Slaviteach

24/07/2022

How to pronounce TH in English:

You should put the tip of your tongue (just the tip, not too much) between your teeth (use a mirror, you should be able to see your tongue) and then you force air over your tongue and under your top teeth. Hold this sound for a full second, then say it for shorter and shorter times, then try to put it into words both at the beginning, middle and end of a word.

23/12/2021

While Dutch people like being direct, Anglophones prioritize being polite. This can often lead to misunderstanding.

Here's a handy guide. When was a time that YOU got "Lost in Translation"? 😁

More in our bestselling book on Dutch culture!! 👉 bit.ly/StuffDutchPeopleLike

07/12/2021

18/11/2021

How is IELTS scored?

IELTS provides a profile of your ability to use English. In other words your IELTS result will consist of a score in each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking) which is then averaged to give the Overall Band Score or final mark.
Performance is rated in each skill on a scale of 9 to 1. The nine overall Bands and their descriptive statements are as follows:

9 Expert user
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

8 Very good user
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7 Good user
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

6 Competent user
Has generally effective command of the language despite inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

5 Modest user
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

4 Limited user
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

3 Extremely limited user
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

2 Intermittent user
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

1 Non user
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

0 Did not attempt the test
No assessable information provided.
What is the pass mark of IELTS?

There is no fixed pas mark in IELTS. The institution you want to enter will decide whether your score is appropriate for the demands of the course of study or training you want to undertake. However, as a general rule, scores below Band 5 in any one skill are considered too low for academic study.

13/11/2021

WHAT IS CEF

Official Levels of the Common European Framework of Reference

The Common European Framework (CEF) is a system of level indicators for language courses that is used throughout Europe. Each language course is described on the basis of CEF levels so that students can clearly see which level of proficiency is required at the beginning of the course and which level of proficiency will be achieved after successful completion of the course.
Levels of the Common European Framework of Reference

A1 - Beginners level
(official terminology: Breakthrough Level) Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks
slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A2 - Pre-Intermediate level
(official terminology:
Way stage Level) Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance. Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate
need.

B1 - Intermediate level
(official terminology:
Threshold level) Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons
and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2 - High-Intermediate level
(official terminology:
Vantage Level) Can understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of
various options.

C1 - Advanced level
(official terminology:
Effective Operational Proficiency Level) Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

12/11/2021

English Grammar

Do vs Make

When 'do' or 'make' are used as main verbs it can be confusing to ESL learners. The verb 'make' goes with some words and the verb 'do' with other words.

Do
We use the verb 'do' when someone performs an action, activity or task.
do a crossword
do the ironing
do the laundry
do the washing
do the washing up
'Do' is often used when referring to work of any kind.
do your work
do homework
do housework
do your job
!Note - these activities do not usually produce a physical object.
'Do' for General Ideas
Use the verb 'do' when speaking about things in general. In other words, to describe an action without saying exactly what the action is. This form is often used with the words 'something, nothing, anything, everything, etc.'
I'm not doing anything today.
He does everything for his mother.
She's doing nothing.
Important Expressions with 'Do'
There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb 'do'. The best solution is to try to learn them.
do badly
do business
do the dishes
do a favour
do good
do harm
do time - (to go to prison)
do well
do your best
do your hair
do your nails
do your worst
________________________________________

Make

We use the verb 'make' for constructing, building or creating
make a dress
make food
make a cup of tea / coffee
'Make' is often used when referring to preparing food of any kind.
make a meal - breakfast / lunch / dinner
!Note - these activities usually create something that you can touch.
Important Expressions with 'Make'
There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb 'make'. The best solution is to try to learn them.
make amends
make arrangements
make believe - (to pretend)
make a choice
make a comment
make a decision
make a difference
make an effort
make an enquiry
make an excuse
make a fool of yourself
make a fortune
make friends
make a fuss
make a journey
make love
make a mess
make a mistake
make money
make a move
make a noise
make a phone call
make a plan
make a point
make a profit
make a promise
make a remark
make a sound
make a speech
make a suggestion
make time
make a visit
make your bed - (to prepare the bed for sleeping in)

10/04/2021

British vs. American English: 10 different words you might not know the meaning of

On the whole, British and American speakers of English have very few problems understanding one another. Over the last half a century or so television and film have done much to familiarise Americans with British English (BrE) and Britons with American English (AmE).

There are actually thousands of vocabulary differences between British and American English. While many of these words can be instantly understood by speakers from the other country, other words might easily baffle someone who hasn’t spent a long period of time in both countries.

First let’s look at some of the well-known vocabulary differences between Britain and the United States. Native speakers from either country should know all of these:
10 well-known vocabulary differences
petrol (BrE), gas (AmE)
pavement (BrE), sidewalk (AmE)
lift (BrE), elevator (AmE)
boot (BrE), trunk (AmE)
lorry (BrE), truck (AmE)
sweets (BrE), candy (AmE)
car park (BrE), parking lot (AmE)
motorway (BrE), highway (AmE)
biscuit (BrE), cookie (AmE)
rubbish (BrE), garbage (AmE)

OK, they were the easy ones. Now try 10 more difficult ones, some of which may be completely unknown or are liable to cause some confusion between an American and British speaker.
10 lesser-known vocabulary differences
How many do you know? (The correct answers are at the bottom of the page.)
1. _______ (BrE) / barf (AmE)
2. pedestrain crossing (BrE) / _______ (AmE)
3. _______ (BrE) / downspout (AmE)
4. drawing pin (BrE) / _______ (AmE)
5. flyover (BrE) / _______(AmE)
6. _______ (BrE) / teeter-totter (AmE)
7. _______ (BrE) / rutabaga (AmE)
8. _______ (BrE) / eggplant (AmE)
9. _______ (BrE) / antsy (AmE)
10. braces (BrE) / _______ (AmE)

Here are the answers:
1. vomit (BrE) / barf (AmE)
2. pedestrian crossing (BrE) / crosswalk (AmE)
3. drainpipe (BrE) / downspout (AmE)
4. drawing pin (BrE) / thumbtack (AmE)
5. flyover (BrE) / overpass (AmE)
6. see-saw (BrE) / teeter-totter (AmE)
7. swede (BrE) / rutabaga (AmE)
8. aubergine (BrE) / eggplant (AmE)
9. fidgety (BrE) / antsy (AmE)
10. braces (BrE) / suspenders (AmE)

01/06/2020

Registration for the IELTS test has been reopened in the Netherlands. The IELTS test is available again as a paper-based test and now also as a computer-delivered test.