Fresh on the blog

As you have more time off over the holidays, why not take time to write in English? You can use the questions in our discussion posts for inspiration. 

There are a lot of idioms in English that use the word "nose". Apparently, we like to talk about our noses a lot! Here are just 10 to add to your phrasebook (plus a bonus one to amaze your friends and colleagues with).

One of the most frequent questions I get is, "How long should my G.B.C. answer be?"

My immediate thought is always, "How long is a piece of string?"* But this is not a helpful answer! What follows is the actual answer I give to students who ask me this.

I have been teaching consultants for the G.B.C. test since 2011. I have learned a few things about it that I would like to share with you to help you better prepare for the test.

I have been teaching consultants since 2011. In that time, I have seen a lot of different approaches to studying for the GBC. test. One study method fails every time.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an important figure who has a particular way of approaching some topics: he openly says, "I don't know." 

Some of our teachers' favorite songs to learn natural Enligh and sing at karaoke night!

Singing karaoke is a great way to learn English vocabulary and pronunciation—listen to a song, learn the lyrics, and sing!

Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive (to + verb) or a gerund (verb-ing). For instance, these sentences are both grammatically correct: "Remember to study", and "Remember studying." However, the meanings are quite different.

A portmanteau is the combination of two words to make a new word. Using portmanteaus is quick and convenient, and it makes you seem more natural. 

Mistakes are an accident. You know it's wrong, but the wrong word slips out. An error, on the other hand, is something you don't know. But what's the difference when you study?

A modal is a helping verb like can, should, may, might, must, have to, would and will. Modals enable you to use a single main verb in different ways or "modes".

Remembering is not just accessing information; it can also involve vivid use of the imagination. In fact, the more you imagine, the more you'll remember. 

When something bad happens, don't assume anyone did it on purpose. Instead, use Hanlon's razor to look for other reasons for people's behavior.

Use Occam's razor to keep things simple when designing a business plan.

Specific language is far stronger than general language. Specifics transport the reader or listener and give them a clear image, while general language forces the reader or listener to do the work of imagining what is meant. Let's look more deeply into this. 

Many non-native English speakers make the mistake of thinking that formal language is always a safe language choice. This is not the case. These days, the American workplace style is becoming more casual and language is going the same way.

Students at the English Farm write some amazing G.B.C. test answers, and we like to share the best of the best.

This piece has had minor corrections by a teacher, but the logic, structure, and word choice are the student's.

Simple, safe English is often not the best choice. Take, for example, the word "happy". If you can read this blog post, you can use that word, but should you? 

The Vietnamese government is betting heavily that the next generation will be bilingual and has been discussing making English the second official language—even though few people speak it fluently. I have been teaching here for 7 months, experiencing the transformation first-hand.