What's so funny? British Humour Explained

Suitable for CEFR upper-intermediate and above (B2+)

 #BritishHumour #BritishComedy #jokes

Jokes can be lost in translation in any language, but British humour in particular, with its often undetectable sarcasm and constant deadpan delivery, can seem utterly bewildering, even to other native English speakers from around the world. 

There is nothing worse that feeling left out when everyone else is laughing but you missed the joke, but don't worry! I have put together a complete guide to British humour so that you can better understand British comedy and enjoy using it yourself. 

1. Irony 

Irony is when something has the opposite or a very different result than what is expected. Irony is also when a speaker's intention or meaning is the opposite of what they are saying. British people love to highlight the absurdity of everyday life and make fun of it, so irony is an essential feature of British humour. 

For example, is a marriage counsellor got divorced that would be very ironic or if it is raining heavily a British person might say 'what lovely weather we're having.' 

To respond to ironic comments you might say 'oh, the irony' or 'how ironic', but it is by no means necessary. In most cases where someone has highlighted situational irony a wry smile is enough.

2. Sarcasm

Sarcasm is another form of irony, but there is one important difference: sarcasm involves someone being insulted or mocked. Sarcasm is used when the speaker has the intention of belittling or annoying someone with humourous effect.

A commonly used example of sarcasm would be catching a colleague drinking coffee with their feet up when they are supposed to be working and telling them 'don't work too hard.' 

A popular way to respond to a sarcastic comment is to go along with it. A British person might respond to the above comment by saying 'don't worry, I won't' or by asking the person who made the comment to do something for them. 'Oh while you're up, you wouldn't mind...'

3. Deadpan / dry humour

With comedy it's all in the delivery. Deadpan is telling a joke using a serious tone and keeping a straight face (without smiling). A funny story delivered in a serious way can make it even more hilarious, but it can confuse English speakers from other parts of the world, such as America, where humour is typically more obvious. 

 

Most British standup comedians deliver jokes or funny stories deadpan in their stage performances. It is ok to laugh out loud to a deadpan joke, but not necessary.

4. Satire

Satire uses irony and exaggeration to ridicule or criticise people, or more often, public services, politicians and institutions. Satire is an important part of the British TV panel shows Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week. I recommend these programmes for upper-intermediate and advanced English learners.

 

 

5. Macabre 

Otherwise known as dark humour, the macabre makes jokes from situations involving death or other serious, gruesome or tragic subject matter. Although it is widely used in Britain, it is also popular in the USA. The American TV and movie series The Addams Family is a great example of dark humour that is suitable for a wide audience, intermediate+ English learners included!

 

Some people may be easily offended by dark humour, so it is important to be familiar with or at least confident that the audience is likely to respond well and that you are using it at the right moment. You could get yourself into a lot of trouble if you don't.

 

 

6. Self-deprecation

British people tend not to take themselves too seriously. Self-depracation is the act of belittling or undermining yourself or your own behaviour. The British people generally have a reputation for being very reserved, which is associated with also being excessively modest, so it is hardly surprising that self-depracating humour is popular in the UK. 

However, there is a fine line between self-depracating humour and genuinely devaluing, degrading yourself or coming across as having an overly negative attitude, so it shouldn't be used too often. Keep it lighthearted and always deliver with a smile.

7. Wit

Someone who is described as witty is skilled in making intelligent but funny remarks. Wit is widely used on the internet and in response to social media posts. Following funny tweets from accounts like @lmao on Twitter is both entertaining and a good way to become familiar with using wit yourself. 

 

 

 

8. Banter

Banter is an exhcange of light and playful teasing remarks between people that are generally very familiar with one another. Banter is an integral part of workplace culture in many industries in the UK and can be used effectively with wit in witty banter. The difference between banter and antagonising someone lies in body language and intonation. Teasing is only considered banter if the person on the receiving end of critical remarks finds it funny and/or responds immediately with an equally scathing or witty comment. Banter is also used widely in flirting and dating as a way of building rapport with a potential love interest. 

You can witness some of the best banter British TV has to offer on motoring magazine show Top Gear (intermediate+), and sports-themed comedy panel show A League of Their Own (advanced). 

 

9. Innuendos

Innuendos are comments used for humour that are suggestive of something sexual but do not refer to it directly. The purple aubergine/eggplant emoji on social media and instant messaging platforms is used as an innuendo to represent the male sexual organ. 

Italian TV chef and comedian Gino D'Acampo has become famous in the UK for using innuendos to great effect as a non-native English speaker. He often takes advantage of mistakes with vocabulary and pronunciation and feigns ignorance to make his jokes even more funny. He appeared regularly on British lifestyle magazine and chat show This Morning.

10. Puns 

 

 

Puns are a play on words or a joke that exploits words and expressions with double meanings or which have similar pronunciation. In the picture the word 'lute' is used because it sounds very similar to the word 'loot', which is a slang term for money.

 

Puns can often be found on the front of greetings cards and in memes shared on social media platforms. Many small businesses in the UK also use puns to name their companies and attract the attention of consumers. For example, in my hometown there is a hairdressers called A Cut Above which is a phrase that uses the hairdressers main task to provide customers with a haircut, but which also means something superior, like in 'his graphic design skills are a cut above the rest' or 'that new steak restaurant in town is a cut above'.There is also a fish and chip shop called The Codfather, which sounds very similar to the title of classic gangster movie The Godfather.

 

 

 

What kind of humour is popular in your country and which styles do you prefer? Write your answers in the comments! 

 

Most Common Language Learning Myths Debunked

 Suitable for low-intermediate CEFR B1+ 

#Languages #LanguageLearning #polyglot 

Language is everywhere. It is fundamental to every thought and social interaction we have throughout our lives. It is something that we all learn as children having had no previous experience and without explicit instruction, and yet many people are filled with tremendous anxiety at the very idea of learning a new language.

There are many myths and false beliefs that people may hold about learning a language, sometimes simply because they are prevalent in society and sometimes as a result of our own self-doubt. So, for all the people thinking about learning a language or thinking of giving up, here are 5 of the most common language learning myths debunked. 

1. Learning a language requires a special talent 

Whilst it is true that there are some polyglots out there who do seem to have a natural gift for learning languages, learning a new language does not require any special skills or talents; all you need is determination. Language learning is a gradual process and building fluency depends on putting in effort and communicating at regular intervals. Anyone can learn a language if they are willing to put in some hard work and can set aside 15-30 minutes several times a week.

If you failed at learning a language in the past, it is likely that you weren't doing the right things regularly enough. Making some changes to the way that you learn or how often you learn could help you get better results. 

 

2. New technology means there's no need to learn a language

Anyone that thinks they can use Google translate or some other translation app hasn't tried reading the auto-subtitles on You Tube! Anyone that has will know that language software has a hard time generating subtitles in the same language as the speaker, let alone translating to other languages accurately. Whilst the technology is admittedly much better than it was 10 years ago, voice recognition software still struggles with regional accents and automatic website translations are often littered with errors or, in some cases, end up completely unreadable.

'So what?' a skeptic might say, 'give it another five years and the technology will be more reliable.' That may be so, but communicating effectively is more than simply speaking a language. To really communicate in any language you need to feel it in your heart. 

Each language, however similar, has its own nuances that create emotional connections that speakers can identify with and use to build stronger relationships. Communicating through a computer programme adds a physical and emotional barrier that will never replace the need for language learning.

3. You can teach yourself a language using books and apps. 

Don't get me wrong, there are some truly amazing language learning apps out there that are available for free (God bless the internet), but books and apps alone are not enough to learn a language fluently. Although books are great for completing grammar exercises to improve your accuracy, and Duolingo is a productive way to use 5 minutes of otherwise 'dead' time waiting for your bus to arrive, the purpose of language is communication and you can only do that with other people. For best results use as many different resources and speak to as many different people as possible.

 

Don't have anyone to speak to? Find a language partner for free on a language learning platform or take some small group classes with a reputable online school. 

 

4. I'm too old to learn a language.

Evidence suggests that children under 7 can pick up languages easily because the brain has not yet fully developed and some theories suggest that there may be differences in the way additional languages are stored in the brains of young children, but the truth is that you are never too old to learn!  

 

With commitment and perseverance you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Set aside some dedicated study time each day or as much as you reasonably can each week and get yourself into the habit of learning. Generally speaking, little and often is better. Fifteen minutes of your full attention every day will make more of an impact that setting aside a whole hour twice a week and you're likely to notice your progress more quickly without it becoming a chore.

 

 

5. The best way to learn a language is to go and live in a country where it is spoken. 

Sure, immersion is a great way to become fluent in a new language more quickly, but with so much technology available to support communication it is by no means essential. The biggest factor at play here is motivation. When all of your daily tasks require you to speak another language, you become highly motivated to improve. Finding some way to replicate that may help you retain more information and to learn more quickly. 

Need some inspiration? You could try playing video or online games in another language or changing the language settings on all your electronic devices. Listening to international radio stations or audiobooks while you are travelling or doing other tasks is also an easy lifestyle change to make.

 

So that's it. Five of the most common language learning myths debunked.

Learning a language requires a lot of hardwork and commitment and it is human nature to find excuses for why we haven't gotten round to something. It is no easy task, but I hope you can see that with a little time and effort several times a week, it is possible to reach a functional level of fluency within a reasonably short period of time.  

If you are thinking about learning a language, go for it! Use as many different materials and resources as you can, many of which are available for free, so you've absolutely nothing to lose! 

If you have been learning a language and have become frustrated because you don't seem to be progressing anymore, think about how and where it is that you are studying. Sometimes trying a new way or choosing a different enviornment can make all the difference. Seeking support and advice from a fully qualified and reputable language teacher can also help kick-start your motivation and take your language learning to the next level.

You can book a 15 minute trial session and language assessment to identify gaps in your learning and set new targets for only $1 USD with me on facebook or via the contact form on my website.

 

5 Reasons Improving Your English Should Be Your New Years Resolution

Suitable for CEFR intermediate and above (B1+) 

 #ny2021 #nye #goodbye2020 #hello2021 #resolutions

New vocabulary is highlighted in bold.

With the New Year almost upon us, it is a time when many people choose to reflect upon their life choices, celebrate successes and reevaluate what is important to them. New Year's resolutions offer a perfect opportunity to set fresh goals for any missed targets, take up new hobbies or focus on positive lifestyle changes that you'd like to make. 

 

 

 

However, choosing your resolutions and breaking them down into more manageable step-by-step targets can be quite a challenge in itself, so it's no wonder that the majority of people who set New Year's resolutions are likely to have abandoned them by the end of January! 

One of the most common mistakes that people make is setting themselves overambitious and rigid targets, which often results in people believing that they have failed the moment they deviate from their plan. Making a positive lifestyle change is about building better daily habits and it is important to accept that this can be a slow process. Be kind to yourself and accept that you will have good days and bad days. It's not the end of the world if your schedule suddenly changes or you have an off day, but it can be a very slippery slope. For most people it's better to start small so that you can feel a sense of achievement, and this in turn is more likely to motivate and inspire you to do more. 

For those of you looking for inspiration or who haven't decided what your resolutions will be yet, I have put together a list of reasons why improving your English should be at the top of your list!

1. English is a global language 

English is everywhere! It is estimated that one in five people on the planet can now speak or at least understand English and it is widely used as a lingua-franca. As well as being an official language in over 50 countries, it is also the language of education and academia. The ability to speak English is now a requirement for entry to universities all over the world because many scientific journals and technical manuals are published first or solely in English. 

 

2. It can help you get a better job

Yes, English is a skill that is increasingly essential to employers as a way of improving communications within international organisations that have offices, departments or trade agreements in several countries. Having English qualifications on your CV makes you more desirable to employers and can help you get ahead of other applicants on the job market. 

 

3. English is the language of entertainment and media 

Despite recent increases in popularity of international films and TV shows thanks to online streaming and subscription services, Hollywood still dominates the entertainment industry with the vast majority of films, TV shows and music recorded in English. Improving your English means you won't have to rely on subtitles and bad voice dubbing to enjoy your favourite songs and movies.

4. English makes it easier to travel 

Whether you are working in Beijing or backpacking in Bali, English can help you meet and communicate with new people, access different cultures and find solutions to a whole host of problems commonly experienced by travellers.

5. English is not that difficult to learn 

No really, it's true! There are, of course, some annoying things about English just like there are annoying things about any other language. In English words are, for example, often spelt differently to how they sound and there are a lot of phrasal verbs, but the basic structure and grammar of English is relatively straightforward and easy to learn. This is because English, throughout the course of history, has lost its cases. There are only 3 cases in modern English: the subjective, possessive and objective. This means that there are fewer grammatical forms to learn than in some other languages, many of which have between 5 and 18 cases! 

 

 

The support of a qualified language teacher can help get you into the habit of learning and make your New Year's resolution to improve your English more achievable. A good teacher will always assess your learning needs and suggest reasonable targets to improve your communication skills over a set period of time. Having a deadline and someone to hold you accountable can work wonders for taking your English to the next level. 

Ready to begin? There's no time like the present! You can book a 15 minutes trial session and free language assessment with me on Facebook or visit my website for more information.

20 FREE Ways to Learn English at Home during a Pandemic

Suitable for low intermediate CEFR B1+

Are you wondering what you can do with your time if you are socially isolated in the middle of a pandemic? You can use this time productively to improve your English, of course! Here are my top 20 socially distanced ways to learn English completely for free at home, not just for the pandemic, but always. 

Please note that this post is not sponsored and I am in no way affiliated with any of the organisations mentioned here, any links provided are for resources I have personally found useful in helping others learn English. 

1. Watch a TV show or movie in English with or without English subtitles

Watching TV shows or films with or without subtitles is a great way to improve your English at B1 level and above. However if you are using subtitles, you should always have them in English. Using subtitles in another language is distracting and makes it very difficult for your brain to process new information when you are trying to focus on the language.

If you are a beginner or A2 English learner I recommend watching shorter video clips on YouTube so that you can pause and replay scenes to write down new vocabulary or phrases and do not tire too quickly.

2. Play Duolingo with your friends

Duolingo is a game-based mobile app for language learning and it is very effective for increasing your vocabulary at A1-B1 and revising grammar structures to improve accuracy at B1 and above. You can even invite your friends and learn with them.

Duolingo are adding listening and reading lessons for some languages including English, which makes it a perfect platform to maintain your English skills in 10-15 minutes per day if you aren't using the language in your community every day.

There are, of course, many more great language learning apps on the market that you can use alongside Duolingo. The more the merrier!

3. Change language settings to English on all your electronic devices

 

This one is so obvious, but is often overlooked! Changing all your language settings is absolutely free and something very easy that you can do to immerse yourself in a language in the digital world. It may be inconvenient at first if you are unable to understand an error message that pops up on your computer, but with a little perseverance you will soon get used to it.

4. Complete a free lesson on my blog

If you've read my blog before you will know that it is created with English learners in mind. Every lesson is gradedto a particular CEFR level and many include free activities designed to accelerate your English learning and help you reach your desired proficiency.

5. Watch a YouTube video

There are literally thousands of videos suitable for English learners available on YouTube. The best thing about YouTube is that the algorithms highlight videos that you may like depending on your viewing history. Once you start watching English videos on YouTube you are bound to find something focused on your particular interests.

6. Listen to an English radio station

 

Many mobile apps allow you to listen to radio stations from around the world. Find one with your favourite music genre and put it on whilst doing the housework or on your commute to up your language immersion during 'dead' time.

7. Use Cambridge Write and Improve

Cambridge write and improve is a website that uses artificial intelligence to read your writing, highlight potential errors and suggest improvements. Students preparing for IELTS or other English exams may find this website particularly useful as it uses questions similiar to those that you might encounter in real question papers.

The software isn't perfect and results requires some interpretation, but if you can't afford to hire an English teacher, it is a great way to help yourself notice errors and improve your writing style. If you have trouble interpreting errors you could even consider posting on a language learning community forum like italki for some suggestions from native speakers and other English learners.

8. Learn a new word from the dictionary

The average person spends a whopping 61 to 161 hours per year on the toilet! If you are one of those people that likes to keep some reading material in the bathroom, opening the dictionary and finding a new word is a great way to spend all of that time.

Try reading the word aloud and noticing whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, preposition or conjunction. Many dictionaries also provide sentence examples that can give you an idea of how to use the word in conversation. The Cambridge English Dictionary Online is a trusted source, which can also provide translations into other languages.

9. Watch a TED Talk

TED is an amazing resource for language learning! Not only can you find professional and academic presentations on a variety of interesting topics, but you can also download the transcriptions to read while you listen or to highlight new vocabulary or use of grammar afterwards. You might even learn something new about the topics you choose!

10. Download and listen to an audiobook

 

Audiobooks are perfect to listen to whilst traveling, exercising or simply doing the housework. First listen to understand the gist of a story then listen again while reading along with the eBook. At the end of a chapter you can go back and highlight new vocabulary and useful phrases.

There are plenty of apps offering paid subscriptions for audiobooks, but it is always worth checking your local library for free English language audiobooks. Many libraries now have extensive online services with audiobooks and eBooks you can checkout and listen to on your mobile devices without having to step foot inside a library.

11. Reorganise and revise your English notebooks 

 

Language learning notebooks can get messy very quickly, especially as you are working out which study methods work best for you. Some people prefer lists and some people like to be more creative, but generally speaking the more you reorganise information, the easier it will be to remember. If you're feeling bored or at a loss for what to do, taking time to try out different presentation styles is always time well spent.

12. Teach someone else

 

My favourite school teacher once told me that you never really know you understand a topic until you can teach it to someone else, and being a teacher myself, I can truly appreciate the value of this advice. Sharing your English knowledge with your children, family or friends will make you more aware of what you don't yet know so that you can focus on filling those gaps in your repertoire.

13. Take an online class

 

Online courses have boomed with more people staying at home and taking up new hobbies since the pandemic began. You could opt for a free MOOC if it's just information you want, but for communication practice you'd be better off finding a small online class or having 1:1 tuition with a language tutor. Many companies have a maximum of 8 students per class, which is perfect for practising new phrases and expressions, but taking a private class will offer the most speaking time and your teacher will be on hand to correct any errors. 

14. Find a language partner on italki

This option is great if you have a tight budget or your financial situation has changed during the pandemic. Finding a language partner on italki is completely free. All you have to do is find someone that speaks a language you want to learn and offer to teach them the language you speak. You could, for example, arrange to meet up for an hour on Skype and spend 30 minutes speaking one language before swapping to the other. The biggest problem with this is that not everyone is serious and it may take a long time to find someone as dedicated to learning as you are. You may find yourself wasting time waiting for someone online that never shows up, but if you find someone reliable, it could save you a small fortune in tuition fees. 

15. Read a book appropriate for your level

 

There are an increasing number of graded eBooks written especially for language learners available from online retailers like Amazon and they are often very affordable. A decent intermediate English eBook may cost anything from 99p to £4. There are also loads of great reading and listening apps you can download onto your mobile phone, with limited content available for free and access to wider content available for £10-20. 

16. Make revision cards on Quizlet

Quizlet lets you memorise information with all the benefits of using flashcards without having to carry them around with you. Making your own revision cards is a great way to spend travelling or commuter time productively for language learning. 

17. Do a quiz or create your own and invite your friends on Kahoot

This is a fun way to form a virtual study group. Kahoot lets you make your own multiple choice questions and invite your friends to compete against one another for the top score. 

18. Join a Learn English group on social media

Some groups are better than others because they have more active members that start interesting discussion threads or post regular helpful learning content. Beware though, many users have a relatively low level of language knowledge and do not communicate in proper English. 

19. Read the news 

 

Local and national news is available in English in many countries around the world. If you are interested in British or American culture, reading newspapers from those countries could offer a different perspective and help you improve your vocabulary. The Independent, BBC News and Sky News are suitable British newspapers for intermediate readers, or CNN and NBC news from the USA. 

20. Record yourself speaking about a topic and listen to it later

 

No fancy equipment needed! Simply use your mobile phone's built-in microphone to record yourself speaking about a topic. This is great for building your fluency and speaking for between 2 and 5 minutes continuously, which can help prepare you for speaking examinations like IELTS and FCE. Listening to your recording later can help you notice grammatical errors in your speaking and any repetition, which you could replace with synonyms. You could also ask a friend to listen to your recording and respond to it to see if your recording is easy to understand. 

 

How to Use Blogs to Learn English

Suitable for intermediate CEFR B1+

#LearnEnglishBlog #EnglishwithCara #LanguageLearning #LanguageLearningTips

The internet is an incredibly powerful tool for language learning. There are many fantastic blogs out there that you can read for free to improve your language skills, but this blog has been specially designed to make it easy for you to learn English while you read. Here you will find a range of topics to choose from. There are posts about IELTS, British culture, grammar, vocabulary and current affairs. All posts are labelled with an appropriate CEFR level, from A1 beginner to C2 proficiency, so you can easily search for suitable texts. All posts have a question for you to answer in the comments so that you can practise your writing and most posts include learning activities to guide you in the right direction.

Here are some ideas for how you can use this blog to learn English most effectively

Follow or Subscribe

Once you have found a great blog from which to learn, you'll want to make sure you see new posts to keep up to date with your learning. The easiest way is to click follow or subscribe so that you can be sent notifications when new blog entries are posted. You could also use an RSS reader, which is an app that can give you updates from multiple blogs all in one place. Simply download an RSS reader, like Feedspot or The Old Reader, and copy and paste the blog's URL to start receiving regular updates.

Choose posts suitable for your level

This blog is designed with English learners in mind. All posts are graded to an appropriate CEFR level. You can find the CEFR level at the top of each post and use the tags to find other posts at your current level. 

Make predictions

Making predictions, or guessing what a text will be about by reading the title and looking at pictures, is an important reading skill to develop in your language learning. Before you read a text try looking at the title and pictures (if there are any) and writing down some sentences or vocabulary that comes to mind. When you've finished reading, check to see if your predictions were correct!

Find important words to get the main idea

As you are reading try marking or highlighting the most important words in a paragraph. It's important to avoid highlighting everything. The most important words in a paragraph are usually nouns. Once you have identified the most important words you can summarise the main idea of each paragraph and focus on any new vocabulary. 

As you become more confident in your reading you can highlight different grammatical structures that you are focusing on. Try reading through a scientific article and highlighting noun phrases or the passive form, for example. This exercise can help you to notice patterns in the language and improve your own writing skills. 

Complete activities

English learning activities are included in many posts in this blog. This is a unique feature of this blog because it has been specially designed for people learning English. There are many other great blogs for learning English that don't have activities, but there are usually questions embedded within a text that you can either answer in the comments or use to focus your writing practise with pen and paper. 

Read aloud

Reading texts aloud is a great but often underrated technique to improve your confidence and pronunciation in speaking, even when you don't have a teacher or a friend to listen. In fact, reading aloud is so important that it is a skill every child must practise at school to learn their native language! You could even use a recording devices on your mobile or computer to record yourself reading, which will help you to notice errors and mistakes so that you may correct them more efficiently. 

Comment

Language is communication so the best way to learn any language is to interact with people! Every blog has a comments section for you to write how you feel about the topic of the blog post, to answer any questions the blogger introduced or to interact with the blog writer and other readers. I recommend using this facility as much as you can to get free feedback on your writing! Who knows, you might even make some new friends along the way. 

Keep a reading journal

Keeping a reading journal can help you record new vocabulary in a meaningful way and encourage you to write regularly. It can also be highly motivational to look back and notice how many new words you've learnt and how far you've come. Reading for just 15 minutes every day can really accelerate your English learning. 

You can turn any notebook into a reading journal by creating a table with columns for date, title, new vocabulary and summary notes. If you prefer technology, why not create a spreadsheet in MS Excel?

Write a summary

Blogs sometimes contain facts and usually present an opinion. After reading a blog post, try recording your own thoughts and opinions by writing a brief summary of the topic. This activity not only develops your writing skills, but can help prepare you to speak about complex topics in conversation. A summary should be short and concise. Try writing down your views in only 5 - 10 sentences or setting a 5 minute timer to complete your writing.

Do you have any top tips for using blogs to learn languages? Share your ideas in the comments!

5 Advantages of 1:1 Language Learning

Suitable for intermediate CEFR B1+

1:1 tutoring has several advantages over group study.  Firstly, 1:1 tutoring is a personal experience between you and the tutor, and for this reason one-to-one tutoring can be much more focused and versatile than learning in a group setting.

So let’s look in more detail at some of the reasons why you might choose one-to-one private tutoring over group English lessons. 

1. A personal learning experience

In group classes, teachers have to ensure that every learner in the class is familiar with the concepts and subject of the lesson. This process means that teachers often have to recap language that some students already understand or can use well. A major benefit of 1:1 tutoring is that your tutor can develop an individual learning plan that focuses on improving weaker areas rather than revising what you are already good at. Equally, if you are having trouble with understanding something you tutor can spend more time explaining and help you to practise until you are more comfortable with new concepts.

2. Course & content co-creation

Choosing 1:1 tutoring means working together with your tutor to plan your learning and decide the content of your lessons. Ultimately, this can make learning English more interesting as content can be tailored specifically to topics that you enjoy, and allows you to work towards specific contexts you need the language for. Your tutor can also build a structure into your lessons that suit your learning preferences, and set homework that will build your language skills more quickly.

As a private learner you are always encouraged to share your perspectives on what is covered during your lessons, how it’s covered and why it’s covered. This way there’s no need to sit through any lessons or content you feel are not the most beneficial for you, or don’t match exactly what you’re looking for. It can also improve your motivation if you feel empowered and actively responsible in your own learning journey.

3. Learn fast with less distraction 

With 1:1 tutoring your tutor is always there to keep you focused and engaged in the lesson. There are no distractions created by others in the class, which allows you to use your time most effectively and achieve your learning objectives faster. Although private tuition is typically more expensive than learning in a group, you might find that fewer lessons are needed overall and that means you get more for your money.

4. No peer pressure

If you’re a shy person or new to learning English you might feel self-conscious speaking in front of others or be afraid to ask for help for fear of what others might think. 1:1 private tuition offers a safe, private space for you to learn entirely at your own pace, without worrying about who else is listening. A good teacher will be responsive to your needs and do everything they can to help you overcome any challenges.

5. Maximum flexibility

With private tuition you don’t have to change your schedule or miss out on work to make a class. As private tutoring is now available online through your laptop or mobile device, you have the freedom to learn whenever and wherever you want!

...but is it all good?

The one disadvantage to private tutoring is that you miss out on practising real conversations with other people learning English. As English is a communication skill, it’s important that you attend some group lessons so that you become better at listening to a variety of accents and develop natural conversation and social skills together with your language knowledge.

A good way to get around this is to take group classes with 1:1 lessons a couple of times a month, or as often as you like, to focus on those areas that you need some help with. 

Do you have experience with 1:1 English tutoring? What was your experience like?

If you’re thinking about private tutoring and would like to give it a try, ask me about a free 15-minute trial session.

Top 10 Best TV Shows to Learn English

Suitable for intermediate CEFR B1+


#EnglishTV #BritishTV

One of the most important factors in language learning is motivation. If you are motivated, you are much more likely to set yourself targets and enjoy learning. Watching TV shows in English is not only a great way to increase your motivation, it also offers authentic listening practice that will help you become familiar with the natural speed of conversation. If you’re not yet confident, listen with the subtitles on in English (don’t listen with subtitles in your own language, as you won’t learn easily). You can also pause and replay as much as you need! It’s a great idea to keep a notebook beside you to write new and interesting vocabulary.

These are my top 10 recommended TV shows for English learners. This list includes both American and British programmes and I’ve tried to include a range of genres to suit all tastes. You are bound to find something that interests you!

1. Breaking Bad 

 

#BreakingBad has been named the greatest TV series of all time. Walter White is an ordinary high school chemistry teacher. When he is diagnosed with cancer, he finds himself desperately short of money to pay his medical bills and embarks upon a new business venture with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, as a means of providing financial security for his family. However, things don’t go as planned and both characters become deeply involved in a dark criminal underworld with consequences neither of them expected. Adult viewing only.

2. The Tudors 

 

 

#Tudors This British drama follows the life and history of the infamous King Henry VIII and his six wives. Although this drama is not entirely historically accurate, it brings an important part of British history to life. There’s gruesome violence and a lot of sex. For adults only.

3. The Simpsons

 

 

#Simpsons The Simpsons is a long-running animated comedy series that follows the life of the Simpson family – Homer, Marge, Lisa and Bart, in Springfield, America. It is so popular, you’ve probably seen episodes in your language, but there can be nothing better than hearing it in its original English. The Simpsons is not just a cartoon series for kids, many of the jokes appeal to adults and children alike, and the language is perfect for English learners because it is simple to follow. The show will also familiarise you with many aspects of American life and culture, and with so many episodes, this series will certainly keep you busy for a while!

4. Friends

#Friends is a hugely popular long-running American sitcom following six friends living in New York City. The lovable characters and accessible comedy make this show a favourite. It was on TV for 10 years so there are plenty of episodes to keep you entertained whilst improving your English.

5. Black Mirror

 

 

#BlackMirror This British dystopian drama series explores the negative consequences of technology. Every episode is set in a different future or near-present reality with different characters and technology with different, dark and sinister consequences. This makes this show easy to dip in and out of whilst studying English. You don’t need to remember any complex plot lines, and you can choose any episode and watch them in any order. Age 15+

6. Sherlock 

 

#Sherlock puts a modern twist on the criminal investigations of probably the most famous detective in the world – Sherlock Holmes, and his assistant, Dr Watson. Mild peril with Benedict Cumberbatch. Age 12+

7. Doctor Who

 

#DoctorWho This British sci-fi follows the time-travelling adventures of an alien called ‘The Doctor’ and a group of companions as they travel across the universe in a spaceship disguised as a 1960s blue police box called the TARDIS. Fun for all the family.

8. Downton Abbey 

 

#Downton Historical drama set in the early 20^th century follows the life of a British aristocrat, his family and staff living on a grand country estate. A chance to learn more about British history and society while also practising your English. 

9. Top Gear

 

 

#TopGear One for the petrolheads. This extremely popular BBC motoring programme reviews vehicles from supercars to family hatchbacks, and includes a wide range of motoring issues, adventurous motoring challenges, special races and celebrity time-trials. Entertainment suitable for all the family.

10. Only Fools and Horses

 

#OFAH This classic British comedy from the 1980s follows the misadventures of Rodney and Del Boy Trotter as they work from the streets of London buying and selling what they can in the hope that they will one day be millionaires. London accents and plenty of slang! Fun for all the family.

So, there you have it. My top 10 TV shows to learn English. I wish you many hours of great entertainment!

Is there another show you love to watch to help you learn English? Tell me why in the comments.