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The International English Language Testing System (also known as the IELTS) is recognized worldwide as the most popular English proficiency exam. Millions of people from around the globe take the IELTS every year, and unfortunately, many of them do not pass. There is one trait, however, that everyone who successfully completes the IELTS has in common. It’s something you might not expect. Our friends at Magoosh describe it in one word: confidence. Self confidence is key to passing t

There are certainly some tricky words in the English language! And sometimes, people who have learned English as a second language mix up these words. Want to avoid making the same mistakes? Here are the words ESL learners misuse the most. Them, Those, and These "Them" is a pronoun that stands in the place of a plural noun. It is commonly used as the subject of a sentence, as in: Did you see them? or Have you seen the scissors? I used them to cut the labels off my T-shirts; now I can’t fin

In the United States, you’ll certainly come across your fair share of English expressions, idioms, and common proverbs. Some of the most common expressions in English sound profound, while others sound silly and darn right outlandish. While they can seem strange at first, especially if you consider their literal meanings, you’ll soon find that they play a big role in the English language.  So what is idiom? Although English idioms don’t make sense at first, these unique expressions

10'000 Hours / DigitalVision / Getty Images Slang words are an essential part of conversing in English. American slang is full of eccentric sayings and colloquialisms, which are useful in a wide variety of casual situations. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned English speaker, you’ll want to brush up on your command of American slang terms and their meanings! Now, you may be wondering what is a slang word, or what are some cool slang phrases? “Slang” refers to informal vocabulary

Although words may be limited and simple, it is still possible to enjoy conversations in English even if you are a beginner. I think that it’s essential to be able to express basic needs and to clearly express your identity. Let’s get started with the very basics and then we’ll build from there. Greetings and Introductions: When meeting new people you need to be able to greet them. If you are in an informal situation you might say, “Hey, I’m (name), nice to meet you.” In order

For immigrants new to the U.S., the challenge of learning a second language can be tough. With so many options available, what's the best way to learn English? Read on as ESL tutor Gina C. shares her tips... Learning a new language can be daunting, especially when that language is English and you’ve just arrived in the United States. You may feel overwhelmed by everything from navigating daily conversations to understanding American slang.  But don't worry! This blog post will give you

In this article, online tutor Natalie S. shares her best tricks for remembering some of the toughest English writing rules… Grammar isn’t for everyone. In fact, most people tend to forget the majority of their English grammar and punctuation lessons by the time they graduate from high school. Even though grammar tends to be a boring subject to learn about, it’s still important to understand and utilize grammar and punctuation rules correctly. These seemingly small details make a big di

In this guide, we’ll dive into the different methods of listening and how to improve your English accent. English is currently the most studied language in the world, with an estimated 1 billion people learning it. Because English is the international language of business, that number is only expected to grow. If you’re working to perfect your English skills, then you know how hard it is to learn the American English accent. You might use proper grammar and sentence structure, bu