Author: Xela

A Simple Guide to Brexit Vocabulary

Posted on by Xela

Whatever country you are in you have probably heard about Britain leaving the EU. It is a very complex situation and people learning English with a view to working or studying in the UK or with people from the UK may find it useful to understand a bit more about it. Some people are very passionate about this subject and can get angry about different sides of the argument. It is really important to be careful about discussing this topic with people from the UK at work or other places. However, understanding some of the key terms used can be very useful!

Here is a shortlist of the main vocabulary and terms used when talking about Brexit. Understanding and being able to use these terms will make understanding Brexit a lot easier.

Article 50

When the UK joined the EU it agreed to all the rules and Article 50 is part of the agreement that allows any country to leave the EU. An article is simply part of an agreement like a chapter of a book.

No Deal

This simply means that the UK will leave the European Union with no agreement relating to trade or anything else. This is an extreme situation and one that many people fear while others feel it would be OK.

WTO Rules

The WTO is the World Trade Organisation. This organisation sets trade fees that countries who do not have a trade agreement use. It is a baseline way of doing business with any country when no discussions and agreements are made. Often WTO rules are more expensive than trade deals agreed between countries so buying and selling with countries under the WTO rules costs more.

Transition Period

Transition means change and this period of time after the UK leaves the EU was agreed to help both sides plan how their relationship would work. For the transition period to be started the UK would need to agree on the plan Theresa May had negotiated with the EU. During this period the UK could not have any kind of say in any EU laws but would still have to abide by the existing rules.

Backstop

This is one a lot of people have heard of but most people do not understand. At the moment Ireland is split into two countries; Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and The Republic of Ireland which is a separate country. At the moment there is no border between the two countries so goods and people can move freely. Because the Republic of Ireland is in the EU and wants to stay there is a lot of confusion about if there should be a border once the UK leaves the EU. The backstop is an agreement between the UK and EU that there will be no Irish border during the transition period while a solution is found. It is a very contentious issue and one that it is best to avoid talking about.

Brexit is very complex but it will be an important part of UK history and whatever happens, will affect living and working in the UK for millions of people for many years to come. Learning about it while learning English may be useful.

Spring in the UK

Posted on by Xela

British people love talking about the weather; in person or online, face to face or in an email conversation! For many people Spring is their favourite season. Here are some essential facts and useful vocabulary that will help you participate in everyday conversations not only about Spring and the four seasons in the UK but also the wider impact of climate change.

The four seasons in the UK

 

The United Kingdom is a country that experiences four different seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Each season has its own special charm, but many people say that spring is their favourite. Spring is the time of new beginnings, warmer weather, and longer days.

The UK has a temperate climate, which means it does not get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.

  • Winter (December to February): Cold and often wet, with some snow in certain parts of the country.
  • Spring (March to May): Flowers bloom, the weather gets warmer, and animals come out of hibernation.
  • Summer (June to August): The warmest season with longer days, making it a great time for outdoor activities.
  • Autumn (September to November): Leaves turn red, orange, and yellow before falling off the trees, and the air becomes cooler.

Different parts of the world experience different seasons. For example, countries near the equator, like Brazil and Indonesia, do not have the four seasons like the UK. Instead, they often have a dry season and a rainy season. In places like Australia and South Africa, the seasons are the opposite of the UK. So, when it is winter in the UK, it is summer in Australia!

Why is Spring special in the UK

 

Spring is a magical time in the UK. It usually begins in March and lasts until May. The days become longer, which means the sun sets later in the evening. This is because of something called Daylight Saving Time, when the clocks go forward by one hour in March. This gives people more daylight in the evenings to enjoy outdoor activities.

The weather in spring can be unpredictable. Some days are warm and sunny, while others can be rainy and chilly. However, as the weeks go by, the temperature gradually increases, and people start to spend more time outside.

 

Signs of Spring in the UK

 

One of the best things about spring is the return of colourful flowers. Daffodils, tulips, and bluebells are some of the first flowers to bloom. Parks and gardens become full of bright colours, making the UK look beautiful.

Animals also become more active in spring. Birds sing more, and you might see baby lambs in the fields. Hedgehogs, which hibernate during the winter, wake up and start looking for food.

Spring is also a season of festivals and celebrations. In April, Easter is celebrated with chocolate eggs and special events. People also take part in outdoor activities like hiking, picnics, and visiting gardens.

Fun facts about the Spring in the UK

 

  • The UK’s national flower for spring is the daffodil. It is a bright yellow flower that is often associated with Wales and St. David’s Day on March 1st.
  • Bluebells cover many forests in the UK. These beautiful purple-blue flowers usually appear in April and May, and many people visit woodlands to see them.
  • Spring is known for April showers. The phrase “April showers bring May flowers” is common in the UK because the month of April often has short, heavy rain showers.
  • The UK has a famous boat race in spring. Every year in March or April, Oxford and Cambridge Universities compete in a rowing race on the River Thames in London.
  • Lambing season is a big event. In many parts of the UK, particularly in the countryside, people love to see baby lambs being born in spring.

The importance of talking about the weather and climate in English

Our advice. Take part in conversations about the weather and climate, in person or online. This will not only help you improve your language skills and feel more connected to life in the UK and British culture but also the global community that we are all part of.
At Perfectly Spoken we provide lots of lessons and courses on these themes. Register for free now and try lesson 1!

Practise live with other students from our global community where these are often popular themes to talk about and discuss

  • Conversation Cafe
  • Speaking Practice sessions

We look forward to you joining us!

Useful vocabulary

  • Charm.  A special quality that makes something attractive or enjoyable.
  • Temperate.  A climate that is not too hot or too cold.
  • Equator. An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth that divides it into the northern and southern halves.
  • Unpredictable.  Something that changes suddenly and is difficult to know in advance.
  • Chilly . A little bit cold.
  • Bloom. When flowers open up and start growing beautifully.
  • Hedgehogs. Small animals with spiky backs that roll into a ball when scared.
  • Hibernate. When animals sleep for a long time in winter to save energy.
  • Cold snaps. Short periods of very cold weather.
  • Disrupt. To stop something from working normally or to cause a problem.

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3 Foods that British people love and American people don’t

Posted on by Xela

When you are learning English you will probably be watching a lot of movies with American actors and listening to a lot of American music. It is very common for people learning English to actually learn American English rather than the more traditional BBC style British English. English people certainly have a lot in common with Americans and share many of the same traditions, music, books, movies and more. But one thing that is often very different is the food. While everyone loves a Pizza or a Burger there are some very British foods that American people don’t like or even understand.

Even though people in Britain and America both speak English, their food habits are very different – just like some of their words!

Let’s talk about some yummy British foods that might surprise American friends and also some American foods that are not so popular in Britain.

British foods Americans might find strange

Marmite

Marmite is a spread that British people love to put on toast or mix into porridge. It has a very strong taste – salty and yeasty. Some Americans find the taste (and smell) strange, but Brits think it’s delicious! It’s definitely a love-it-or-hate-it kind of food.

Black Pudding

Black pudding is a breakfast food. It’s not a pudding like a dessert! It’s a type of sausage made with pig’s blood, oatmeal, and spices. Many Brits eat it as part of a big breakfast called a Full English Breakfast. Americans might think the ingredients are unusual, but Brits love it.

Scotch Eggs

A Scotch egg is a snack with a hard-boiled egg inside sausage meat, covered with breadcrumbs, and baked or fried. Brits often eat these at picnics or as a snack. Americans might not be used to this mix of flavours, but it’s a favourite in Britain.

 

And also….

Branston Pickle

This is a tangy and sweet relish made with vegetables, vinegar, and spices. Brits love to add Branston Pickle to their sandwiches to make them tastier. Americans might find it unusual, but in Britain, it’s a game changer for sandwiches.

Bubble and Squeak

This is made from mashed potatoes and leftover vegetables, fried together. It’s a clever way to use up extra food. Brits enjoy it, but Americans might scratch their heads at the idea of mixing these foods.

American foods Brits might find strange

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

This is a classic American sandwich with peanut butter and sweet fruit jelly. Brits enjoy peanut butter, but putting jelly with it might seem strange to them.

Root Beer

Root beer is a fizzy drink that Americans love, but many Brits think it tastes like medicine! It’s a flavor that hasn’t caught on in Britain yet.

Bubble and squeak

Food Brings Us Together

British and American tastes in food are as different as the Atlantic Ocean is wide. But trying these different foods can tickle your taste buds and teach you more about each other’s cultures.

If you want to learn more about British and American differences, check out the Perfectly Spoken British v American English course. Happy eating and happy learning!

FOOD WORD DEFINITIONS

  • Spread: Something you put on bread or toast, like butter or jam.
  • Porridge: Warm food made from grains (like oats) cooked with water or milk.
  • Yeasty: Tastes like bread or beer – salty and tangy.
  • Oatmeal: A kind of porridge made from oats.
  • Breadcrumbs: Small pieces of dry bread used to make food crispy.
  • Snack: small amount of food you eat between meals
  • Tangy: A sharp, slightly sour taste.
  • Leftovers: Food from a meal that wasn’t finished.
  • Peanut Butter: A spread made from peanuts.
  • Jelly: A sweet fruit spread in America (similar to jam in Britain).

USEFUL IDIOMS

  • Game changer: Something that changes a situation. Example: Branston Pickle is a game changer for British sandwiches.
  • Scratch your head: To feel confused. Example: Americans might scratch their heads at bubble and squeak.
  • Catch on: To become popular. Example: Root beer hasn’t caught on in Britain yet.
  • Tickling your taste buds: To make your taste buds happy and excited.

 

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3 Easy Ways to Make Friends in the UK

Posted on by Xela

If you are planning on coming the UK to work or to study then making friends is going to be really important. Being away from your friends at home and your family can be tough and building a range of new people to speak to and hang out with is really good for your happiness as well as your English learning.

Work vs School

If you are coming to the UK to study you may find you make friends very easily in class, you may find there are people from your country or even town studying too. If you are coming to the UK to work it can be a little harder to make friends so it is important to make an effort to create relationships.

Just Say Yes!

A great way to start making friends is to be confident and say yes if you are invited out. If someone at work asks you to come out with the team for a drink, just say yes. It is important to be safe and tell someone if you are going out alone with someone you do not know very well. But being brave and going out with new people at work is a great way to start making friends. They may not all be people you become close with but it is a great start point.

Join Groups and Classes

You may already have a hobby like Yoga, or Cycling so have a look on Facebook or ask the local bike shop or gym if there are any groups locally. By joining groups of people who enjoy the same things you can very easily start making friends. Shared interests are the best way to get talking.

Do Things

While joining a group can be a great way to meet people so is simply getting out there and doing things you enjoy. If you like jogging…go jogging and you may find you can say hello to some people who run in the same place as you. Go to the gym and get talking to people. If you do not have any hobbies then try going to a comedy club or a wine tasting event, take a cooking class or something similar. By being active and around other people you will naturally start forming conversations and these can lead to friendships. Why not check out our Facebook page and see if there are any people local to you that you can meet up with and talk about learning English?

By making new friends you will find your English learning will improve. Even speaking with other people who are learning can be really useful. Making friends can be hard but it is worth the effort.

A Guide to Speaking Like a Geek..or a Nerd

Posted on by Xela

The terms Geek and Nerd have been around for a very long time but it is only in the last 10 years or so that they have really become popular and used as a positive way to describe yourself. Once being called a geek or a nerd was a serious insult. It normally described people who found it very hard to speak to people in a social situation, could not talk to the opposite sex and spend a lot of time studying and learning. 20 years ago playing video games was not very cool and the term nerd and geek was also associated with that movement, now video games are very popular and played by all sorts of people.

The TV show “The Big Bang Theory” also helped make geeks and nerds popular and cool and it is a very funny and useful show to watch if you want to learn more terms around this subject.

Slang

The terms used in this guide are all slang and many are only rally used online or on messaging services like WhatsApp as well as online gaming platforms. These terms are fun to use and very useful to understand if you are learning English and you are a bit of a geek or nerd yourself.

Geek Terms

Pwned – This word is a misspelling of the word “powned” which originally comes from the word “owned. It means to be beaten and dominated. The original term came from World of WarCraft when a player was beaten the computer game said “you have been owned” but there was a spelling error and it said, “pwned”. This can be used if you have in any way been beaten in a game or by a task.

Noob – This is a derivation of the word “newbie” which means someone new and someone who doesn’t know very much. Again, this comes from video game culture but is used in other ways. If you were new to a workplace someone might call you a noob but it would be quite a geeky thing to say.

Woot – This is a very interesting word that came from role-playing board game culture. It was once used when the characters in the game found some treasure or “loot” and they said, “wow, loot”. This was shortened to woot. But since then it has simply become a word to describe the excitement in the geek and online world.  “I have a day off work woot!” would be a good example of how to use it.

Fanboy – This word is used to describe someone who is an extreme fan or follower of a certain game, TV show, comic or any kind of medium. The term refers to someone who likes something so much they are not able to hear any negative comments about it. Many people like Apple products a lot and often these people are called “apple fanboys” because they will not consider using any other type of phone.

Easter Egg – While you may know this term and think it describes chocolate eggs given out around Easter time there is another meaning. In the geek world, Easter eggs are hidden items or moments placed in a movie, TV show or video game. These items, mentions, references or secret things are things geeks love. It is assumed only true fans of a movie or game would see and find the Easter egg. In gaming terms Easter eggs are often hidden in very hard parts of the game. The term actually came from the 1975 movie “the Rocky Horror Picture Show” where the cast had a traditional Easter egg hunt but most of the eggs were never found. However, they could be seen in the movie in silly places throughout the duration.

 

These are just a few terms you might come across when speaking to people online playing games or just speaking to people who enjoy the geeky nerd culture. While these terms do not really make up part of learning English they are words that are used and therefore can be helpful to understand.

 

Top 5 Christmas TV Shows to Help You Learn English

Posted on by Xela

If you are living in the UK and learning English or if you have access to UK TV online then these Christmas TV shows are great for learning English. TV and Movies are a brilliant way to help support your online English lessons and this Christmas there are some really useful ones.

Strictly Come Dancing

This classic British TV show is on Christmas day. It may not be something everyone likes but it is very popular in Britain. The reason it is good for learning English is because the judging panel all have different accents but there is also some very traditional English spoken throughout too. It uses a range of different voices and is great for picking up general spoken English.

Michael McIntyre Christmas Special

This comedian does speak very fast during his show and this can be a really good test of your English skills. He also uses a lot of modern vocabulary but not slang. If you can understand what he is saying when he is speaking quickly then you are doing very well.

Call The Midwife

This is a very old fashioned TV show set in the past. It can be very good to learn formal English and a much more traditional way of speaking. There is almost no slang on it and the grammar is very good. Not many people speak like this anymore but it is still very good to learn from.

Eastenders

This is a soap opera that is set in East London. It is full of slang and strong London accents. Words like “water” are pronounced without the “t” sound for example. It is a very useful show to learn how to understand people from London but it is important you do not copy it all when trying to learn how to say things properly.

The Great British Bake Off

This is very much like Strictly Come Dancing in that it’s a very popular British competition based TV show. It is good for learning English because, once again, there different presenters and contestants all have different accents and use different dialects. By watching the show you can get some feel for how different people speak English from different parts of the UK. This can be very useful if you are planning on working in the UK.

If you cannot watch these shows over Christmas don’t worry, most of them are available online and there are lots of seasons of most of these. Have fun!

How to Say Happy Christmas in the UK

Posted on by Xela

Christmas is coming and for people in the UK and other English speaking countries, it is a very important festival or holiday. It is worth noting that for a lot of people it is less about the religious significance and often more about seeing family and friends, taking time off work and sharing presents. There is still a strong Christian theme for some people but not everyone will consider it like that. It is a month away but many people in the UK will be putting up decorations on the 1st of December and the shopping and planning have certainly started.

We thought it might be useful to look at some key phrases that are useful to know around this time of year.

How to Say Happy Christmas

First of all, just saying Happy Christmas is a very common phrase and a very simple and easy way to be polite and to give someone your best wishes. But there are other ways to express this.

Season’s Greetings – This is a simple phrase and is often used as a welcoming phrase. You will see it written on signs above shops or as you enter a restaurant or bar. It is not something you would say while saying goodbye to someone, but it could work well if you are welcoming someone to your home or place of work. It is often used in greetings cards too.

Merry Christmas – This is a very common and very friendly thing to say. It is simply saying “I hope you have a happy Christmas”. Merry is another word for happy.

Happy Holidays – This is a very American term and really not used in the UK at all. You may hear it on movies and TV shows, but it is worth remembering it is a very American phrase. It still means happy Christmas but in America they say Holidays.

…and a Happy New year

It is very common for people to say Happy Christmas and also Happy New Year at the same time. This becomes more common as Christmas gets closer. It is not very common to say earlier in the month. New Year’s Eve is a very important part of the Christmas season and it is polite to say “Happy New Year” to people around that time.

There are a number of other ways to say happy Christmas as you may be saying goodbye to people as you leave work.

Enjoy Your Christmas – this is a good example of how to express good wishes for Christmas as you may be leaving work or someone else is leaving. You can also say Enjoy Your Christmas Break. The word break is used to describe a period of not working over Christmas which can be very important.

It is very polite to say Happy Christmas in whatever way you prefer and can be a very positive and happy way to greet or to say goodbye to someone in the UK.

Why Learning English Isn’t Just for Working in English Speaking Countries

Posted on by Xela

One of the main reasons people learn English is for work. For thousands of people, the desire to travel and to work and build a career in an English-speaking country is a big reason to learn English online. But there are other benefits to learning English when it comes to work even in countries that do not use English as the main language.

Colleagues

As a lot of people from non-English-speaking countries want to travel and work in other places, so do people from English speaking countries like the UK and the USA. But a lot of people in English speaking countries also want to work in other places too. Many of them learn Spanish, Portuguese, German or other languages, so they can travel and work away from home. Why does this mean learning English can help? Well, if you are from Spain, for example, and you are working abroad you may be working with someone who speaks English, and this can help build better relationships. They may enjoy speaking their native language with you and it also shows you know another language.

International Business

You may be working in a country that doesn’t use English but the company you work for may deal with companies from countries that do. Being able to speak English may be very helpful to the company and could be useful in getting a promotion! A lot of large companies use English as the international language, so it is a very useful one to learn. It means you could speak easily with clients overseas as well as colleagues that may be based in English speaking countries.

International Business Events

Once again, while you may not wish to work in a country that uses English as the main language. However, you may have the chance to go to a conference or a large business event in a country that does. Being able to speak English may be very useful in making new connections and interacting with other people in your industry. It may also mean you understand some more of the keynote speakers and more.

Learning English is Very Useful

Even if you are not speaking English every day in the company you work for knowing English is very useful for international business in all forms. Perfectly Spoken offer a range of specific business courses for those who want to invest more in business English.

 

Some of the Hardest English Words to Learn and Spell

Posted on by Xela

We know learning English can be hard work and we love helping people get batter through our videos and courses. However, we thought it might be useful to share some of the words students tell us are some of the hardest to learn in the English language.

Whom

This is a really confusing word and for such a small word it causes big problems. It is a word used in the same way as “who” but there are subtle and important differences. One easy tip to know if you should use Who or Whom is to answer the question yourself and see if the answer is “him” or “he”. “Who/Whom are you going to the cinema with?” – “I am going with him”  – Him means you should use “whom” in the question. “Who/Whom said the film was really good?” “He did” – The answer is He then use “who”. In reality, many English people fail to use “whom” but if you want to get it right then try to learn how to use it properly.

Colleague

This is an important word if you are planning on working in the UK or another English speaking country. The word refers to someone you work with. It is a more formal word for “workmate” because you would not use such a casual term unless you were talking with friends. In a business and work situation colleague is the correct term. It is a hard word to say but even harder to spell. It uses “ea” in the middle rather than “ee” and it also confuses students with the use of “ue” at the end. It is a very useful and important word, it is just a shame it is such a hard one!

Business

This is another very important word for people who want to work in English speaking countries. While it is easy to say, when you look at the spelling it can get confusing. It is spelt like “bus-i-ness” which would sound like “busyness” but it is said “buzness” which makes it a very hard one to learn how to spell and say. It is a very very common word so it is really important to try to learn it.

Country and Countries

Both of these words are spelt differently to how they sound. Going just by spelling they should be said like the word “count”. Without being rude it is very important to get this right as there is a very rude and very offensive word that can get used by accident here. The best way to make sure you have got this right is to ask a teacher or an English speaking friend to help.

Our online English courses are designed to help you learn these words and so much more. Learning English following a full course structure like Perfectly Spoken you will find these harder words much easier to learn.

 

 

 

Why is learning English through a course is so beneficial?

Posted on by Xela

As the world becomes more and more connected, learning a second language is increasingly valuable. There are various ways to learn another language, from immersing yourself in the country where it’s widely spoken to using text books, but there are several benefits from choosing a structured course that make it the preferred method for so many people. Here are just some of the reasons why opting for a structured online English course will help you learn more effectively.

You’ll learn the rules of the language

English can be a tricky language to learn as it has a lot of contradictory rules and guidelines that can be confusing. Using a structured course will help to provide you with a better understanding of how these rules work in practice, as well as providing context for when and where certain words and phrases might be used.

It helps to keep your learning in order

When you’re picking up random phrases here and there, often you’ll learn something without the background of how it works which can make it confusing. Do you learn plurals first or adjectives? How about tenses? With a structured course, you’ll learn these things in the correct order, making your learning more seamless and efficient.

It’s faster and more convenient

Having structure to your learning means you’ll keep up with it and, as with anything, repetition is the best way to learn a new skill. Instead of reading a textbook and then not picking it up again for two months, by which time you’ve forgotten much of what you’d learnt, you’ll have regular interaction with the language which will help to speed up your learning and help you to pick up English more quickly.

Studying becomes more accessible

Courses provide multiple resources to help your learning, from online downloads to help you study wherever you are to people you can get in touch with if you’re struggling, all of which helps to ensure you learn the language more easily. The accessibility and help you receive with a course helps you to feel more supported throughout your learning.