Articles written by native English tutors

As a tutor for English as a foreign language, I know that learning a new language can be a daunting task. To make it fun and inviting, I like to turn the process into a melodious adventure. For English language learners, incorporating song lyrics into the language learning toolkit has proven to be a fun and effective way to enhance confidence and understanding. In this blog post, I'll explain the benefits of using song lyrics as a learning tool...

The IELTS (International  English Language Testing System) from Cambridge English Assessment, is the most recognised English qualification in the world. Having a Band score 6.5 or above will allow you to enter some of the UK's best universities like Cambridge, Oxford, Kings College, UCL and others and set you on the path to a new life in any English-speaking country. It is also used to allow you emigrate to other English speaking countries ...

Nowadays, companies require their employees to be fluent in several languages, especially in English. We are increasingly faced with a professional world dominated by English. So if you are about to face a job interview in English, remember that you will need to perfect your English vocabulary to show that you are qualified for the job. One way you can achieve this is by attending private English classes. If you are looking for English vocabula...

Most of the time in my private English classes I would notice students' motivations very low, and when probed their answers mostly translated to something like this, 'What is the point learning all this grammar, I will never be able to be able to speak the way native English language speakers do’.  Are you spending hours in the classroom trying to grasp the grammar techniques? trying to speak as the teacher? or copy the students who a...

If you´re taking English lessons or you want to learn English as a foreign language, something you may find confusing is the use of formal and informal language. It´s not as obvious as in other languages like French or Spanish when you have particular verb formations for formal and informal you. Just when you thought English couldn't get any more complicated!  Trying to convert sentences from formal into informal English, or vica versa, may...

As a tutor for English as a foreign language, something I often hear from my students is how much they dread doing an interview in English. So if you´ll soon be applying for new jobs or taking part in an interview, look no further than these tips to ace any interview! 1. Prepare for the interview. Give yourself time to read over all the documents you have so it's fresh in your mind. Read over the job specification and requirements making sure y...

As a private tutor for English as a foreign language, today I thought I´d share some useful English phrases that you can use in everyday conversation. 1. "Nice to meet you!" You would typically use this expression when first greeting some one you have not meet before or just as you are ending a conversation and want to be extra polite.  Greeting - "Hello, nice to meet you!" Ending - "Thanks for giving me an opportunity to interview for thi...

As a business English tutor, I know that for many students, making a phone call in English can be daunting when you are nervous about making mistakes in English, but it can be really simple! Here are a few common phrasal verbs used when on the phone, with examples of sentences: Call back - to return a phone call.Example - "I will call back later." Speak up - asking someone to speak louder if you can't hear properly due to a bad conne...

What is creativity? People say it can't be taught, but providing students with the skills and tips needed to produce credible, readable - even publishable - work is definitely teachable through the likes of private English tuition. The key is reveal the inspiration all around us as well as in our own heads. This is firmly backed up by  teaching reviewing, editing and workshopping skills, and the vital necessity of accepting feedback. Writi...

Hey there, grammar enthusiast or maybe even grammar-phobe! Have you ever felt intimidated by the seemingly complex rules of English grammar? Do you cringe at the thought of parsing sentences or identifying verb tenses? Well, fear not! In this blog post, we're going to explore why grammar is not as scary as it may seem. Let's break it down in a way that's easy to understand and, dare I say it, even fun! Grammar is Everywhere First things first, g...

As a maths and science tutor for KS1 and KS2, I often have parents asking how they can help their child prepare for their SAT exams. First of all be aware of all the subjects that will be assessed in the KS1 assessment. The key subjects are Maths and English. The curriculum is normally covered over a two year period from Year 1 to Year 2. This is the process I would recommend. 1. Identify all topics in each year group for Maths and English...

If you are still struggling with finding quality resources for learning English, or any other language, then these tips will help you out. In this article you´ll find some resources you can use alongside your language lessons, especially English lessons, for helping improve your language skills. 1. If you are looking for a simple, but interesting way to improve your English with common every day topics then BBC Learning English is just what you...

Writing can sometimes be a daunting task. You're sitting there, staring at a blank page, desperately trying to think of something revolutionary to put down, and make yourself feel like the next Orwell or Rowling. But it's hard sometimes. Fear not though, as an experienced English tutor, I have gathered some tips that will help you become better at writing stories.  About me I am an 18 year old. I am addicted to writing short stories with s...

Whether you're worried about clamming up in a GCSE English Language paper or trying to build a portfolio for your Creative Writing undergrad, this is every writer's guide to keeping the inspiration brimming at the surface. As an English tutor and writer, I have compiled four great tips to beat writer's block when you're writing poetry. 1. Free writing This is one to practice outside of exam conditions. But, once you've got the hang of it, y...