Languagelab.com Blog

The English language contains a number of bizarre pronunciations. Here at Languagelab, we provide real-life, native English speaking teachers to help you hear, practice and speak English the ‘natural’ way. If you aren’t already a student with us, simply enrol with us to try it out at our free trial lessons!

In the meantime, have a look at these ‘silent letter’ tips to help you say those strange words correctly.

“bt” (silent b) – debt, doubtful, subtle.

“kn” (silent k) – knife, knock, know.

For more examples, please visit these websites:

http://home.alphalink.com.au/~umbidas/ie_words.htm

http://www.kwiznet.com/p/takeQuiz.php?ChapterID=10017&CurriculumID=26.

Now try these 10 other difficult to pronounce words and send us a video of you saying them. If our specialist teachers score you 10 out of 10, you will qualify for a special prize.

1.       Knowledgeable

2.       Ought

3.       February

4.       Hierarchal

5.       Entrepreneurial

6.       Necessarily

7.       Phlegm

8.       Column

9.       Months

10.   Calvary

For free trial lessons, take the level test now.

In English, speech changes depending on who you are talking to. Sometimes it is important to use “polite” English if you are in a formal environment and the opposite also applies. Click here to see examples of this in English City.

Now have a look at the difference between the sentences below:

·         Formal………………. Could you tell me where I need to go to book my level test, please?

·         Informal…………….. Tell me where I need to go to book my level test.

Ok, so now make these sentences formal:

1.       What is the answer to my English problem?

2.       How can I find out more about Languagelab?

Check for some example answers on our below.

There are many more techniques of how to apply formal speech to everyday language so if you would like to know more, sign up for the free English lesson trial at the Languagelab Registration Centre… Before you take your trial lessons, make sure you remember to take the level test first!

ANSWERS:

1.        Could you let me know what the answer is to my English problem? Would you please tell me what the answer is to my English question?

2.        How may I find out more about Languagelab? Would you mind telling me how I can find out more about Languagelab.

Understanding and correctly using English can open up a world of opportunities… Here at language lab, we equip our students with all the necessary skills required to be an all-rounder at English.

Let’s see how good you already are with our short ‘spot the error’ quiz below (correct the error):

1.        I can read and write and speak English.

2.       Languagelab will helping improve my English.

3.       Grammar will prepare the ground for more better English.

4.       Perfecting one’s communicative abilities relies on continuous practice.

Phew! You can check for the answers below. Now see if you can take on the full version level test to find out how great your English really is.

See you in the next class!

ANSWERS:

1.        I can read, write and speak English.

2.        Languagelab will help improve my English.

3.        Grammar will prepare the ground for better English.

4.        Perfecting one’s communicative ability relies on continuous practice.

‘It’s raining cats and dogs’, which would be a strange thing even in London where it does rain a lot!  This actually means that it is raining very heavily.  Idioms are one of the most difficult things to understand and use correctly when learning a language.  There are thousands of idioms in English and they make the language colourful and exciting, you can also find out interesting things about the culture of a country from their idioms.
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Here is the answer to my idiom quiz question:
What does “to show someone the ropes” mean?

1. b. To explain and show someone how to do a particular job.

Here are some links to some idioms so you can look at them yourself, but why not choose your favourite idioms and practice them with the City People?  They will be able to share more idioms with you, so you can make your English more like a native speaker in no time! Enjoy the activity.

http://www.idiomconnection.com/
http://towerofenglish.com/eslcafecomslanglist.html
http://towerofenglish.com/AthensAegean6720.html
http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_phrasequiz1.htm

I love the English language and discovering new words, that’s right, even teachers need to keep learning new words.   One of my favourite things is called ‘Word a Day’, it gives me a new word every day to learn and improve my vocabulary, why don’t you have a look?

Vocabulary Quiz Answers

English is a language that is constantly growing, especially with new technology and better and faster communication because of the internet.  It is very important to have a wide vocabulary when you are learning a language, so you can understand films, podcasts and your class mates and teachers. 

Here are some of my tips to improving your vocabulary:
1. Read as much as you can, but read things that you enjoy so you don’t get bored.

1. Make a note of your new words in a vocabulary book; this will be like your own dictionary.
2. Listen to people talking and ask them what new words mean, teachers, others students and the City People love sharing new words.
3. Try to practice the new words you have learned, if you have seen a new word or learned a new word in class, go and visit the City People and try to use it in a conversation.
4. Set yourself a goal, for example learning 1 new word every day and how to use it well, you will feel great when you look back at your progress.

Here are some extra links for you to check out:
http://esl.about.com/library/vocabulary/blinternet.htm
http://www.esl-lab.com/vocab/v-computers.htm
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vc-subjects-lb.html