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A Look At What Is The Difference Between Business English And Literary English

April 12, 2010 by Adriana Noton  
Filed under Online Colleges

Language is used differently depending on what it is being used for, and at which audience it is aimed. Normal, everyday language between small sets of people is fundamentally different from sophisticated language that is reaching a larger group of people. Even within formal language, there are many different groupings depending on what is being discussed. This is true in all languages, so in English, we need to ask what is the difference between business English and literary English.

The two forms of English can be defined as follows. In English used for business, the English language is being used for a very practical purpose; that is, making money. This form is concerned with commercial affairs. English that is literary in nature can be regarded almost as the opposite of this. It focuses on artistic or idealistic matters, and is not interested in money matters.

Since the people who use business English are talking about money, the vocabulary they use will mostly consist of words describing financial affairs. They might use many technical terms from accounting and economics that the average person would not understand. On the other hand, literary English will not have most of these words, but it will use a larger diction since its sphere of influence is wider, and therefore needs more words to describe more things.

The styles will also be different. Literary forms of English are more flowery and ornate, and the sentences are often longer. Not only is what it says important, but how it is said is also worthy of attention.

In contrast, students educated by a business English course will use sentences that are short and to the point. Literary English users will mainly be native speakers of English, or if English is not their mother tongue, they will have spent many years studying it in order to acquire an advanced facility in it. On the other hand, because these days business is more global than in the past, many users of business English lessons will only have a basic familiarity with it and might only be able to understand it and carry on a rudimentary conversation. It will be easier to use, since many of its users are not well-experienced in the English language.

English used to describe financial affairs will use more statistics and figures, and is more analytical in nature. It seeks to describe something, or if it is argumentative it will build its case using hard data. Expect to see a lot of numbers in it. In literary English, numbers rarely appear. It is more subjective, and works more on an emotional level.

There has been an increase in the use of both kinds of English over the past century, and this increase will likely increase. The global nature of the world economy means that people from all corners of the globe must be able to communicate to do business with each other, and because English is so widespread, English for business purposes will be widely used. As well, worldwide interest in the English arts and in the popular arts — especially mass media such as movies and television — will promote the dissemination of literary versions of English.

English is the world’s leading popular language. People will continue to be interested in it for business purposes as well as for expressing non-practical matters.

This reputable educational institution offers English classes for students of all levels. Our staff team is dedicated to helping you build vocabulary, understand grammar, and learn communication skills through lesson English.


How Online English Courses Benefit All Learning Needs

December 17, 2009 by Adriana Noton  
Filed under Online Colleges

The benefits of online English courses reach far and wide. With the difficulty of the language posing numerous stumbling blocks even for those with the native English tongue, strong instruction that works is essential. Whether you are taking English as a second language or you need to increase your communication skills to be a better professional, online courses offer you a great freedom as well as a good opportunity. Kids needing additional English lessons can find that these are the classes that get them over the hump.

Online courses give you the freedom to structure your classes around your day. Some of us keep some pretty wild schedules. There are few classes that allow you morning study one day, afternoon the next, and then evening on the third day. Structuring your classes into your schedule helps you ensure that you will attend your classes online.

Of course, taking English classes online also gives you different modes of learning that aren’t as readily available in other class formats. You can find different ways to study, including games, audio and visual stimulation, and sometimes even an online tutor. The host of various tools for learning and completing assignments gives you a chance to push through and accelerate in a manner that is comfortable for you.

English as a second language can be terribly frustrating. Most of the languages around the world consider English to be backward when it comes to the structure of sentences. The way the language places adverbs and adjectives can be opposite when compared to most other languages. This often presents a challenge for those who are trying to master the English language.

Of course, there are plenty of students that are struggling through their school work as they attempt to find the proper way to write and speak their native tongue. In a world full of slang, acronyms, and now with l33t speak (pronounced leet) on the rise it’s no wonder that many individuals end their sentences with prepositions and don’t understand where a possessive apostrophe belongs. There are many rules of the language, as well as exceptions to those rules, that are not practiced in daily communications among younger generations.

Those of us who are 35 and under have grown up in a world where English was considered the most valuable language to learn and yet our households and friends reflected a totally different language. This can cause issues when it comes to completing high school English classes and can reflect on SAT scores.

When you find a need for English classes one of the best places to look is naturally online. You will need to select a course that is appropriate for your needs. If you’re trying to help a struggling student you may want a different course than someone trying to learn conversational English.

Make sure the online English courses come with some sort of support. Many of the programs offer help through chat as well as over the phone. If you are having trouble, it’s highly beneficial to have someone to help work out the problem.

Straying away from the traditional methods of learning English, tools such as the Online English courses are useful for beginners. While trying to learn to speak English, beginners can learn other languages by using devices such as the English to Spanish translation.


Teaching English in a Foreign Country is a Rewarding Experience

September 10, 2009 by Amy Nutt  
Filed under Online Colleges

Around the world, the demand for teachers is on the rise. Many people have experienced the rewards of teaching English in a foreign country. The benefits of helping others learn the English language while immersing yourself in another country will make any apprehension about packing up and moving to another country diminish.

One of the best features of living and teaching English in a foreign country is how much you can see and learn from another culture. Spending time with the locals and learn about their history, culture, and traditions will be a great experience. You will be participating in daily activities that will involve interacting with locals such as shopping, touring various locations, walking, taking public transportation, and more. As well, you will learn how people live, work, and spend their leisure time. You will also be exposed to various traditional celebrations, holidays, art and culture, craftspeople, artisans, festivals, and more. You will also be able to try local foods. English teachers learn more about a culture than they ever would in a textbook.

Another great feature is getting paid to live in a foreign land. English teachers will usually work in the mornings or afternoons and rest of the day is theirs to do whatever they like. There is plenty of time to see all of the local attractions. It is a great way to earn a living.

Traveling and working in different countries will allow English teachers to meet people from all over the world. They will make some great friends for life. Because of the internet, teachers can easily keep in contact and possibly visit one another in the future.

One who travels and experiences different cultures will undergo personal growth. You will be taking on new challenges and overcoming them. Not only will you gain knowledge about another culture, you will grow as a person and become more confident in other areas of your life. This type of life education will help employers see that you would make a great addition to their particular organization. Skills you will learn include interpersonal, working independently and with others, leadership, and adapting to new environments.

English teachers take great pride in watching their students learn the English language. As an English teacher, students will be able to listen to your stories about your home country. It is a rewarding experience to help others learn English.

It is not difficult to training to be a foreign English teacher. Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate (TESL) usually takes about 100 hours to complete. Most countries require a bachelor’s degree. The type of degree does not normally matter. TEFL/TESL certifications will aid in getting a better paying jobs.

Teaching English in a foreign country is a great choice for those who want to see the world and experience another culture. Paid teaching positions provide an affordable way to travel and live in another country. Teaching English in a foreign country is definitely a rewarding experience.

Quality online English courses for free! We offer help to develop your English language ability in the comfort of your learning environment. There are also services including free online English dictionary, Spanish and French to English translation, and more.


English: The Global Language of Communication

August 12, 2009 by Amy Nutt  
Filed under Online Colleges

There are many different languages in the world, and there are simply none more that cause more impact than the English language. The English language is an amazing language, and it is beautiful. The shear amount of people who speak it are breath-taking, and there are many countries that teach the global language of communication in primary schools.

With about 400 million people who speak it as their primary language, and the total of English speakers at nearly 2 billion people around the world, it is no wonder why this language is the global language of communication.

Background and Origins

Historically, the language that is language is one of West Germanic descent, with origins in Anglo-Saxon England. The language is a culmination of many words from many pre-existing languages around the world, but specifically influenced by the Old Norse language of the Vikings. After the Normans conquered, where we had Old English, it transformed into what we called Middle language, which was borrowed mostly from their language, as far as spelling and vocabulary are concerned.

Shortly thereafter, Modern English was developed, coming along with what was called the Great Vowel Shift, which happened in 15th century English, where they incorporated words from a great score of different languages and dialects. In this, it is where we started using more and more words that were rooted in Greek and Latin, especially in the use of technical words.

The Significance of English

English is considered something called the “lingua franca”, the world’s first. This basically means that the language of English is something that is basically an international language of people not speaking a mother tongue. So, it’s not uncommon around the world for people to speak English if they want to communicate with someone not from their country. It is also the dominant language in many fields, such as business, science, entertainment, radio, and diplomacy.

The use of the English language is something that is considered a requirement in many fields of business, especially in the higher echelons. Even in countries where English is not the country’s primary language, a basic knowledge of English is generally required. This fact is definitely true in the fields of medicine and computing, where one is bound to have to communicate with someone that was not born in the same country that you were. And in these fields, having a “lingua franca” is something that definitely something that can come in handy.

English is something of a beautiful language, and people around the world have been studying it for a number of years for them to learn it as best as they possibly can. In learning English, there can be many things that can be achieved than if not. Chances there will more than likely be a time where a person would need to communicate with someone from another country, and if it’s the global language, a person definitely could be benefit from learning it! And with this global language of communication, it will definitely not be an effort in vain.

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The Function of Prepositional Phrases in English

July 23, 2009 by Amy Nutt  
Filed under Online Colleges

When learning the English language, it is important to have an understanding of the grammar. One area that requires understanding is the function of prepositional phrases. Prepositions are words that have just one possible form which introduces the object of the prepositional phrase.

A few commonly used prepositions in English include: about, above, across, after, against, along among, despite, down, during, around, toward, under, underneath, until, with, within, etc. The preposition’s role is to demonstrate a plausible, time-connected, or spatial relationship between the object of the prepositional phrase and the other parts of the sentence.

For instance:

The man is sitting on the chair.

The prepositional phrase ‘on the chair’ shows a spatial relationship between the subject man and the object chair

The child has not been to the pool since almost drowning.

The prepositional phrase ‘since almost drowning’ shows a time-connected relationship between ‘has not been to the pool’ and ‘almost drowning.’

The woman lost weight despite eating junk food.

The prepositional phrase ‘despite eating junk food’ shows a plausible relationship between losing weight and eating junk food.

Prepositional phrases consist of a preposition and an object of a preposition and perform a number of sentence functions that include: Particles, Heads The Prepositional Phrases, Complements of Phrases, Adverb Modifying a Verb, Adjective Modifying a Noun, or functioning as nouns but are not real nouns and are referred to as Nominals.

1.) Particles

Particles consist of a phrasal verb followed by a preposition.

mess up jump in

The prepositions ‘up’ and ‘in,’ act as particles in the phrasal verbs ‘mess up’ and ‘jump in.’

2.) Heads The Prepositional Phrases

in the office after the movie

‘in’ and ‘after’ precede the prepositional phrases.

3.) Complements of Phrases

Prepositional phrases balance noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases.

Dogs depend on their owners, The star of the play just left.

Prepositional phrases are ‘on their owners’ and ‘of the play’

4.) Adverb modifying a Verb

The dog chases after the cat. The toilet overflowed despite the plumbing repair. The plant grew without using special plant food.

5.) Adjective modifying a Noun

Please give me the book next to the computer. I see the car with the large dent. Stop the car at the railroad tracks.

6.) Functioning as Nominals

The store is next to the bank. The office is between a restaurant and a gift shop. The encore is after the concert has finished.

The Nominal performs this function in sentences when they are used in conjunction with the designated verb.

7.) Adjuncts

Prepositional phrases working as adjuncts frame an entire clause.

For my part, I enjoyed learning to swim. With all due respect, you are not my boss.

The prepositional phrases are ‘for my part’ and ‘with all due respect.’ When learning the English language, understanding the rules and meanings of sentence phrases that includes such functions as prepositional phrases will go a long way in mastering both the spoken and written language.

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How to Improve Your English Skills

May 24, 2009 by Amy Nutt  
Filed under Online Colleges

Learning a new language is not easy. Each person has their own learning style and learns at their own pace. Once you have decided to take on learning a new language (such as English) there are many different activities you can engage in that will support and reinforce your efforts. Enrolling in an English as a Second Language (ESL) course can help you lay the foundation for developing your English skills. In this case, a trained instructor will guide you through the curriculum and help you by assigning practice assignments and helping you with pronunciation. Below are some tips and ideas that you can use to further help improve your English skills.

Hear English It seems logical, doesnt it? In order to know how certain words are said, we must hear them being spoken. Hearing them, is actually not enough, you must listen to the sounds and mentally (or orally) repeat them in order to internalize them. The more dialogue in English that you are actively engaged in listening to, the easier it will become to recognize and repeat certain words. Below is a list of good listening opportunities for you: Eavesdrop on conversations at a caf or in line at the supermarket Watch movies and television in English Borrow childrens books accompanied with cassettes from your local library, then listen to the story on the tape while following along in the book Listen to talk radio or news on your way to work English is all around you. Everywhere you go you can overhear people talking to each other in English. Instead of tuning it out, listen closely and try to recognize words or identify new ones.

Read English Another great way to reinforce your English skills is to read in English. Reading helps your mind grasp how words work together when in context. Read the morning newspaper in English. Borrow a book in English from your local library. You can check out the English version of a book you may have read in your own native language so that youre already familiar with the story and can concentrate on the language in the text. Wherever you are, read the signs and imagine the words you read spoken out loud.

Speak English As they say, practice makes perfect. In order to truly improve your English language skills, you must practice speaking in English very often. This can be a bit intimidating, especially if you feel as though you have an accent. The truth is, the world is full of people who are working on learning a new language. Have patience with yourself and realize that others will be patient with you too. Consider joining an English language exchange group where youll have discussions in English. Talk to yourself in English in the shower. Practice speaking in English at home with your family. When you are alone, repeat words you have trouble over an over again to yourself until you feel you have gotten it right.

With practice and dedication, you can improve your English skills!

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Biggest Obstacles When Learning English

May 10, 2009 by A Nutt  
Filed under Online Colleges

There are an estimated 6, 000 languages spoken throughout the world. With so many languages, it may surprise many to learn that learning the English language can be one of the more difficult tasks. There are a number of reasons why students encounter obstacles when they are learning English.

Pronunciation: The English language has no exact pronunciation. Some words contain ‘silent’ letters which means they are not spoken. Some letters may be pronounced differently such as ‘ah’ for ‘A’. Other languages such as the German language vocalize every letter and have only one pronunciation. How the stress is placed on certain German consonants or vowels can make English such a difficult language to learn. There are hard and soft consonants like ‘c’ taking on a ‘k’ sound which depends on the context of which they are spoken. There are silent letters in some words and there are some consonants that when put together will project an entirely different sound. (i.e.th) The odd combinations and changing rules in the pronunciation of words makes English much more difficult to learn.

Grammar: The succession of nouns, adjectives, and adverbs has their own particular order for the many different languages in the world. With the English language, the order can vary. For instance, Chinese learners tend to write indirect sentences. For example: “The boy was bitten by the neighbour’s dog.” instead of “The neighbour’s dog bit the boy.” To write proper sentences and passages, English learners have to learn a new and different way of using grammar. Assimilating English into a conversation can be difficult because learners have to use different sentence structures than their native language.

Verb Tense: Some languages have very narrow connotations of verb tense. Often the use of present and past verb tense can make learning English quite complicated. For instance, in certain situations, it may be appropriate to use any of the following tenses: present; past; and future. The verb ‘sing’ can be used in the following forms depending on tense: sing, sang, or sung.

Learning Tools: Many students are only taught to learn from books so they do not have the chance to practice the speaking language. They tend to lack the confidence when they try to speak the English language in public. Reading aloud can help them improve their English speaking abilities

Slang: The use of slang is common in the English language. Words, terms, and phrases do not have the same meaning that they would normally have in a dictionary definition. Learning the language requires learning the use of slang which means understanding that different slang terms make English an almost entirely different language that has to be learned. Sometimes terms that are used are not even found in the English dictionary. This can make difficult for someone not familiar with the language. This is where television, movies, magazines, and the radio become helpful tools when learning the language.

Gender and Culture: A persons cultural practices can affect their ability to learn English. For instance, in some cultures a woman tends to be the one to stay home and raise the children. They are less likely to be interacting with English speakers unlike a man who would be out in the workforce interacting with English speakers.

The English language is one of the most widely spoken languages. The inability to speak or understand the native English language can seem frustrating. Although the complexities of learning the language may seem overwhelming, the benefits are well worth the effort. Reading, speaking, and listening to others speak English are an important part of learning the language.

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Advantages of Teaching English in another Country

May 3, 2009 by A Nutt  
Filed under Online Colleges

Teaching English in a foreign country can be both a challenge and rewarding experience. There are a number of benefits to sharing ones knowledge of the English language in another country. The following is a list of the many advantages of teaching English abroad:

Living and teaching in a foreign country allows you lo learn and absorb another culture. It is a rewarding way of learning about the language, customs, and history of another country. You will gain valuable insight into the lives of regular citizens and experience their various holidays, festivals, cultural events, and food. You will most likely be living in an apartment or renting home so you will be immersed in the culture performing such tasks grocery shopping, taking public transit, eating in various dining establishments, and engaging in various local activities.

It is a rewarding experience to help others learn English. Students will also gain a better understanding of your own culture. They will learn about your customs and practices as well as other activities they would not learn from a textbook.

It looks great on resume format. It helps improve organization skills, interpersonal skills, and management skills. It also shows prospective employers that you are flexible, willing to try new things, accepting of other cultures, and you have the ability to adapt to a new environment. .Knowledge of another language is a definite asset in the workplace.

You will likely bond with your students and make long lasting friendships. You will witness a positive difference that you make in the lives of your students.

Training to be a foreign English teacher is not a difficult process. A Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate (TESL) usually takes about 100 hours to complete. The certificate program is relatively inexpensive and after completion, most schools will help you locate the appropriate teaching position.

If you want to see the world, teaching English abroad is a great career choice. You will be able to travel throughout the country and visit various cultural and historical places. It is a fun way to learn. Paid teaching positions also provide an inexpensive way to travel to a different country.

Wherever you teach, you will meet other teachers that will help you overcome any culture shock issues. Your coworkers will speak English so you will not have to worry about having problems communicating.

English teachers are in great demand in many countries around the world. To be a successful foreign English teacher, you must be independent and self-sufficient. You must also have great interpersonal skills that will help you adapt to a new environment. Teaching the English language to students in another country can be rewarding and a fun way to earn a living. You will be representing your country and culture so students will be eager to learn from you. Having an open mind will allow you to experience life in your new country personally and the chances are great that you will feel right at home.

Teaching English in a foreign country has become a popular choice for both young people and older adults. For many people, teaching English in another country is a job that they do for only a year or two. However, there are other teachers who make it a life long career traveling to a variety of countries for a specified period of time. These teachers make a good living and provide for their families. Those who have experienced life as an ESL teacher come away with experiences that last a lifetime.

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Common Mistakes when Writing a Cover Letter

April 22, 2009 by A Nutt  
Filed under Online Colleges

The cover letter that accompanies your resume is almost as important, if not more important, than the resume itself. This is because it is the first impression that the employer gets about you. It has to be carefully written so that the employer has a good idea of why you want to work for them. But there are some mistakes that you need to avoid when writing your cover letter so that it can be as effective as possible. If your cover letter contains mistakes, then the employer may never turn the page to your resume.

First, it is important to look at a few basics before covering the most common mistakes so that you can avoid those mistakes. You need to make sure that your cover letter is written on letter paper because it is of a higher stock and you need to ensure that you type your cover letter rather than handwrite it. You may be wondering who actually writes a cover letter by hand, but it does happen.

Below are the rest of the common mistakes when writing a cover letter:

- The failure to address the letter to a specific person is the first mistake. It is important to find out who is doing the hiring within the company so that you can address the letter to that person. If multiple people do the hiring and you have no idea who will be reviewing your resume format, you may wish to address it to the HR manager or the job title of the individuals who do the hiring.

- Many people make the mistake of not creating a new cover letter for each job they are applying for. What happens is a different employer gets the same letter, which means the career goal is going to be unrelated to one or two of those jobs that you are applying for.

- The presentation needs to be strong. Weak presentations do not keep the reader’s attention.

- Make sure you stay away from clichs and anecdotes that you feel are amusing. An employer will not find these things amusing at all.

- Make sure you don’t ramble in your cover letter. You want to get to the point and do it quickly rather than go on and on. A cover letter is not to tell your life story.

- Grammatical errors and typos are a huge turn off to employers. They want to see that you can pay close attention to detail. Letting grammatical errors and typos pass through to the employer does not show attention to detail.

- Make sure you sign your cover letter with your hand. This is the professional way to do it.

- Once you have your cover letter and your resume finished, make sure you don’t stuff them into a small envelope. It is important that you enclose them in a larger envelope so that they are not folded.

Make sure you don’t make these mistakes because these are the mistakes that will keep your resume from being the one that an employer chooses. You have to remember that your cover letter and your resume are representations of you. If they represent you well, the employer will want to speak to you to see if you really are the candidate for the job. They can tell when they meet you if you match everything you told them on paper. If they think that you are not what they saw in your cover letter and resume, then they may pass you up. So make sure you are honest, professional, and that you are everything that you say you are.

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English: Should You Lose the Accent?

April 16, 2009 by A Nutt  
Filed under Online Colleges

When learning English as a second language, many students feel that they have failed if they dont speak it flawlessly and without an accent. The simple truth is, however, that the majority of ESL students will not be able to completely get rid of their accent in English without many years of hard work. If you are able to speak clearly and have others understand you, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with having an accent.

What IS Important

Being able to speak like a native doesnt necessarily mean that youll be accent free. In fact, your accent could be just what you need to set your voice apart from millions of others. But there are a few things that you do need to know if you are serious about speaking the language well.

Avoid common mispronunciations. This varies depending on your mother tongue, but most people have some set pronunciations that can cause problems in English. For example, most adult Asians pronounce the letter “r” as “l”. Spanish speakers will usually say “b” for the letter “v”. If you know what your particular mispronunciations are, you can be conscious of them and make a real effort not to say these sounds wrong. This will make your English far more understandable. Children will have less of a problem with this than adults.

Enunciate. In your rush to speak English like a native, you may try to speed up, but this can make it hard for people to understand you. Slow down a little and make sure you say each word clearly and there will be far less chance of misunderstanding. You can practice your enunciation, as well. This doesnt mean that you need to get rid of your accent, only that you need to speak clearly so everyone will understand what you have said . . . this is something that many native English speakers also have problems with. Increase your vocabulary. Its far easier to express yourself if you know what words to use. This basically means you need to do a lot of studying and reading. Watching movies and television shows in

English can also help with building vocabulary, as well as improving your accent. Speaking with others is another method of learning new words, as long as you are with someone you feel comfortable asking the definition from. Otherwise, get in the practice of carrying a small pocket English dictionary with you that you can use in your daily practice.

Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the better youll get at speaking English. That means striking up conversations with strangers, calling up friends on the phone to speak English (phones can be difficult, but are excellent practice for speaking clearly), and getting in as much conversation time as possible. Many English students even hire someone to converse with them, but you should be able to find plenty of people who are happy to just have a conversation.

If you really do wish to reduce your accent, then there are specialists who help people with this. A speech therapist will be able to help you move your mouth differently than you are accustomed to and help you correct the more common pronunciation problems so that you will be able to speak more like a native speaker.

Speaking English well takes time and practice. Theres no instant method for picking up a new language perfectly and while you may want to work on speaking more like a native, it isnt necessary. In fact, you may find that many people enjoy listening to an accent, as long as you are able to speak clearly and be understood.

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