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4 Ways to Have Fun Learning Slang

Slang is one of the most enjoyable parts of English, yet learning it isn’t always fun. This is largely because it changes often.

But, of course, that’s what makes slang cool – knowing it and using it properly shows that you are in the know. You’re modern; you’re with it. Unfortunately, by the time you learn a new word, it might not be cool anymore!

The best way to keep up with slang is to be immersed in the English language – ideally, you live in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, or another English-speaking country.

Regardless of where you live, however, you can keep up with new expressions by following pop culture closely and taking time each day or week to study it.

Fortunately, learning slang doesn’t have to be boring. Here are four ways to get started!

How to Have Fun Learning Slang

1. Listen to Pop Music

Music is a fantastic way to learn English slang. Pop, rock, and even country are all great sources. You can find playlists on Spotify and YouTube. If you listen to songs on YouTube, you may also be able to find videos with the lyrics written in English so you can follow along.

An even better way to learn casual expressions with music is to find the lyrics online (just search for the song title with the word lyrics) and look up any words you don’t know in a dictionary. Hip hop fans should check out Rap Genius, which explains the lyrics to many popular hip hop songs.

2. Find Lists Online

There are dozens of lists of English slang online. While reading and memorizing lists is not the most thrilling way of learning a language, you can try to make it a little more interesting by doing things like focusing on one letter a day; for example, Tuesday is b words day.

You could also make flashcards; on one side write the new word and on the other write its definition and one or two examples or synonyms.

Even better, you can simultaneously learn and annoy your friends and family by using English slang with them.

3. Use Social Media

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are not only good for sharing photos and connecting with others, but they’re also a slang paradise. Try to follow or become friends with native speakers on social media. Read their status updates and the comments other people leave.

There are also some Instagram accounts specifically for learning slang. If you have Instagram, consider following @slangcards and @californianslang.

4. Watch Television

TV is another great resource for learning slang, and there are some fantastic TV shows out there right now. Check out classic shows like The Simpsons, How I Met Your Mother, Seinfeld, and Friends; any sitcom (comedy) or even drama in the last few years will be a good source.

And, watching TV is not the worst way to study English, is it?

Slang is fun, and fortunately there are fun ways to learn it! Listen to music, watch TV, use social media, and find lists of words online. Make sure you keep up with your studies – slang changes every couple of years, and you want to be on top of it!

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Surprising Advantages of Learning Poems in English

Roses are red

Violets are blue

English is fun

And so are you!

In every culture, poems represent deep connections with heritage, history, victories, and struggles. Every poem tells a story, and every story has a different emotion.

Poetry is a special type of writing that can help you improve your English reading skills. They are often shorter than most reading articles, but they can be challenging despite their short length.

Regardless of your current English level, you can get started with reading poetry. Here are some tips for both beginner and intermediate readers.

For Beginner Readers

When starting out, don’t read poems that are long and difficult. It is best to start with poems that are written for children. They are usually short and fun, and include rhyming words and silly images to keep you entertained for a long time. Look for classic poets such as Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss.

Here are ways to learn English while reading poems.

  • Rhyming Words: Find words with similar sounds
  • Word Patterns: Recognize word patterns
  • Word Play: Learn common expressions and idioms
  • Jokes: Develop an English sense of humor
  • Cultural Stories: Identify the moral or meaning of the story
  • Homonyms: Find words that sound the same but are spelled different

For Intermediate Readers

After you feel comfortable with the children poems, it’s time to try poetry written for teens and adults.

Here are some tips for reading adult poetry.

1. Start with haikus

A haiku is a special type of poem that contains 17 syllables in three lines. They are short and each word has a very important purpose.

2. Take it slow

Poems are not about going fast. In fact, poetry is meant to be read slowly. It should be a journey that you enjoy.

3. Learn the rhythm

Many poems read like songs. Authors follow a certain set of sound rules, which give the poems structure. Start with Robert Frost, a modern poet known for using English grammar to create beautiful poems.

4. Read modern poetry

The older the poem, the older the English. Stick to modern poetry in order to learn phrases useful for your English learning. Try poets such as Sylvia Plath, Don Paterson, T.S. Eliot, or Allen Ginsberg.

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5 Spectacular Methods to Learn More English Words Easily

One of the best ways to improve your English is to learn more English words. But with over one million words in the English language – yes, one MILLION – this is a big undertaking.

So how can you learn more English vocabulary, and what are the easiest ways to learn more words? Here are 5 methods for improving your vocabulary.

5 Methods to Learn More English Words

1. Read in Your Free Time

You were hoping for some magical machine that would automatically transfer new vocabulary to your brain, weren’t you? Unfortunately, that doesn’t exist – yet. What does exist, however, are books. And they have existed for thousands of years.

Reading has been shown again and again to improve people’s vocabulary and even grammar.

The more you read, the more words you are exposed to. Don’t ignore these words or phrases either: try to understand their meaning from the context, then look them up in a dictionary. You can also make a list of the words you come across every day or week.

2. Look up Unknown Words

Make sure you have a good dictionary and have it with you when you read or find yourself in a situation where you have to read or speak to someone in English.

If you’re at a lower level, you can start with a dictionary that translates words to your native language. Intermediate or advanced speakers will benefit from an English to English dictionary, as you can learn even more English from the definition.

There are a couple great dictionaries for English learners. Check out Longman dictionaries, which come in a variety of versions such as the fantastic Longman Dictionary of American English, as well as a free online dictionary. Another good website is Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary.

3. Use a Thesaurus

A thesaurus is like a dictionary but it provides synonyms (and antonyms) rather than definitions.

Thesauruses are helpful for English learners because they can help you understand an unknown word simply with other related words, not a full definition. They can also help you learn new words, help you choose the right word for a situation, and use a broader range of words to express yourself.

For example, maybe you want a more interesting way of saying, It was so hot yesterday! You look in a thesaurus and find the word scorching, which means very hot. This word is more interesting and descriptive, and now you’ve learned more English!

4. Study the Roots of Words

You can understand English words more easily if you know their roots. At least half of the words in English come from Greek and Latin. Knowing these roots will help you understand their meaning before you look them up in a dictionary, as well as see how they’re arranged in families.

For example, the root bio means life. This knowledge would help you understand the words biology and autobiography more easily.

5. Learn Prefixes and Suffixes

A prefix is a beginning attached to a word that modifies its meaning, and a suffix is an ending attached to a word that changes a word’s meaning or its grammatical function.

For instance, the prefix post means after. So, postwar means after the war.

The suffix -less means without. So childless means without a child.

Study the most common prefixes and suffixes and if you see or hear a word with a prefix or suffix, you’ll be able to understand it a bit better.

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7 Common Mistakes of Writing Business Letters

Writing great business letters requires both attention to detail and formal English. It can be easy to mess up a business letter if you’re not careful. Areas of common mistakes are usually in the formatting and the use of language.

Here are seven things to avoid when you are writing a business letter.

Common Mistakes of Writing Business Letters

1. Unprofessional Formatting

The format of your letter is important because it is immediately noticeable. You want to get it right to make a good first impression.

Formal letters should include the date at the top, followed by the address of the company. The text of the letter should be aligned left with spaces in-between paragraphs. Be sure to use an appropriate greeting and closing.

There are many types of formats for business letters. You can check the best format for your industry by doing a quick search online or reading a sample letter written by a trusted colleague. If you don’t feel comfortable formatting your own letter, you can use a template.

2. Not Deleting the Template Examples

It is not uncommon for people to use a template. However, a common mistake is to forget to delete the sample information from the template. Be sure to edit or delete the examples that come with the template.

Always carefully review and edit your letter before you send it off.

3. Forgetting to Spell Check

This is a mistake that is easily avoidable. A simple spell check can save you lots of embarrassment later.

Typos and misspellings are easy to check, so when people see these errors they often discredit the entire message. A lack of editing or proofreading shows that you are not serious about the content of your letter.

4. Forgetting an Attachment

If you promise an attachment in your letter, don’t make the mistake of forgetting to attach it! It’s so embarrassing to send a second email apologizing for your lack of detail.

One way to avoid this mistake is to attach your documents first. That way you’re sure to include the files you need.

5. Using Informal Language

The very definition of a business letter is that it should use business English, which is formal or polite language.

In a business letter, try not to use informal transitions and adjectives. For example, instead of saying that a decision is crappy or annoying, you can say that it is challenging. And you can use words such as therefore instead of because, and likewise instead of also.

6. Writing Too Many Idioms or Phrases

Knowing idioms and phrases is great for conversational English, but they are too informal to use in business letters. Native English speakers do not usually use these phrases in professional letters.

Only use expressions that are appropriate for business. You can let your English skills shine in your writing by using formal, appropriate phrases that are related to the topic of the letter.

7. Including Casual Greetings and Closings

Your greeting at the beginning is very important. Many English learners make the mistake of using the same informal greetings they use with friends, such as Hey or Hi.

Remember, business letters should always reflect professionalism. The best greeting is Dear followed by the person’s family name. Common closings are Best regards or Sincerely, followed by a comma.

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How To Learn English Typing Online

At some point in your English studies, it is important to learn English typing. The goal is to learn to type faster without looking at the keyboard.

It is a skill that takes patience, focus, and practice. Follow this advice to improve your typing skills.

How to Learn English Typing

1. Get to Know Your Keyboard

There are different keyboards in each country. You need to learn how to type in English on your specific keyboard. You may have to change your keyboard while typing in English. If you don’t know how to do this, ask a friend or go to the help section on your computer.

Take the time to learn the location of the English alphabet and punctuation (i.e., comma, period, quotation marks, exclamation point). These may look different in your language, so it is important to find out how to type these in English.

2. Take Your Eyes off the Keyboard

Now that you’ve located the English keys, it is vital to remember their location. Practice typing while looking at the computer screen and NOT looking at the keyboard.

The sooner you can memorize the keyboard and type without looking, the better you will become at typing in English.

3. Time Yourself

Once you can type without looking at the keyboard, it’s time to start typing faster.

Find an online tool that measures your typing speed. Give yourself a typing test to see how fast you are typing. Then, take the test again every week to monitor your progress.

4. Practice

In order to type well, you need to practice frequently. Set a schedule to practice at least 15 minutes per day.

Do not practice for long periods of time because this will only frustrate you. Be patient with your progress and you will eventually see that you’re typing faster and more accurately than before.

Ideas to Practice Typing in English

1. Start a Journal

Start a journal where you reflect on your life’s events and your personal thoughts. Try typing in your journal every day for 10-20 minutes.

This is a great way to learn English typing without the pressure of teachers or an audience. Don’t worry about making English mistakes. It is important to focus on fluency and improving your typing skills.

2. Copy Text from a Book

Find an English book, newspaper, or article, and rewrite the text by typing it into your computer. This will help you improve your speed and accuracy while typing in English.

3. Digitize Your Study Materials

If you’re serious about learning English, you most likely have an English notebook. Start transferring that English notebook to your computer. This will force you to type in English and to review your study materials.

Plus, you can save your files and take them with you wherever you go. Now there’s no need to carry that big notebook around!

4. Join an English Forum

There are many English forums that communicate in English. Why not join one and start typing with new digital friends? You can join special chat groups that match your personal interests.

Many people in these groups are also ESL learners, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed or nervous about making mistakes.

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3 Keys to Writing a Great Business English Email

Writing an email in English is challenging in itself: you have to make sure you’re using the right format, vocabulary, and grammar. Using business English makes this even harder, particularly if you’re not a native English speaker.

Not only do you have to make sure the format of the email is formal and professional, but you have to use appropriate business English vocabulary. The English that you studied in school probably did not include business English words; thus, you may have to learn a whole new set of vocabulary.

You can, of course, take a business English course and learn how to properly craft a professional email in English; however, here are three important tips now to get you started.

How to Write Business English Emails

1. Use Greetings and Closings

There are common ways to open and close business emails in English. Learning these will make your emails more professional and also make you more confident in your writing skills and enable you to compose business emails more easily in the future.

Always begin your email with a greeting. Greetings vary depending on your relationship with the person you’re contacting. If you don’t know the person well, begin with Dear followed by the person’s family (last) name and a comma. You should use a colon in very formal situations.

Dear Mr. Smith,

If you don’t know the person’s name, start the email by saying To Whom It May Concern.

To Whom It May Concern:

If you’ve met before and are familiar with each other, you can use Dear and the person’s first name.

Dear Helen,

If you’ve met several times and use first names when speaking, then it is acceptable to use their first name. It’s common to use Hi, Hello, or just the person’s name.

Hi Helen,

Helen,

To end an email, write an appropriate closing and then your name. Common ways to close an email include the phrases Best regards, Thank you, and Sincerely, followed by a comma.

Best regards,

Becki Benedict

2. State Your Purpose

After you greet the recipient, you should thank him or her for contacting you or answering your question (if necessary).

Then, tell the person the purpose of your communication.

I’m writing to enquire/ask about…

I’d like to…

I’m writing in reference to…

Make your reason for contacting him or her clear. People read emails quickly, so you want your point to be quickly understood. Ensure that your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary is correct so you appear professional and reflect well on your company.

3. Add Closing Remarks

After using a greeting and stating the reason you are contacting the person, it’s polite to thank the person one more time and possibly reference future contact.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Thank you for your consideration.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

After these remarks, you can end the email with an appropriate closing (i.e., Best regards), followed by your name.

Conclusion

To write a professional business email, ensure that you use an appropriate opening and closing, state your purpose clearly, and write some brief closing remarks.

If your job requires you to use English often, it may be worth taking a business English course. In the business world, it’s vital to understand how to communicate professionally by email and in person.

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Best Ways to Learn English Vocabulary Words

Are you struggling with finding the best way to learn English vocabulary? Perhaps you’re tired of searching through dictionaries and quietly reading your notes. Maybe you’ve noticed that you study vocabulary for hours, but then you forget most of the words.

Believe it or not, but learning vocabulary can be fun! Here are some ways you can learn English vocabulary quickly and efficiently; and have some fun.

Ways to Learn English Vocabulary

1. Use New Words in Conversations

Using new words in conversations is the best way to study vocabulary. The more you use a new word, the more comfortable you will feel.

Everyday, make a list of 3-5 new words you want to use. Look at this list throughout the day and mark a check each time you use one of the words in a conversation. Try to use them all by the end of the day!

2. Draw Pictures

It is a good idea to draw pictures of the new words you are learning. No, it isn’t just for kids. It’s also a great thing for adults. Drawing pictures helps you cement the meaning of the word into your long-term memory. Plus, it’s fun!

To start, get some blank index cards. For each new word, draw a picture of the new word on one side and write the word on the other side. In your free time, you can quiz yourself by looking at the pictures and guessing the words.

Another idea is to get a large poster board and draw pictures of as many vocabulary words as possible. Choose words that naturally go together, such as foods, transportation, business, etc.

3. Make Flashcards

Flashcards are an excellent way to learn new words. However, you must write the correct information on the cards! You don’t want to study the wrong information.

Write short, simple definitions that are easy to understand, one or two synonyms (similar words), and an example sentence.

Never throw away your flashcards. Keep them and study them often.

4. Group New Words by Theme

Grouping words by theme helps you understand the relationship between the words, how they are connected, and when you should use them.

First, choose around 50 words, and write each word on a flashcard. Then, decide on categories (i.e., noun, verb, adjective, adverb), and place the flashcards into the categories. Later, you can repeat using different categories.

Example Categories:

  • Positive, Negative
  • Person, Place, Thing
  • Illness, Cure, Symptom
  • Water, Land, Air
  • Harmful, Helpful

5. Write a Story

Challenge yourself to write a story using the new vocabulary words. This helps you understand the meaning of the words in order to use them correctly in the story.

First, select 10 words. Then, create a story using all 10 words.

6. Visit Places Where You Can Use The Vocabulary

Immerse yourself in a location where you can use the new vocabulary naturally. By going to these places, you are forced to speak your new words. This also helps you fully understand when, where, and how to use the vocabulary.

For example, if you’re studying food vocabulary, go to a restaurant or market. Visit a museum if you are studying culture vocabulary. Go to any place where you can think about and speak your new words.

7. Study Phrases

Vocabulary is rarely used by itself. Most words come in chunks when they’re used correctly. It’s important that you study vocabulary in these phrases and not as solitary words.

Avoid writing vocabulary down as just one word. Instead, note what words are used before or after the vocabulary. This will help you use the words correctly in a sentence.

8. Write a Song

Music can help you learn a language quickly and easily. By writing your own song, you are interacting with the words for a long time. In order to write the lyrics, you must be creative and have a deep understanding of what the words mean.

First, create a catchy tune or use a melody you like from one of your favorite pieces of music. Then, write lyrics using the vocabulary words.

9. Take Your Vocabulary With You

You should take your vocabulary with you everywhere you go. You never know when you might need to use a word that you can’t remember.

Make a PDF document of new vocabulary you want to study. Print it and take it with you or save it on your smartphone. Study the new words whenever you can – on the bus, on the train, during lunch, etc.

These are some ideas of how you can learn English vocabulary. Remember, it’s most important to use the words in real, authentic situations, and to have some fun doing it!

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