Listen and learn using podcasts in English

Is economic news your cup of tea? Then visit Podcasting in English.

This excellent website regularly posts podcasts on current topics, like the Panama Papers, the Brexit, or Bitcoin virtual currency. You can listen to these podcasts for free. However, if you would like practise exercises and transcriptions, you will have to have a paid account.

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Learn English faster by using the app Dictionary

You don’t need a dictionary to quickly look up the meaning of a word anymore. There’s an app for that now: Dictionary, which you can download on your smartphone for free via the app store.

Dictionary has over a million words and definitions; plus, it has 90,000 synonyms and antonyms. This app is especially user-friendly with some cool extras. For example, you can listen to the pronunciation, learn about the etymology, and get several example sentences using your word. A real treasure trove. A good tip: Dictionary also has a website.

 

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Language Trivia

The word ‘goodbye’ originally comes from an Old English phrase meaning ‘God be with you’.

Shakespeare Speaks

Shakespeare Speaks

Shakespeare Speaks is an amusing series of 20 animated shorts. Each episode explains the meaning and use of a well-known modern English expression that appeared in Shakespeare’s work, such as: “Forever and a day”, “In a pickle” and “All that glisters is not gold”.

Watch the episodes.

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In love with Shakespeare

Hamlet, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing. Even after 500 years, Shakespeare’s plays are still immensely popular.

What is the reason for this? What was the secret of this son of a glover?

You will discover it in these videos, about the life and career of Ol’ Shakes, put together by Learn English Learn.

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Emails: Formal versus informal in English

Sending an email to a colleague, to an acquaintance or a superior; all of these require a different grammatical style: informal or formal. Below are a few tips to help you effectively communicate via email in English.

Formal emails:

Use formal language and grammar, such as not using contractions or first names, when corresponding with people you do not know well (yet).
Adapt your salutation and closing as well:

Very formal

  • Dear + Ms/Mr + surname,
  • Best regards/Yours sincerely,

Formal

  • Dear/Hello + Ms/Mr + surname,
  • Kind regards,

Informal emails:

Use informal language and grammar, such as contractions and first names, when corresponding with people you know well or with those who address you informally.
Adapt your salutation and closing as well:

Informal

  • Hello + first name,
  • Kind regards/Regards,

Very informal

  • Hi + first name,
  • Regards,

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Emails: Frequently used sentences in English

Writing an email in another language is different for everyone, with some people having a harder time than others. That is why we have listed a few sentences to help you when corresponding (via email) in English.

Thanking someone or letting them know you’re pleased to hear something

  • Thank you for…
  • Thanks for…
  • Thank you in advance.
  • I am happy to hear that…
  • I was very pleased to hear from you.
  • I am happy to hear that things are going well.
  • I’m happy to hear that things are going well.

Asking how someone is doing

  • How are you doing?
  • How are things?
  • I am doing well.
  • How is … doing?
  • I hope you are doing well.

Wishes/Congratulations

  • Get well soon!
  • I wish you a speedy recovery.
  • Feel better soon!
  • Good luck!
  • Condolences!
  • Happy Easter!
  • Happy New Year!
  • Happy birthday!
  • Congratulations on your degree!

Invitation

  • We would love for you to stop by for a visit.
  • I would like to invite you to my birthday party.
  • Thank you for the invitation!
  • Unfortunately, I have to decline.
  • I’m sorry that I won’t be able to make it to your….

Opening sentences

  • Concerning your advertisement in…
  • I would like to apply for the position of…
  • I am taking the liberty to write you concerning…
  • Thank you for your mail.
  • I have received your mail concerning…
  • The article concerns…

Closing sentences/Closings

  • I look forward to receiving your favourable reply.
    Best regards/Yours sincerely,
  • Thank you in advance for your reply.
  • I hope to hear from you soon.
  • Could you please write soon?
  • That’s it for now!
  • Don’t be a stranger!

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