new idioms

Hello everyone ! It is time for you to add some new idioms to your vocabulary ...Have a look on the following expressions.

In bad shape : A person who is in bad shape is in poor physical condition.
I really am in bad shape.  I must do more exercise.

Blind as a bat : Someone whose vision is very poor, or who is unable to see anything, is (as) blind as a bat.

Without his glasses, the old man is as blind as a bat.

Bag of bones : To say that someone is a bag of bones means that they are extremely thin.

When he came home from the war he was a bag of bones.

Off colour : If you are off colour, you look or feel ill.

What's the matter with Tom? He looks a bit off colour today.

Back on your feet : If you are back on your feet, after an illness or an accident, you are physically healthy again.

My grandmother had a bad 'flu but she's back on her feet again.

Full of beans : A person who is full of beans is lively, active and healthy.

He may be getting old but he's still full of beans.

Dogs are barking : When a person says that their dogs are barking they mean that their feet are hurting.
I've been shopping all day. My dogs are barking!

Kick the bucket : To kick the bucket is a lighthearted way of talking about death.
He will inherit when his grandfather kicks the bucket.

Cast iron stomach : If you can eat all sorts of food and drink what you like, without any indigestion, discomfort or bad effects, it is said that you have a cast-iron stomach.
I don't know how you can eat that spicy food.  You must have a cast-iron stomach.

Credit : http://www.learn-english-today.com/ 

Algeria's beauty

Hello dear friends,let's talk about Algeria, on the following article we focus on the Hoggar mountains one of the most stunning spot in Africa.

The Hoggar Mountains, also known as the Ahaggar Mountains, rear up out of their sweltering sandy base in Algeria’s  southeast Sahara desert region. Volcanic in origin but severely eroded by wind and water over the long millennia, the Hoggar Mountains are not easy to get to but those who do make the arduous journey say that it’s well worth the time and trouble. The nearest town to the Hoggar Mountains is Tamanrasset (or Tamanghasset), a dusty oasis mainly populated by Algeria’s Tuareg people. This nomadic tribe has lived in the Sahara for millennia and they know the trackless desert wastes like the backs of their hands. A Tuareg guide hired in Tamanrasset can show you the most interesting areas of the Hoggar Mountains, and get you back to town after you’ve seen the sights.

Mount Tahat, at 9,000 feet tall, is the highest peak in the Hoggar Mountains. Rainfall in the region is very scarce, but the Hoggar Mountains are comparatively well watered due to their height and snow may be seen atop several of the highest peaks at times. Snow in the Sahara... now that’s something to write home about!

Most visitors to the Hoggar Mountains travel on either the Hoggar Circuit or the Assekrem Circuit, taking about 3 days on each to visit most of the more notable places in the area while being as economical as possible with food, gas and water. If it has rained lately, than the village of Tamekrest is a must-see attraction. An impressive waterfall tumbles off the heights and brings life-giving water to the desert oasis below.

Credit : http://www.algeria.com/

How to write an efficient professional email

Professional emails are a very important aspect of communication with your customers,suppliers and even with your colleagues. In order to write an efficient professional email you must use the following path :

I.Greetings :

Always open your email with a greeting, such as “Dear Lillian”. If your relationship with the reader is formal, use their family name (eg. “Dear Mrs. Price”). If the relationship is more casual, you can simply say, “Hi Kelly”. If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, use: “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.

II.Thank the recipient :

If you are replying to a client’s inquiry, you should begin with a line of thanks. For example, if someone has a question about your company, you can say, “Thank you for contacting ABC Company”. If someone has replied to one of your emails, be sure to say, “Thank you for your prompt reply” or “Thanks for getting back to me”. Thanking the reader puts him or her at ease, and it will make you appear more polite.

III. State your purpose :

If you are starting the email communication, it may be impossible to include a line of thanks. Instead, begin by stating your purpose. For example, “I am writing to enquire about …” or “I am writing in reference to …”.

Make your purpose clear early on in the email, and then move into the main text of your email. Remember, people want to read emails quickly, so keep your sentences short and clear. You’ll also need to pay careful attention to grammar, spelling and punctuation so that you present a professional image of yourself and your company.

IV. Add your closing remarks :

Before you end your email, it’s polite to thank your reader one more time and add some polite closing remarks. You might start with “Thank you for your patience and cooperation” or “Thank you for your consideration” and then follow up with, “If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to let me know” and “I look forward to hearing from you”.

V. End with a closing :

The last step is to include an appropriate closing with your name. “Best regards”, “Sincerely”, and “Thank you” are all professional. Avoid closings such as “Best wishes” or “Cheers” unless you are good friends with the reader. Finally, before you hit the send button, review and spell check your email one more time to make sure it’s truly perfect!

Credit :

- My teacher 

- http://englishlive.ef.com/

Idioms of the week

Hello friends, how are you doing ? From now on we will,every week, share with you some idiomatic expressions in order to enrich your vocabulary  as well as your culture.. Today we focus on expressions related to time .

- Against the clock : If you do something against the clock, you are rushed and have very little time to do it. Example : They are working against the clock to have the presentation ready for Monday. - On the cusp : On the cusp refers to a point in time that marks a transition or the beginning of a change. Example : Some people think the world is on the cusp of a new era. - All along : If something has existed or been somewhere all along, it has been there all the time, from the beginning. Example : I had been looking for my keys for some time before I realized they had been in my pocket all along. - Better late than never : When someone does something late, this remark means that it is better to do it late than not do it at all. Example : Do you know what time it is? You promised you'd come early to help me - but better late than never I suppose! - In the blink of an eye : If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens nearly instantaneously, with hardly enough time to notice it. Example : The pickpocket disappeared in the blink of an eye. - By degrees :If something happens or develops by degrees, it happens gradually or little by little as time goes by. Example : By degrees their business relationship grew into friendship. - Clock in/out : When you clock in or out, you record the time you arrive or leave your job by punching a time clock to show the  number of hours you have worked. Example :I'm going to clock out early today. I've got a dental appointment. - Cut it/things fine : If you cut it/cut things fine, you leave barely enough time to do something Example : You're counting just an hour between the airport and the train station - isn't that cutting things a bit fine? - Date late and a dollar short :  If something is a day late and a dollar short, it comes too late and it is not good enough. Example : They offered me an internship when I had already found a job - a day late and a dollar short! - Donkey's years: If someone has been doing something for donkey's years, they have been doing it for a very long time. Example : He knows the town inside out.  He's been living here for donkey's  years. - Down to the wire : If something such as project or a match goes down to the wire, the situation can change up until the last possible moment. Example : There's nothing as exciting as watching a game that goes down to the wire. - At the eleventh hour : If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens when it is almost too late, or at the last possible moment. Example : Our team won after they scored a goal at the eleventh hour. - Five o'clock shadow : This expression refers to a patch of stubble on the face of a man who hasn't shaved for at least a day. Example : He looked tired and had a five o'clock shadow. - In the interim : Something that happens in the interim takes place during a period of time between two events. Example : I won't have the apartment until next month. In the interim I'm staying at a local hotel. - In the long run : This term refers to something that will have effect over or after a long period of time. Example : Learning Chinese is going to be difficult, but it'll be worth it in the long run because it will help me to get a better job. Credit : http://www.learn-english-today.com/

Improve your English through Reading

Hi everyone! We hope that you are all doing well and that your english is improving.
Today we focus on reading,the following article is showing the advantages of reading when you want to learn English.

Right now you are reading English. That means that you are using your brain in a very active way. Reading is a very active process. It is true that the writer does a lot of work, but the reader also has to work hard. When you read a text, you have to do some or all of these:

- Imagine a scene in your head.
- Understand clearly what the writter has to say.
- Agree or disagree with the writter.

Advantages of Reading

When you learn a language, listening, speaking and writing are important, but reading can also be very helpful. There are many advantages associated with reading, including:

Learning Vocabulary In Context

You will usually encounter new words when you read. If there are too many new words for you, then the level is too high and you should read something simpler. But if there are, say, a maximum of five new words per page, you will learn this vocabulary easily. You may not even need to use a dictionary because you can guess the meaning from the rest of the text (from the context). Not only do you learn new words, but you see them being used naturally.

A Model For Writing

When you read, it gives you a good example for writing. Texts that you read show you structures and expressions that you can use when you write.

Seeing "Correctly Structured" English

When people write, they usually use "correct" English with a proper grammatical structure. This is not always true when people speak. So, by reading you see and learn grammatical English naturally.

Working At Your Own Speed

You can read as fast or as slowly as you like. You can read ten pages in 30 minutes, or take one hour to explore just one page. It doesn't matter. The choice is yours. You cannot easily do this when speaking or listening. This is one of the big advantages of reading because different people work at different speeds.

Personal Interest

If you choose something to read that you like, it can actually be interesting and enjoyable. For example, if you like to read about football in your own language, why not read about football in English? You will get information about football and improve your English at the same time.

Five Tips for Reading

Tip #1

Try to read at the right level. Read something that you can (more or less) understand. If you need to stop every three words to look in a dictionary, it is not interesting for you and you will soon be discouraged.

Tip #2

Make a note of new vocabulary. If there are four or five new words on a page, write them in your vocabulary book. But you don't have to write them while you read. Instead, try to guess their meaning as you read; mark them with a pen; then come back when you have finished reading to check in a dictionary and add them to your vocabulary book.

Tip #3

Try to read regularly. For example, read for a short time once a day. Fifteen minutes every day is better than two hours every Sunday. Fix a time to read and keep to it. For example, you could read for fifteen minutes when you go to bed, or when you get up, or at lunchtime.

Tip #4

Be organised. Have everything ready:

-Something to read.

- A marker to highlight difficult words.

- A dictionary.

- Your vocabulary book.

- A pen to write down the new words.

Tip #5

Read what interests YOU. Choose a magazine or book about a subject that you like.

Source : https://www.englishclub.com

Hello Dear friends

Today we are sharing with you some grammar tips on the modal verb "can".This an extract from one of our courses,so you can have an idea of our methodology.

GRAMMAR

The modal verb “CAN”

Look at these examples:

I can speak English very well, but I can’t speak Russian or Chinese.

My father can speak Amazigh,but I can’t.

“Can you speak any other languages?” “No,I can’t”

FORM:

  .       I.     CAN and CAN’T have the same form for all persons.

I	CAN / CAN’T	drive a car
You
He/She/It
We
You
They

  .       II.     There is no do/does in the question

“Can you speak any other languages?” “No, I can’t”

         III.    CAN’T is the short form of CANNOT.

USE :

We use the modal verb CAN to express ability.

We also use CAN:

     ·         to ask for permission => “Can I use your pen?”

     ·         to give permission => “Yes, you can.”

     ·         to refuse permission => “No, you can’t.”

     ·         to offer a service/an opportunity => “You can sleep in my house tonight.”

     ·         Or to express possibility/probability => “Is that Tom there?” “It can’t be Tom. He is in Dubai now.”

    
     Credit : My teacher

10 reasons why you should visit Malaysia

Hello friends

Remember a few days we talked about traveling,well today we want to give you a few reasons to visit Malaysia.It's true that here at the institute Malaysia is one of our favourite destination so we are happy to give you  "10 reasons why you should visit Malaysia".


If you are looking for a truly unforgettable travel experience then you should start thinking about Malaysia. This country is an amazing getaway and ticks all of the boxes for a fantastic holiday; the weather, the food, the sights and many other treasures make Malaysia unique.



1. Beaches 

Malaysia is a tropical country with a warm climate and miles of coastline, so it should come as no surprise that beaches are plentiful. While there are excellent beaches on the mainland, it is Malaysia’s islands that are the most popular for beach lovers. Langkawi is the ultimate spot for a relaxing beach vacation, complete with shopping and dining. If you’re after a more secluded, less touristy getaway, Redang is a pristine island that also serves as a turtle sanctuary.

2. Fantastic food

There is food from every cuisine in the world in Malaysia, from Mexican to Chinese. Of course you should not miss out on the mouth watering Malaysian cuisine. Whilst you’re there you should make every effort to taste Nasi Himpit, a famous dish that is usually served during festive seasons.

3. The caves 

In Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, is Gunung Mulu National Park. This park has a history dating back for more than 3,000 years, and it is best known for its incredible caverns. On guided tours, you can explore Turtle Cave, the so-called Garden of Eden or the Wind Caves, all of which are in the park. Some caves require you to bring flashlights and rapel, but others are simple strolls in incredible environments. If you’re staying closer to Kuala Lumpur, you can set off on a day trip to the Batu Caves, which are made from limestone and offer some challenging hikes as well as amazing scenery.

4. The tea plantation

The tea industry has long been a part of development and trade in Malaysia, particularly in areas like the Cameron Highlands. There, near the highest point of the country, temperatures are cool enough for tea plantations. In the Cameron Highlands, you can take a guided tour of the nation’s largest tea company, hike through the plantation itself or sip local teas at some of the smaller plantations in the vicinity.

5. Diverse cultures 

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Malaysia is its diverse culture. In addition to colonial influences, there are a mixture of Asian cultures present in the country. Malays make up approximately half of the population, Chinese make up roughly one quarter and there is a strong Indian community. In addition, the Orang Asli people, a group indigenous to Malaysia, still makes up 12 percent of the population. These groups live together harmoniously in Malaysia and give the country its vibrant culture and heritage.

6. Endless shopping

This is a shopper’s paradise, it is one of the main reasons why people flock to Malaysia. You will find some of the best shopping malls in the world, if you’re a shopaholic then you will not be disappointed.

7. Chinatowns 

Malaysia has been influenced and colonized by cultures from around the globe. Proximity to China means that Malaysia is home to excellent Chinese cuisine and a vibrant heritage. You can experience this influence first hand by exploring one of the Chinatowns in Malaysia, the largest of which is in George Town.

8. Hiking 

Hiking may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Malaysia, but the country actually boasts a number of excellent hiking spots. None, however, can compare to Mount Kinabalu. In the state of Sabah, Mount Kinabalu boasts miles of hiking trails that pass through six distinct vegetation zones at varying elevations. To climb the entire summit, expect to spend two days hiking with a night of camping in between. 

9.  Getting around

Travelling in Malaysia couldn’t be easier. The local transport is great, buses and trains run efficiently. If you want to make the most of your time then there are flights throughout the country which means you can go from door to door in no time at all.

10. Modern architecture

The city of Kualu Lumpur is a fantastic place to admire the more modern architecture found in Malaysia, and in particular the contemporary skyscrapers that create one of Asia’s most iconic skylines. If possible, take time to see the Petronas Twin Towers in the district known as the Golden Triangle. Once the tallest buildings in the world, and now connected by a skybridge, the Petronas Twin Towers are just a short walk from other incredible structures like the KL Tower and its viewing deck.

Credit : My teacher .

Travel

  

Hello.

You have been learning English for a few years but you never really had a chance to test your level,to challenge yourself ? Pack your bags and travel as soon as possible, go visit an exotic country such as Malaysia or Indonesia. "Why going so far ?" because you will probaby not find people that are able to speak your language so you will have to use English. Thanks to the following article that we are sharing today you will understand that English speakers can have a way better traveling experience than the others ...

Why travel lovers should learn English?

English is the language most vacationers use with others. While traveling, you will likely spend most of your time connecting with other people on a bus, in a hotel, at airports, on the streets, and in other places. Most of those encountered are tourists who can communicate in this language such that socializing becomes more effective for you if you can speak it as well.

When speaking to visitors who speak English, immigration officers, hotel staff, taxi drivers, and others use it to communicate. If you can speak it yourself, you will not have any problems dealing with the locals. Therefore, if you are planning to visit a country where the native language is not the same as yours, it is advisable to learn English (at least the basics). Since it is an international language, you will most likely find someone who can speak it, making communicating much easier.

Advantages of learning English for travelers

If you understand and speak English, there are many advantages you will enjoy as a tourist:

• Ease of expressing yourself: Expressing yourself becomes easier everywhere you go. It is simple to ask for something and even explain what you want. For instance, if there are complications at the airport, you can easily clarify them. In the hotel, you can ask for food and specify your preferred room. English enables you to get what you want and the best value for your money.

• Making new friends becomes easier: When you can speak a common language, interacting with others becomes less challenging. English, for example, enables you to socialize with the locals in your tour destination and learn something about their lifestyle. This way, you will easily meet new people and establish relationships.

• It enhances confidence: When you know that you can easily express yourself and even make new friends, your confidence improves during travel. Since you hear what the locals are saying, and can even ask questions, you ensure your safety by avoiding dangerous places, for example. When you learn English, getting insight into other people, their lifestyles, and recommended tourist areas becomes easy, thus enhancing your confidence.

• Better experiences: Knowing the basics of the English language can assist you with every day pleasantries and crucial phrases frequently used while traveling. You are bound to have better experiences as anytime you go to a new place, you will need assistance from the locals. Even if they do not speak the language well, they most probably will understand the basics enough to assist you.

• Independence: Tours are great, but I personally prefer to organize my own experiences. I can go to the places I prefer and stay for as long as I want. Not all activities offered on tours are for me, and they are usually done in a rush. When my English was not good enough, I was restricted to such organized tours and I had to rely on the guides. Now that I can speak and understand English, I have the freedom to visit and explore places more independently.

As a universal language, English is often used in tourist areas. Thus, even if you do not have a local tour guide, you will not have any problems getting to the attractions you want to visit.  By reading signs, you can also book accommodations and obtain other services in a foreign country without hiring a tour guide. This will save you money since hiring a tour guide can be costly in some regions. In addition, when you can speak a universal language, even bargaining for products and services becomes possible. This will not be the case if you do not speak English.

You learn more in a foreign country when you speak English

Perhaps there are things you have always wondered about life in a foreign country. When you learn English, understanding the local culture becomes easier because you can interact more effectively and make enquiries. As a traveler inquisitive about different cultures, you no doubt want to learn new things.

Generally speaking, there are many reasons for and advantages of learning English as a tourist. The most important point of all is that when you learn English, you are able to travel in a more straightforward manner on your own and overcome the major difficulties and challenges that face those who do not speak it well or at all.

Source : https://brownsenglish.edu.au

Communication

Hello dear friends
Speaking is the most difficult aspect of a language, in fact it is one thing to be able to understand someone, to read a text or even to write a short letter but it is something else to be able to speak correctly with a native speaker. But with the right tricks ( and of course efforts ) you will be able to communicate properly. To do so we are sharing today an article that gives " 6 ways to improve directly your English communication skills" .

1. Slow Down Your Speaking Speed

You might be an eloquent speaker when it comes to your mother tongue, but expecting the same standards from yourself when speaking in a foreign language may not be very realistic.

Especially, if you’re at the early stages of learning. Learners are often told not to worry about the mistakes they’re making, however, it is easy to understand why you would like to make a good impression on your audience.
To overcome this difficulty, you may try slowing down your speaking speed.

Nobody will hold it against you if you speak more slowly and clearly. Great speakers do the same to get their message across. Selecting your words carefully may also be seen as a sign of respect towards your audience. It shows that you want to give them the best possible answer.

2. Give Yourself Time to Think

You may be worried that the people you’re talking to are impatient and would like you to say what you want as quickly as possible.

First of all, it may not be true – people often prefer a well-thought-out answer to a rushed one.
So just relax.

Another practical thing you can do is equipping yourself with fixed phrases you can use when remaining silent doesn’t seem to be an option. Here’s an example:

• Why is there so much violence on TV? That’s a good question. Let me think for a moment, I haven’t really thought about it before. Well, I suppose…

Here the speaker gains considerable amount of time to reflect just by repeating the question and adding a few sentences. If you do the same, you’ll sound more fluent and won’t feel the pressure of having to say something before you’re ready.

Fixed or set phrases are phrases whose words are usually fixed in a certain order. They can be verb patterns, idioms, collocations – basically anything we always say in one particular way. For example,

• during the day
• in the meantime
• It’s been a long time since
• Sorry to bother/trouble you, but…
• Would you mind if…?
• Oh, come on!
• I’m just kidding!
• For what it’s worth,…
• To be right/wrong about
• Tit for tat/an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.                                                                                                                                                                                    

  3. Learn Sentences, Not Only Words 

In a way, this will take the pressure off too. When you learn a new word, try to memorize a couple of sentences that contain it.

There might come a time when you can use one particular sentence with little, or no alteration at all. Unfortunately, many people learn words by heart, but have no idea how to use them in a sentence.

It will be such a relief not having to worry about whether the sentence is correct grammatically or not. Let’s look at an example:

to appreciate = to recognize the value of something/somebody

• I think it’s necessary to feel appreciated in a relationship/ at work.
• I appreciate all your hard work.

Isn’t it much more useful to memorize ’appreciate’ this way?

4. Learn to Listen

When speaking in a foreign language, you might be so focused on what you are saying and whether it’s correct or not, that you forget to listen to what others are saying.

This is a big mistake as they might be using the exact words or grammar you’ll be needing later on. So pay attention to what’s being said around you, it’s your most important resource at the time of speaking to someone.

5. Practise Your Interrogatives

We also need to keep in mind the fact that communication is a two-way process. Not only does it make you seem uninterested – even rude – if you don’t ask questions, you might also end up being the one who has to do all the talking. So, when you’ve run out of ideas about what to say next, remember: others might have something to add.

• What are your views on that?
• How about you? What do you think?
• Why do you think there’s so much violence on TV?

Questions like this will keep the conversation going and will show your interest in other people’s opinion. They will also give you time to relax a little and start enjoying yourself.

Interrogatives can be quite tricky, so make sure you spend enough time learning the correct ways of asking questions.

6. Produce, Produce, Produce

As I said at the beginning of this article, you might know a lot about the language, but this is passive knowledge that must be activated somehow. Your aim is to be able to produce correct English; practice is undeniably the best way to learn and improve.

Writing is one way of producing language; it may help you get used to and reflect on the ways English operates, which, in turn, might prove to be useful when speaking.

Speaking, on the other hand, is a much more spontaneous process and nothing prepares you for it better than actually doing it. So, find people you can practise with – either on Skype, or on language exchange sites.

Source : https://www.myenglishteacher.eu