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  1. Minoo

    How to build vocabulary ?

    Thank you for your contribution, Pier. Indeed, it is great to use movies and songs that you like to learn new expressions. I would like to add a couple of suggestions: Choose movies you have already seen in your mother tongue and really liked, and watch them three or four times, first with English subtitles, and then two or three more times without subtitles with one or two weeks between each viewing. You will be amazed at how much more you understand each time even without subtitles. Remember that if you have the subtitles on all the time, your listening comprehension does not improve as much, so limit the subtitles only to the first time you watch a movie. Same goes for your favourite songs. Learn the lyrics (with some translation if necessary), and then listen to them again and again, and sing along with them.
    5 points
  2. Minoo

    Why you DO NOT need to sound like a native English speaker!

    These days, I see too many English language students wanting to sound like a native English speaker. They feel they need to speak with a specific native English accent while using many idiomatic expressions. This is a hugely ambitious goal for someone who was not exposed to the English language before they were two or three years old. In my own case, I started learning English at the age of six, and although I’ve been speaking and teaching English every day for the past 37 years, I still don’t sound like a native English speaker. So, if you know someone who has achieved this goal as an adult learner, then they’re a genius! For most of us, however, this is a rather pointless and disempowering goal. Why is this a pointless goal? I can think of four reasons: a) When it comes to communicating with others, accent is irrelevant. Whether we sound British, American, Italian, or Chinese, what really matters is how easily others understand us. b) Good speakers and writers avoid using too many idiomatic expressions and complex structures. They keep their language short and simple. c) English grammar is even difficult for natives to master. As a proofreader, I regularly correct and improve native speakers’ poorly written English. d) Out of the 1.5 billion English speakers worldwide, only 25% are native. If, for the sake of facilitating communication, one group had to change the way they spoke, it would logically be the natives. Why is no-one asking them to lose their regional accents and limit their vocabulary to the 5000 words that are sufficient to communicate in most situations? Why is it a disempowering goal? Our voice and the way we speak is a fundamental part of our personal and cultural identity. If we feel that we must change this important aspect of our identity in order to succeed in life, we’re really telling ourselves: ‘I’m not good enough! I must become someone else, or pretend that I am someone else.’ This negative self-image can generate feelings of lack, inferiority, and envy that disempower us. Even if we work with the most brilliant voice coach to change our accent and memorise the whole of the English idioms dictionary, this ‘I’m not good enough’ belief will result in failure. Loss of self-belief and self-confidence is a huge price to pay for a goal that, as I argued above, is totally pointless. What’s a better goal? Instead of wanting to sound like someone else when we speak English, let’s focus our efforts on sounding like our unique self who speaks with a clear pronunciation and uses simple and correct language. Just imagine for a moment how much less stressful and more motivating this goal can be! Also, put yourself in the shoes of the people you interact with in English, both native and non-native. Don’t you think they love the fact that they can understand you easily and interact with you comfortably? Or, do you imagine that they think less of you because you don’t speak like someone from Melbourne, Dublin, or Texas? I’d love to read your thoughts and stories in the comments section.
    4 points
  3. Chary

    Happy New Year

    Well said Minoo. I wish you all a very happy new year.
    4 points
  4. Minoo

    Happy New Year

    A very Happy New Year to you too, Sergey! I couldn't agree more: The greatest joy comes from learning and discovering new things. If we were perfect, life would become extremely dull. Thank you for your great contribution to the forums in 2018. I hope you will keep it up in 2019.
    4 points
  5. suresh s

    future simple questions

    "I am finished" and "I have finished" have similar meanings, but they are not exactly the same. "I am finished" describes a current state or condition and It emphasizes the result or outcome of the action rather than the action itself. whereas "I have finished" describes a completed action in the past, It emphasizes the action that was completed rather than the result or outcome.
    3 points
  6. Minoo

    Essay writing tips tutorial

    Dear all, This is to let you know that the tutorial has just been released on my YT channel. It will soon be published in the 'tutorial' section of the 'video lessons' on the platform. If you would like to watch it straight away, go to this link: https://youtu.be/mXrqCJ2hvI0 I hope you enjoy it.
    3 points
  7. Omar Karakhan

    Why you DO NOT need to sound like a native English speaker!

    Hello Head Tutor, Minoo. I totally agree with you.The main thing is that people understand us, and we understand them. Keep it simple! Regards, Omar
    3 points
  8. Hyravas

    Welcome to your brand new site!

    As feedback, I just wanted to compliment you on your new website, very clear, efficient and aesthetic!
    3 points
  9. eddy andrianasolo

    Essay writing tips tutorial

    Hello, Thank you for the tips I will try to do that. Eddy
    3 points
  10. Minoo

    It's not my cup of tea.

    Phil has given us the right answer: The common expressions in English are right up my street / right up my alley. However, as I am impressed, Hari and Sergey, with your creativity, and as you are always active on the forums, you'll get some free credits too!
    3 points
  11. serg59

    Happy New Year

    Happy New Year to every Anglo-Linker! Let all our troubles be gone in 2019, forgive yourself for not being perfect in English, keep learning and be happy!
    3 points
  12. PHIL73

    Happy New Year

    Hello there, I would like to give everyone all my best wishes for the new year! Many beautiful things in the year to come ... (and a lot of improvement in English language of course )
    3 points
  13. Minoo

    Grammar challenge

    Thank you all for participating in the challenge. The correct answer is the first one: Neither of them knows the other one's name. The points to remember here are: 'Neither of them' can be followed by either a singular verb (knows) or a plural verb (know). the other one's name (singular) - the others' names (plural) - Here, we're looking for the singular construction.
    3 points
  14. MariaTeresa

    Suggestions to improve

    Hello Chary, since I failed that test too, I'm going to create my own ebook with Sigil: it's a free editing software and there are a lot of tutorials on YouTube in English. I'll include grammar and Minoo's exclusive videos in my chapters. For personal use, obviously. It's a different way to study, perfecting your grammar - this is the key to pass the test- and it will help you to remember most of the exceptions she included in the study section. I strongly reccommend you to try it out before buying something else, please believe me, make your own ebook , importing whatever you like, images too. If you don't know HTML code, there's a WYSIWYG interface. I wish you every success in your work
    3 points
  15. PHIL73

    Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

    Hello Minoo and Serg, After careful consideration, my answer is: "Beggars can't be choosers." Seriously, I'd be really surprised if that's not the right answer...
    3 points
  16. serg59

    Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

    Hello Minoo and Phil, I saw your quest and decided to participate if you don't mind. My answer is: Beggars can't be choosers.
    3 points
  17. abhilive

    Phrasal verb in daily business communication

    Follow up: To continue communicating with someone after an event. Ex: Don't forget to follow up after the interview! To wrap up: To finish an event or an activity. Ex: Let's wrap up this meeting so we can go to lunch. To come up with: To think of an idea. Ex: We need to come up with a new strategy by next week. To burn out: To become a very overwhelmed with a heavy workload. Ex: If you work 80 hours per week, you will burn out. Carry out: To execute a project or assignment. Ex: Who will carry out your duties when you leave the company? To write up: To summarize information information in a formal report or study. Ex: Would you please write up a report about our newest product? Good Luck !!
    3 points
  18. Minoo

    In a nutshell

    This is a popular expression which means you're going to say what you have to say in the shortest possible way, leaving all the details out. You can also say 'to make a long story short': In a nutshell, it all worked out beuatifully. To make a long story short, the meeting disintegrated into chaos.
    3 points
  19. PHIL73

    The early bird catches the worm.

    Hello, This time, I'm not the early bird I found this Zulu proverb, which have the same meaning: "The horse that arrives early gets good drinking water." Or this simple one, which we also know in French: "First come, first served." Another one: "Hesitation and procrastination may lead to trouble or disaster." And finally, two funny quotes related to the very first above: "The early bird may gets the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese." "I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm." - F. D. Roosevelt.
    3 points
  20. Minoo

    Every cloud has a silver lining.

    This is a common saying that means: 'Every difficult situation has some benefit in it.' Next time you speak to someone who is experiencing some difficulty in their life, you may want to use this uplifting expression.
    3 points
  21. PHIL73

    How to build vocabulary ?

    Hello, I think there are two main categories of vocabulary words: the concrete and physical objects that you can see, and "abstract words" such as verbs, adjectives, adverbs, ... I find the first category the easiest to memorize, You just have to search a picture on the internet to illustrate the word, And we can even make flashcards with them. We can organise them by topic groups. The second category is more difficult to keep in mind. As far as I'm concerned, one of the best way to master new words is making up my own sentences with those words and try to use them. It's good to write down the sentences, and say them out loud as Minoo said. This technique is also useful to study any grammar point (especially the English tenses). And I'm going to try your suggestion Minoo for getting rid of English subtitles when I watch a film in original version...
    3 points
  22. Minoo

    How to build vocabulary ?

    Thank you for starting this interesting chat topic. Here is what I think: If you want to be able to actively use the vocabulary that you learn in your own writing and speaking, you must learn it in context and as part of a phrase, not in isolation or through translation. The best way to access vocabulary like this is by reading and listening. The choice of what you read and listen to depends entirely on what type of vocabulary you need in your daily life and your interests. Thanks to the Internet, you now have access to written and spoken English on any topic under the sun. One thing we must never forget if we have learned new words through reading is to check their pronunciation in an online dictionary. Never guess how a word in English is pronounced! I'd love to read everyone's opinion, experience and suggestions on how to expand one's vocabulary range.
    3 points
  23. Minoo

    How to use this forum & Example

    The correct spelling is '1990s'. There's no need for an apostrophe as this is a plural 's'.
    3 points
  24. Minoo

    Welcome to your brand new site!

    Thank you very much for your positive feedback. We're delighted that you like the site, and hope you will enjoy using it.
    3 points
  25. Duris

    Grammar: Past Tenses

    A very big thank you to you Minoo for having sent me this lesson. As usual, your explanations are cristal clear, you need a gold medal being the best English teacher in the world. I'm serious. I studied this lesson thoroughly and I made only two mistakes at the quiz. That's too many but I am going to do this quiz again.
    2 points
  26. Rodolfo Marttos

    VIDEO DICTIONARY - THE FARM PART2

    Hi friends! This is my Video Dictionary – The Farm Part2. I’ll try to publish one vídeo every week. I hope that you appreciate! Thank you! ? THE_FARM2_v2.mp4
    2 points
  27. Minoo

    Adjectives and adverbs

    Hello Hari, Assuming your question is about expanding our repertoire of such words (and not how to use them grammatically correctly), I would recommend reading novels as a way of enlarging your repertoire. It is the descriptive texts in novels that will be full of adjectives and adverbs. However, I would suggest that you choose simplified graded novels where you will find common and frequently used adjectives and adverbs that you can use in your own speaking and writing. There are two good series you can choose novels from: - Macmillan Readers - Oxford Bookworms And remember, as I recommend for any type of vocabulary building exercise: 1. Write down a phrase or a sentence that contains the word you're learning, not (just) the translation. 2. Check and learn the pronunciation of the new word in an online dictionary or use the audio version of the same book to hear all of it including the new words.
    2 points
  28. Minoo

    Essay writing Tips: apologies for the delay

    My apologies to those of you who have voted for and have been waiting for my lesson on essay writing. In preparing the lesson 'Tips on Essay Writing', I realised that it was better to present it in a 'tutorial' rather than a 'lesson' format. I have recorded my presentation, but tutorial type videos need to be animated / illustrated, and we're currently waiting for that to be done before we can release it. As soon as it's been released, I'll post the link to it in this forum. Thank you for your patience. Best wishes, Minoo
    2 points
  29. Minoo

    Grammar challenge 3

    Thank you everyone for participating in this challenge, which was slightly trickier than the previous two. The first point, as Butterfly55 has explained, is that 'anyone' is used with a singular verb. The trickier point is that if you need a pronoun or a possessive adjective to accompany 'anyone', 'everyone', etc., you should either use his/her & him/her, which is heavy, or use the 'genderless they'. So, the correct answer is: Has anyone brought their laptop with them? Well done if you got it right, but don't worry if you didn't. The purpose of the challenge is to make you aware of these tricky points.
    2 points
  30. pratapses1

    to be wide awake

    Thanks for such a nice expression for today
    2 points
  31. Minoo

    Suggestions to improve

    Hello Hari and Maria Teresa, Thank you, Maria Teresa, for sharing your experience with Hari. I fully support Maria Teresa's recommendation, Hari. As I have written the reading tests myself, there's nothing in them that you cannot revise on my online course. I know you have completed the course, but these are the finer or more challenging points that need several revisions to fully master. As Maria Teresa says, there's no point in buying more grammar books, which will repeat exactly the same topics. The most effective way to assimilate grammar (or vocabulary) is by compiling your own notes and examples while you study. That's why the next membership level (Gold) offers the PEN (Personal Electronic Notes) feature. However, the software Maria Teresa has recommended would also do the job perfectly.
    2 points
  32. Chary

    Reading English books

    Adding to it, listening to audiobooks is also a good option.
    2 points
  33. PHIL73

    That doesn't bother me in the least.

    Привет, Сергей, hello Minoo, I'm sure, Sergey that you knew the right answer, and I knew as well that I had to respond quickly I had seen that "teeth" option too, but it sound a bit weird ... As to the expression you gave us Minoo, it means (thanks Google): "narrowly", "barely", so a narrow escape from disaster.
    2 points
  34. Minoo

    Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

    Well done, Phil! You certainly beat Sergey to it this time. And thank you for sharing the other expression 'Out of sight, out of mind.'
    2 points
  35. PHIL73

    Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

    Hello Minoo, It could have been: "Out of sight, out of mind", but it doesn't match the verb you've given. So, I think the answer must be: "Familiarity breeds contempt". (I hurried to answer this time, because I was afraid of some Russian guys who sometimes hang around. some even have a boat, it seems... )
    2 points
  36. Chary

    Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

    Distance breeds fondness. Am I right minoo?
    2 points
  37. PHIL73

    When the going gets tough ...

    Hello all, You caught me off guard this time, Serg! It seems there is also an Americanized version of it: ""In for a dime, in for a dollar." While searching for the answer, I came across this saying that I cannot resist quoting: "Money is the best deodorant."
    2 points
  38. Minoo

    Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

    Spot on, Serge! Thanks for the great humour, Phil! You both deserve credits for your ongoing contribution.
    2 points
  39. Mohammed Babikir Elbashir

    Confusion

    Thanks a lot PHIL73 & Minoo. Now it is clear.
    2 points
  40. PHIL73

    Which or whose?

    Hello Karola, The first sentence seems to be the good one. WHOSE is a possessive and you speak about the colours of the paintings, so it's ok. I think you could say: There were many paintings the colours of which had faded. But I'm not sure of that since it sounds a bit awkward. I hope it helps you
    2 points
  41. Minoo

    The early bird catches the worm.

    Well done to all three of you gentlemen! Not only have you made me laugh very hard with your witty proverbs and quotes, you have also made me feel good about not being an early bird! Thank you very much!
    2 points
  42. varun prakash

    How to build vocabulary ?

    hi i would like to add another one note... by listening the Audio-books in your interested topics with transcripts may help us lot ,to develop the vocabulary in the interesting way..
    2 points
  43. Minoo

    Rome wasn't built in a day.

    You got it in one. Well done, Phil.
    2 points
  44. PHIL73

    Oh no! He (be) difficult again today.

    Hello 1karola, You use the Present Continuous with the verb to be when you talk about someone's behaviour at the moment. So in your example above, the sentence "He is difficult" would mean that he is always difficult generally speaking. But the answer: "Oh no! He is being difficult again today." means that he is difficult today , that's a temporary behavior. Maybe tomorrow he won't be that difficult (hopefully if he isn't a spoiled child ) I hope I've answered your question. The best
    2 points
  45. PHIL73

    A little vs little

    Hello Karola, I don't know what lesson you're talking about, but I hope the following will help: When you say "a little", you mean a small amount. On the other hand, when you say "little" before a noun, it also means a small amount, but this time the amount is almost nothing, not enough. Examples: - "I have a little money" >> a small amount, but it's enough. - "I have little money" >> a small amount, but almost nothing, not enough to get what I want. So, your example sentence above means: "a small amount of coffee is good for your metabolism." Best regards
    2 points
  46. PHIL73

    Time and tide wait for no man.

    Ha ha! I don't have any "ciphered archives" but I have a good friend, his name is Google Search, and he knows a lot about everything
    2 points
  47. Chary

    Present perfect query.

    Thanks to Phil and Minoo for reply, it has answered my questions.
    2 points
  48. ASS

    Never put off until tomorrow ...

    It's my mistake I always procrastinate learning English. That's why still I couldn't use the language properly
    2 points
  49. Minoo

    Premium and Premium Plus Membership vs Gold and Silver

    Hello Agalar, Thank you very much for letting us know where the confusion came from. I'm glad you've posted this question, which will allow all other Premium and Premium Plus members to know that they still have access as before. To recap: Premium: All written exercises Premium Plus: All written exercises and their recording To access the new features, i.e. tests, trophies & ranks, free credits, exclusive videos, etc. you can upgrade your membership to either Silver or Gold. You can find the details in Store: https://app.anglo-link.com/store/category/12-purchase-membership/
    2 points
  50. Pier

    How to build vocabulary ?

    Also if is not always easy... I really like to see series on Netflix in English, with English Sub-titles. He help me to learn a lot of new vocabulary. Is even good to translate the music that i like. I use often this website, its very easy to use and give me the possibility to translate with the original song beside. Take a look http://lyricstranslate.com/ Good luck, Bye
    2 points
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