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The 5 Essentials Needed For Speaking Effectively

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“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”

There are 5 vocal tools that when you use them together, they help your audience stay tuned more easily, pay closer attention to what you’re saying, and will find themselves more easily moved and persuaded.

These are:

  1. Emphasis and energy is concerned with the force of stress your place on important ideas, concepts, or feelings, as well as a generally energized vocal style.  It is the simplest of the five essential vocal tools, and one that you probably already know how to use well.
  2. Pitch inflection refers to the rising and falling of your pitch on the musical scale.  Sometimes called intonation, lively pitch inflection helps you avoid monotony as well as convey meaning.  It’s not only a critically important vocal tool: it’s the one you may have the most trouble using freely in formal speaking situations.  If you haven’t received performance training in the use of the voice, you may stay in a too-narrow pitch range, limiting your voices natural ability to express emotion.
  3. Your rhythm and pace also need to be varied when you speak publicly so your audience stays attentive and aware of the nuances of what you’re saying.  In normal conversation, i.e., when you’re not self-conscious your speaking rhythm changes frequently according to new ideas or emotions you bring up.  Why should it be any different when you’re giving a presentation?  If you’ve ever suffered through a talk by a presenter who speaks in metronomic fashion, you know how an unvaried pace can lull an audience into inattention.
  4. Pauses and silence is another vocal tool you may be neglecting due to speech anxiety.  Pauses in a speech can add emphasis, build suspect, bridge ideas, make a comment on what you just said, and enrich your talk in other subtle ways.  If you pause at appropriate times, you’ll also show that you’re confident enough to set the pace for yourself rather than rushing through your talk because of nervousness.  Unfortunately, adrenaline by its nature forces you to either fight that ‘threat’ you’re facing or run from it — in other words, taking any course of action rather than pausing.
  5. Vocal quality is the most encompassing of the five vocal tools.  It includes the tone, the richness, and pleasantness of your voice, along with other factors such as breathiness, warmth or stridency, patience or impatience, empathy or anger, hesitancy or bewilderment, and other elements that effect people’s emotional response when you speak.  No wonder vocal quality is the most inclusive of the essential tools.
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10 lessons from The Art of War by Sun Tzu:

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“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.”


1. Know your enemy and know yourself. This is the most important lesson in The Art of War. If you know your enemy and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles.

2. Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. This is a lesson about deception. By appearing weak when you are strong, you can trick your enemy into underestimating you.

3. Attack where the enemy is unprepared. This is a lesson about surprise. By attacking where the enemy is unprepared, you can gain an advantage.

4. Make use of spies. Spies can provide you with valuable information about your enemy.

5. Use terrain to your advantage. The terrain can be a powerful tool in battle. By understanding the terrain, you can use it to your advantage.

6. Be flexible. The situation on the battlefield is constantly changing. You need to be flexible in order to adapt to these changes.

7. Concentrate your forces. Don’t spread your forces too thin. Instead, concentrate your forces on a single point of attack.

8. Strike at the enemy’s heart. The heart of the enemy is their will to fight. If you can break the enemy’s will to fight, you will win the battle.

9. Use deception. Deception is a powerful tool in war. By deceiving your enemy, you can gain an advantage.

10. Know when to retreat. Sometimes, the best course of action is to retreat. By retreating, you can preserve your forces for future battles.

These are just a few of the many lessons that can be learned from The Art of War.
This book is a classic for a reason. It is full of wisdom that can be applied to all aspects of life, not just war.

Education, Entreprenuer, Health, Travel

No One Said It Would Be Easy

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Good people will do what they find honorable to do, even if it requires hard work; they’ll do it even if it causes them injury; they’ll do it even if it will bring danger. Again, they won’t do what they find base, even if it brings wealth, pleasure, or power. Nothing will deter them from what is honorable, and nothing will lure them into what is base.

If doing good was easy, everyone would do it. (And if doing bad wasn’t tempting or attractive, nobody would do it.) The same goes for your duty. If anyone could do it, it would have been assigned to someone else. But instead it was assigned to you.

Thankfully, you’re not like everyone. You’re not afraid of doing what is hard. You can resist superficially attractive rewards. Can’t you?

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From Daddy…

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Thank You Daddy!

Dear Son,

Remember you have warrior’s blood in your veins

The code that made me as your father is the same code that will make you a man that your children will admire and respect

Put your pain in a box, lock it down, we are men made up of boxes, chambers of loss and triumph, of hurt and hope and love

No one is stronger and more dangerous than a man who can harness his emotions, his past

Use it as fuel, as ammunition, as ink to write the most important letter of your life.

Love Daddy!

Business, Education, Finance, Health, Travel

Why Worry?

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Worrying too much about what others think about you is a waster of thoughts. Truth is, they rarely do. Think about expanding your potential, strength and confidence and let mistakes become guiding points that guide you towards your destiny. Some of the best decisions are made from your past experiences and lessons obtained from past choices. Mistakes may be painful and costly, but with time, they become a collection of valuable lessons learnt about decision making. Instead of living with regrets, learn and move on. You may not live long enough to make all mistakes in order to get enough life lessons. Take advantage of other people’s mistakes and learn your lessons.

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Six Steps On How To Emancipate Yourself In Six Months

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Invest In A Home Library

Mediocrity is poison to the mind. Spend time having conversations with great minds. A knowledgeable man is a cure to his generation.

Do this;

-Read books

– Act on the knowledge

– Capitalize on knowledge.

Invest In Yourself

Be the prize everyone would want to win.

Work on;

– Getting jacked

– Having a good wardrobe

– Improving your mindset

Allow yourself to grow and after 6 months, you’ll be unrecognizable.

Learn Money Games

Life’s harsh and unfair when you’re broke as a man.

Here’s a framework to make money;

– Find a problem in the society

– Work to solve it

– Now, sell the solution

– Get paid

A broke man got not goodies. Work to get filthy rick and anonymous.

Invest In Experiences

Learn to take risks to 10 times your growth.

Approach your fears as they appear.

Do this;

– Meet new people

– Open businesses

– Relocate from your hometown

Learn how to test deep waters. You grow rich and strong by seeking new experiences.

Quit Toxic Habits

Habits can build up a man or destroy him.

These habits will make you weak forever;

– Watching porn

– Watching the news

– Discussing politics

– Smoking weed

Make radical changes and quit anything that doesn’t help you grow.

Kill All Your Limiting Beliefs

The current society is shaping a weak man.

Take time to learn about yourself.

Do this;

– Spend time alone

– Face who you’re

– Know your capabilities

Learn how to deal with yourself if you can handle yourself, then you’re a free man.

Business, Entreprenuer, Society, Travel

Mastering English: 7 Benefits of Competency-Based Curriculum

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Learning English is a skill that opens doors to countless opportunities, from personal growth to career advancement. While traditional language learning methods have their place, competency-based curriculum stands out as a highly effective approach. Here are seven key benefits of choosing a competency-based curriculum when learning English:

  1. Personalized Learning Path: Competency-based curriculum recognizes that learners have unique starting points and goals. It allows students to progress at their own pace, ensuring they receive the support they need precisely when they need it. This personalized approach enhances the learning experience and leads to more significant language acquisition.
  2. Mastery over Memorization: In competency-based learning, the emphasis is on mastering specific language skills rather than memorizing grammar rules or vocabulary lists. Students are encouraged to use English in practical contexts, leading to a deeper understanding of the language and better communication skills.
  3. Clear Learning Objectives: Competency-based programs often outline clear learning objectives and outcomes for each level or module. This transparency helps students understand what is expected of them and provides a sense of achievement as they meet each competency.
  4. Continuous Assessment: Competency-based learning involves continuous assessment and feedback. Students receive regular evaluations of their progress, allowing them to identify areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments. This ongoing feedback accelerates the learning process.
  5. Flexibility and Adaptability: Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, competency-based curriculum adapts to your needs. You can spend more time on challenging concepts and move quickly through familiar territory. This flexibility accommodates diverse learning styles and backgrounds.
  6. Real-World Relevance: Competency-based English courses prioritize practical language skills that are directly applicable in real-world situations. This approach ensures that learners can confidently and effectively communicate in professional and social contexts, enhancing their language proficiency’s real-world relevance.
  7. Increased Motivation: Competency-based learning tends to boost motivation and engagement. As students see their progress in tangible ways, their confidence grows, leading to increased motivation to continue learning and improving their English skills.

In conclusion, a competency-based curriculum offers numerous advantages when learning English. Its personalized approach, focus on mastery, clear objectives, continuous assessment, flexibility, real-world relevance, and motivational benefits make it a powerful tool for language learners. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your English skills, consider exploring a competency-based curriculum to unlock your full potential in mastering the English language.

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1440 Minutes!

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Do you know what you have in common with Elon Musk, Steph Curry, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, and J. K. Rowling?

You all have the same number of minutes to use however you choose, every single day.

24 hours in a day multiplied by 60 minutes gives all of us 1,440 minutes – take away a reasonable amount of time to sleep, eat, shower, and hug your kids, and you’re left with 1,000 minutes.

You can use your minutes to conquer the world and earn buckets of money, write books, train for a marathon, hang out with your family, have drinks with friends, buy groceries, meditate, or watch Netflix.

Every day you wake up with a fresh 1,000 minutes in your bank of time.

You are the CEO of that bank, and it is totally up to you to determine how you want to put those minutes to use.

You’re as rich in time every Monday as the actual richest man in the world.

You can no longer think of your time as free.

Big you – successful you – knows that time is expensive, and when we think about our time like we do our money, we can shift our mindset to not throwing it away.

You wouldn’t throw away $100, would you?

Well, that’s what you’re doing with an hour and a half when you’re not being productive – you’re basically throwing your income out the window.

Bye-bye, money!

The clock starts ticking the second you wake up, and if you aren’t aware of how those precious minutes are being used, it will suddenly be 9:00 PM and you’ll be wondering (once again) how you didn’t find the time to call back all of your clients, follow up with that new contract you made last week, or finally have that “date night” with your partner.

“The day got away from me.”

“I’ll do it tomorrow!”

Sound familiar?

That’s because you’re…

1) trying to do too many things at once.

Multitasking is NOT productive. Quit it. It’s much better to make a mile of progress in one direction than it is to make a few inches of progress in ten different directions.

2) failing to make time for the important stuff.

You need to set priorities. Pick three things you want to do today, and then don’t do ANYTHING until those three things are complete.

Want to grow your business? Make an hour of cold emails the first thing you do when you get to the office.

Want to make your business run more efficiently? Start your day by auditing your systems and processes, and then figure out where they need to be optimized.

3) wasting time on things that don’t matter.

Do you really need to spend the first hour of your day reading the news? How about “resting” by watching two hours of Netflix in the evening?

It’s not my place to make those decisions for you – YOU have to determine what’s best for YOU – but I have a feeling that you’d feel even better if you spent that time sending emails, figuring out what your day looks like tomorrow, or spending time with your loved ones.

Time is the only resource you can never get back.

So, where are you spending you 1,000 minutes today?

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When Something Is For You…

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When something is for you, it will bring clarity and alignment to your life, not chaos and confusion.

When something is for you, it will not run or hide or avoid being yours. You do not have to chase after anything or anyone.

When something is for you, you won’t feel the need to beg, convince, or force. Things will feel easeful, grounded and safe.

When something is for you, it will not make you question or second guess your worth. Instead, it will remind you how worthy and loved you truly are.

When something is for you, it will feel healthy and supportive – not toxic and destructive.

When something is for you, it will feel healthy and supportive – not toxic and destructive.

When something is for you, you’ll know it. Stop ignoring the signs. Release what needs to be released to that you can receive what needs to be received.

Business, Education, Finance, love, Society, Travel

Intelligence

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“According to Psychologists, there are four types of Intelligence:

1) Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
2) Emotional Quotient (EQ)
3) Social Quotient (SQ)
4) Adversity Quotient (AQ)

  1. Intelligence Quotient (IQ): this is the measure of your level of comprehension. You need IQ to solve maths, memorize things, and recall lessons.
  2. Emotional Quotient (EQ): this is the measure of your ability to maintain peace with others, keep to time, be responsible, be honest, respect boundaries, be humble, genuine and considerate.
  3. Social Quotient (SQ): this is the measure of your ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time.

People that have higher EQ and SQ tend to go further in life than those with a high IQ but low EQ and SQ. Most schools capitalize on improving IQ levels while EQ and SQ are played down.

A man of high IQ can end up being employed by a man of high EQ and SQ even though he has an average IQ.

Your EQ represents your Character, while your SQ represents your Charisma. Give in to habits that will improve these three Qs, especially your EQ and SQ.

Now there is a 4th one, a new paradigm:

  1. The Adversity Quotient (AQ): The measure of your ability to go through a rough patch in life, and come out of it without losing your mind.

When faced with troubles, AQ determines who will give up, who will abandon their family, and who will consider suicide.

Parents please expose your children to other areas of life than just Academics. They should adore manual labor (never use work as a form of punishment), Sports and Arts.

Develop their IQ, as well as their EQ, SQ and AQ. They should become multifaceted human beings able to do things independently of their parents.

Finally, do not prepare the road for your children. Prepare your children for the road.”

Education, Finance, Health, love, Science, Travel

50 Life Lessons From An 80 Year Old Man

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  1. Have a firm handshake.
  2. Look people in the eye.
  3. Sing in the shower.
  4. Own a great stereo system.
  5. If you are in a fight, hit hard and hit first.
  6. Keep secrets.
  7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
  8. Always accept an outstretched hand.
  9. Be brave. Even if you are not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
  10. Whislte.
  11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.
  12. Choose your life mate carefully.
  13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
  14. Lend only those books you never care about.
  15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.
  16. When playing games with children, let them win.
  17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.
  18. Be romantic.
  19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
  20. Loosen up, Relax. Except for rare life and death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
  21. Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It’s there for out convenience, not the caller’s.
  22. Be a good loser.
  23. Be a good winner.
  24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
  25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
  26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
  27. Keep it simple.
  28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
  29. Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
  30. Live your life so that your obituary could read, No regrets.
  31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.
  32. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
  33. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
  34. Take charge of your attitude. Don’t let someone else choose it for you.
  35. Visit friends and relatives when they are in the hospital; even if it is just for a few minutes.
  36. Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
  37. Once in a while, take the scenic route.
  38. Send a lot of valentine cards. Sign them, “Someone who thins you’re terrific.”
  39. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
  40. Keep a notepad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m
  41. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
  42. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
  43. Make someone’s day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
  44. Become someone’s hero.
  45. Marry only for love.
  46. Count your blessings.
  47. Compliment the meal when you’re a guest in someone’s home.
  48. Wave at the children on a school bus.
  49. Remember that 80% of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
  50. Don’t expect life to be fair.
Business, Education, Finance, Travel

20 PRO English TEST TIPS

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I have compiled the most practical tips that you can use to  assess the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

How to smash the LISTENING section:

The Listening test consists of 4 sections. Before each section you will hear some instructions and you will have the time to read the questions. Then the section will start.

1. Do not copy the answers in the breaks between sections
After the test you will be given 10 whole minutes to copy all your answers to the Answer Sheet so use the time in between section to read the following section’s questions.

2. Don’t focus on spelling or grammar during the listening!
You can check them at the end of the test when you transfer the answers onto the answer sheet.

3. Read the Instructions and Questions very Carefully
Take the time to understand what you have to do, don’t rush!

4. Write Down Answers on the test Paper First
While you are listening, write down answers on the test paper first without worrying about spelling and grammar. It would be a distraction and you will have another 10 minutes to copy and finish your answer at the end of the listening section.

5. Do Check Spelling and Grammar
Make sure to check spelling and grammar before handing in your answer sheet. Don’t panic and save a few minutes for this very important task.

How to smash the READING section:

The reading skills required (prediction, finding specific information, identifying opinions etc.) are the same for both the Academic and general Training tests, but the type of test will be different. On the Academic paper you will be given three long academic texts that are similar to university readings while on the General Training paper, texts of a much more general nature like documents, newspapers and flyers are given to the candidates.

6. Check the instructions very carefully. Again
Some tasks require you to use words from the text in the answer; in others you should use your own words.

7. Don’t panic if you don’t know the meaning of some words
It is normal. If English is not your first language, you might be unfamiliar with some vocabulary, just move on and get a sense of the sentence.

8. Read. Read and Read
Prior to the test, make sure to read everyday for an hour or more. The more you read the broader your vocabulary will become and the easier the test will be.

9. Use your time very carefully
You will have one hour for the Reading test. Try and get each section finished in 20 minutes making sure you have at least 3-4 minutes at the end of each section to transfer and check your answers.

10. Don’t leave any blanks
Even if you don’t know the answer, attempt every question. There are no penalties for incorrect answers, so have a guess. Luck might be on your side, if not, you’ve got nothing to lose.

How to smash the WRITING section:

Whether you are taking the Academic or the General test, you have to complete two writing tasks and you will have 60 minutes to do so. For the Writing Task 1 of the Academic test, you need to write a summary of at least 150 words in response to a particular graph, table, chart, or process For the the Writing Task 1 of the General test, candidates are asked to write a letter to solve a given problem.
Task 2 of both tests requires you to write at least 250 words in response to a topic that you will be given.

11. Use the appropriate writing style
Use a formal language for essays and informal language for informal letters

12. Answer the question!
There is no right or wrong answer as long as you answer the question. Remember that your language skills are assessed not your ideas.

13. Be concise.
Short, correct sentences are the winners.

14. Practice
Before the test, use the official writing forms to practice and check what 250 words look like in your own handwriting

15. Don’t go off topic
What’s the test about? Make sure you write about that and stick to it for the entire test.

How to smash the SPEAKING section:

And at the end, you will be finally sitting in front of the Examiner and you will have to talk for about 20 minutes.

16. Communicate effectively
Remember that you are not being tested on your general knowledge but on your ability to communicate effectively.

17. Listen before opening your mouth
This should be a general life tip, but especially during the speaking test, you should stay focused and let the examiner ask his questions before you attempt your answer.

18. Keep on talking.
The more you talk, the higher the score. Obviously only if you have something to say, don’t just talk non sense.

19. Don’t go off topic!
If you do, it might seem to the examiner that you didn’t understand the question. So take a deep breath and answer carefully.

20. Talk well
Talk as fluently as possible and use all those words you’ve learnt, try to put them among your well-thought answers, show off your vocabulary.

Extra tip!

An extra tip that’s useful for the test is to avoid becoming a clock slave: don’t panic and avoid looking at the clock every 10 secs – you have time!!!

Will these tricks and tips help you smash the exam? The answer is YES and NO. Or better, you will need to do a lot of work and become very familiar with the exam, these pro tips are useful only if you have studied and prepared for the test and your general knowledge of the English language is at a good level.

And you? Have you passed the English test? What was your score? Let us know in the comments below!

Arts, Business, Education, Travel

GOLD NUGGETS ABOUT LEARNING ENGLISH

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“Do you know what a foreign accent is? It’s a sign of bravery.” – Amy Chua

“It is astonishing how much enjoyment one can get out of a language that one understands imperfectly.” – Basil Lanneau Gildersleeve

“Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language.” – Frank Smith.

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb

“That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.” – Doris Lessing

“To have another language is to possess a second soul.” – Charlemagne

“We can be whatever we have the courage to be.”— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

“Learning is not a spectator sport.” – D. Blocher

“I admire people who dare to take the language, English, and understand it and understand the melody” – ‍Maya Angelou

“There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti

“Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow.‍” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

“What we learn with pleasure, we never forget.” – Alfred Mercier

“Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“Language is wine upon the lips.” – Virginia Woolf

“The expert in anything was once a beginner.” – Helen Hayes

“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.” – Flora Lewis

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” – Joseph Addison

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

“It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” – Samuel Beckett

“Language is power, life and the instrument of culture, the instrument of domination and liberation.‍” – Angela Carter

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S.Lewis

“Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.” – Rita Mae Brown

“A different language is a different vision of life.” – Federico Fellini

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SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

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“Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing.”

The truth is one we know well; the little things add up. Someone is a good person not because they say they are, but because they take good actions. One does not magically get one’s act together – it is a matter of many individual choices. It’s a matter of getting up at the right time, making your bed, resisting shortcuts, investing in yourself, doing your work. And make no mistake: while the individual action is small, it’s cumulative impact is not.

Think about all the small choices that will roll themselves out in front of you today. Do you know which are the right way and which are the easy way? Choose the right way, and watch as all these little things add up toward transformation.

Business, Education, Finance, Home, Travel

15 Unique Ways to Practice Speaking English

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Let’s be honest. You cannot claim to be fluent in English if you are not a fluent English speaker. Even if you have memorized the English dictionary, it will not matter if you cannot communicate in English. With that being said, we understand that speaking in English for non-native speakers can be intimidating.

Conversational English, especially, is challenging. In addition to the other ways English is confusing when you want to speak like native English speakers, it means you must be familiar with slang, contractions, and cultural idioms.

So, how do you move from the textbook and the computer screen grammar practice to actually speaking English? To put it simply – you speak it! To become a fluent English speaker, you must make every effort to speak English daily and often.

However, many foreign language students find themselves struggling to find opportunities to practice speaking English. That’s where I come in. Below, you will find 15 ways to practice speaking English.

1. Talk to Yourself

First things first, you are going to need to get used to talking to yourself. No, this will not make you crazy! In fact, you will probably find you feel more comfortable trying out new English words and phrases alone before you try them out in conversation with someone else. When you find yourself alone in your home or dorm, talk aloud about what you are doing, such as describing the meal you are cooking.

2. Listen to Yourself

If you do not have anyone to practice English conversations, look for English language apps that have a recording tool. Use the recorder to record yourself speaking English and then listen to it. Do you sound like the English speaker you are repeating? Take note of what sounds and words you are struggling with and practice speaking them aloud into the recorder.

3. Watch Yourself Talk

Another unique way to practice speaking and build your confidence is to use a mirror. Yes – it sounds strange. But, by looking at yourself speak in the mirror, you will be able to see how your mouth moves and forms words, as well as your body language.

4. Read A Blog

Another unique way to practice speaking English is to read blogs that inspire and motivate you to learn more, such as www.jambujoseph.wordpress.com . Reading blogs is one of the most fun and effective ways to help improve your English language skills. Blogs help to expand your vocabulary and expose you to different sentence structures, all while you enjoy some wonderful stories.

5. Read Along with Subtitles

Whenever possible, you should use subtitles. While subtitles also help you learn how to read in English, you can also use the subtitles to practice reading aloud. When you read aloud, you are speaking.

6. Imitate What You Hear on TV

Find some television shows or movies that you enjoy watching. After watching, imitate the way the characters speak English. As you will come to learn, the tone affects the meaning in English conversation. By paying attention to the character’s tone and body language, you will have a better understanding of how to communicate in real life.

7. Use Video Messaging to Practice Speaking

If you have friends or family members who speak English and live abroad, you should take advantage of the many video messaging tools, such as Skype and Facetime, to practice speaking. In situations with friends and family, you will need to explain that you want to speak in English because they may assume you feel more comfortable speaking your native language.

8. Speak in English to a Virtual Assistant

Set up any virtual assistant tools you use (such as Siri, Google, or Amazon Alexa) to speak in English. Not only will the virtual assistant speak in English, but you must also speak English to get a response. Additionally, this is a great way to improve enunciation.

9. Order Food in English

Whenever you have go out to eat, order your food in English. This actually applies to anytime you are speaking with a customer service representative. When you are out in public, make an effort to speak to your waiters or store clerks in English.

10. Narrate Your Day

Whether alone or with a speaking partner, spend time each day narrating your day aloud. By speaking about your day, you will build up your conversational English skills, as two common English questions are “How was your day?” and “What did you do today?”

11. Make Commentaries in English

For those that are passionate about sports, use English to commentate sports games. Listen to English sports announcers and then mimic them. In addition to sports, you can also commentate video games in English and share them online.

12. Use a Messaging App

Another unique way to practice speaking in English is to download and use Whatsapp. Whatsapp is a messaging tool used by more than 1 billion people all over the world. In addition to using the app for video messaging and English conversations, the app is also a great way to connect with other English learners to practice.

13. Sing in English

Look for musicians and bands that sing in English that you enjoy. As you become familiar with their songs, sing them aloud! You can start with karaoke that allows you to read the lyrics while singing along. Singing is a great way to build your vocabulary and learn how to pronounce words.

14. Try Tongue Twisters

Brave souls should try to master popular English tongue twisters. These are funny one-sentence poems that involve rhyming and alliteration. Their similar sounds make them difficult to speak, so it is a fun challenge for English learners.

15. Engage With An English Teacher To Polish-Up Your Speaking.

Of course, the best way to practice speaking English is to Speak more of it everyday and more so with a professional.  In this regard, a teacher’s role is believed to hold great importance. Teachers initiate learners to the whole learning process, and their feedback constitutes the significant step forward that triggers learners towards enunciating a language. Speaking directly to an English teacher either by phone, video call or one on one is a truly immersive experience that can be used to reinforce what has already been learned in the classroom or as a remedial tool to help learners who require additional support.

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Learning English Is A Lifestyle and Not An Act

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The phrase “learning English is a lifestyle not an act” emphasizes that learning a language, particularly English, requires a long-term commitment and a daily effort, rather than a one-time or sporadic activity. Here are some detailed meanings and examples of how this phrase can apply in different situations:

  1. Consistency is key: To learn English, one needs to make it a part of their daily routine. This means dedicating time each day to learn new vocabulary, practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. Consistency is crucial to building language skills over time. For instance, one can listen to English podcasts on their daily commute, read English news articles, and watch English movies in their free time to consistently immerse themselves in the language.
  2. Language learning is a gradual process: Language acquisition is not an event or an act but a continuous process. Learning English requires a long-term commitment to build a solid foundation of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. One needs to set realistic goals and practice regularly to achieve fluency. For example, setting a goal to learn five new English words each day, and using them in sentences can be a way to slowly and steadily build vocabulary.
  3. Learning English is a lifestyle choice: Learning English requires adopting a lifestyle that incorporates the language into everyday activities. It is not just about studying for a test or an exam but rather a continuous effort to improve communication skills. One can attend English-speaking events, join English language groups, and even engage in English conversations with friends and family members. By integrating English into their daily life, learners can achieve fluency in a more meaningful and effective way.
  4. A willingness to make mistakes: Learning a new language can be daunting, but making mistakes is a part of the learning process. Learners need to be willing to make mistakes and learn from them to improve their skills. For instance, speaking English with a native speaker, even if it’s not perfect, can be a valuable learning opportunity.
  5. Learning English as a lifelong journey: Learning English is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. Even after achieving fluency, one can continue to learn new words, phrases, and nuances of the language. Learning English can be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience that opens doors to new opportunities, experiences, and relationships.

Overall, the phrase “learning English is a lifestyle not an act” emphasizes that language learning requires a long-term commitment, a willingness to make mistakes, and a dedication to integrating the language into everyday life. By making English a part of their lifestyle, learners can achieve fluency and continue to improve their skills throughout their lifetime.

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How to Study for an English Exam: 10 Helpful Habits

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The day of your English exam is creeping closer and closer. In almost all cases, you’ll be tested on four different skills, not to mention your grammar and vocabulary knowledge…so where do you even start? 

Whether you’re studying for TOEFL, IELTS, or another English language exam, prepare like a winner with these 10 study tips. 

1. Understand the exam content and format

The main English tests are split into the same different competencies (speaking, listening, reading and writing). Avoid nasty surprises by finding out the typical exam questions for these competencies beforehand, and the time you will have to complete each question. 

You should also figure out the logistics before the day of your exam, including: 

  • The smaller details about the exam, such as how many times you will hear test recordings (if there are any test recordings in the first place) or what types of topics you will write about.
  • Where the test center is located, or whether you can take it online (if you’d prefer to). 
  • What you can bring to the test center on the day. 

Knowing all about your exam will help you with your next steps: establishing a focus and creating a solid plan.

2. Focus on your weaknesses

Before studying for your English exam, ask yourself: what areas am I weakest in?

Most of the time, all four language skills are weighted equally in an English language exam, so you shouldn’t spend much time on areas where you’re already strong. Put more of your time into improving your weaknesses.

If you’ve taken a similar exam in the past, look through it carefully and make notes on where you went wrong. Or, you can check your current skill level by taking a practice test right away. Either way, you will notice where you perform the worst out of listening, reading, writing and speaking. 

Many students consider listening the hardest part of the TOEFL exam, mainly because you have to respond to information that you hear only once. If you need to work on your listening skills quickly, then listening exercises with an English exam specialist will certainly help you prepare.

Wherever you need improvement, focus more of your study schedule on getting better, and you’ll certainly receive a better overall score for your exam. 

3. Make a practical study schedule (right now!)

There’s nothing worse than cramming last minute for an exam, and feeling “I should have prepared better for this!” If you don’t already have a study schedule in place, start one right now. 

Take a diary, an excel spreadsheet, or even just a big piece of paper that you can put on your wall and stick post-its on. Work backward from the day of your exam and list the days you have remaining. Split up your time wisely, focusing on your weakest areas, and try to fit in two or three sessions per day. According to research, the ideal work schedule is to work for 52 minutes and take a 17-minute break. Here’s an example of an effective day of studying:

  • 11.00-11.30: Vocabulary. 
  • 12.30-1.30: Writing – Write a 3-page journal entry in your target language.
  • 14.00-15:00: Listening – Listen to an English podcast and take notes of new vocabulary.
  • 15.30-16.30: Speaking – Chat with an English-speaking friend, exchange partner or English tutor. 

A study plan breaks down a huge amount of scary material into smaller, more manageable chunks, and you won’t be afraid that you’ve missed something. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than ticking “to-dos” off your schedule. When they’re all done, you’ll be confident knowing you worked hard and smart for your exam. 

4. Prepare faster with a tutor

Although the rest of the study techniques in this article are free, purchasing a package of private online lessons before your exam works wonders. A 1-on-1 tutor, is the most efficient way to sharpen your performance before an exam.

You can find many tutors who specialize in English language exams. These tutors know exactly what it takes to pass the English language exams from the experience of coaching students like you to success! They’ll be able to help you put your plan together, provide resources and focus on where you need to improve, and will enhance your speaking skills with 1-on-1 lessons (if that’s what you need). You can read the reviews and testimonials of each tutor to see if they suit your needs, and how they’ve helped learners just like you. 

Whether you need a quick boost of knowledge before your exam, or if your exam is months away, you can grow in confidence with professional tutors.

5. Expand your vocabulary

To ace an English language exam you need to show off an impressive range of vocabulary. One decades-old technique is flashcards, which drums new words into your head through repetition, repetition, repetition. Create your own by writing the word on one side, and the definition and an example sentence on the other. Then test yourself to see if you remember the definition and example. 

If you’ve got some extra minutes to spare, then you can use flashcards! Here are some of my favorites:

  • Quizlet: Create your own flashcards or use ready-made decks  to study English.
  • Preply: Import words your tutor shared in your online lessons, or add any word you want to learn! Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play.
  • Drops: Choose your topic and take fun, fast-paced games with colorful images to help you learn new words.

6. Write a daily journal in English

Writing a daily journal is not just great for your mind… it’s also a fantastic way to strengthen your ability to form sentences. 

Writing a journal is a great exercise to help you think in your target language and form sentences quickly. You’ll also spot which important, daily-use words are missing from your vocabulary. This means you can then look them up and add them to your flashcard app to memorize later. 

You should also bear in mind that both the IELTS and TOEFL exams include a section where you will be asked to write about your opinion, or describe something. This is where your journal will come in handy, as you’ll write about things, people, or events in your own life, as well as your opinion on them. 

A journal is also a great tool to stay motivated. Imagine looking back through a month of journal entries and seeing the progress you’ve made! The topics you write about in your journal will also give you great ideas for what to discuss when you practice your speaking skills.

7. Practice speaking regularly

You won’t find a greater language fluency “hack” than conversation. There’s something about real-life conversation that helps your language skills level up fast: you need to create sentences spontaneously which forces you to think about the right vocabulary, and you also receive listening practice and real-time feedback. 

One study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that language skills of learners who practice speaking exceed those who learn from comprehension exercises only. This is likely because our memories prioritize human-to-human experiences with emotions tied to them. Although flashcards and other study techniques are useful, in a live conversation, you get to implement all of the words and phrases you’ve practiced over time. 

8. Read as much as you can

Get into reading English material as much as possible. Reading allows you to take in the language at your own pace, and it’s also a fun and interesting way to develop your knowledge. Not just of the English language, but other subjects too! 

A little bit of reading every day or two helps a lot. You could read academic journals, books, or newspapers (materials that the IELTS Academic test is based on) or texts you often encounter in daily life: magazines, newspapers, novels or advertisements (which the IELTS General Training test is based on). Your reading material could be fact, fiction, or anything in between. You could also dive into some classic stories in English, where we have an entire list based on your current English level.

While you read, don’t be afraid to make a mess of your books and texts. Scribble down notes, definitions, and translations. This will help you recognize familiar words and how they are used in real sentences and expressions.

9. Don’t forget to listen!

Listening is not as active as speaking, reading or writing, so it’s probably not as difficult or important… right?

Thinking this way is a huge mistake, as research shows that when we communicate, we spend about 40-50% of the time listening. Compare that to the 25-30% speaking, and you’ve got a skill that definitely needs to be developed for your English exam. 

You can practice your listening skills in two ways: active listening or passive listening. Active listening means giving your full, committed attention to a podcast, YouTube video, or movie and writing notes as you listen. You can practice active listening while in conversation with an English tutor or language exchange partner, and take notes whenever you learn a new word or spot any gaps in your vocabulary. 

Passive listening is where you listen to a podcast or YouTube video while doing other activities, like cleaning your room or walking the dog. It still counts as listening practice, but it’s less focused and can be done in your “resting” times. For more practical ways to practice your listening, check out this article on English speaking exercises. 

Once you’ve topped up all the listening skills you need with these study habits, you will need to put everything you’ve learned into practice with the test material. 

10. Take a practice test

In our first tip, we recommended familiarizing yourself with the exam material, and understanding the type of answers that examiners want to see. But it’s not enough to just “know” what will get you the highest score. You need to put this into practice yourself. 

Fortunately, learning resources and official practice papers can be found for any of the tests online. Once you have downloaded the official TOEFL, IELTS, or other relevant practice tests, sit somewhere without distractions, set a timer on your phone, and get to work on putting everything you’ve learned into practice. When you’ve finished, compare your work with best practice resources and answers from past exams. 

One tip is to try and simulate the exact experience of the exam date. If you want to take it a step further, you can drink a cup of coffee before you take a practice test. The adrenaline from the caffeine will produce a  similar feeling to the nerves you will have on the day. By simulating the exact experience, you will feel more calm and prepared when exam day comes. 

Sharpen your English skills

There’s an old Chinese proverb that says “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand”. This means that the best approach to truly understand something is to practice regularly — not just learn about it in theory. The same principles apply to your English exam. 

Combine the expert guidance of a tutor with the helpful habits in this article, and you’ll be on your way to conquering the English exam. Good luck!

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When The Student Is Ready The Teacher Will Appear

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The phrase “when the student is ready the teacher will appear” can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but at its core, it emphasizes the importance of timing and readiness in the process of learning and growth. Here are some detailed meanings and examples of how this phrase can apply in different situations:

  1. The importance of being receptive to learning: The phrase suggests that when a person is truly open and receptive to learning, the right teacher or mentor will present themselves at the right time. For example, if a student is struggling with a particular subject in school and feels frustrated and resistant to learning, they may not be ready to receive help or guidance. However, if the student begins to approach the subject with a more open and curious mindset, a teacher or tutor may appear to offer them the support and resources they need to succeed.
  2. Trusting the timing of the learning process: The phrase also implies that the learning process unfolds at its own pace, and that it’s important to trust the timing of when new knowledge or insights will emerge. For example, a person may have a desire to learn a new skill or pursue a new passion, but if they rush into it too quickly without proper preparation or foundation, they may struggle to make progress. However, if they take the time to build a strong foundation and develop their skills gradually, the right opportunities and teachers may present themselves along the way to guide them on their journey.
  3. The role of synchronicity in learning: The phrase also suggests that there may be a deeper sense of synchronicity or serendipity at work in the process of learning and growth. For example, a person may meet a new teacher or mentor in a chance encounter or unexpected circumstance, and feel a strong sense of resonance or connection that inspires them to learn and grow in new ways.

Overall, the phrase “when the student is ready the teacher will appear” emphasizes the importance of readiness, openness, and trust in the process of learning and growth. It suggests that when we approach new challenges and opportunities with an open and receptive mindset, the right teachers and resources will appear to guide us on our path.