Author: Xela

What is IELTS

Posted on by Xela

IELTS is hugely popular across the world with some 5 million tests taken each year with an average score on 6.5 -8.  It’s owned by is jointly owned by the British Council; IDP (International Development Program) IELTS; and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It’s accepted in 140 countries and considered essential for students planning to study or work in English speaking countries.

 

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System and is one of the most widely recognized English language proficiency exams for non-native English speakers.

It serves as a measure of language skills required for study or work, and designed to help you study or migrate to a country where English is the native language including countries such as the UK, US, Australia and Canada.
Your listening, reading, writing and speaking skills in English are assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.
Major institutions all over the USA recognise that IELTS gives a true reflection of a student’s ability to understand English and communicate in it.

How to Prepare for the IELTS Exam

 

Understand the Exam Format:

Familiarize yourself with the IELTS exam format, which consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section assesses specific language skills, and understanding the format will help you prepare effectively.

Know the Assessment Criteria:

Become familiar with the assessment criteria for each section of the exam. This will enable you to understand how your performance will be evaluated and allow you to focus on the key areas of improvement.

Set Clear Goals:

Determine your target score and set clear goals for each section of the exam. This will help you create a study plan and allocate time accordingly to focus on areas that require improvement.

Build Vocabulary:

Enhance your vocabulary by reading extensively, listening to podcasts, and engaging in conversations with native English speakers. Make a habit of noting down new words and phrases, and regularly review and practice using them in different contexts.

What is IELTS exam and how to prepare for it
Best tips to get a high IELTS exam score

Improve Reading Skills:

Develop your reading skills by reading a variety of English texts such as newspapers, magazines, and online articles. Practice summarizing the main ideas, identifying key details, and improving reading speed without compromising comprehension.

Enhance Listening Skills:

Improve your listening skills by regularly listening to English audio materials, such as podcasts, news broadcasts, and TED Talks. Focus on understanding the main ideas, identifying specific details, and following conversations.

Practise Writing Tasks:

Work on your writing skills by practicing different types of writing tasks, including essays, reports, and letters. Pay attention to structuring your writing, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and managing time effectively.

Develop Speaking Fluency:

Practice speaking English with friends, English teachers and other English learners. Work on fluency, pronunciation, and coherence by engaging in conversations on various topics. Practice speaking within the time limits to simulate the real exam experience.

 

What is a Good Score for IELTS?

Overall Band Scores:

The IELTS exam is graded on a scale of 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest. The overall band score is the average of the scores obtained in each section. Different institutions or immigration authorities may require specific band scores, so research the requirements of your intended institution or country.

Differentiate Band Scores:

The band scores correspond to different levels of English language proficiency. While a band score of 4 or 4.5 indicates limited language skills, a score of 6 or above demonstrates a good command of English. Higher band scores, such as 7 or 8, are usually required for academic or professional purposes.

Individual Section Scores:

Apart from the overall band score, individual section scores are also important. Institutions or authorities may have minimum requirements for each section, so aim to achieve balanced scores across all sections.

Benchmarking and Comparison:

Remember that a “good” score is relative to your goals and the requirements of the institution or country you are applying to. Research the average scores accepted by your desired institution and use them as benchmarks to assess your performance.

Best tips to get a high IELTS score

Preparing for the IELTS exam requires dedication, practice, and a clear study plan.

 

Perfectly Spoken can help you improve your score in all 4 skills areas and apart from invaluable general English courses which will help you achieve your goals and achieve a ‘good score’ you can also study specialist courses for example on grammar and pronunciation as well as specific IELTS preparation courses. 

With your preparation and determination and our help you can work towards achieving your desired IELTS score and unlock exciting opportunities in your English language journey.

 

Prepare your IELTS exam with Perfectly Spoken

Start your learning journey today

 

 

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10 Top Tips for learning English on holiday

Posted on by Xela

Are you going on holiday? Get ready for our 10 Top Tips for learning English on holiday.  Our selection of fun and easy ways to practise English, ensuring that your travel experience becomes an enriching language adventure.

Going on holiday is a fantastic way to relax, rejuvenate, and escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life. However, it doesn’t mean you have to take a break from learning. For language enthusiasts and English learners, vacations present a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the language while enjoying their time away.

  1. Practise with the locals

Engaging in conversations with native speakers is a great way to improve your English fluency, even in non-English speaking countries where English is often the shared common language. While you’re on holiday, interact with locals in markets, cafes, or tourist spots. Don’t hesitate to start up a friendly conversation and practise your English. Most locals are keen to share their culture and language with visitors, providing an excellent opportunity to learn new phrases and expressions.

  1. Book local tours and activities

If you’re travelling overseas, you’ll be able to go on tours or enjoy activities conducted in English. Whether it’s a city tour, a cooking class, or a historical excursion, participating in English-speaking activities will expose you to the language in a practical, engaging, and fun way.

  1. Read English books or e-books

While sunbathing on the beach or relaxing by the pool, why not pick up an English book or e-book to read. Select a theme that interests you and take your time to understand the story (or even a book in English you’ve read in your own language) Reading helps improve vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills, all while enjoying your holiday.

Learn English speaking with other people
Practise your English on social media

  1. Practise English through social media

Share your travel experiences on social media platforms in English. Write captions for your photos, post travel updates, and interact with other English-speaking travellers. This not only improves your written skills but also helps you make connections with people who share similar interests.

  1. Watch English movies or shows

In the evenings, unwind with English movies or TV shows. Listening to native speakers will expose you to different accents, colloquial expressions, and conversational patterns. If possible, you could use subtitles to help your understanding.

  1. Language apps and games

Of course, you can always improve, and practise English with Perfectly Spoken wherever you go! But maybe you it’s also time for a break from your normal studies so you come back refreshed and ready to re-join us after the holiday! Instead, use your smart phone to access language learning apps and games to practise English during downtime or while travelling. Many apps offer interactive exercises, quizzes, and language challenges that make learning enjoyable and convenient. From vocabulary builders to conversation simulators, these apps can be your pocket-sized English tutor on holiday.

  1. Take a short course or go to classes

Before you go on your trip, research language workshops or classes available at your destination. Many cities offer short-term language courses for tourists, allowing you to learn in a structured environment while connecting with fellow learners.

  1. Join English speaking groups

Search online for English-speaking meetups or language exchange groups in the area you’re visiting. These gatherings offer the chance to meet locals and fellow travellers, enabling you to practise English in a relaxed and supportive setting.

  1. Keep a travel journal

Writing a journal not only helps you save your travel memories but also helps enhance your language skills. Write about your daily experiences, the places you visit, and the people you meet. Challenge yourself to describe events in a lot of detail, using a wide range of vocabulary and grammar. When you return home, you’ll have a valuable collection of written English to review and analyse.

And finally…

  1. Set language learning goals

Before and during your holiday, set specific language goals. It could be to learn a certain number of new words, have a daily conversation with a native speaker, or complete a language challenge. Goals give direction to your learning and provide a sense of accomplishment when achieved.

Learn English on holidays

Travelling is not only about seeing new places but also about exploring different cultures and languages. By incorporating these ten fun and effective ways to practice English while on holiday, you can transform your vacation into an exciting language-learning adventure. Please welcome the opportunity to improve your English proficiency combined with enjoying unforgettable memories in your dream destination.

 

Did you like our 10 Top Tips For Learning English On Holiday? We hope so!

Happy learning and safe travels from all the team at Perfectly Spoken!

Transform your English skills with Perfectly Spoken

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How do I start learning basic English: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on by Xela

Are you ready to start your journey to learn English?
If you have little or zero knowledge of the language, we will give you some great advice on how to start learning basic English and take your first steps towards becoming proficient in the language. Learning English or any language  can be difficult, but with dedication and the right approach, you can achieve your goals.

Here’s: How to start learning English from zero

 

Set Clear Goals
Before you begin your English learning journey, it’s important to set clear goals. Be clear why you want to learn English and what you hope to achieve. For example, it could be to communicate with English-speaking friends, study higher education, or improve your job or career prospects. Having a clear objective will motivate you throughout your learning process.

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Start with the Basics
Every language has its foundation, and English is no exception.

Begin by learning:

  • the alphabet,
  • pronunciation of sounds, and
  • basic greetings.

Familiarize yourself with common words and simple sentence structures.
Online resources, apps, and English language learning platforms can provide you with beginner-level lessons and exercises to get you started.

Learning basic english tips. Learning online
Learn basic English top tips from expert teachers

Practice Listening Skills: Developing good listening skills is essential to comprehend spoken English. Start by watching movies, TV shows, or listening to podcasts in English. Even if you don’t understand everything at first, focus on familiarizing yourself with the sounds and rhythm of the language. Engage with English audio materials regularly to improve your listening comprehension.

Build Vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary by learning new words and phrases every day. Start with common everyday words and gradually increase the complexity. Use flashcards, vocabulary apps, or create word lists to practise and review regularly. Associating words with images or situations can help in better retention.

Speak, Speak, Speak: Speaking is a crucial aspect of language learning. Don’t be afraid to practice speaking English, even if you make mistakes. Find a language exchange partner or join language groups to engage in conversations. Practice speaking aloud by repeating phrases and sentences from textbooks or language learning apps. Confidence comes with practice, so take every opportunity to speak in English.

Writing Exercises: Improving your writing skills is equally important. Start by practicing simple sentence construction, grammar rules, and basic punctuation. Keep a journal in English and write about your daily activities or thoughts. You can also get feedback from English speakers or join online writing communities to enhance your writing abilities.

Immerse Yourself in English: Listen to English songs, watch movies or TV shows with English subtitles, and read English books or articles. Immerse yourself in the language as much as possible to improve your overall language skills. 

Practice Consistently: Consistency is key when learning a new language. Try and have regular study sessions and practice English every day. Just dedicating 15-30 minutes daily can make a significant difference in your progress. Remember, regular small steps taken consistently will deliver significant results. 

Get help from experts: Most of us need some expert help when we are learning a language – to motivate, clarify difficulties and guide our practice and learning. Going online to find that help is the more affordable and convenient way for most English learners.

Learn basic English online with expert teachers

There are many options including 1-2-1 tutors but that can be expensive so most people choose an English learning platform like Perfectly Spoken where students can combine the flexibility of self-study and be guided by expert teachers and enjoy live practice with other English learners from around the world.

Learning English from zero may seem an impossible challenge, but with the right mindset and approach, anyone can achieve proficiency. Set clear goals, practise listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and immerse yourself in English as much as possible. Remember, progress takes time, but Perfectly Spoken is here to help. So why not join us and enjoy the journey. Good luck!

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Perfectly Spoken partners with Open Arms

Posted on by Xela

Perfectly Spoken, a leading online English language learning platform, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Open Arms, a dedicated humanitarian organization committed to protecting the most vulnerable in emergency situations. By extending our services to the staff and other individuals who work and collaborate with Open Arms, we aim to empower them with the transformative potential of the English language. This partnership reflects our shared vision of making a positive impact in the lives of those who selflessly serve others.

 

Empowering Humanitarians Through English Language Learning

Open Arms is at the forefront of providing crucial aid and support to individuals abandoned in international waters, fleeing from war, persecution, and poverty. Recognizing the extraordinary tasks faced by the dedicated personnel and volunteers of Open Arms, Perfectly Spoken is proud to support their mission by offering English language learning opportunities. By equipping them with strong English communication skills, we can amplify their ability to effectively carry out their tasks and make a difference in the lives of those they assist. Clear and effective communication is vital in their humanitarian work, enabling them to build trust, convey empathy, and provide the necessary assistance to those in need.

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Laura Lanuza - Communications & Projects Director at Open Arms / Xela Falgueras - Co-director at Perfectly Spoken / Ángeles Schjaer - Education Coordinator at Open Arms
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Astral boat

Enhancing Cultural Understanding and Empathy

At Perfectly Spoken, we recognize that language learning goes beyond mere communication skills; it fosters cultural understanding and empathy. Through our collaboration with Open Arms, we aim to create an environment where language becomes a bridge, fostering connections and promoting mutual understanding.

By providing free access to our comprehensive English courses, we enable Open Arms‘ staff and volunteers to develop their language skills at their own pace and convenience. Our platform offers a wide range of engaging lessons.

Help Open Arms with a Donation

Cultural Sensitivity

Our curriculum has been designed to integrate cultural sensitivity and embrace diverse perspectives, enabling learners to grasp the nuances of different cultures and deepen their connections with the individuals they serve. This cultural understanding then enriches the experiences of those working and collaborating with Open Arms.

 

Diversity of courses

Through this partnership, we aim to empower Open Arms‘ personnel with improved communication skills, enabling them to carry out their tasks with greater efficiency and empathy. To this end we not only offer access to a wide range of general English courses to suit the needs and learning objectives of individual team members but plan to work with

Open Arms to create specialist English courses to equip them linguistically to face the specific challenges the Open Arms team face daily at an international level.

Together, Perfectly Spoken and Open Arms exemplify the transformative power of collaboration, compassion, and education. By working hand in hand, we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those who dedicate themselves to helping others, creating a world where language becomes a catalyst for empowerment.

 

Xela Falgueras & Ángeles Schjaer

Do you work in the Third Sector ?

Do you think Perfectly Spoken could empower your Team?

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ChatGPT: AI and chatbots in plain English

Posted on by Xela

Chat GPT has become the world’s fastest growing consumer app acquiring more than 100 million users in just 2 months since its launch. And, according to Perfectly Spoken’s global media partner Reuters, this is faster than even TikTok which took 9 months to reach that number or Instagram which took two and a half years.

 

But what is it?

In its description of itself, ChatGPT is ‘an AI-powered chatbot based on the GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) language model. It uses deep learning techniques to generate human-like responses to text inputs in a conversational manner.’
So, it’s a natural language processing tool that can create content, images and even code on demand via conversations with a chatbot.
And it’s a very powerful tool. It can take written inputs from users and then produce human-like responses in numerous different forms from jokes to advice, even to complete essays

 

Is it really so special?

Yes. Because it has the ability to produce human-like responses which come from the enormous amounts of data it has been trained to use.
And, experts believe that with use, the responses will become more and more human-like, something that computers haven’t been able to do until now.
Furthermore, it can take content that users have put in earlier messages in a conversation and use them to form responses later in the conversation!

 

And what is the competition doing?

ChatGPT has been developed by AI start up OpenAI which is backed by Microsoft. Microsoft has launched a version of its Teams messaging service with ChatGPT integration.

Other firms, like China’s Baidu, are quickly developing their own chatbots.
However, the biggest threat is to Google. Instead of using our favourite search engine to find answers, we could just ask ChatGPT. This is possibly why Google has launched its own competitor to ChatGPT, called Bard.

But experts still argue that ChatGPT not only has a first mover advantage in the market but will also benefit from the massive numbers of users it is gaining on a daily basis who will help to train the AI system.

 

Are there any concerns?

Concerns have been raised over potential abuses.

While hackers have begun testing it to write malicious code, in classrooms, students have used ChatGPT to generate entire essays. AI plagiarism is a new challenge and teachers are concerned that the tool could be sued by students to do their homework and undermine learning especially critical thinking and creativity which marks us out as humans. This has now led to a ban across all New York City public schools and many other schools across the US.

In response, a spokesperson for the company has said it is “already developing mitigations to help anyone identify text generated by that system”

 

Are there any drawbacks to ChatGPT?

Researchers say chatbots like ChatGPT have their limitations. They can provide responses that are simply factually inaccurate, fail to solve a maths problem and even invent names and book titles.
So while it can seem to provide realistic engaging content on nearly any topic, there’s no guarantee that that content is factually accurate.
This means AI is still yet to be able to understand or learn any intellectual task that a human being can.

 

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A person using ChatGPT

What’s the future?

Unsurprisingly also has many fans of people who work in both the fields of education and artificial intelligence and believe that institutions will need to find ways to integrate chatbots like ChatGPT into their learning programmes rather than ban them – making them acceptable for some uses in the classroom just as we have accepted mobile phones and calculators

As an associate professor of Emory University is quoted as saying

“There’s always been this concern that technologies will do away with what people do best, and the reality is that people have had to learn how to use these technologies to enhance what they do best”

Clearly AI will have a role in shaping the future of education schools and everywhere

For now, perhaps the best advice comes from a university student who uses it to create a rough draft for many tasks and then adds the finishing touches himself.

Can I use ChatGPT to improve my English?

The short answer. Yes, most definitely. In the blogpost Learning English with ChatGPT we explore some of the ways students can use a chatbot on their own to help them improve their English and ta the same time look at some of the uses Perfectly Spoken can and will be incorporating chatbots to help offer an even better English language learning service to students!

ChatGPT access screen

In the meantime, to make progress with your English create a Free account and try our courses and live classes with our real expert teachers!

 

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The best Valentine’s Day phrases in English

Posted on by Xela

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated on 14th February each year.

On this day people celebrate by sending messages of love and affection to their partners (husbands and wives) and to family and friends.
The true origin of the day is unclear – one possibility is that it was it was established as a day to honour one or two Christian martyrs called Valentine

What is clear is that Valentine’s Day customs such as sending greetings cards known as “valentines”, gifting confectionery like sweets and chocolates and giving flowers developed in England in the 18th century and spread through the English-speaking world in the 19th century and then eventually to almost every country in the world.

 

Before we tell you the best Valentine’s Day phrases in English, let’s check your knowledge about love and Valentine…

 

  • Which is the language of love?

English possibly? Well, French is considered to be the most romantic language followed by Spanish and Italian -the so-called ‘Romance’ languages
But as more non-native speakers use English to communicate with each other than any other language and that will include messages of love, you could say that English is the language of love!

  • Which city is best to celebrate Valentine’s day?

Paris of course. Known as “the city of love’ the city becomes the world capital of Valentine’s Day as lovers travel from all over the globe to spend the special day there.

  • How much do people spend on Valentine’s Day?

A lot. According to our global media partner Reuters, Americans will spend $26 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts in 2023 – with young adults spending an average of $336 each!

  • What are the most popular gifts?

That hasn’t changed over the years. In America for example, most people (57%) buy candy (sweets and chocolates) followed by greeting cards (40%) and flowers (37%) but also popular are dates (32%) -a nice romantic dinner for two for example- and jewellery (21%): a nice diamond ring if you’re extremely lucky!

  • So is Valentine’s Day most popular in the UK & US?

You would think so, wouldn’t you? But actually, according to Google Trends data, Valentine’s Day is most popular not in America or the Western world but in the Arab countries, Asia and Latin America. And in fact, Chinese and South Koreans spend the most money on Valentine’s gifts.

If you are romantic and would like to send a Valentine’s Day message in English or express your love in English, here are a few popular examples [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What to write in English

You’ve bought your greetings card and now you want to express your love in writing to that special person

Here are some popular expressions you could use (Perhaps not all of them in one go!)

  • Happy Valentine’s Day to the most special person in my life.
  • You’re my everything. Happy Valentine’s Day!
  • Happy Valentine’s Day, handsome / beautiful.
  • I love you to the moon and back
  • You take my breath away, every single day.
  • It’s just one day in the year, but you should know that I love you every day and every moment
  • The more time we spend together, the more we fall in love with each other. Happy Valentine’s Day!
  • I love you more than pizza. (Not sure if this is this one is too serious😊?)

And what to say in English!

Maybe you don’t like writing and you want to speak In English directly and to the point:

Our top 3 recommendations

  1. Simply say “I love you” Or if your partner says it first, then your reply could be “And I love you (so much) too”
  2. “I’m (so) in love with you”. And you could say “You make me so happy” before you say that. This is extremely romantic and is often used before someone asks their partner to marry them. So be a little careful!!
  3. “I love you with all my heart”. “I’m crazy about you” and “You take my breath away”

Try any combination or even all three together. You will certainly get your  ❤️ message across

If you want to make sure your English is perfect for Valentine’s Day and every other day, start your 7-Day Trial account (you only need an email) and try over 200 video lessons and a selection live classes & Conversation Café  – you’ll love ❤️ learning English with us.

 

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2022’s most ‘iconic’,’ innovative’, ‘successful’, ‘inspiring’, ‘influential’ CEO you’ve never heard of?

Posted on by Xela

Can anyone beat this?

During the course of this year -and we aren’t finished yet, though maybe I am now, I have been short-listed to feature in, or more often appear as the cover story, in no fewer than 12 purportedly industry sector leading publications.

Despite no prior contact with me, my team or any relevant stakeholder, and as a proud CEO/MD of a SME slowly and gradually carving out a niche in the EdTech sector with honesty and humility, unbeknown to me, my achievements appear nevertheless to be already legendary. So much so that I deserve to be invited to join the ranks of the elite and included in reports with titles where superlatives are almost universally obligatory:

 

Is it thus that I was identified as one of “The Most Iconic CEOs to follow in 2022“, one of The Most Innovative Business leaders in, 2022 Insights Success magazine and of course “The Most Influentional Business Leaders shaping the Modern Industry”.

Being invited to appear in “Innovative Business Leaders Making a Difference 2022“  sounded almost mundane by comparison.

Sometimes the short-listed category can be quite competitive: just one of the best of 30 as in “30 Best Leaders to watch” (really!) or one of 20 as in The 20 Most Inspiring Business Leaders Making a Difference, 2022 (but at least the cover story was an option here).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column]

David de Jager Perfectly Spoken MD at BETT2020
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However, it was reassuring that as a natural result of intensive, exhaustive research, most had concluded that I was at least top 10 material as in: “The 10 Most Inspiring Business Leaders Making a Difference 2022” (Jan-2022) “10 Admired CEOs to Watch, 2022” and “10 Most Influential CEOs in 2022“.

 

But my two favourite accolades have to be:

Cynically you might conclude that all this would have come at a cost. And you are right. But reassuringly just ‘nominal” or ‘minimal’ fees of between $700 to $5000.

And despite having been identified as such a star attraction that publications seemed desperate to feature me, I suspect you’re not that surprised to find that when I responded to approaches explaining that we were not interested in paying fees, interest in me seemed to drop off a cliff.

Which is why I’m still possibly 2022’s most ‘iconic’,’ innovative’, ‘successful’, ‘inspiring’, ‘influential’ CEO you’ve never heard of.

 

Maybe 2023 will change that. Or not

Should I learn English online or offline?

Posted on by Xela

3 ways Covid has created more choice for English language learners

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During lockdown many, many students had to adapt to a ‘new normal’ for learning English. Like all subjects, suddenly self-study lessons and distance learning from home in front of a computer screen took over from classroom teaching at University or High School.

So, now, what does a post Covid future hold?

At Perfectly Spoken we believe the future is a very positive one for students who already have and will have more and better choices to learn English that will suit them and their pockets.

Here’s why.

Practise your English conversation with expert teachers

1. Traditional Language schools have learnt from online providers

  • For years online providers have been offering quality English language training online in the form of self-study and live and interactive practice with qualified English teachers.

Covid served to accelerate the uptake of this way of learning and many millions of students across the globe- many of whom previously actively resisted studying online- are now familiar with, and enjoy this way of learning English as they do with other subjects. They have discovered that the approach is flexible, convenient and effective.

  • Traditional language schools have also learnt that while some students are happy to return to the classroom, they also know they need to try to provide the flexibility and convenience that students have been accustomed to with studying online.

That’s why the post Covid language school offers the student the opportunity to study online as well as in the classroom. Any many do this through collaborating with online providers like Perfectly Spoken. The result is a win-win for students: they can choose to study exclusively online or in the classroom, or if they can afford it, a combination of the two.. the best of both worlds.

2. More courses. More variety. More choice

For students in the online world, old and new, the pandemic has brought benefits in terms of increased competition for them and their money. The number of online providers has grown exponentially and in order to attract students, providers have also had to really understand the needs of their students and provide appropriate learning content. At Perfectly Spoken for example that means we focus a lot of energy on Intermediate English courses and supporting learning materials which are the most popular courses generally while we know that students thinking of applying to university our B2 English and C1 Advanced courses are a must.

In contrast, Corporate English training in the past used to be exclusively for big companies with big budgets who could send individual managers to English speaking countries for intensive Business English courses. But that’s all changed as travel and budgets have become restricted and, as we have learnt, Learning and Development Managers appreciate quality online Business English courses that they can afford to make available to a much greater section of the workforce

 

Corporate English training in the past used to be exclusively for big companies

with big budgets who could send individual managers

to English speaking countries for intensive Business English courses.

 

The wider point then is that one of the really big advantages online providers have is the ability to offer a student is a huge variety of courses while at the same time giving the learner the autonomy to deciding what and when to learn…This means a student may choose to study any number of General English, Business English, Exam Preparation or Grammar courses -and at the same time if they wish- but also the opportunity to focus in on a particular language area or topic that may suddenly become a priority for that student.

3. Technology has delivered accessibility, affordability and a rewarding experience

technology to learn English online

As part of the new norm many students will literally ‘go back to school’ where they can study with their friends, and no-one can deny the importance of social interactivity to help learning and for our general well-being.

However, not only is this not possible for the vast majority of English language students because there are no good language schools in the vicinity or more likely, the courses are simply too expensive, but also those students are losing out on a unique experience.

 

 The truly global online classroom has arrived to stay.

 

Today, even with limited bandwidth, students across the globe can get access to quality English language training on any internet connected device at a relatively low cost and even be taught by the same expert teachers that previously were only available to those students who could afford to go to a language school. This change is so important because it gives the opportunity for all students to access high quality training- and that’s very powerful for the future. Furthermore, the online classroom can be a place for both learning and social interactivity. All Perfectly Spoken teachers agree that any student who has not experienced an online class with fellow students from different countries across the world is missing out on an incredibly rewarding experience. The truly global online classroom has arrived to stay.

So back to the original question..

Should a student study English online or offline?

We believe the ‘new normal’ is already here and the future for most English language students will be online, and as a consequence,  that online learning experience will just get better and better.

 

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and find out what works for you

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The CEO Publication Interviews CEO David de Jager

Posted on by Xela

Our very own David de Jager has recently been interviewed by The CEO Publication about Perfectly Spoken and how our unique way of learning English online is the future and how he achieved this success. David’s history in teaching English as a language was the launching point for Perfectly Spoken, utilising different learning techniques and creating hybrids to find the best way to teach someone how to speak English. David saw an opportunity to take his vast experience and understanding of the range of people who are learning and wanting to learn the language to create the platform we all now know as Perfectly Spoken.

“You may be surprised that there are approximately 2 billion learners of English across the globe…” Read what David fully had to say in the interview. The aim of Perfectly Spoken was to create a platform in which learning English was extensive and complete whilst also being available to the learner whenever the learner was ready, rather than a fixed time and date inside a classroom. Whether you’re completely new to learning English or you’re brushing up your skills to develop your career or personal life, there is something for everyone. This was a core part of the design for the online English courses.

David goes on to discuss how he is proud of what he has created here and why he thinks the Perfectly Spoken platform is out-performing all the premium services that are out there. He also mentions the connections we’ve made along the way with large new agencies and the performance of the courses internationally. Take a look at the entire interview over on The CEO Publication and if you are curious about learning English online, get in touch with our team or register for your course today!

Business English

Posted on by Xela

The demand for business English classes has increased exponentially in recent years, with students around the world keen to gain a deeper understanding of the terminology and language used in business and international trade.

Business English differs from standard English – the terms and phrases you’ll encounter in a business environment aren’t what you’ll encounter when travelling to an English-speaking country or when conversing with an English-speaking person.

In a business setting, there’s vocabulary you’ll need to understand in order to communicate effectively with your colleagues and clients, from delivering presentations and negotiating to socialising and writing reports.

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Tips for improving your knowledge of business English

There are several ways to improve your business English knowledge while you’re learning, to make the process of retaining information easier. Here are a few tips and suggestions.

Create daily habits

Immersing yourself in business English can help you build up your vocabulary faster, so set a target to learn as many new words as you can. Aim to learn a few new words each day – you can write them down on flashcards, which you can then use to refresh your memory when you’re practising. Building a daily habit to practice will keep your knowledge fresh in your mind and helps you to build momentum.

Practise your English conversation with expert teachers

Read or watch the news

Reading or listening to business English in use is a great way to get to grips with the terminology and how people use different phrases. Subscribe to business magazines, read articles online and watch news segments on TV or on YouTube – aim for eat least one of these per day to keep your learning going.

Use what you’ve learned

You need to be able to put your learning into practice in conversation or written communication. Social media groups are a great place for this, as you’ll be having conversations with people who are talking about business-related topics. Or you can join informal business meetups where people won’t mind if you’re using certain words or phrases incorrectly.

Key business English terms

  • Advertising – noun – a way of promoting the business, its products or its services to persuade customers to buy them or learn more about them.
  • Agenda – noun – a list of things to discuss or achieved in a meeting or business conference. An agenda is usually created before these events and given to attendees so that everyone knows what will be discussed.
  • Analyse-(z) – verb – to study something in great detail or to research it to discover more about it. In business, this is usually data or statistics, or analysing a problem or issue the business is facing.
  • Audit – noun – an official examination of the financial accounts of the company. Audits are normally carried out by professionals unrelated to the business.
  • Authorisation-(z) – noun – to give someone the official or legal approval to do something. This is usually a senior member of the team, such as a manager.
  • Branch – noun – one of the offices of a larger business, which is open to the public. For example, a national bank will have several branches around the country.
  • Chart – noun – charts present information in the form of graphs, tables or diagrams. They are a method to present information.
  • Clause – noun – in business law, a clause refers to a term or statement in a contract.
  • Commercial – adjective – used to describe a product or service which can be purchased by the public or related to the business’ activities. As a noun, a commercial refers to a paid advertisement.
  • Company – noun – an organisation or business that sells products or services to make money.
  • Competitor/Competition – noun – a person or company that works in the same industry or market or sells similar products.
  • Conference Call – noun – a phone call where three or more people are involved.
  • Contract – noun – a legal document between two people or companies that outlines the details of an agreement.
  • Correspondence – noun – written communication, like an email or letter.
  • CV – noun – a written document used when applying for a job that outlines your work experience, education and qualifications.
  • Deck – noun – refers to a set of slides in a presentation.
  • Development – noun – the changes or growth that the business needs to make to advance or expand.
  • Dress code – noun – the accepted way of dressing for a certain event, situation or company.
  • Employee – noun – someone who is paid by a company or business owner to work for them.
  • Employer – noun – a person or organisation that employs people.
  • Employment – noun – the work someone is hired by a company to do for them in return for a salary.
  • Expand – verb – to increase in some way, such as in size or importance in the industry.
  • Goals – noun – a purpose or something that the business is trying to achieve.
  • Graph – noun – a visual way to present mathematical information and data. Graphs are one type of chart, but they are not the only type.
  • Growth – noun – the increase in revenue or demand for the business’s products or services
  • Head Office – noun – the most important office of an organisation.
  • Headquarters – noun – headquarters refers to the head office where a business is managed from.
  • Hierarchy – noun – a system that organises the people in a company into different levels depending on their role and how much authority they have.
  • Invoice – noun – a document that describes the work provided by a company or person and how much it costs, which requires payment.
  • Media – noun – a collective term for newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and the internet. For example, ‘The issue has been talked about in the media’.
  • Meeting – noun – an occasion where people meet to discuss a topic.
  • Negotiate – verb – a formal discussion to reach a final agreement, such as a financial agreement or to determine the cost of a product or service.
  • Office – noun – a room or a building where people work as part of a business or organisation.
  • Penalty – noun – an official punishment for breaking the terms of a contract. The punishment is usually financial, such as a fine.
  • Pitch – noun – a speech given by someone, typically a marketer or salesperson, to persuade a person or company to buy, use or do something.
  • Plan and Planning – noun ­– a collection of actions that are put together in order to achieve a specific aim for the business.
  • PR – noun – an abbreviation of Public Relations, which involves providing the public with information about the business or the products the company sells to promote it and encourage a positive reputation.
  • Presentation – noun – a talk given to a group of people to explain a new product, service or plan.
  • Publishing – noun – the activity of publishing magazines, books or software.
  • Quote – verb – a statement telling a customer or client how much a product or service will cost.
  • Report – noun­ – a spoken or written description of an event or situation. In business, reports are often written to describe activity or performance in the company, such as an annual financial report.
  • Results – noun – the amount of profit or loss that the business makes during a set period of time. Results may also refer to the outcome of a business campaign, such as how a product or service performed.
  • Sales – noun – the number of products or services sold. May also refer to the department responsible for selling in a company.
  • Strategy – noun – a plan that has been developed to achieve a certain goal for the business, such as a marketing strategy which has been put together to reach a specific type of audience.
  • Structure – noun – how parts of the business are arranged or organised, such as pricing systems or pay for staff.
  • Success – noun – achieving positive results or something the business was striving for. Success can be commercial, business or economic.
  • Target – noun – the result, level or situation that the business is hoping to achieve or reach, such as a certain number of sales.
  • Void – adjective – a legal term meaning that there is no legal force. For example, a contract is determined void if it’s not legally binding.
  • Zoom – noun – computer software that enables people to host virtual meetings.

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