Advanced vocabulary: higher-level words and phrases
Intermediate to advanced level (B2-C2)
Here are 23 advanced words and expressions that have come up in my higher-level 1-1 and Skype lessons over the last couple of months. Do you know them? Continue reading
Speaking: Expressions to check you have understood something correctly
Lower intermediate to advanced level (B1-C1)
Even native speakers need to check that they have understood what they heard or read. To do this, you can use a range of expressions. Continue reading
Vocabulary: approximate numbers
Intermediate to advanced level (B1-C1)
When we communicate, we often want to use words or expressions that are approximate. This is common when we have to talk about numbers. This might be because we don’t know the exact numbers or amounts or because we don’t want to give them. Here are some of these words and expressions: Continue reading
Vocabulary: adjective, verb and noun collocations and website
Intermediate to advanced level (B1-C2)
Many English words are commonly used with certain other words and these become like mini-expressions. For example, if someone has a serious problem or is in serious difficulty, you can say ‘He is in deep trouble‘. However you can’t say ‘he is in heavy trouble‘. Only some combinations are used. Your language probably has similar combinations or collocations. Continue reading
Speaking: using the telephone for business
Pre-intermediate to advanced level (A2-C1)
Learning a few useful phrases can help you use the telephone in business situations. Continue reading
Vocabulary: ‘may’ and ‘might’
Pre-intermediate to advanced level (A2-C1)
‘May’ and ‘might’ can be used to talk about possibility and asking for permission. Looking at some examples will help to show their meanings. Continue reading
Vocabulary and culture: 10 useful expressions from Shakespeare
Advanced level (C1-C2)
This week we celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th birthday (historians disagree about the exact day) with 10 Shakespearean sayings or sayings that Shakespeare made better known. Continue reading
Vocabulary: nouns
Intermediate to advanced level English (B1-C2)
‘Mind’ as a noun is in a lot of expressions. Continue reading
Speaking: Business dialogue
Intermediate to advanced (B2-C2)
Imagine you have just come out of a business meeting where a close colleague (Harry) was very impressive. You decide to tell him what you think. Here is a possible English dialogue: Continue reading
Reading: Politics
Upper intermediate to advanced (B2-C2)
She is certainly well-known, or at least her image is. Her face is on stamps and the UK currency but most of the time she is only seen at royal visits or ceremonies. At the opening of Parliament the Queen reads a speech but this is written by the government. At Christmas she reads a message to the country but this is very formal and usually just a summary of some of the things that have happened in the year. Continue reading
Advanced level (C1/C2)
Useful informal phrases are in bold. I hope your morning was better than this one: Continue reading