English in England!
We are very happy to announce that we will be offering 1-2-1 Business English courses for the first time in Summer 2008. Contact us or visit here for more details.
Labels: business english, devon, english in england, language courses in england, uk study esl
Conditionals (Zero & First)
One of the most common problem areas for learners of English is the grammar of Conditionals. Of course, conditionals are actually not that difficult and now, thanks to The English Channel Online they are a little bit easier to understand. Introducing the latest video to hit the web explaining the first 2 conditionals - the Zero
If + Present + Present Simple
and the First!
If + Present Simple + Future Simple
Switch over now to the Grammar Channel, sit back, relax and get to grips with Conditionals.
If + Present + Present Simple
and the First!
If + Present Simple + Future Simple
Switch over now to the Grammar Channel, sit back, relax and get to grips with Conditionals.
English Level Test
Finally!
We are pleased to announce that all visitors to the English Channel Online can try our level test beta page here. There are 30 questions for you to try and check your level. We use the Common European Framework or CEF (for more information click here) which is the standard for language schools in Europe. Try the test now and see where you are in the CEF using this scale as a guide - A1: 0-6 points, A2: 6-12 points, B1: 12-18 points, B2: 18-24 points, C1: 24-29 points and if you scored full marks you are clearly a C2! In 2008 we will be adding to the level test and of course adding more content and videos. Look out for comparatives and conditionals - coming soon to The English Channel Online.
We are pleased to announce that all visitors to the English Channel Online can try our level test beta page here. There are 30 questions for you to try and check your level. We use the Common European Framework or CEF (for more information click here) which is the standard for language schools in Europe. Try the test now and see where you are in the CEF using this scale as a guide - A1: 0-6 points, A2: 6-12 points, B1: 12-18 points, B2: 18-24 points, C1: 24-29 points and if you scored full marks you are clearly a C2! In 2008 we will be adding to the level test and of course adding more content and videos. Look out for comparatives and conditionals - coming soon to The English Channel Online.
Labels: english assessment, esl level test, how good is my English
English Tenses
There are 12 tenses in the English language (14 if you include "going to" and "used to"). This is not as stressful as many students might think, however, there are many ways us English teachers like to present these tenses.
Very often we start with the Present Simple (or Simple Present) to describe a "habitual" action or an everyday thing like "I work in a shop" or "She drinks tea".
Then we move onto Present Continuous (or Present Progressive) and start talking about things that you are doing now "at the moment" for example "I am writing this blog and you are reading it".
Once this has been mastered by students the next step is the Past Simple (or Simple Past) - only this time we talk about habitual actions in the past - "When I lived in Spain I spoke Spanish".
This is then thrown into the mix with the Past Progressive (or Past Continuous) as an interruption - "I was drinking a cup of tea when the phone rang". At this point a large proportion of students are looking longingly at the door and praying for the next break but no such luck because we have the Present Perfect ready and waiting to ambush them. And so it goes on as we labour through the Present Perfect Progressive (or Continuous) not forgetting Future Simple (or Simple Future or Future I or whatever it is called this week).
There is, of course, some merit to this procedure - it can work for new English students who need to take it one step at a time. For more advanced students lets say B2 and above it often pays dividends to group the tenses. Now here the tendancy is to put all the presents, pasts and futures together but this creates problems. Is the Present Perfect a past tense or a present tense?
Both can be argued.
So rather than deal with times i.e. past present or future, let's deal with titles and group the 12 tenses with their namesakes. Let's keep the Simples together and the Progressives, the Perfects and the Perfect Progressives and compare each of them like that. After all, the Present Simple and the Past Simple have many traits in common - it is just the time that changes and everyone can tell the difference between past and present, can't they?
Very often we start with the Present Simple (or Simple Present) to describe a "habitual" action or an everyday thing like "I work in a shop" or "She drinks tea".
Then we move onto Present Continuous (or Present Progressive) and start talking about things that you are doing now "at the moment" for example "I am writing this blog and you are reading it".
Once this has been mastered by students the next step is the Past Simple (or Simple Past) - only this time we talk about habitual actions in the past - "When I lived in Spain I spoke Spanish".
This is then thrown into the mix with the Past Progressive (or Past Continuous) as an interruption - "I was drinking a cup of tea when the phone rang". At this point a large proportion of students are looking longingly at the door and praying for the next break but no such luck because we have the Present Perfect ready and waiting to ambush them. And so it goes on as we labour through the Present Perfect Progressive (or Continuous) not forgetting Future Simple (or Simple Future or Future I or whatever it is called this week).
There is, of course, some merit to this procedure - it can work for new English students who need to take it one step at a time. For more advanced students lets say B2 and above it often pays dividends to group the tenses. Now here the tendancy is to put all the presents, pasts and futures together but this creates problems. Is the Present Perfect a past tense or a present tense?
Both can be argued.
So rather than deal with times i.e. past present or future, let's deal with titles and group the 12 tenses with their namesakes. Let's keep the Simples together and the Progressives, the Perfects and the Perfect Progressives and compare each of them like that. After all, the Present Simple and the Past Simple have many traits in common - it is just the time that changes and everyone can tell the difference between past and present, can't they?
Labels: english tenses, esl, grammar, present perfect, present progressive, present simple
Comparatives & Superlatives
Having problems comparing things? Don't know your 'then' from your 'than'? No problem, because soon we will be premiering our unique guide to this particular grammar problem.
Remember! The English Channel Online is the only web resource for ESL learners that takes the stress out of learning by letting you sit back, watch and learn without the usual text exercises. Just choose a channel and start watching. Go on...Go Global!
Labels: english, esl, grammar, learning, vocab building, web tv
Telling the time, el tiempo, le temps, die Zeit and il tempo!
It's time to tell the time here at the English Channel. New content has been added to the General English part of the site - not just numbers but now our guide to telling the time in English. Everything you need to know fromt the big hand to quarter past.
Check out the definitive time guide now. It's online here!
Check out the definitive time guide now. It's online here!
Labels: die Zeit, el tiempo, english, esl, il tempo, le temps, time
English Numbers
Labels: count, english, esl, numbers, vocab building