Exam Preparation Archives - BSC Education

7 Common English Mistakes

moocow — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:54:17 +0000

With words deriving from hundreds of other languages, the English language is a difficult beast to master! Even after years of practice, it’s easy to make a lot of mistakes. Make sure you know to avoid these common errors next time you’re speaking!

What are some of the most common English mistakes?

It’s vs. Its

Although these two tiny words look very similar, their meanings are actually very different! We use it’s as a contraction (or shortened version) of “it is” or “it has.” We use ‘its,’ on the other hand, to say that something belongs to or refers to something like we use ‘hers’ ‘his’ or ‘hers.’

Watch, look, see

Many non-native speakers have trouble differentiating the words ‘watch’ ‘look’ and ‘see’. Although the difference is clear for native speakers, for non-natives they are easily confused.

��ٱ��” means to notice or become aware of someone or something. I.e. “I just saw the cutest dog!”
“L�Ǵǰ�” means to direct your eyes in a particular direction. I.e. “Look over there!”
“W��ٳ��” means to look at someone or something for an extended period of time. I.e “What did you watch on TV last night?”

Loan vs. borrow

While many languages have just one word for loan and borrow, in English we differentiate between the two. One way to get to know the difference is to think of ‘loan’ as give and ‘borrow’ as take. E.g.

“Loan” – is to give something to someone temporarily. I.e “I loaned my Mum the car as she was having trouble walking with her bad hip.”
“Borrow“- is to take something from someone temporarily. I.e. “I borrowed some books from the library.”

Owe vs. own

To many non-native English speakers, these two words sound the same but a slight difference in pronunciation with these two and you really change the meaning of the sentence.

“I owe you” = A way of showing gratitude after someone does you a favour.
“I own you” = The person belongs to you.

Their, there and they’re

One of the most common English mistakes, even for native speakers, is confusing these three similar-sounding words.

“Their” means it belongs to them. I.e. “They left their bag”
“They’re” is a contraction (or shorter version) of they are. “They’re such a lovely couple.”
“There” refers to a place, eg “Your bag is over there!”

Good and well

The rule of thumb is that “good” is an adjective and “well” is an adverb. Or put simply, “good” describes objects and “well” describes actions.

“Good” describes nouns. I.e. “Ford Fiestas are such good cars!”
“Well” describes actions. I.e. “You play the piano really well!”

Lose vs loose

These similar words cause a lot of confusion- even for native speakers!

“Loose” is an adjective used to describe things that are not tight. I.e “I lost so much weight that my jeans are loose!”
“Lose” is a verb that meaning you no longer have or to misplace something. I.e. “I lost my keys”

Learn English with BSC Education

Every year, BSC Education helps thousands of students reach their English language goals. You can be next – contact us today to start your journey.

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How do I get into university in the UK as an international student?

Maria Parys — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 13:01:29 +0000

Are you interested in studying for a university degree in the UK or another English-speaking country? We can help! Read this article to discover some possible options!

Do I need to pass an exam like IELTS to get into university?

If you are a non-native speaker of English, you might need to prove you have the right English level for university study. One way of proving this is through an IELTS test.

Even if you have a good level of English, IELTS preparation classes can help you improve your technique before you take your exam to give you a better chance of success.

Will I need a good level of English to study at university in the UK?

Universities will need to make sure you have the necessary English language skills to complete a degree course. They will expect students to be ready, so it is really important to make sure you can cope with the demands of your studies. Most courses require lots of reading and self-study: you will need to be able to study outside of lectures and tutorials.

Some universities (or particular courses) have higher requirements than others. For example, if you want to study a subject like medicine or law, you will need a higher IELTS score. You might be asked to complete an additional qualification, such as an International Foundation Year before you can study.

What is an International Foundation Year?

An International Foundation Year (IFY) is a bridging course between the end of high school or secondary school, and the start of an undergraduate university degree. It is specifically designed for students who have not studied in an English-speaking country. It will help you improve your studying and academic skills, and prepare you to begin your university course with confidence.

An IFY usually lasts for an academic year – around nine months of study. Depending on where you study, you will take in-person classes on a variety of different subjects. You will usually study for between 20 and 25 hours a week. There may be additional supporting tutorials and workshops to help. In addition, you will need to study outside class and complete homework tasks.

One of the subjects that you are likely to study is English for Academic Purposes or EAP. During your EAP classes, you will be supported with Academic English – this includes writing essays and giving presentations in English.

You will also have support with applying to university. This includes writing a personal statement and providing an academic reference.

You will be assessed before, during and at the end of your IFY course. These scores will show universities that you have the language and academic ability to study for a degree.

What are the differences between a Foundation Year and an International Foundation Year?

A Foundation Year is an additional year of study for students who don’t have the required A-level results to apply to university.

An International Foundation Year is an additional year of study for students from non-English speaking countries who want to study at university.

Do I have to study an International Foundation Year in the UK if I want to go to a UK university?

No!

There are study centres and colleges in many different countries that offer IFY programmes. �鶹��Ƶ��’s brand new college in beautiful Malta has IFY programmes supported by , our long-time collaborator.

NCUK has partnerships with more than 45 universities in five different countries, including the UK.

As English is one of the official languages of the island and spoken by the majority of the population, you will be immersed in language both inside and outside the classroom!

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We hope this article has been helpful. If you need any more advice, our expert team will be happy to help you decide on your best option for study. Contact us today or follow BSC Education on or to see more from us.

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Prepare for your IELTS Exam – Our Top 10 Tips

Maria Parys — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 11:10:39 +0000

Getting ready for the IELTS exam can be a daunting experience. Whether it is to help you get into university, improve your job prospects or for visa or migration, our Academic Team has the tips you need to help you succeed. We realise that getting ready for a test can be a stressful time and we are here to help.

This is a great time to book your IELTS course, so here are ten tips to support you with your preparation:

1. Use authentic materials whenever possible

Listen to news and podcasts regularly. You can find a variety of music, culture, and current affairs shows on the . Get into the habit of taking notes on interesting stories. Read newspapers like the Economist or the Guardian every week. You’ll find they have articles of the same length and complexity as those you will be faced with in the test.

2. Use model answers

Try copying out model answers from the back of test books in order to solidify your command of vocabulary and sentence and essay structure.

3. Make ‘Fair Copies’ of your essays

Rewrite essays you’ve had corrected, following the advice and comments from your teachers. Make sure to correct all the spelling and grammar errors they have pointed out. Rewriting an essay will help you to improve your writing, and show your teachers that you have learnt from your mistakes.

4. Practice makes perfect!

Make sure you are familiar with all sections of the exam. Replicating exam conditions at home will help you with time management on the day. This is especially true for the writing exam, where it is very easy to lose track of time. You can prepare for the speaking section in class or get a friend to help you at home. It’s also important to make sure you go to class every day and ask your teachers what you need to do to improve.

5. Practice reading in English

Use graded readers (simple versions of classic fiction books) to help improve your reading speed and pick up lots of passive vocabulary. Your college will have a library of books that you can borrow – speak to your College Manager or Student Experience team to ask for help. Ask your teachers if they have any book suggestions for you. You could also join the local library, particularly if you are studying with �鶹��Ƶ�� for more than four weeks.

6. Search for grammar tips online

Pick up useful grammar tips from specialist websites such as the .

7. Practice writing

Watch news videos on Youtube containing graphs and tables and practice writing descriptions of what you’ve learnt. Watch a short and see if you can summarise it in five sentences or fewer. Start with a topic that you are interested in, as you are more likely to remain engaged. Remember: the more you write, the more you improve!

8. Record yourself

Record yourself telling stories about your experiences. Listen to the recordings and critique your grammar, accent and pronunciation. Repeat the activity and see if you improve.

9. Learn what your common mistakes are

Take careful note of mistakes – regularly write down mistakes you keep making (both speaking and writing). Ask for regular feedback from your teachers, as they will be happy to support you with your learning.

10. Be persistent

Be consistent in your approach. Go to class every day and do your homework. Work with other students outside class. Find ways to use English in your everyday life. Make sure you regularly ask your teachers what you need to do to improve.

Pass your IELTS exam confidently

We have helped thousands of students pass their exams – �鶹��Ƶ�� IELTS exam preparation course can help you get the result you want.

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