Luckily, in today’s digital age there are abundant free resources available to help you improve your English. One great resource is TED Talks. TED (which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas in short, powerful talks.

TED Talks feature expert speakers presenting big ideas in science, tech, creativity, business, and more. Their presentations are subtitled in over 100 languages, providing an engaging way to learn English through listening, reading, and making connections.

If you’re just starting out learning English TED has many beginner friendly talks that use simple vocabulary and grammar. By watching TED Talks made for English learners, you can expand your knowledge while getting used to the rhythm and flow of the English language.

Here are 5 great TED Talks perfect for English beginners

5 techniques to speak any language by Sid Efromovich

Key topics: Language learning tips and strategies
In this upbeat talk, Sid shares the most important principles for learning a new language. He explains key methods like listening to the sounds around you, learning phrases for practical situations, teaching what you know to others, and more. Even as a beginner, you’ll benefit from Sid’s simple, memorable language hacks.

How I learned English by Xiaoxue Kuang

Key topics: Personal story of learning English
Xiaoxue recounts how she moved from China to the US unable to speak any English, and shares the creative ways she learned the language. By relating Xiaoxue’s personal journey studded with photos, this talk puts a fun, visual spin on the English learning process.

Where did English come from? by Kate Gardoqui

Key topics: History and origins of the English language
This lively talk traces English back to its ancient roots. Kate uses engaging graphics to explain how English evolved through invasions of societies like the Romans, Vikings, and Normans. She simplifies complex linguistic history into an amusing story showing how English became the globally widespread language it is today.

Talking to strangers by Prasanna Ranganathan

Key topics: Making conversation in English, importance of small talk
Even basic English conversations can seem intimidating when you’re starting out. Prasanna argues that talking to strangers is good practice and shares simple tips to make small talk less scary. With humor and empathy, this talk encourages beginners to build conversation skills by taking small risks to connect.

The magic of the English language by Jay Walker

Key topics: Beauty, complexity and quirks of English
This talk celebrates the English language in all its confusing but amazing glory. Through eye-catching photos, Jay shows off the many marvels of English, from its huge vocabulary to playful rhymes. He reminds us that learning English is a journey full of wonder, humor, and surprise.

The great thing about these TED Talks is that you can watch them again and again, allowing messages to sink in at your own pace. And since the talks are just a few minutes long, you won’t get overloaded as a beginner.

As you become more comfortable with English, you can expand your learning through more advanced TED Talks on topics you’re passionate about. But for starters, the talks above are engaging, easy to grasp, and full of encouragement.

Beyond these talks there are many other high-quality English learning resources on the TED platform and TED-Ed lessons website. And subtitles let you follow talks in English while reading translations in 100+ languages.

Immersing yourself in English daily is key on your learning path. So put these TED Talks on your routine playlist for bite-sized lessons from great speakers. Let their wisdom, humor, and insights soak in as you master English – one talk at a time!

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Rosetta Stone Products

Rosetta Stone offers several language learning products, available on various platforms

Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software – Available for purchase via download or CD-ROM, this award-winning software is Rosetta Stone flagship product. It currently support learning 24 languages like Spanish, French, Italian, German, English, Chinese (Mandarin), Arabic, and many more.

Rosetta Stone Mobile Apps – For on-the-go language practice, Rosetta Stone offer iOS and Android apps supporting 13 languages. These provide beginner through advanced lessons with TruAccent speech recognition.

Rosetta Stone Online Subscription – This web-based platform open up Rosetta Stone language learning to Chromebook users. It provides the same curriculum and features as the software to help you learn 24 languages.

Rosetta Stone for Schools – A customized version of Rosetta Stone designed for academic institutions, from primary schools to universities. Includes tools for tracking student progress.

So with diverse products on desktop, mobile, and online, Rosetta Stone enables language learners to study whenever and wherever is convenient for them. But what about its global availability?

Countries and Languages Supported

A key factor in Rosetta Stone’s global accessibility is the number of countries, languages, and language pairs it supports.

Rosetta Stone ships products to over 150 countries worldwide. So no matter where you’re located, chances are you can obtain Rosetta Stone software in one form or another.

The 24 languages encompassed in Rosetta Stone curriculum represent dialects spoken by over 200 million people worldwide. From widely-spoken languages like English and Spanish to less common tongues like Filipino and Persian, learners from different backgrounds can leverage their platform.

Rosetta Stone products support learning languages for speakers of other tongues too. For example, English speakers can learn Spanish – and Spanish speakers can also learn English. This flexibility broadens the student base that can utilize Rosetta Stone to gain bilingual skills.

Pricing and Payments

Making language learning economically accessible around the world is important as well. Rosetta Stone offers various purchase options to serve diverse budgets

One-Time Purchases – You can buy perpetual license keys for Rosetta Stone downloads or CDs, with volume discounts available. This ranges from about $200 for one language level to $250 for unlimited access to all languages.

12-Month Subscriptions – For longer-term access, you can purchase a 12-month subscription. These cost about $80 for a single language to $200 for all access.

3-Month Subscriptions – If you want a shorter subscription, they offer 3-month ones for single languages at about $40. This provides more flexibility.

Consumer Payment Plans – To make costs more manageable, Rosetta Stone provides installment plans that break payments down over 3, 6, or 12 months, interest-free.

Group and academic pricing – Volume discounts make Rosetta Stone more affordable for classrooms and organizations purchasing multiple licenses.

Rosetta Stone also accepts multiple payment options: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, wire transfer, and more. This ensures learners in different countries can easily pay for the products. Gift cards are also available, making Rosetta Stone an option for special occasions.

The variety of purchasing plans and payment types make Rosetta Stone accessible for personal and institutional buyers worldwide. More budget-conscious language learners can also take advantage of seasonal sales and special offers.

User Experience for Global Audiences

Creating a positive user experience for all audiences also drives Rosetta Stone’s global appeal. Their program provides:

27+ languages available in the user interface – This includes Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, and of course, English.

Right-to-left language support – For languages like Arabic and Hebrew that are written right-to-left, Rosetta Stone seamlessly flips alignment and text flow.

Dubbed tutorial audio – Beginning tutorials are available with dubbed audio in all the languages learners can study. This quicker onboarding for non-English speakers.

So whether you’re purchasing Rosetta Stone in Seoul or São Paulo, the software is designed to support your language and dialect from the get-go.

In summary, with worldwide availability of products, pricing, and payments – combined with broad language support and translated interfaces – Rosetta Stone provides an accessible language learning solution for personal and academic users across the globe. No matter what language you speak or where you are located, you can leverage Rosetta Stone to gain fluency in new languages. So if you’re asking “Is Rosetta Stone available in my country?” in most cases the answer will be yes! I hope you find this “Is Rosetta Stone learning accessible globally?” article helpful.

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Coursera for Novice Instructors

Coursera offers a variety of courses that are appropriate for younger students, usually those in high school. Their catalogue, for instance, offers introductory classes on subjects like creative writing, photography, programming, and even getting ready for exams used for college applications, such as the SAT.

For younger students, Coursera offers the following advantages:

– Easy-to-understand explanations: Courses at the introductory level provide a clear and succinct explanation of ideas without assuming any prior knowledge. Teens find it simpler to understand new subjects as a result.

– Self-paced learning: Students can study at their own speed, going over lectures again and taking tests again until they have mastered the topic. This adaptability accommodates varying learning rates.

– Gamification components: To make learning interesting and enjoyable for teenagers, several courses include badges, points, and other incentives.

– Affordably accessible university-level content: High school students with aspirations can sample upper-level academics by enrolling in top university courses, which are either free or extremely inexpensive.

For younger pupils as well as independent, self-motivated learners who are curious to learn more, Coursera can be a student-focused resource. But Coursera might be a better fit for some teenagers than for others in the absence of a set curriculum or teacher supervision.

University Coursera

Coursera provides a multitude of pertinent, excellent, university-level courses for students want to augment their on-campus education. By mastering in-demand talents, students might get an advantage in their major or explore subjects they are enthusiastic about.

Advantages consist of:

– Obtain certifications: Students can differentiate themselves from the competition by obtaining industry-recognized Specialisations, Professional Certificates, and other credentials through the completion of tests and assignments.

– Sample possible majors: Before deciding on a major, students who aren’t sure what they want to study can take related courses on Coursera to see whether it’s something they’re interested in.

– Flexible learning: University students can progress their knowledge on their own schedule by using Coursera, which easily fits around hectic academic schedules.

– Minimal financial commitment: Students can improve their abilities without taking on more debt because a large number of courses are offered at no cost. It is optional to pay for upgrades for certifications, grading, etc.

– Career-relevant content: To assist students get ready for the workforce, Coursera frequently introduces new programmes in high-growth industries including computer science, digital marketing, and data science.

For driven self-starters seeking a higher education, Coursera may offer traditional classroom instruction an enlightening, useful depth. Students may take control of their education thanks to the platform.

Mid-Career Learners: Coursera

To remain marketable in the dynamic job market of today, mid-career professionals must continue to expand their skill set. Coursera is a powerful tool because of the multitude of condensed, skill-focused courses that it offers, all created in partnership with leading industry players.

Benefits consist of:

– Develop in-demand skills quickly: Coursera helps working adults stay competitive by providing training in cutting-edge, specialised skills like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, people analytics, and more.

– Career development pathways: Professional Certificates and Specialisations are collections of connected courses that build job-relevant competencies at all skill levels. This framework promotes advancement and retention.

– Flexibility for hectic schedules: Mid-career learners have limited time due to work and family obligations. Learning on the fly is made possible via downloaded materials and on-demand video lectures.

– Affordability: Compared to traditional higher education, Coursera is far less expensive. And a lot of companies now provide tuition help for courses linked to their jobs.

– Networking opportunities: Through collaboration on capstone projects, students meet peers and industry mentors, which enhances learning. This fosters business partnerships.

If you’re a mid-career professional looking to combine work, life, and skill development, Coursera offers accredited, practical training that can be customised to fit your schedule.

Coursera for Perpetual Education

Even once formal schooling stops, education never ends. Coursera understands that education should foster a desire for learning at every stage of life, including in retirement. Coursera offers non-degree learning options that make it suitable for older learners.

Advantages consist of:

– Vast course catalogue: Seniors can find plenty of intellectual stimulation in the thousands of courses covering a wide range of topics, whether they wish to take up a new pastime or rekindle an old interest.

– Low stakes lessons: Coursera provides informal yet rewarding learning at one’s own leisurely pace without demanding grades, deadlines, or advanced requirements. This is ideal for retirees who want to take a leisurely look at going back to school.

– Social connection: Discussion boards and group projects encourage peer engagement with people around the world who are undergoing the same training, which helps fight isolation.

– Mental stimulation: Learning new things keeps minds active as we age. In order to keep their cognitive and memory centres active far into old age, seniors can enrol in courses on Coursera.

– Accessibility: Coursera uses transcripts, subtitles, audio-only formats, and other accessibility-focused techniques in the creation of its courses. Seniors who have visual or hearing impairments can now take part.

Coursera is an entertaining, stress-free online learning environment for senior citizens who want to stay connected to the community and stay intellectually stimulated in their later years.

The Conclusion: All Ages Can Use Coursera

While working professionals may be the intended audience for some of Coursera’s advanced degree programmes, such as its Masters and PhD tracks, its non-degree catalogue offers resources for students and lifelong learners of all ages. Coursera provides self-motivated students of all ages with simple, excellent online education, from stimulating young minds to keeping seniors mentally active.

With its self-paced modular curriculum, affordability, and flexibility around other life obligations, Coursera breaks down obstacles that frequently prevent adult and non-traditional students from furthering their education. The demand for lifetime skill development in this era will only make platforms such as Coursera more valuable and inclusive.

So Coursera offers an enriching self-directed learning channel for everyone, whether you’re a teenager trying to broaden your interests, a mid-careerist in need of upskilling, or a retiree wanting to keep your mind active. Age is less of an indicator of its final suitability than a learner’s motivation and self-control. You just need to commit to improving yourself and make the time to do so; Coursera offers the necessary resources. I sincerely hope you find this “Is Coursera suitable for learners of all ages?” article helpful.

The post Is Coursera suitable for learners of all ages? appeared first on Open Up English.

The Core Busuu Experience

At its foundation, Busuu is designed for self-paced learning. Lessons are organized into thematic units that you can progress through linearly or skip around between as desired. Within each lesson, you’ll find:

– Vocabulary pages to build your lexicon around a topic
– Dialogues that demonstrate the vocabulary and grammar in context
– Grammar explanations and exercises for practice
– Review quizzes to test retention

All of the core content is available for self-guided study 24/7. You move through material by marking lessons as complete, which then unlocks sequential lessons. Outside of structured lessons, the app also includes reference resources like grammars, dictionaries, and verb conjugators for independent study.

As far as self-pacing goes, this model gives learners full control. You can race through lessons or spend more time cementing knowledge before advancing – it’s up to you. The only guidance is the structured sequence of lessons and milestones for completing each unit.

Interactive Features

In addition to self-led content, Busuu offers some interactive tools for learners, mainly through its active community:

Conversation Partners
Using Busuu’s chat tools, you can be matched with native speakers also learning on the platform to exchange written conversations. You send messages in your target language and your partner replies in theirs, allowing you to practice constructing sentences and analyzing real examples of native usage.

This is an optional tool, but it adds a human touch and conversational practice opportunities for self-directed learners. You control when and how often you engage with a partner based on your availability and interest.

Audio Recording Exercises
Some lessons include speaking exercises where you record yourself pronouncing words or answering questions. Native speakers within the Busuu community can listen and provide feedback on the clarity, fluency, and accuracy of your speech.

Like conversation partners, this feature is completely optional. But it gives self-paced learners a chance to practice oral skills and get input from native speakers without actual conversational pressure. You record on your own time when you feel ready.

In-Depth Lessons

Busuu’s core lessons definitely cover all the language fundamentals like vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and listening comprehension. But in terms of depth and nuance, there are some limitations to the self-guided experience.

Lesson content can feel a bit superficial at times, lacking detailed explanations and cultural context. For example, you may learn set phrases and vocabulary around ordering food but with minimal specifics on the cuisine, manners, and tipping norms of different cultures. The audio dialogues demonstrate accent and fluency well but rarely delve into authentic, unscripted conversations.

For beginners, this simplicity is helpful in building foundational proficiency. But intermediate or advanced self-directed learners may desire more robust lessons that teach language with an insider’s perspective. Without a teacher to fill gaps and answer questions, the lone learner is somewhat left to connect dots and infer additional details on their own.

Testing and Accountability

Given the independence of solo study, testing tools are important for self-evaluation. Busuu does provide regular quizzes to assess your retention of vocabulary and grammar points. The tests give instant feedback on your strengths and weaknesses to help guide further review.

However, the quizzes are all multiple choice, which doesn’t really test productive skills. As a supplementary step, Busuu introduced official McGraw Hill grammar and vocabulary exams. These are more rigorous tests that evaluate your ability to accurately produce language. They provide detailed insights on areas for improvement.

Still, without a teacher checking homework or monitoring progress, it’s easy to just skip over assessments. Having major benchmarks tied to your advancement through courses could better incentivize self-paced learners to regularly test themselves. Some structure and accountability checks help balance the flexibility of solo study.

Gamification and Motivation Tools

To tap into learners’ competitive spirits and reward progress, Busuu incorporates some gamification elements:

– You earn points for completing lessons and activities which translate into a visible “Level” score.
– A dashboard tracks your pace and makes projections for when you may finish courses.
– You unlock achievement badges for milestones like finishing units.
– A weekly leaderboard shows how your points rank against other learners.

These features add a layer of fun and satisfaction for hitting goals. The metrics visualize your improvement in concrete terms which can motivate self-directed students to stick with the process during lulls in self-discipline.

However, Busuu’s gamified components are quite subtle. For those wanting more prominent game-like elements, platforms like Duolingo may appeal more to solo learners needing extra incentive.

Premium Features

So far we’ve covered the free Busuu experience which provides ample tools for self-teaching. But upgrading to a paid Premium Plus subscription unlocks a few add-ons that facilitate customized self-paced learning:

Offline Access – Download lessons to continue studying without an internet connection. Great for learning on-the-go when not connected.

Custom Vocabulary Lists – Flag words you want to focus on reviewing and practice those vocab lists. Allows you to tailor drills to your weak areas.

Advanced Grammar Notes – Supplements lessons with more detailed grammar breakdowns and usage rules explained.

Plus Members Area – Unlocks additional lessons beyond the core courses to continue advancing your learning.

For serious self-directed students, these premium tools allow you to really adapt Busuu’s standard content to your personal language goals and knowledge gaps. The ability to take your learning offline while focusing practice on tricky grammar and vocabulary gives you more command of your solo study path.

The Verdict on Busuu for Self-Study

Considering all these factors – the intuitive course structure, interactive community features, assessment tools, and customization options – Busuu provides a formidable framework for self-paced language learning.

It covers all the academic essentials through structured lessons while still offering flexibility in how you move through material. Testing and metrics promote self-accountability in the absence of a teacher. And premium features allow self-directed learners to adapt courses to their needs.

For beginners, the straightforward lessons and vocabulary drills pave a clear path for foundational proficiency. Intermediate students can supplement gaps with outside materials. And advanced speakers have options to keep extending proficiency.

There are a few areas that solo learners would need to self-motivate – like taking assessments seriously or finding conversational opportunities. But overall, Busuu provides ample content and features for driving your own language learning journey. I sincerely hope you find this “Is Busuu suitable for self-paced learning?” article helpful.

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Duolingo’s Strengths for Beginners

Duolingo is exceptionally good for beginners looking to gain a basic foundation. Its bite-sized lessons make it easy to fit practice into small gaps of free time. The app capitalizes on principles of spaced repetition, ensuring vocabulary sticks. Plus games and point systems create a rewarding, addictive experience that keeps motivation high.

This makes Duolingo ideal for travelers wishing to pick up common phrases or business people wanting basic communication abilities. The vast majority of lessons focus on high-frequency conversational vocabulary and grammar suited for real world situations. Pronunciation and listening practice also prepare learners to understand and speak the language.

For all these reasons, Duolingo can quickly build functional language abilities for simple conversations, transactions, directions, small talk and more. It develops reading and writing as well, though speaking and listening see more emphasis on the app.

Where Duolingo Falls Short for Advanced Learners

As beneficial as Duolingo is for beginners, its usefulness decreases the more advanced a learner becomes. There are clear limitations in the app holding fluent speakers back.

Firstly, the lessons cap at an approximate A2 to B1 level on the CEFR scale – meaning basic to intermediate. There are no lessons targeted specifically for upper intermediate or advanced learners to further vocab and grammar mastery. Opportunities for extended writing, reading, listening and speaking practice are also limited.

Some criticize Duolingo for not explaining grammar rules overtly as well. It uses an inductive teaching method – giving examples and having users infer patterns. This works well for basics but leaves advanced learners with gaps regarding exceptions, nuances and technical rules.

Lastly, as Duolingo lessons progress, the vocabulary shifts increasingly toward the obscure – like “narwhal” or “vestibule” in Spanish. This fringe vocab appears less often in real world situations. Learners aiming for fluency would benefit more from expanded practice of practical vocab and conversational grammar at higher levels.

How to Supplement with Other Resources

Duolingo can certainly take you to an intermediate level – but at advanced stages, it works best paired with other tools. Here are some tips:

Use Duolingo for maintenance: Continue using Duolingo to retain what you’ve learned so far. The spaced repetition will help cement basics in long-term memory.

Study grammar guides: Get books or online grammar guides to learn rules, exceptions and nuances missing from Duolingo. Studying technical grammar is essential for mastery.

Read, listen and watch: Immerse yourself in native media – books, news, television, film, music and more. This expands vocabulary and exposes you to more advanced grammar and expressions.

Use flashcard apps: Apps like Anki are excellent for mastering new vocabulary. The spaced repetition and multimedia options aid memorization and retention at scale.

Speak with native partners: Conversing with advanced speakers provides indispensable speaking/listening practice and feedback. Sites like Verbling connect you with conversation partners.

The key is optimizing Duolingo for review and fundamentals while using complementary resources to address its limitations. This balanced approach can boost fluency.

Extra Tips to Go from Intermediate to Advanced

Reaching an advanced or fluent level requires tremendous commitment but is achievable. Alongside tools above, these tips can help:

– Set a weekly learning goal (e.g. 5+ hours per week) and stick to it

– Test yourself often (apps, practice tests) to identify and improve weak spots

– Think, write and speak about your interests in the language – don’t just practice random vocab

– Surround yourself with native media (change phone/Netflix language) – Use sites like iTalki for professional lesson plans tailored to your level – Visit a country where the language is spoken for full immersion

Over time, with smart resources and dedication, Duolingo can act as a piece of the puzzle for attaining an advanced level of language proficiency.

Conclusion

Duolingo undoubtedly has limitations for taking learners to advanced, fluent levels – however, it remains useful as part of a larger learning strategy. It can develop excellent foundations and maintain those skills while other tools address higher complexities like technical grammar, expanded vocabulary and advanced listening/speaking. Combining the engaging Duolingo model with traditional studying, immersive reading/listening and conversation practice can drive proficiency to advanced milestones. With persistence and the right supplemental resources, Duolingo can still provide value on the journey to fluency. I sincerely hope you find this “Can Duolingo help with advanced language skills?” article helpful.

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Defining Indefinite vs. Definite

First, what’s the difference between indefinite and definite articles?

• Indefinite articles — “a” and “an” — refer to nonspecific nouns that can represent any general example within a category. For example: “I ate an apple,” refers to any standard apple, not one in particular.

• Definite articles — “the” — define specific nouns identifiable to both speaker and listener. For example: “I ate the apple on the kitchen counter,” refers to a singular, identifiable apple.

Getting Specific with “The”
We use “the” to refer to something identifiable within shared context. Shared context could be: something previously referenced, general common knowledge, visible location cues, or clarifiers like possessives or adjective clauses. Some examples:

Previously Referenced:
“I told you about my dog Buster. The dog loves playing frisbee.”

Visible Identifiers:
“Could you grab the book sitting on the blue chair?”

General Common Knowledge:
“During winter, the snow falls heavily.”

Adjective Clauses and Possessives:
“The person who called works with my dad. Please return the manager’s pen to the front desk.”

Signaling New with “A/An”
We use the indefinite article “a” before nouns beginning with a consonant. “An” comes before nouns that start with vowels to avoid awkward pronunciations.

“A” introduces something or someone new into a conversation without prior reference. It indicates an example representing a general category, amount, or idea rather than pointing to a single identified thing.

Some examples:
“There’s a book on linguistics I think you’d enjoy reading.”
“I ate an apple today.”
“Do you have a minute to chat?”
“Three times a day, the bell tolls.”

When to Omit Articles
Sometimes nouns appear without “a”, “an”, or “the” if the noun itself feels all-encompassing. This occurs with: plural or uncountable nouns, generalizations, idiomatic expressions, titles, sports, meals, and places of work/study showing routine actions.

Some examples:
“Dogs bark loudly” (entire species)
“She loves reading books.” (plural generic noun)
“We had breakfast before rushing to school.” (routine meal/place)
“Curiosity drives innovation” (noun generalization)

Special Uses of “The”
“The” also has special rules in certain situations:

• With superlatives – “She is the smartest person I know.”
• To define categories with adjective + noun – “The rich get unfair tax advantages.”
• Referring to groups with a clear semantic relationship: “The chef skillfully assembled the meal.”
• Referring to places with clear context: “The Grand Canyon spans several states.”
• With ordinal numbers: “the first”, “the second”, etc.
• With decades: “She grew up during the eighties.”
• With unique places/objects, like the sun, moon, ocean, internet, United States, environment

By mastering proper article usage, you can deliver your exact intended meaning clearly and fluently. Just be sure to consider how identifiable the noun is to your listener or reader when choosing between “a”, “an”, “the” or omitting altogether.

The post Complete Guide to Definite and Indefinite Articles appeared first on Open Up English.

#1 Adverb Differences
These diverse modifiers answer “how”, “when”, “where” and “to what extent” regarding verbs, adjectives or fellow adverbs. Sentence position also shifts meaning. Saying “She quickly stores equipment” or “She stores equipment quickly” varies slightly in connotation needing awareness when ordering phrases.

#2 Avoiding Language Litters
In speech, extraneous adverbs like “really,” “quite,” “just” litter sentences without intensifying meaning, demonstrating underdeveloped vocabulary. Instead, choose words that precisely convey real extent. How hot was the curried dish? Perhaps extraordinarily, exceptionally or extremely over simply “really” hot?nocuous, unvarying terms breed imprecision.

#3 Eliminating Exaggerations
Hyperbolic adverbs damage credibility through excessive embellishment. Describing a multinational company as “amazingly innovative” seems dubious without quantified evidence. Using minimizing terms like “somewhat innovative” risks insulting accomplishment. Discerning factual adverbs earns trust.

#4 Matching register formality
Formal registers suit professional contexts while casual ones fit friendly chatter. Adopting a consistent tone prevents disjointed diction. Blending “The staff rather efficiently answered product queries” with “so folks totally understood the offerings” jars the audience. Maximizing cohesion enhances fluency.

#5 Qualifying Subjective Opinions
Subjective views on politics, art and people vary individually depending on preferences and personality.
When sharing subjective perspectives, qualify them as personal through phrasing like “Surprisingly to me…” or “In my opinion…” rather than stating “Surprisingly…” or “Wrongly…” as universal facts. Apps and websites can still feel surprisingly outdated to you rather than just outdated.

#6 Prioritizing Timeliness
Verbs like “go”, “do” and “put” require complementary adverbs on when actions occur. Did she go to work early or late? Did we do the job quickly or slowly? Are they putting things correctly or completely inaccurately? Clarifying timeliness, speed and completion prevents confusion.

#7 Reinforcing with Figures
Adverbs strengthening numeric data grow more convincing through statistics. Rather than simply an “extremely popular” video, stating it garnered over 10 million views in one week quantifies “extreme” popularity. Figures substantiate verbs and adjectives grounded in factual reality not hyperbole.

Conclusion – Accuracy Over Exaggeration
Imprecise adverbs distort intended meaning. Prioritizing factual adverbs, qualifying subjective opinions and matching register tone fosters genuine comprehension. Thoughtful phrasing demonstrates respect, empathy and truthfulness. As Thoreau also observed, “It takes two to speak truth – one to speak and another to hear.” Precise adverbs empower speakers to share reality.”

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#1 Subject Pronouns – She/He/They and Formal Alternatives
I…you…he/she/they… Formal language demands avoiding colloquial contractions like “they’re” instead using “they are” for clarity. Specify names if multiple people of the same gender appear to prevent confusion. Alternatively, consider using singular gender-neutral pronouns like “one” or “you” or plural like “people.”

#2 Possessive Pronouns – His/Hers/Theirs/Its
Match possessive pronouns following a noun to clarify who owns objects. Correct: “Sarah lost her wallet at the store. Now it and its contents are gone.” Wrong: “Sarah lost her wallet at the store. Now they and their contents are gone.” Incorrect plural pronouns convolute the meaning.

#3 Reflexive Pronouns – Myself/Yourself/Itself etc.
Reflexive pronouns reflect back to the sentence’s subject.“I made myself breakfast.” “She dressed herself nicely.” Their indirect object forms like me/her don’t work here. Using reflexive pronouns clearly emphasizes the intended doer of the action.

#4 Relative Pronouns – Who/Whom/Which/That
Relative pronouns relate dependent clauses to main sentence subjects. “The coach whom I respected most inspired me.” The pronoun “whom” refers to the coach. Using “who” or “that” instead alters the meaning. Select relative pronouns meticulously to reference the intended noun.

#5 Demonstrative Pronouns – This/That/These/Those
Demonstrative pronouns demonstrate proximity through four key options. “This” and “These” refer to near things while “That” and “Those” indicate distant items. “This watch is expensive. Those are cheap.” Get specific to avoid bewildering readers.

#6 Indefinite Pronouns – Some/Many/Anyone/Each
Indefinite pronouns lack precise limits which can confuse audiences if used repeatedly due to their hazy scope. “Some criticize but many applaud…” better states “Several criticize but numerous people applaud…” Defining vague pronouns adds necessary clarity.

#7 Interrogative Pronouns – Who/What/Which
Interrogative pronouns raise questions. Swapping them can alter meaning entirely: “Who called you?” (person) not “What called you?” (thing). Similarly “Which route is fastest?” or “What book did you request from the library?” Precision prevents puzzling the addressed person.

#8 Generic Pronouns – He/She vs Singular They
Traditionally “he” stood as the generic pronoun for anyone including women. Using “he/she” awkwardly acknowledges both binary genders. But singular neutral “they” works well: “The patient should monitor their health.” This avoids specifying gender when unrelated or unknown, respecting all people.

Conclusion – Precision Upholds Dignity
Imprecise pronouns confuse listeners undermining trust in the speaker’s competence. Conversely, those demonstrating keen awareness in their language seem more thoughtful, educated and caring through small but meaningful speech choices. Precise pronoun use signifies respect across all conversations.”

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• Casual Phone Calls
• Business Phone Calls
• Wrong Number
• Lost Connection

Click here for restaurant phone calls.

Casual Phone Calls

Casual Phone Call 1

Listen to the phone call.

Person A: Hello?

Person B: Hi. Is Janet there?

Person A: I’m sorry. She’s not here right now. Can I take a message?

Person B: Sure. Could you let her know that Brian called?

Person A: OK, I’ll let her know.

Person B: Thanks. Bye.

Casual Phone Call 2

Listen to the phone call.

Person A: Hello, Lydia speaking.

Person B: Hi. Is Antonio there?

Person A: Sorry, he just stepped out. 

Person B: Oh. Do you know when he’ll be back?

Person A: I think he’ll be back around 4 o’clock. Do you want to leave a message?

Person B: No, that’s OK. I’ll just call him later. Thanks.

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Casual Phone Call 3

Listen to the phone conversation.

Person A: Hello?

Person B: Hi, Soon Hee? It’s Jess.

Person A: Hey, Jess. How are you?

Person B: Good. Just making sure you’re still on for tomorrow.

Person A: Yeah, I’ll see you at the market at noon.

Person B: Awesome. Can’t wait!

Person A: Me neither. See you then!

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Business Phone Calls

Business Phone Call 1

Listen to the phone call.

Receptionist: Golden Consulting. How may I help you?

Caller: Hello. I’d like to speak to Mr. Brown, please.

Receptionist: Certainly. May I ask who’s calling?

Caller: It’s Gerrard Lee.

Receptionist: Thank you. Could I put you on hold for a moment?

Caller: Sure.

…

Receptionist: I’m sorry, but Mr. Brown isn’t available to take your call right now. Would you like to leave a message?

Caller: No thanks. I’ll call back later today. 

Receptionist: Alright. Goodbye. 

Business Phone Call 2

Listen to the phone conversation.

Person A: Hello?

Person B: Good morning. Is Mrs. Pascal there?

Person A: Speaking.

Person B: Hello, Mrs. Pascal. My name is Robert and I’m calling from The Green World Gardening. I was hoping to schedule the next spring cleaning for your backyard.

Person A: Oh, right! I almost forgot. Listen, I’m sorry but I’m on another call right now. Could you give me your phone number and I’ll call you back?

Person B: No problem. It’s 555-332-3322. 

Person A: 555-332-3322. Got it. Thank you.

Person B: OK, I’ll talk to you soon.

Business Phone Call 3

Listen to the phone call.

Answering System: Welcome to Parkview Place Incorporated. If you know the extension, please dial it now.

…

Voice Mail: This is Susan Bennet. I’m sorry I missed your call. Please leave a message after the tone and I’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible. Thank you.

Caller: Hello, Susan. This is Jackson Cheng. I’m sorry, but I have to cancel tomorrow’s 2 o’clock appointment. Could you please call me back at 555-609-3821 so we can reschedule? Thanks. And again, I’m sorry for the last minute change. 

Business Phone Call 4

Listen to the phone call.

Person A: Hello. Accounting Department.

Person B: Hello, is Nicole Schmidt there?

Person A: Speaking.

Person B: Hi, Ms. Schmidt. This is Melody Singh. I’m returning your call from yesterday.

Person A: Oh, good morning, Ms. Singh. Thanks for calling me back! Could I put you on hold for a minute? I’m just finishing up a call on the other line. Don’t hang up!

Person B: OK, no problem. I’ll be right here.

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Wrong Number

Listen to the phone conversation.

Person A: Hello?

Person B: Hi, is Fatimah there?

Person A: I’m sorry. You have the wrong number.

Person B: Really? This isn’t 555-7887?

Person A: No, it’s 7886.

Person B: Oh, sorry about that.

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Lost Connection

Listen to the phone call.

Person A: Hello?

Person B: Hi, Dhalia? It’s me again.

Person A: Oh, good. You’re back. What happened?

Person B: I don’t know. We got cut off somehow.

Person A: Must have been a bad signal. Anyway, what was I saying?…Hello? Hello?

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The post How to Make a Phone Call in English: Read and Listen appeared first on Open Up English.

The Components
A conditional sentence typically contains:

If clause – Outlines hypothetical situation

Main clause – States expected result

For example:

“If Sara graduates college early, then she will travel abroad next spring.”

Types of Conditionals
Combining verb tense in the if- and main clauses create different shades of hypotheticals and possibilities:

Zero conditional – Established general truths using the simple present tense:

“If you freeze water, it turns to ice.”

First conditional – Likely or possible future predictions using the simple future tense:

“If Sara enrolls full-time, she will graduate a semester early.”

Second conditional – Improbable present or impossible future outcomes using the simple past and would + verb:

“If I won the lottery, I would buy a yacht.”

Third conditional – Counterfactual past conjectures using the past perfect and would have + past participle verb:

“If I had invested in that stock, I would have earned a fortune.”

Framed appropriately to the situation, conditionals allow speculative conversation expanding far beyond the definitive.

Applications for Effective Hypothesizing
Sharpen critical thinking – Debate theories and stances using imagined “what if” scenarios.
Fire imagination – Inspire creativity envisaging radical possibilities.
Find empathy – Consider how different choices shape experience by proposing alters.
Identify alternatives – Suggest other potential directions issues or processes could take.
Assess decisions – Weigh hypothetical branches mapping future paths from current junctions.
Voice desires – Conditionals indirectly express wishes or polite suggestions.

When facing uncertainty, conditionals grant a profound tool for playing out prospective scenarios. They invite inquisitive questions that prompt reflective dialogue in business, personal growth, and intimate relationships. Speculate thoughtfully about the present, past or future baking conditional value judgments out of neutral objectivity.

The post Discussing Hypothetical Situations- Conditional Sentences appeared first on Open Up English.