More and more students are choosing to take English lessons online due to a number of different reasons, including improved flexibility and a greater access for students who don’t have many language institutes in their area. But are English lessons online suitable for beginners?

English Lessons Online for Beginners

There are two types of beginners: true beginners and those who have some English knowledge but have never moved on to a pre-intermediate level. Those who have absolutely no knowledge of English really need a tutor who can speak their native language, or to start a structured course that goes through the basics in relation to their own language.

For those who have a little knowledge of English but have never made the progression to a higher level, English lessons online are a perfect way to improve your English. Most learners at this level have a problem with their speaking, which needs more practice than reading and writing.

English lessons online for beginners are done in a different way than lessons for more advanced students. The lessons are more structured and have to include more repetition. But, speaking is still the main focus of the lessons, with lots of time spent communicating verbally about different topics and grammar points.

Pronunciation is really important for beginners, and generally speaking not enough time is spent on this area (usually due to high number of students in each class). With one to one English lessons online, the teacher can easily spot any errors or mistakes and correct them during the class.

So, with English lessons online, beginners can make very good progress in their learning, especially in their speaking skills.

When I mention phrasal verbs to my students the usual response involves a slight sense of panic and the realization that they are difficult to learn.

There are thousands of different phrasal verbs, most of which are idiomatic in meaning. Each phrasal verb needs to be learned as you would learn any other verb or word.

We feel it is best to try and learn the phrasal verbs in context. This is because going through lists and trying to remember them is a difficult task, without any type of association. If, on the other hand, you go through the meaning of the phrasal verb and fully understand it, see it being used in context, and then use it soon after, you will have a much better chance of not only remembering it in the future, but being able to use long after you have learned it.

We have created list of phrasal verbs and examples, which has links to different groups of phrasal verbs in context. Each group of phrasal verbs are related and are included in a conversation. After the conversation, a meaning is given, followed by questions to help you practice.

Phrasal verbs can be daunting; but by splitting them up into different groups, and then learning them in context, you will be able to use them confidently in normal speech.

Forming regular verbs in the past simple can be straightforward once you know the rules and have practiced conjugating them. But how do you pronounce them?

This is something that a lot of English learners have difficulty with as there are three distinct sounds. But after learning the rules, familiarizing yourself with them, and then practicing the examples, you will be able to pronounce them correctly when speaking.

This article will outline the three different sounds of the past simple regular verbs along with ways to practice these sounds.

The 3 sounds are;

1. /id/ e.g., wanted
2. /t/ e.g., worked
3. /d/ e.g., covered

Listen to the sounds  [audio http://jdaenglish.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/past-simple-1.mp3]

1. /id/

We use this sound when the ‘ed’ is preceded by (t) or (d).

Pronouncing this the ‘e’ changes to an ‘i’. The /id/ sound is added as an extra syllable.

• I started yesterday
• He suggested the restaurant
• I added the water
• We decided to go
• They visited her yesterday

Listen to the sounds   [audio http://jdaenglish.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/past-simple-2.mp3]

2. /t/

This sound is used when ‘ed’ is preceded by  all unvoiced sounds. (k), (p), (f), (s), (S), (tS)

• I worked on Monday.
• He helped me on Tuesday.
• You laughed all day.
• He faxed the report.
• She washed her hands.
• We watched the game.
• She kissed me!

Listen to the sounds   [audio http://jdaenglish.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/past-simple-3.mp3]

3. /d/

This is used for all voiced sounds.

• I covered the cake in icing.
• I played football all day.
• He offered me the job.
• I returned the video.

Listen to the sounds   [audio http://jdaenglish.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/past-simple-4.mp3]

Practice the sounds above and repeat them after the recording. Listen for the ending of each sound and practice saying this out loud. It takes time to familiarize yourself with these sounds and the more you see of them the more natural it will become.

Please take the following quiz that will test your knowledge of the sounds.

Past Simple Pronunciation Test

If you need help forming the past tense simple.

Past Simple Tense

(edited Jan 19th, 2012)

Today we’re going to see a discussion between two people using the following phrasal verbs: break up, bring down, cheer up and get over. Try and work out the meaning of each one by the context:

Today’s Phrasal Verbs – Bring Down, Break Up, Cheer Up, Get Over

Bring Down

If something is bringing you down it means that it is making you unhappy. In the above conversation the song is bringing Mark down because it reminds him of his old girlfriend. Here are more examples:

• Stop talking so negatively, you’re bringing me down.
• The news stories are really bringing me down tonight.

Break Up

To break up with someone means to end the relationship.

Cheer Up

To cheer up means to become happier. It is used in the imperative a lot:

• Cheer up Mark, it’s not too bad.
• You have really cheered me up, thanks!
• Let’s go and cheer Mark up, he’s feeling a little down.

Get Over

This means to recover from a problem, an illness or a loss. Mark needs to get over / recover from the break up. His friends want him to get over it because he is still upset after one year.

• I really want to get over this cold, I’ve had it for weeks now.
• Manchester need to get over their recent loss and win the next game.
• Stop worrying about what happened, you need to get over it.

Discussion

What is the best way to break up with someone?

When you’re down how do your friends cheer you up?

What’s the best way to get over a past relationship?

For more phrasal verbs, visit Phrasal Verbs List

Today we’re going to talk about backpacking. Backpacking means to travel or hike, carrying your belongings in a backpack. It can be for a short trip or a long trip. I went backpacking for eight months in North and South America. I have friends who go backpacking for just a couple of weeks. It involves some kind of movement from place to place – just going for a city break (taking your backpack) is not backpacking.

We’re now going read about two people who have different opinions about backpacking:

Vocabulary

To go backpacking – This is used in the same way as any other “go + gerund” form, for example, to go fishing, to go shopping, to go cycling.

Pack lightly – To pack lightly means to only take a few things with you.

To get kicked out – In this case it is an expression meaning that you had to leave the hotel because of the check out time. In other cases it means that you were asked to leave or physically removed from somewhere. A teacher may kick out students who are misbehaving.

To live in the moment – to live in the moment means to have no worries, where you don’t think about the past or the future and just experience the present moment.

Dorm – When staying at a hostel it is common to share a dorm (a room) with other people. A dorm is a room with many beds.

Cramped – If a bus is cramped it means that it is really full and there isn’t any space to move around.

Discussion

Have you been backpacking before? What did you think about the experience? What tips do you have for those who are thinking about going backpacking?

If you could backpack around any country in the world, which country would you choose?

Thanksgiving is a holiday primarily celebrated in the USA and Canada. As I’m now living in the United States we’re going to focus on the holiday here, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

Modern Thanksgiving traditions date back to 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims celebrated a good harvest with a three-day feast with local native Americans. President Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving to be a holiday in 1863. Before we look at who the pilgrims were, let’s take a look at some of the common themes.

Family

Thanksgiving is a time for family to get together. The Washington Post reports:

Food

Thanksgiving centers around foods that were native to the New World, including Turkey. Wikipedia states:

American Football

American football is a large part of Thanksgiving, with virtually all teams at all levels playing on either Thanksgiving Day or the Holiday Weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

Parades

The most famous parade is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which is televised. Here is a video showing you what the parade is like:

Who Were the Pilgrims?

Vocabulary and Grammar:

To hit the road -  This means to go on a journey by car. There is song made very famous by Ray Charles called, “Hit the Road Jack” (video opens in new window). The chorus goes like this, “Hit the road Jack, and don’t you come no more.” In this case “hit the road” means to go away.

Fled their homes – “Fled” is the past tense of flee. It means to run away from danger.

To become disenchanted with the Dutch way of life – to become disenchanted means to to become disappointed with something, no longer believing that it is good. The Dutch way of life means the way the Dutch live their everyday lives.

Bountiful – abundant. The Pilgrims harvested a lot of food.

The Pilgrims would not have made it through the year without the help of the Pilgrims – See should have, would have, could have for a great explanation of what this means.

Discussion:

What are you thankful for and what have you been thankful for especially this year?

What is the most important holiday in your country? Is it a family holiday? What food is served? What other themes are involved?

Welcome to our new blog category – “Common Phrasal Verbs in Use.” Here you will learn around three phrasal verbs per day. We are going to give you the phrasal verbs with lots of examples and repetition. It’s important to understand the phrasal verb completely and practice it as much as possible.

Read the following conversation:

Today’s Phrasal Verbs – Go Out, Ask Out, and Catch Up

Go Out

To go out means to go to a social event. This can be very casual or formal. Here are some examples:

• I want to go out tonight; what are your plans?

• What did you do on Saturday?
• We went out for dinner and then for a few drinks.

• How many times do you go out per week?
• Usually only once or twice.

Note: The opposite of going out is to stay in. A very common question suggestion is:

• Do you want to go out or stay in tonight?

To go out with someone means to be in a relationship with someone (informal). Here are some examples:

• How long have you been going out with her?
• Six months now.

Ask Out

The definition of ask someone out is to invite someone on a date.

• Do you think I should ask out Pam?
• Sure, go for it. I think she would say yes.

• I’ve asked out three girls this month and they have all said no!

Drop By

To drop by (or drop in/over) means to go somewhere without a fixed time or appointment. It is used both in an informal way between friends and also in some business situations.

• Can I drop by sometime this weekend to pick up my things?

• Rick dropped by on Sunday, it was great to see him.

• I’d like to make an appointment for an eye exam.
• Sure. Are you free this afternoon?
• Yeah.
• Just drop in anytime, we’ve got quite a lot of availability.

Discussion

At the weekend, do you prefer to go out or stay in?

What’s some good advice when asking someone out?

For more phrasal verbs, go to Phrasal Verbs List

Silvio Berlusconi has this week stepped down as Italy’s Primer Minister. The following is taken from the Telegraph – full article here:

Silvio Berlusconi has resigned as Italy’s longest-serving post-war prime minister, bringing to an end a tumultuous, 17-year political career which was marred by sex scandals, corruption allegations and gaffes on the international stage.

His departure came hours after the country’s lower house of parliament approved, by a margin of 380 votes to 26, an urgently-needed package of economic reforms designed to tackle the country’s €1.9 trillion debt, revive its sluggish economy and prevent it from going the way of Greece.

After the vote, the 75-year-old billionaire media baron held a final meeting with his cabinet, and was then driven home to his official residence. There he consulted with party advisers, the final step before going to the presidential palace, on Rome’s Quirinale Hill, where he gave his resignation to Italy’s 86-year-old president, Giorgio Napolitano, a former Communist.

There is also an article from the Telegraph stating that he could make a return:

Vocabulary

Step down – Resign.

Gaffe – Causing embarrassment through an unintentional remark or act.

Tackle – In this case tackle means to address and deal with the deficit.

Sluggish economy – Inactive, slow moving.

• I feel sluggish today, I have no energy or drive.

Media baron – A media baron is a person who has control through media ownership. Berlusconi owns and runs a lot of television programs and magazines, and even owns the soccer team, AC Milan. His family owns different newspapers.

Confound – To confuse and frustrate.

Infuriate – To make furious (very angry).

Discussion

Berlusconi’s resignation has been coming for some time now and to many Italians it couldn’t have come soon enough. He has been a very controversial figure and has been involved in many scandals and allegations against him. As he is also a very powerful figure in terms of the media, he has been criticized for this apparent, “conflict of interest.”

Italy is also about to enact economic reforms that will try to deal with and solve the deficit problems that they’re facing.

Do you think that there is a conflict of interest if the leader of a country also owns much of its media? Do you think the media in your country is free from power?

What are the different ways that a country can deal with a budget deficit? Is your country going through similar problems? What is the opposite of deficit?

This post is going to be short, sharp and informative! English throws up lots of little problems (as you have probably noticed), especially when the verb and the noun have only slight variations. “Advice” and “advise” is a great example of this. Here is the difference in meaning: “Advice” is a noun and “advise” is a verb. A common error when using “advice” is to put it in the plural – the noun is uncountable; so never say, “He gave me good advices.“

Some Examples with “Advice”

• Thanks for the advice the other day, it really helped.
• Can I give you some advice?
• My teacher gave me a lot of advice about what to do at university.

Some Examples with “Advise”

• She advised me to work harder if I want to progress.
• I strongly advise you to stop calling her.
• My doctor advised me to stop eating so much junk food.

Another difference between the two words is the pronunciation; “advice” has an /s/ sound and “advise” has a /z/ sound.

This post will look at “should have,” “would have,” and “could have,” paying attention to the contractions, relaxed pronunciation and how to use these constructions. We’ll start with a video from Beverley Knight, called, “Shoulda Woulda Coulda.” Pay attention to the chorus!

The above video is a great example of how to use, “should have,” “would have,” and “could have.” Here are the lyrics from the chorus:

“Shoulda,” “woulda,” and “coulda” are examples of relaxed pronunciation. Relaxed pronunciation occurs during spoken English when syllables are slurred together. It is especially common when words are contracted, for example:

• Should have = should’ve = shoulda
• Would have = would’ve = woulda
• Could have = could’ve = coulda

The relaxed pronunciations are only used when talking and shouldn’t be written. Because of the contraction some make the mistake of saying or writing, “should of,” “would of,” and “could of.” This is wrong!

Song Meaning and Explanation.

We also see constructions using, “I wish.” “I wish I did more” talks about the present but “I wish I had done more” talks about the past. The song is therefore about the past. Saying things like, “I should have treated him/her better” or “I could have spent more time with him” are both advice and options for past events, given now.

SHOULD HAVE

“I should have bought that car.” This means that you are giving yourself late advice; advice for a past action that is over. It usually involves regret. Here are some more examples:

• “I should have studied history instead of economics” – (you regret studying economics and the better option was to study history.)
• “You should have listened to me” – (I gave you great advice but you didn’t take it; it was the best advice.)
• “Messi should have passed the ball instead of shooting” – (Messi didn’t pass the ball but that was the best option available.)

WOULD HAVE

“If Messi had passed the ball, Barcelona would have scored.” Messi didn’t pass the ball and Barcelona didn’t score. The second clause is an imaginary outcome based on the first (imaginary) clause. It is imaginary because it DIDN’T HAPPEN. This is the third conditional. Here are some more examples:

• If I had studied harder, I would have past the test.
• If I had been there, I would have said something to him.
• I would have finished it, if I had more time (NOTE – “If I had had” usually shortens to “If I had.”)

COULD HAVE

“I could have done more.” This is saying that you had the ability to more in the past, but you didn’t. “Could have” is also used to express options available in the past, “You could have bought me flowers more often, or listened to me more, or just generally paid more attention.” Here are some more examples:

• I could have done it earlier but I was lazy.
• Why did you take the bus? You could have flown or taken a train.

“Could have” is also used in the third conditional – “Barcelona could have scored, if Messi had passed the ball.”