Help is here, do not fear!

Check out this useful app! Not only does it contain a wealth of idioms, but also the collocation section looks pretty good. Plus, it is a nice, easy way to practice those tricky prepositions wherever you are!



English Idioms and Phrases

Podcasts! Get those ears ready!

Podcasts are a great way to not only practise your listening skills but also pick up some useful vocab. Here is a list of podcasts, some specifically for learners of English, so get those ears ready! I have also some more podcasts on my 'links' page.

The English We Speak  - very short podcasts (around 3mins) to learn a different English phase or piece of slang everyday.

6 Minute English - longer podcasts (around 6 mins) to hear discussions using everyday English.

The Why Factor - interesting stories (around 18 mins) explaining 'why'.

Global News - news stories (around 30 mins) from around the world.

Desert Island Discs - famous/successful people explain what music and literature they would take to a desert island (around 35 mins) (useful to hear language of opinion and attitude).

A Point of View - short reflections (around 9 mins) on topical issues.

The Listening Project - interviews with British people on British culture (good for listening to different British accents)

Moral Maze - debates on controversial topics (around 30 mins) (great for agreeing/disagreeing language)

Kermode and Mayo's Film Review - film review show (around 90 mins) with interviews from famous stars and directors (useful to hear language of opinion and attitude).

Serial - a real life murder mystery (around 1 hour per episode). Get hooked on this murder investigation, looking into the innocence (or guilt?) of a 17-year-old high school student.

You can never have enough linking words!

Here is a list (but not exhaustive!) of some usual linking words/cohesive devices - learn them and love them!

Furthermore (!!), click here for a CAE booklet of linking words!

Now enjoy!

The idea of using nominalisation in writings can be scary but don't fear, help is here!

Have a looked at these two websites for a greater understanding of how nominalisation works and why it's important to use in formal writings.

Click here for a very easy guide with great exercises

Click here for some more practice but much more difficult!

It all links up!

Here is an extremely detailed website, containing everything you need to know about how to connect sentences together. It also has help on a wide range of grammar points.

* Warning! Some of the explanations are very complex!


If that is too much for you, check out this helpful website which shows you different ways to connect your ideas. Alternatively, you can take a look at this list of linking words.

Reading part 6 - help is here!

Check out this powerpoint (you need to download it) which step by step shows you how Reading Part 6 could be done.

I need to learn/learning/learn....ah Verb Patterns!!

Often the Use of English paper tests your knowledge of verb patterns - what follows the verb: an infinitive, a gerund, base form of the verb or a preposition? Unfortunately, verb patterns are something you just have to memorise. But to help, click here for a list verb patterns.

I just can't get enough of that set language! (for essays!)

Language for introductions

•  In this day and age…
•  … is a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion.
• … is a growing issue in today’s society
• We live in an age when many of us are…
• More and more families are choosing to have only one child.
• The trend nowadays is towards having smaller families.
• Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ...............
• Recent research indicates that the number of teenagers who smoke is increasing.
• Hardly a week goes by without another report of ................. appearing in the media.
• Although most people would generally agree that ............... few would deny that ........

Second Paragraph

• …. clearly/undoubtedly has an impact on…
• It is common knowledge that… plays a crucial role in…
• It is undoubtedly the case that…
•  There is little doubt that…
•  … is widely believed to contribute to…
•  It is generally considered that…
•  Recent research suggests that…
• Studies have shown that… has an impact/influence on…
• Few people would contest/dispute the fact that…

Third Paragraph

• Not only X, but also Y
• Another factor to consider is…
• On the other hand/In contrast…
• It is often claimed that…
• All the evidence suggests that…

Language for conclusions

• In light of the above, / Taking all of this (everything) into consideration/account,…
• As far as I am concerned, / in my opinion, /etc.
• … is the most effective way to… due to the fact that…
• Despite the fact that… undoubtedly plays a role in… I firmly believe that… is more effective due to…

The fun of writing essays!

Want some essay writing help? Click here to see some dos and don'ts regarding essay writing, as well as some sample essays! Happy writing!

Feel like you are still lost?! Click here for some more advice!

Count this!

Want some extra help with countable/uncountable nouns? Well look no further!

Click here for an explanation of some of the difficulties with countable/uncountable nouns.

Click here for a list of countable/uncountable nouns.

Use of English Part 3 - Verb, Noun, Adjective, Adverb...AHHH!

Here is a chart I found online which shows how to change a word from one word class to another. 
Click here for a list of common prefixes and click here for a list of common suffixes.

Some students find it beneficial to create a word family chart (a grid which shows the stem of a word and its different forms). Remember when you learn a new word to check to see if it can be turned into a noun/verb/adjective/adverb.

Tense, Aspect, Mood, Voice - how to decide what type of sentence you want.

Have a look at this website to get a basic understanding of the different types of sentences there are in English.
* this site doesn't talk about voice (active/passive)

A more detailed explanation - click here!

Reading Part 5 - we all struggle!

Watch a very tired English teacher attempt to do Reading Part 5! Good to watch his technique, but also the mistakes he makes!

Reading Galore!

Check out the 'reading' tab on the side of the page - here you can find a list of useful websites to practice your reading skills.

Make sure you are reading something in English EVERYDAY!!

Useful Links

Click on the 'Useful Links' tab on the side to see a wealth of useful websites. Please share any other useful sites that you come across.

Quizlet - Flashcard Heaven!

Quizlet is a great website to hep you manage and remember new words, phrases and collocations. I will also create sets which will enable you to practice the Use of English section of the test incorporating the vocabulary from each unit.

Join my quizlet class here. Register for free and become a member of the class! This also means that you can create you own personal sets to help you study.

Welcome!

Hello CAE gang!

Welcome to the blog! I'll be posting things up here that will be of use to you, so please use it! Also, if you have anything interesting that you want to share with the class, let me know and it can appear on here.

I look forward to our CAE adventure together!