Pronunciation please, a simple and common word in the English language, could present several challenges to Spanish-speaking students, one of whom requested that I precisely explain the difference between the pronunciation of the light [l] and dark [l] as well as other pronunciation problems found in word [please]. There was my answer: The [l] in […]
PTE Academic: Speaking Section PTE Academic is now the choice of many international students for formal English examination. It is reportedly easier than the IELTS test, especially in terms of reading, writing and even listening but not speaking. The speaking section of PTE Academic comprises 2 tasks that could potentially decide whether you, as an […]
International students: The Thing Is… International students do not all behave…well internationally. Get out of your comfort zone boys! and girls! Lest I get accused of sexism. You are not in…your country anymore, lest I’m accused of being a racist for naming a certain nationality. What the…ffff….heck do you think you’re doing? Lest I get […]
PTE Academic Speaking: Tough! PTE Academic (Pearson Test Acaemic) is now almost as popular as the IELTS. Although it has been reported by many students that the reading and writing sections are slightly easier than the IELTS’, the speaking and listening sections are somewhat harder. The first 2 parts of the speaking section can be […]
Building your English vocabulary is essential to improving your fluency. That is a fact. If you do not know words, you cannot say much. The more words you know, the less time you need to think of what to say in a conversation. When you have a small or limited vocabulary, you will have to […]
Pronunciation Nightmare is obviously a pronunciation problem that is very tough to fix. Pronunciation Nightmare: details Vowel [ou] or /aʊ/ is called a diphthong because it consists of one vowel and one consonant. It’s very hard for Vietnamese and Thai learners especially when it falls behind /n/. It’s already difficult for Thai and Vietnamese learners […]
English hard! I hate it! “English hard, why does it have to be so hard” have repeatedly complained my students! My reaction is “Duh”! How stupid would someone have to be to think language learning, any language learning, can actually be easy! However, no one said it couldn’t be “easIER”! Why English hard? If you […]
English learning Key areas English learning is very difficult. I have met hundreds of English learners who lost motivation shortly after coming to Australia. Big disappointment. There is a myth that most English learners (and their family and friends) believe in prior to coming to Australia. The myth is “if I live in Australia, an […]
Migrants are people who leave their countries to settle in another permanently. However, that is a one-dimensional definition that does not do justice to that unique and life-changing experience. I therefore feel compelled to share with you my migration experience and what it truly means to be a migrant. I should state from the get-go […]
What Are Stop Consonants? Stop Consonants in English are /p/ /b/ /t/ /d/ /k/ /g/ and /ʔ/, which is a glottal stop. They are called Stop Consonants because they “stop” the airflow. The tongue usually does that. When we produce the /d/ or /t/, the tip comes in contact with the gum behind the upper […]