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.
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.
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.
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.
Learning English with Native Speaker Teachers
April 2, 2009 by Amy Nutt
Filed under Online Colleges
Learning English can seem like a complicated and time consuming task. Understanding English slang, and how native English speakers engage in conversation, is something that cannot be learned in a text book. Learning English from a native speaker teacher has a number of advantages. Although there can be miscommunication regarding culture and customs, native speaker teachers can make it easier to learn and understand the English language.
The advantages of learning English with nat”ve speaker teachers include:
1. Authentic Learning: A student will be exposed to the authentic English language. Through learning activities such as games, students will learn about the culture and how to speak like a native speaker. This includes the use of slang and accents. Students will be able to engage in real and regular conversations that English speakers use every day.
2. Pronunciation and Language Use: Native speaker teachers provide a natural way of learning English words and grammar. Students will learn how to properly pronounce words and phrases. They will also learn how to speak and write using proper grammar and vocabulary. They can provide instant and accurate feedback to help students overcome bad speech patterns. . For instance, if a student pronounces a word ate but means to say hate, a teacher will provide proper enunciation of the letter h. Many words look the same but are pronounced differently. Phrases such as “I have read that magazine,” and “I like to read are good examples. These types of words can be confusing for a student learning English. A native speaker teacher will understand the background and meaning of the words.
3. Cultural Questions: Because the English language is often integrated within a culture, native speaker teachers are able to provide answers to questions about customs or cultural practices that may come up during class.
4. Grammar: People whose native tongue is English are quick to catch grammar errors. For instance, a phrase such as will not to tell is a grammar mistake a teacher will pick up on every time. They will provide positive feedback to help a student learn to say will not tell. After a series of positive feedback sessions, students will begin to monitor themselves and catch their own mistakes and correct them.
5. English Conversations: By conversing with native speakers, a student of English will be able to pick up on the meaning of phrases and the teacher will be able to make sure the student is applying the proper meaning of the words and phrases they use. The English teacher can explain why a phrase is spoken in a certain way.
6. Verbs: Some English verb phrases can be very confusing. A teacher can explain phrases like come up with or checking in on much more easily. There are also many irregular verbs used in the English language. Rules for such verbs as sing, sang, and sung can be difficult to comprehend. A teacher who is fluent in English can make these rules regarding irregular verbs easier to understand.
7. Strange Vocabulary: Explaining the difference between such phrases and words as wise man and wise guy can be difficult. The teacher will have an easier time explaining types of words that seem illogical to a student.
English is not the most complex language in the world, but it can be one of the most difficult to learn. Native speaker teachers will have the experience of speaking the language and have a better and less complicated way of providing explanations. When implemented correctly, teaching English to foreign students can be rewarding and enjoyable for both the teacher and the students.
Common Illegal Questions You Shouldnt be Asked During a Job Interview
March 19, 2009 by Amy Nutt
Filed under Online Colleges
Have you ever had a job interview where you wondered why in the world the prospective employer was asking certain questions that you thought were strange? If you thought they were strange, then you were probably right. There are certain questions that shouldnt be asked during a job interview. As a matter of fact, federal law prohibits an employer from asking questions that are not relevant to the job. All questions should be related to the job and not used to gather personal information.
Here are some of the job interview questions that you should not be asked during an interview, but employers tend to do it anyway:
What is your ethnicity? What is your sexual orientation? What is your religion? Do you attend church services regularly? Where were you born? How old are you? Do you have any disabilities? Are you married? Do you have children?
All of these questions have nothing to do with the job. The employer may ask if you have adequate transportation to get back and forth to work, but that is relevant to the job. It is relevant because your job depends on you being able to be there. The employer wants to make sure you can fulfill your obligation each day.
As for whether or not you have children or you are married, those questions are not relevant to the job. Most adults do have children and most adults do have a significant other. There are also many adults who dont have these things. Employers are not allowed to discriminate against you because you do have children.
Actually, an employer is not allowed to discriminate against you for anything at all. Many good candidates could be passed up due to discrimination. Everyone is to have an equal chance at getting the job regardless of their personal circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are still employers asking these questions and they are getting by with it. They have been known to ask questions such as, Will your children get in the way of your job responsibilities? They may even ask, Do you have adequate childcare so that you can carry out your job duties? These questions are not needed. Now, an employer may ask a question, such as Are you physically capable to carry out the job duties? This is a viable question for the fact that some jobs require heavy lifting or have other physical demands. If a person is not able to carry out those physical demands, then they may find that performing their job is very difficult. If someone says they are able to fulfill the physical demands, but they dont, then they could lose their job. This question cannot be considered a disability question.
If you find that you are being asked illegal questions in a job interview, it may be in your best interest to turn down a job offer. If they want to know why, there is nothing wrong with telling them that their questions were too personal. If they are going to ask you such questions during a job interview, then it is hard to tell how personal things would get when actually doing the job. You could be treading on shallow water and find yourself in a job that you would not like.
When you call an employer out on their illegal questions, you may be opening their eyes to what it is they are doing. Then again, you may not be. Just know that an employer that asks illegal questions is not exactly the type of employer you want to dedicate your time to.
Common Mistakes When Writing a Resume
March 10, 2009 by A Nutt
Filed under Online Colleges
With so many people competing for jobs, employers are finding themselves swamped with stacks of resumes. Employers are now looking for resumes that standout from the pile. The key to landing a job interview is to present a strong and effective resume. A resume that is filled with errors will only end up in the waste basket. The following is a list of common mistakes people make when writing a resume:
1) No Cover Letter: Employers want to see a cover letter with a resume. A cover letter is your introduction and summarizes your job intentions.
2) Typing Errors: A resume with typos and grammatical errors will make an employer think that you do not pay attention to details. A computer spell check does not always pick up every mistake. Proofread your resume and then have a friend read it.
3) Disorganized Content: It is important to list the most important information at the top of the resume. Experience and employment history are the most important parts of the resume. Your hobbies should be placed near the end of the resume. Make sure your information is easy to read. Filter out information that is not relevant to the job.
4) Unprofessional email address: Email addresses should not be amateurish. For instance, happyguy104@hotmail.com is not appropriate. A better email would be JohnDoe@hotmail.com.
5) Layout Lacking Consistency: You should have equal spacing between headings. Your margins should be equal. Include dates on your resume. A recommended font size is 11 or 12. When using verbs, make sure you are using the correct verb tense. Use different action verbs when highlighting your skills. Do not use abbreviations or contractions.
6) Unclear Focus: Your resume should be written to match your experience and education with the job you are seeking. You want the employer to think that you are the best person for the job.
7) Boring Content: Your resume should tell a mini story about your experience and education. Dont just list your duties. Highlight valuable experience to show why you should be chosen for the job. Do not use phrases such as responsibilities included or duties included.
Lacking Extracurricular Activities: Employers want to read about additional activities such as certificates of achievement, training, volunteer experience, and awards. This will show employers that you are out going and well-rounded. When listing your achievements, make sure you emphasize the results of your work.
9) Key skills Do Not Stand Out: Use a format such as bullets to highlight skills the employer will like. You want to show the employer that you will be an asset to the business.
10) Inappropriate Personal Information: Dont put in personal information such as gender and age. Do not include a picture of yourself. . Keep your personal and professional life separate in order to be taken seriously.
11) Inaccurate Information: It is important that you do not lie or embellish. It would be embarrassing if you were caught lying. Your resume should be truthful.
12) Job Experience Too Old: It is important not to go back too far when listing your employment experience. If you are older, employers will not want to see what summer job you had in high school.
A resume is the entryway to a job interview. It is important to understand that your resume is a marketing tool, not an autobiography. Make your resume an interesting read. A resume should be written so that it is focused on the job position. When you write a professional resume that stands out from the others in the pile, you will have a better chance of getting your dream job.






