10 New Year’s Resolutions for Learning English
It is hard to believe but we have almost reached the end of another year, and that can only mean one thing: it is time
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12 Idiomatic Expressions Related to Sleep
Do you fall asleep easily or does it take you ages? Does the slightest noise wake you up or do you sleep very deeply? Do
23 Typical British Expressions You Must Learn To Understand The Brits!
When you learn English, or any other foreign language for that matter, whether it be with English lessons with a native teacher or on your
Spoilt For Choice: How to Choose a University for Undergraduate Study
There are approximately 130 universities in the UK, not counting other institutes of Higher Education and the plethora of online providers, so it is not
Proud to Be a Stickler: How to Use an Apostrophe
Do you have doubts about using punctuation marks? Do you sometimes put them in the wrong position, or avoid using them altogether? If so, you’re
Does ‘Thank You’ Really Mean ‘Thank You’?
Have you noticed just how often ‘thank you’ is used in everyday conversations in the UK? Perhaps this is one of the reasons the Brits
The Academic Culture of Britain: What You Should Know
If you’ve come to the UK to study, you may well experience some academic culture shock: the role of students and what is expected of
14 London Tube Stops Whose Pronunciation Just Doesn’t Make Sense
Last week I was in a queue at the Tube station and the guy in front of me was trying to buy a ticket to
5 British Traditions that Really Don’t Make Sense
Queueing, always saying “sorry”, going to the pub and a full English breakfast. These are some of the British traditions I’m sure you’ve already heard
How the IELTS Listening Test is Structured
Are you planning to take the IELTS test? If so, it is essential to find out how it is structured in order to know what
What the English Say vs What They Really Mean
Being an effective listener is not just about understanding the literal meaning of the words of the person in front of you: It is also
London is Officially the Best Place for Students
London has been voted world’s best city for students in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2018. This large-scale survey was conducted across 180 countries
21 Slang Words You Need To Know in London
Slang is very informal language that tends to be used in speaking rather than writing. A recent survey of SGI students found that a staggering
15 Bizarre Things About London that Even Londoners Don’t Know
“Does The Queen really own all the swans? The short answer is YES. The Queen specifically owns any unclaimed mute swan in open water in both
3 Rhymes to Improve your English Pronunciation
Students often say that pronunciation is one of the most difficult language aspects to learn and improve; the complex relationship between sound and spelling in
IELTS Exam Prep: How to Describe a Graph, Diagram, Chart or Table
In Task 1 of the IELTS Writing paper (1 hour), the examiner is looking for your ability to identify and describe – in academic style
Colons, Semi-Colons and Dashes: When to Use What
Imagine you’re listening to a presentation and the speaker says every sentence in the same way – it might sound a bit boring after a
How to Write an Informal Letter in UK English + Example
Whether you’re preparing for your IELTS test or another English language exam, it’s very common to be asked to write an informal letter as part
5 Benefits of Getting a Part-Time Job While You’re Studying
You’ve come to the UK to study but have you also considered working here? Many students at SGI decide to look for a part-time job
Dos and Don’ts of CV Writing
Are you planning to look for a job in the UK? Recruiters may have just a few seconds to scan your CV so it is
3 Things to Avoid when Introducing Yourself at a Social Gathering
Introducing yourself is usually the first thing you learn to do in English, but it can remain a difficult task, even for high-level learners since
5 Ways to Improve your Grammar in your Writing
Writing is an important skill to develop, especially if you are going to use English in the workplace or university; making sure your grammar is
Classic British Movies That Everyone Should Watch
We’ve picked out some classic British movies that we think should be part of everyone’s lives, especially when they are learning English as a foreign
Top 10 Must-See British Landmarks
For a relatively small country, there are a lot of historical UK landmarks and beautiful landscapes to visit. To get started, here is a list
Talking About Your Friends and Family in English
Talking about your friends and family is a great way to make new friends and establish common ground. Being a topic that is both fun