spend 5 to 10 minutes reading the question and planning the answer. Then make the first draft within the next 20 minutes. Lastly, after you have written the final version of the essay, you must proofread it. After you have written the outline of the essay, you must expand each idea by using connected words, like, 'therefore' to connect multiple ideas. You can also provide more information by using words like 'also' or 'furthermore'. In this type of writing task, you can compare two ideas as well. After writing the essay you must edit and proofread it. While writing the essay mark or write areas of improvement. For example, if your sentences are too long then you can shorten them with different use of words or grammatical structure.

Difference between the writing section in the General Testing and Academic sections

In both the General Training and the Academic sections of IELTS, you have to do two tasks.

General Testing Writing Task 1

includes writing a formal, informal, or semi-formal letter.

Academic Writing Task 1

includes preparing a report, table, pie chart, line graph, bar chart, and other forms of graphs.

Tips for writing letter in General Testing Task 1

• An informal letter is for someone you know personally. The content of the letter is not serious. In a semi-formal letter, you write to someone you know personally but about a serious matter such as work. In a formal letter, you address someone you don't know personally about a serious matter. • Letters about applications, resignations, complaints, requests, and arrangements are formal. Letters relating to invitations and explanations are semi-formal. Information, apology, and explanation are usually informal letter topics. • Your letter must cover all the points mentioned in the question. • You must pay attention to the opening and closing lines. You must craft each paragraph carefully as well. • Depending on whether the letter you are writing is formal, informal, or semi-final, you need to change the style and tone of the letter. • It is recommended that you write a minimum of 200 words. • Don't take more than 20 minutes to complete this task as it comprises only 33% of the entire writing test. Spend about 3 to 4 minutes planning the letter and make sure you keep 2 minutes in hand to proofread the letter for spelling and grammatical mistakes. • It is not required to write the address on the letter. You can start with "Dear….". • You should understand who the recipient of the letter will be so that you can set the tone and style of the letter according to your relationship with that person. For example, if you are writing to your instructor, then the tone of the letter will be a bit formal compared to a letter intended for a friend. • Look closely to the aim and purpose of the letter and plan your letter accordingly. • For each bullet point mentioned in the question, have one paragraph. • Use your imagination to come up with the names you will mention in the letter and the information you will provide. • Always sign off the letter properly.

Academic Task 1 Report

• You are required to analyze a table, graph, chart, diagram, or map. • You should highlight and represent key features. • The number of words in your report should be more than 150. • You should take more than 20 minutes for this task. [img]

IELTS Writing Task 2

There are minor differences between writing task 2 of General Testing and Academic writing. These are mentioned below: • The essay question of General Testing is easier than Academic. • The essay topics of the General Testing are common like family, society, school, communication, etc. Academic essay writing topics are more serious, like space exploration. • In both the General Testing and Academic writing you get one of the following types of essays: o Opinion essay o Solution essay o Discussion essay o Advantages/disadvantages of essay o Direct question essay • You can score bands 2 to 5 in task 2 of both types of IELTS. As the time is limited, it is recommended that you start with Task 2 first as it contains more marks. It also takes longer to finish. You must avoid some informal writing practices like using abbreviations, cliches, slang, redundant words, and first or second person. Try to use different words in your writing, because the examiner would like to know how strong is your vocabulary. Use both simple and complex sentences in your writing tasks. You must read lots of books and magazines to improve your writing. Practice writing on diverse topics. Do some research on the topic online. This way you will learn new things about a specific topic. Try to learn new words every day to strengthen your vocabulary. For the Task 1 of Academic IELTS, practice the past papers. It will be beneficial for you to study with a partner. That way you can provide feedback to each other and discuss how to improve your writing. It is not that difficult to score high on the writing section of General Testing and Academic IELTS. Just practice as much as you can before the exam and get a good grasp of it.
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[img]When non-native students decide to study abroad in an English-speaking country, they must demonstrate their capability to speak, write, and read English properly. This is necessary to understand that they will have a good learning experience and will be able to live independently in a foreign land. The TOEFL is an exam to test a student's English in academic settings so that they can do well in their university-level courses. You need to take TOEFL to get admission to universities in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, other European countries, and many Asian countries. You must score around 90 to get admission; however, scores above 100 are considered good scores in TOEFL. You will be tested on your reading, speaking, writing, and listening capabilities. To do well in this exam, you need to follow some strategies. Here are some tips for you.

Get familiar with the exam format

You can avoid nasty surprises on the day of the test if you know the format of the TOEFL test well. Look at the structure and pattern of each section. This way you will know what type of question to expect on the day of the test.

Prepare for the test in advance

You will be in trouble if you wait till the last minute to prepare for the exam. Even if the exam questions seem easy, you need to practice a lot to get a high score. You should make weekly goals and set up a daily routine to improve your English.

Use good learning materials

Do some research to find a couple of the best books on TOEFL. You can find various online resources like tips, blogs, and practice tests to prepare for the exam.

Include both active and passive learning

You should include English in your daily activities. When you are reading a grammar book or taking a practice test, you are learning actively. But when you are listening to football commentaries on the radio, you are learning passively. So, try both.

Preparing for the reading section

The reading section is a difficult one. You will need to read a couple of long passages to answer several questions. To understand the reading extract that will be provided in the test, you must read as much as possible. Don't read only topics that interest you. Try different kinds of writing to understand how sentences are structured. One of the major challenges that the students face in this section is that they need to read the passages within a short time. You may not get enough time to read the passages line-by-line. So, you must use some proven reading techniques. For example, look out for the main ideas in the passage first by reading the first lines of each paragraph. That way you will know where to find answers and also get a summary about the passage topic. Without extensive practice, it is not possible to do well in TOEFL. So, take out the past question papers and solve the questions. You can join a coaching center also to help you with the reading preparation.

Preparing listening section

Listen more

You must listen to English all the time. You can listen to news, radio programs, or music. The music lyrics are often confusing to understand because of the words the lyricists choose or the way they are pronounced by the singers. So, listening to songs can be a good exercise to practice for the listening section of TOEFL. You can also watch movies to listen to the dialogue.

Listen to different accents

Though all the English-speaking countries speak English, their accents vary considerably. Some accents are so difficult to understand that it will leave you thinking whether you are actually listening in English. Seeing British, Hollywood, Australian, or Canadian movies can help you get acquainted with the various accents. You can also listen to audiobooks.

Try to catch signal words and expressions

It may not be possible for you to remember everything that is said in the audio conversation. So, you must pay attention to the signal words and expressions to provide a general understanding of the context of the talk. These words will help you to find the links or relationships between several ideas. Look out for connecting words like 'for instance', 'furthermore', and others that change the mood or course of the talk.

Practice listening exercise

Like the reading section, you must keep on practicing the listening section of TOEFL. This way you will become familiar with the format of the questions in this section. Once you know the pattern of questions to expect, you will feel confident on the exam day. [img]

Preparing for the Speaking section

Do you feel nervous when speaking English? Then you must practice speaking in front of your friend or family member. If that's not possible, then practice talking in front of the mirror, record your talk, and self-review. You should note down the oral expressions. The best advice regarding speaking tests is to practice with a native speaker. That way you will understand your flaws and learn how to improve. When practicing, don't feel embarrassed if you make any mistakes. Think of it as an opportunity to learn. Before the TOEFL exam try to speak with your friends and family members in English.

Preparation for the writing section

It is better to read something first and summarize the main points rather than writing about a topic from scratch. You must enrich your vocabulary by learning new words every day. You can use the flashcard technique to remember new words. Show your practice writing to an English teacher to get feedback. When you give practice tests, time your test. You must complete all the answers on time. You will find books that teach you different techniques to answer TOEFL questions. For example, you will learn how to find the meaning of a word you are unfamiliar with. These tricks can save you from getting bad grades.
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[img]Social media has revolutionized our lives. It has impacted our learning experiences as well, including the English language. You will notice that people communicate in a very informal way on social media. Social media platforms encourage using a conversational tone.

Globalization of English

Social media has allowed people of different cultures to communicate in English. So, English has become the most common and popular language around the world. Most of the content on social media is in English.

Vocabulary

Social media has given rise to new terms like 'trending', viral', 'selfie', etc. Image-based communication is now popular due to the social media platforms Instagram and Snapchat. 'Craptacular' or 'Amazeballs' compound words are introduced. Vocabulary appropriation is also prominent in social media. A word with a particular meaning is given another meaning in the social media. For example, 'wall' normally means 'boundary of a house'; but in social media 'wall' refers to your homepage on your social media profile. Formation of blended words using names of two people is also very common today; for example, 'Brangelina' is formed from 'Brad' and 'Angelina'. You will come across acronyms like 'DM' (direct message), 'FOMO' (Fear of Missing Out), 'TBT' (Throwback Thursday), LOL (laugh out loud), OMG (Oh my God), TTYL (talk to you later), and more. Here are some new words that have been added to the dictionary; it is presumed that these words have originated in social media platforms. These include: * air punch (an act of thrusting one's clenched fist up into the air, typically as a gesture of triumph) * bro hug (man hug) * baller (impressive) * amazeballs (amazing) * YOLO (you only live once) * spit take (an act of suddenly spitting out liquid one is drinking in response to something funny or surprising) * binge watch (watch multiple episodes of something like a TV program in one sitting) * live tweet (post comments about 'an event' on Twitter while the actual event is taking place) * tech-savvy (proficient in the use of modern technology) [img]

Emojis and emoticons

These are linguistic tools that have made communication simple and short. These tools are used to express emotions in the shortest and most effective way. For example, if you like someone's profile picture on Facebook, send a 'thumbs up' emoji. It tells that you like the photo. You are connected to a lot of people on social media from different cultures. You can easily communicate with them using a common language like emojis. These save time as they are short ways of expressing thoughts. It lowers the ambiguity in language as symbols have only one meaning. The best way of learning something is by practicing it daily. Without emojis, the younger generation would have to type longer sentences to express feelings they could have easily summarised using an emoji. This way, they would gain experience using more words in their vocabulary, thus improving their language skills. Using emojis has disadvantages as well. People now use fewer words in conversations than before. So, their vocabulary is not improving. They will have trouble writing or communicating formally as they no longer practice such content. Hashtags are used to categorize content. They are a form of social commentary. Hashtags represent how powerful social media is in driving social change.

Educational implications

The educators are including social media elements in their teaching approaches. They are accepting informal language, emojis, etc. Some challenges are also present due to social media in this regard. Informal languages can be confusing. The learners are deprived of learning formal English. We have to be responsible for the use of language ethically on the social media platform. Issues like hate speech, cyberbullying, and misinformation are very prominent here. You must understand that the words you use on social media can have a huge impact on a person's emotions. You have to show respect to others and promote positive content. Don't make social media an unhealthy environment of communication. You can turn social media into a playground for creating new words and experimenting with various good thoughts to contribute positively to society. It's a great medium for expressing your thoughts without worrying too much about syntax and grammar.
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[img]Though inappropriate, slang words are used in most cultures. These words are variations of the original language in terms of spelling, pronunciation, and sometimes meaning. You cannot use these words in a formal setting. But these words are very common among friends and close ones and are used in casual conversation to indicate wit, sarcasm, criticism, playful mockery, and euphemism. These words are often formed with simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or euphemism.

American slang vs. British slang

You will find lots of slangs in both American an British language. Here are some common ones with meanings.

American slang

• Get their goat – To make someone irritated or angry. • Spill the beans – To reveal secret information about someone. • Pass the buck – To shift responsibility to someone else. • Take a rain check – Used to decline an offer politely. • Feeling blue – To express extreme sadness or depression. • Bail – To cancel plans/leave abruptly. • Couch potato – Someone who avoids physical exercise and spends most of their time sitting. • Buck – One dollar. • Drive up the wall – To annoy or irritate. • For real – Truthful or honest. • Hyped – Overly excited. • Hang out – To spend time in a social setting. • Keep it real – To be true to yourself. • Jacked – Stolen. • No biggie – Not a big deal. • Give it a shot – To try something. • Outta here; – To leave quickly. For the birds: worthless, meaningless, useless. Jonesing: have a strong desire or craving for something.

British slang

Bits and bobs: various random things. Taking the Mickey: to make fun of someone, to tease them a lot. Bob's Your Uncle emphasizes how easily something can be completed or achieved. Gutted: When you feel extremely disappointed or upset that something has happened. Dull as dishwater: Something extraordinarily boring. Gutted – To be disappointed. Does what it says on the tin – Expected performance. Cheap and cheerful – Budget-friendly. Bog-standard – Ordinary, monotonous. Curtain-twitcher – Nosy neighbour. Nicked – Stolen. Cheerio – Goodbye. Effing and blinding – Cursing. Full of beans – Energetic and vibrant. For crying out loud – Used to express one's irritation or impatience. Flogging a dead horse – To try to solve a problem whose solution doesn't exist. Hammered – Drunk. Keep your hair on – Used to tell someone to calm down when they unnecessarily get too angry or excited. Put a sock in it – Shut up. Wee – Small/tiny. Dodgy - something or someone is suspicious. Gobsmacked - utterly shocked Taking the piss- to mock Pissed - drunk A cuppa - a cup of tea. Git - a person who is very unpleasant. Sod - thing or devil. Muppet: someone ignorant and clueless. Buzzin' - slightly drunk. Innit - isn't it? [img]

Meaning

Term British Slang American Slang
Geezer A man A derogatory term used for old men
Trainer Sneakers, shoes Fitness expert
Jumper A sweater Someone who is attempting to jump from a height
Rubber Eraser Contraceptive
Casket Jewellery or antique box Coffin
Chips Similar to french fries Thinly sliced potato crisps
Biscuit Cookie Buttery bread
Chaps Men Leather leggings worn during horseriding
The season when it starts to get cold Autumn Fall
Rear storage in the car Boot Trunk
Delighted Chuffed Pleased
Beautiful Fit Fine
Pissed Drunk Angry
Bog Public bathroom Muddy grounds
Fill someone in Assault someone Give someone the details
By knowing the slang used regularly in the community, you will understand how language is evolving. Slangs make the English language more humous and enjoyable. However, it poses challenges for non-native English speakers as they are most likely not familiar with the slang. One way to stay up-to-date with the latest slang is to watch movies, read literature, and listen to music. You can look into the online resources as well. Practicing speech with native speakers can help you learn slang properly.
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[img]Many businesses today have global connections. Some businesses may hire people from different cultures and others may have foreign investors or suppliers. There are businesses that have multiple offices in different countries. Whatever might be the case with you, it is important to know the cultural differences in Business English. Though the main medium of communication is English in these companies, there are cultural differences in the use of the language. Here are some of the differences you must know about.

Addressing someone

To many people, it can be a minor concern how to address someone. But others consider it to be a major topic for debate. In some cultures, for example, a person who has a doctorate degree can write 'Dr.' in front of his or her name. But in other cultures, it is inappropriate to include the 'Dr.' title unless you are a medical practitioner. The Latin Americans and Continental Europeans like to be addressed by their titles, like 'Mr.' or "Ms.' followed by their title when they meet someone for the first time in a business environment. On the contrary, the British and Americans like a more informal approach and would prefer to be addressed by their first name. You can find out about their preference for addressing a person by observing how they talk to others. You can also ask them directly what they prefer.

Smiling

We normally smile when we meet someone. It's a friendly and welcoming gesture in the USA, UK and Australia. However, in Russia, it is considered to be insincere and suspicious. There is also a popular proverb in Russia that says ''laughing without reason is a sign of idiocy'. In Switzerland, Malaysia, China, and Germany people who smile are considered to be intelligent. But in Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Iran smiling people are conceived to be less intelligent. Interestingly, in India, Maldives, and Argentina, smiling people are associated with being dishonest.

Eye contact

In UK or USA making direct eye contact when speaking indicates that you are paying full attention to what the person is saying. But in Korea or Japan, it's considered to be awkward or disrespectful. In Africa or South America, doing eye contact means you are challenging the authority. In the Middle East, eye contact between opposite genders is considered to be inappropriate and may mean being dishonest.

Direct vs. indirect

In high-context culture, communication is indirect. Much is said through body language and gestures. Relationships and mutual understanding are given more preference than words. In low-context culture, on the other hand, communication is clear and direct. People say what they need explicitly.

Hierarchical structure

Countries like China, Japan, and Brazil prefer that young employees treat the more older and experienced ones with respect. But in the USA more preference is given to equality and individualism, rather than age. Here the young employees get an equal chance to express their views just like the older ones. [img]

Negotiation styles

In Japan, people value the power of silence; that is, they negotiation quietly. But in other cultures, it is very loud. There are countries where people prefer negotiations to take place over lunch or other casual setting rather than in a boardroom.

Time management

In Argentina, time management is not that important. For example, if a patient is late for the appointment then the doctor is expected to be waiting for the patient. In Germany, there is no scope to be late for any meeting. Not knowing the culture of time management can lead to misunderstanding in business.

Work-life balance

In Canada, it is not a custom to work long hours. But in countries like Israel, working late hours is common. In some cultures, it is alright to call a colleague after work hours. But in other cultures, it is considered to be inappropriate.

Attitudes towards risk

Some cultures are more risk-averse than the others, like people in Japan, France, Mexico, and Brazil. But in the USA, Australia, and the UK, taking risks is common.

Dress code

Some cultures are strict about maintaining dress codes at the workplace. They expect you to be in formal dress. But in other cultures, you can come to the office in jeans and sandals.

Briber and gift-giving

In the USA, giving gifts is appreciated, but not expected in a business setting. Whereas, in China and Sweden, it is considered to be rude not to bring any gift to a business deal. There are other cultures in which gift-giving is seen as a form of bribery.

Decision-making

In some cultures, it is inappropriate to challenge the decision of the authority. But in other cultures, everyone's opinion is equally considered.

Conflict resolution

It is inappropriate to raise a voice to settle matters in some cultures. In the USA, it is alright to bring a lawyer or mediator to resolve conflicts. You must deal with cultural differences in business properly to understand your own culture and that of others. You must understand that cultural differences in international business can have a great impact on business outcomes. You should try to develop cultural awareness in your organization so that multicultural teams can work in collaboration. Knowing and adapting to cultural differences can help you work smoothly with local partners. You can have a good relationship with the local suppliers to ensure smooth business operations.
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[img]A good joke can make people laugh. Connecting with people by sharing jokes and humor is a wonderful approach. However, not everyone can understand certain English jokes. So, they won't know the humor behind the story. Jokes are said in certain ways and you must be familiar with the style of language to understand the meaning of the jokes. Understanding jokes is a bit different than grasping any other form of English. You need to change the way you think about something. Also, timing is very important in-jokes. If it's not said at the right moment, its effect is entirely lost. Also, you need to tell jokes in an interesting way by including pauses and variations of tone. Jokes are humor must be audience-appropriate. Saying the wrong type of joke to the wrong group may change the 'humor' element to a negative experience. Some jokes cannot be translated for a cross-cultural audience. For instance, the 'knock-knock' jokes in the USA. People of many cultures won't understand it. Jokes can be culture-oriented. So, you should know what type of joke is inappropriate for a certain culture. You can modify a certain joke to fit the audience.

Jokes that can help you learn English

"The shovel was a ground-breaking invention, but everyone was blown away by the leaf blower." This joke is about innovation and human progress. The word 'groundbreaking' has a double meaning. First of all, it means breaking up the ground, which is exactly what a shovel does. However, in the figurative sense 'groundbreaking' means innovation. The shovel seems like a simple tool, but it actually had a great impact on human civilization. Because before its invention, people had to use their hands to dig the earth. It was a very laborious and slow process. Because of the invention of the shovel, this task became easier and quicker. So, people can now plant crops and build houses more comfortably. "I used to be afraid of hurdles, but I got over it." This joke is an example of figurative language. It indicates that fearing obstacles create a mental barrier that prevents potential success. You need to face the fear to come up with a solution. You learn a new word 'hurdle' in this joke. "Sleeping comes so naturally to me, I could do it with my eyes closed." This joke means that the person can sleep very easily without struggling. The idiom 'I could do it with my eyes closed' is used to describe how easily something is done if you have done it many times. But on the other hand, we all sleep with our eyes closed anyway. "Did you hear about the kidnapping at school? It's okay. He woke up." The first punch line is said to wake up someone who was taking a nap. When we fall asleep, often we don't wake up even after people call our names. But we get their attention when they say something startling like 'kidnapping in school'. "I've decided to sell my Hoover… it was just collecting dust." The work a hoover does is collect dust. So, it's an ironic remark that the person thinks the machine is not doing other work. Pun is used to make the words funny. "The wedding was so emotional that even the cake was in tiers." Notice the word 'tiers' which means layers sounds similar to 'tears' which means to cry. So, you learn homophones in this joke. "Why are teddy bears never hungry? They are always stuffed!" Here, the word 'stuffed' means the teddy bear is filled with soft materials. But when you are hungry, you also stuff yourself with food. "She's an archaeologist. Her career, therefore, is in ruins." This is such a smart joke that uses the figurative meaning of the word 'ruins', that is, failure. Archeologists study the ruins of buildings and structures. So, The future of these professionals of course lies in the 'ruins'; that is, exploring the past. [img]

Key elements of British humor

Wit and wordplay British humor includes double meanings and clever wordplay. It uses puns to make people laugh. Dry and dead delivery These jokes are delivered with an emotionless face which makes them sound funnier. The trick of these jokes is to catch the audience off-guard and eventually make them laugh recalling what they have just heard. Irony and sarcasm These two words are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Irony is a figure of speech that tells the opposite of what is said. Sarcasm is a type of irony that is aimed at a person with the objective to criticize. These two aspects of language are used in a very clever and subtle way in English jokes. Observational comedy These jokes or humorous moments are taken from normal daily events. The absurd nature of the event is highlighted to make them look hilarious. In learning English, humor can be educational and enjoyable. English jokes, especially, help to improve English language skills. Using learning devices like sarcasm, irony, wordplay, and double meaning, you can communicate better. American jokes are more explicit; which may be considered inappropriate sometimes. A good joke can help to form connections with others. You can read funny books, listen to humorous podcasts, or watch comedy shows to improve your language skills including idiomatic expressions and vocabulary. You will learn about English culture through jokes. Your English language learning experience need not be boring if you add humor to it.
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[img]Learning English is not easy; it takes a lot of time to learn the grammar, spelling, vocabulary, pronunciation, and other aspects of the language. The learning journey is a very enriching experience, indeed. You don't want to forget something you have learned easily. So, you must use an effective method to learn a language. Exploring English through folktales and stories is such a way. Folktales carry values, historical insights, and moral lessons that have been passed down through different generations. These tales are very engaging and provide a different perspective to understand a language.

Reasons folktales and stories are effective

The traditional folktales are packed with idiomatic expressions and rich vocabulary. The people back in those days used different phrases and words to express their thoughts which you won't find in modern books. Idiomatic expressions tell a lot about the culture of a place. So, by listening to folktales and stories or reading about them you can expand your vocabulary and learn many idioms that you can later use in your writing or speech. For example, in the folktale "Jack and the Beanstalk", you will come across words like 'beanstalk' and 'golden goose' that you won't find in the modern vocabulary.

Understanding culture

Folktales represent the cultures from which they originated. When you read these interesting stories, you learn many things about that culture, including its values, norms, and traditions. So, when you read English folktales and stories, you know about the English culture in a much better way than reading other books. Many stories teach moral lessons that are part of the English culture. For example, the folktale "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" is about how important it is to be honest all the time and avoid lying. If you lie there will be difficult consequences.

Engaging and memorable

You will notice that when you memorize a list of words or phrases, you tend to forget them easily. But when these words are put into an engaging and narrative structure with interesting storylines, characters, and moral lessons, you will remember them easily. Folktales have a repetitive nature that also helps in the retention process. [img]

Tips for learning English using folktales and stories

Simply reading any folktale to learn English won't help. You need to apply some techniques to learn the language effectively. Here are some tips that may be helpful.

Choose the right folktales

Not all folktales are rich in vocabulary and provide good moral lessons. So, choose the well-known folktales to begin with. As you become more familiar with these stories, you can read lesser-known stories. You can teach your children good English by telling them stories such as "Cinderella" or "Little Red Riding Hood." These stories have been passed on from generation to generation and still remain popular. Your children will be very interested to hear them and in the process, they will learn new words and moral lessons.

Use multiple formats

You must become attached to folktales in various formats. You should not only read books but also listen to storytelling and watch movies adapted from these stories. This will provide you with a 360-degree learning experience which will turn out to be very effective. Now you will find many online resources like audiobooks and podcasts that can give you a more enriching English language learning experience.

Analyze structure

If you are reading folktales for the purpose of learning the English language, then you should do more than just know the story. You must analyze the sentence structure, use of verbs, and style of writing. This way you will understand the grammatical aspect of English. For example, you can break down a passage from the story and identify the different parts of speech, adjectives, and other things.

Practice storytelling

You won't recall what you have learned from folktales unless you share the stories with others repetitively. By practicing storytelling, you can improve your English-speaking skills. You can pair up with a friend to practice storytelling.

Make use of visual aids

You must use visual aids to recall folktales. You can use illustrations, mind maps, or storyboards to remember vocabulary, grammatical structure, plot, and characters of the story. In the storyboard, you can highlight the important characters and events.

Think of the moral lessons

Try to relate the moral lessons you have learned from folktales with your personal experience with the English culture. You can make use of folktales better by using these techniques. By applying these you can retain the new things you have learned for a long time.

Examples of folktales effective for learning English

Not all folktales are interesting and beneficial in learning English. If your objective is to learn English effectively, then here are some suggestions about stories you must read.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

It is a popular German folktale that has been adapted into English. The famous story is about a piper who helps a town to get rid of rat infestation. However, the townsmen didn't pay him for the service he provided. So, in retaliation, he takes away the children of the town with his enchanting piper tune. In this story, you will come across various verb tenses, idiomatic expressions, and descriptive language.

The Gingerbread Man

It is an English folktale about a gingerbread man. He comes to life but runs away from different pursuers. By reading this story you can practice repetitive verbs and phrases. You will also learn new words related to animals and food.

The Fisherman and His Wife

It is also a German folktale adapted to English and other languages. The story is of a fisherman who catches a magical fish. The astonishing thing about the fish is that it can grant any wish. The fisherman's wife got greedy and asked for more which led to their downfall. You will come across complex sentence structures related to nature. You will learn what consequences can happen if you are greedy.

Beauty and the Beast

It is a famous French folktale that has been adapted into English. It's about a beautiful young woman who falls in love with a beast. But the beast is actually a prince who has been under a curse for many years. The story is about love and sacrifice. You will see the use of dialogue and descriptive language in this story. If you want to teach English effectively then incorporate storytelling sessions. Here the learners will know about language from different perspectives. Their English learning journey will be enjoyable and fruitful.
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[img]You must have learned about proverbs in your English grammar class in school. These are traditional sayings specific to a country. They are written in a short and wise form with an internal deep meaning that is a form of advice. English proverbs are often used by the native English speakers in their conversations. These sayings are passed on from generation and you just say it without even realizing it. Proverbs tell about the culture of a country and the values of the people living there. You can illustrate a point using a proverb. They are often symbolic or metaphorical in nature and so are different from the regular speech. People have been using proverbs from the early years. You will be surprised to know that the earliest recorded proverbs go back 2000 BCE, during the time of the ancient Sumerians. The scientists have discovered about 1000 proverbs written by the Sumerians.

Proverbs vs. idioms

Many people get confused with the use of proverbs and idioms. Both are short and challenging to extract meaning from. However, they are distinctively different. Idioms are phrases and frequently used in poetry. Proverbs, on the other hand, are advice. It is a common practice to include a few proverbs in creative writing to make it more interesting. You can include proverbs in essays. You may use proverbs as prompts of a story too. Read a number of writings where proverbs are used and learn how to incorporate them in different forms of writing. But before you can use proverbs in your writing, you must know their meaning. [img]Here are the most popular English proverbs and their meanings. 1. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Meaning: Children is likely to be like their parents in terms of appearance and behavior. 2. "A picture is worth a thousand words." Meaning: Image can convey meanings in a better way than words can describe. 3. "All that glitters is not gold." Meaning: Something that appears true or valuable may not be so. 4. Beggars can't be choosers. Meaning: People who depend on the generosity of others for their basic needs should be happy with what is offered to them. They don't have the right to choose something. 5. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Meaning: If you eat healthy food like an apple every day, you will be healthy and won't fall easily. So, it won't be necessary to call a doctor for a checkup or diagnosis. 6. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." Meaning: What you already have in hand is better than what you might get as you are unsure whether you will finally get it. 7. "Better safe than sorry." Meaning: It is better to take necessary precautions than to regret the consequences later on. 8 "Blood is thicker than water." Meaning: Relationships between family members are the strongest of all kinds of relationships. 9. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." Meaning: Don't make plans depending on events that haven't happened. 10. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Meaning: When you visit a new place, embrace the local ways of life without judging anything. 11. "Every cloud has a silver lining." Meaning: No matter what difficult situation you are in, you must always look at the positive side of it. 12. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Meaning: To achieve a long-term goal, you must take the first step. 13. "Two wrongs don't make a right." Meaning: Someone's wrongful conduct is not a justification for acting in a similar way. 14. "The pen is mightier than the sword." Meaning: Written words are more powerful than actions or weapons. 15. "Necessity is the mother of invention." Meaning: When you really need something, you should think of a way to make it happen. 16/ "Birds of a feather flock together." Meaning: People have the tendency to stick together with other like-minded people. 17. "Rome wasn't built in a day." Meaning: Important or big works don't happen within a short time. It takes time. 18. "Time waits for no one." Meaning: Don't delay taking decisions or action, as we have no control over the passage of time. 19. "When there's smoke, there's fire." Meaning: If there are indications that something is true, it usually is. 20. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Meaning: If something works well, don't try to change it. 21. "Too many cooks spoil the broth." Meaning: Too many people working on the same project can lead to a negative result. 22. "You can't have your cake and eat it too." Meaning: It's impossible to satisfy two opposite desires. 23. "Out of sight, out of mind." Meaning: When you lose sight of anything, you will eventually forget about it. 24. "All is well that ends well." Meaning: Everything is acceptable if the ending is favorable. 25. "Two heads are better than one." Meaning: Two people can do a better job together than a person doing the job alone. 26. "Look before you leap." Meaning: Always be careful before doing something important. 27. "Robbing Peter to save Paul." Meaning: When somebody harms one person to cause some benefit to another person. 28. "Out of the frying pan and into the fire." Meaning: Coming out of one difficult situation and getting into another one. 29. "Better late than never ." Meaning: "It is better to delay something than not doing it at all." 30. "Every dog has his day." Meaning: Every person can have lucky days and better outcomes. 31. "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket." Meaning: Don't throw all your resources into achieving a single goal. 32. "Easy come easy go." Meaning: Something that comes easily goes also easily. 33. "Fortune favors the bold." Meaning: Those who are courageous to take risks are more successful than those who always do things with caution. 34. "God helps those who help themselves." Meaning: If you make an effort to make things a reality then you will get results instead of just sitting around and hoping for the best. 35. "Good things come to those who wait." Meaning: Good things will happen to you if you are patient. People use English proverbs in writing and speech to establish morals, give advice, share knowledge, console others, or release personal tension. If you want to illustrate a specific point then use a proverb. There are hundreds of proverbs that people have been using over and over again. You just need to pick the right one for your context to make your sentence meaningful.
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[img]Culture shapes a person's personality. It is the way people live in a society. Culture includes behavior, dress code, beliefs, and other things. Though the English language is universal, culture can influence its use. English is spoken in many countries around the world. With cultural diversity, the use of English has also changed. The way slang, sentence structure, and idiomatic expressions are used showcase from which cultural context English has evolved. There are some unspoken rules in the use of English in different cultures and the native speakers understand it inherently.

Classroom dynamics

In some cultures, students see the teachers as the main authority. They may not be used to open discussions or topics or sharing of thoughts. This affects classroom interactions and eventually, the results obtained by the students in exams. In Western classrooms, you will find that open discussions are encouraged. The students must practice critical thinking.

Perceptions of mistakes or errors

Many people make mistakes and try to correct them. Some cultures view making errors in front of others as a symbol of failure. But in other cultures, it is considered to be normal. So, when a student is learning English in a classroom, he or she may hesitate to answer questions asked by the teacher thinking that fellow classmates may laugh if the student doesn't give the proper answer to the question. This affects English learning as talking in English most of the time and using new vocabulary in sentences can help to develop English language skills.

Relevance in language learning materials

If the teachers include culturally relevant information and examples in the English learning materials, then the students will be able to learn better. As English is not their first language, the students will feel motivated to hear their mother tongue.

Intercultural experiences

In a classroom, if the students get the chance to interact with native speakers then they will have more opportunities to learn better. They will know about the applications of English learning.

Adapting to different English dialects

The English language will pick up different dialects in different cultures. Adopting those can help to communicate in English with local people. Not everyone in a culture will be able to speak just like the people in English-speaking countries.

Cross-cultural empathy and conflict resolution

Empathy plays an important role in learning English. It will help you to see things from different perspectives. Conflict resolution occurs due to differences in expectations and norms. [img]

Use of vocabulary

Culture plays a vital role in the meaning of some words. For example, the sentence, "Dressed in white, the girl approaches in tears." In Western culture, it is assumed that the girl will get married soon and the tears are due to the joy she is feeling. But in the Chinese culture, it may mean that the girl is mourning the death of her loved one. You will find many words in English that are borrowed from other cultures. These words, called the 'loanwords' have improved the English language by expanding its vocabulary.

Culture affects the meanings of words

Culture may define if the meaning of a word is positive or negative. For example, the word 'jealous' in Greek means 'to be in a warm state' which gives a positive meaning. But in the Swedish culture, the same word has a negative connotation; it means illness. The slang words that people use reflect cultural trends. Sometimes, its syntax can reflect cultural beliefs. Teachers should include films, magazines, and other learning materials when teaching the English language. If the children are introduced to the English language in an environment, they learn the second language comfortably. If the teachers can give examples from real-life scenarios, the brain will be able to hold the information longer.

Language structure

It is affected by cultural values and norms. For example, a culture may have different language structures to show politeness.

Traditions and rituals

These are embedded in the language usage. In different cultures, unique greetings are used during festivals. Language evolves parallelly with culture. Changes in society, like technological and political change influence the making of new words and phrases. Due to technological innovations, cultural gaps in the English learning process are reduced. New words are also introduced. The students can connect with native speakers online on various platforms. Culture has a huge impact on English language learning. This poses opportunities as well as challenges. It is necessary to find the right approach to integrate cultural understanding with language learning skills.
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