learn english 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.

/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sofia-Adrian-Welcome-Final.mp4

The post 7 Common English Mistakes appeared first on BSC Education.

IELTS or OET – which exam should I take?

Maria Parys — Thu, 23 May 2024 10:20:12 +0000

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and OET (Occupational English Test) are both used to test the English language of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals around the world.

These exams are chosen by regulatory bodies to ensure that healthcare workers have sufficient language skills to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues and deliver adequate medical care.

Which one is right for you? This article will help you decide.

Why do candidates take OET?

The Occupational English Test (OET) is recognised by the (NMC) and the (GMC) in the UK and Ireland. Visit the OET website for a .

One noticeable difference is that OET tests the ability of a trained medical professional to communicate in English. In contrast, IELTS is more general, rather than particularly designed for healthcare workers. Having a good IELTS score can support you with university applications or other, non-medical job applications.

The exam is designed for . The Listening and Reading subtests can be on any profession (remember, it’s an English language test, not a test of your medical knowledge, so don’t worry if there is a part of the exam that is not on your profession!) The Speaking and Writing subtests are specific to your profession.

Is OET easier than IELTS?

Despite some rumours that OET is easier than IELTS, the English level required for both exams is the same. The difference here is that students preparing for OET only work in healthcare. They need to take an exam to prove their level of English: the test assess skills they already have. This is where OET-focused classes can really help, as they are designed to support you pass the test the first time they take it.

For example, the OET writing assessment involves writing a referral letter. As a doctor or nurse, you will need to do this on a daily basis, meaning that you will already have experience of writing them.

For IELTS writing, the two written tasks could be on a variety of different topics. Task 1 asks candidates to respond to a piece of visual information (a graph, chart or diagram, for instance), writing around 150 words. In Task 2, students need to respond to an argument, problem or opinion, using appropriate academic language. You should write at least 250 words for this task.

Similarities

Both exams contain four sub-tests: reading, listening, writing & speaking.

Students receive a graded score rather than ‘pass’ or ‘fail.’ For example, the General Medical Council in the United Kingdom requires doctors to score B in OET with a B in each separate paper or an IELTS 7.5 with a minimum score of 7 in each paper.

Both a ‘7’ in IELTS and a ‘B’ on the OET is considered by the Common European Framework of Reference.

Differences

OET tests medical English, whereas IELTS tests academic English.

OET is recognised by healthcare regulatory bodies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Maldives, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

Meanwhile, IELTS is recognised by universities, healthcare regulatory bodies, immigration authorities and companies across the world.

IELTS is marked out of 9 with a separate score for each paper. OET is marked from A to E with an accompanying numerical score to show your precise grade.

Comparing OET & IELTS

Compare the key factors of both exams:

OET	IELTS
An English language test for healthcare professionals.	An academic English exam most often used for entry to university.
Every part of the exam is related to real workplace scenarios for healthcare professionals.	Every part of the test can be on a different topic which may/may not be related to healthcare.
The writing exam assesses your ability to communicate effectively when writing in a healthcare context. For example, a letter of referral.	The writing exam assesses your ability to produce a piece of academic writing that you would be expected to produce at university (e.g. an essay).
The speaking exam assesses your ability to communicate effectively in the workplace. This includes building relationships with your patients using role play.	The speaking exam assesses your ability to communicate clearly in an interview format. You will discuss ideas and topics that are not always relevant to a healthcare professional.

OET Courses at �鶹��Ƶ��

We have three different options to support you with your exam. Our teachers use OET-specific material to help you with specialist exam training.

OET Masterclass: this is a week-long, exam focused class, offered face-to-face in all of our UK colleges. Regular start dates mean that you can choose the right time to fit in with your schedule.

Are you currently working? If so, don’t worry! One of our Online OET courses on Saturdays could be perfect for you. We have both 4-week and 6-week classes available. Contact our team to discover more.

At BSC Education, we’re here to guide you on every step of your language journey. Don’t hesitate to contact us and our team of experts will be able to give you expert advice on choosing the right exam preparation course for you.

The post IELTS or OET – which exam should I take? appeared first on BSC Education.

10 of the Best Movies for Learning English

moocow — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 14:45:44 +0000

When you’re learning English, watching TV shows and reading books can be a huge help – but another great way to learn is by exploring the best movies for learning English. Not only will watching movies get you familiar with different accents, you’ll also get an incredible insight into English-speaking culture from around the world.

What are the best movies for learning English?

From immersing yourself in 19th Century Britain to experiencing life in suburban California, movies give you a chance to live the language as it’s spoken in real life. Here are 10 of the best movies for learning English.

1. Forrest Gump

Starring the incredible Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump tells the tale of a man with low IQ who has lived an extraordinary life. The whole film is narrated by Forrest, who speaks with a ‘Southern Drawl’ (accent from the South of the United States) that is slow, easy to understand and perfect for English beginners.

2. When Harry met Sally

When Harry Met Sally is a classic American rom-com that tells the story of two friends and their growing relationship. Although the 1989 storyline might be a little dated (old-fashioned) now, the film is full of catchphrases (well-known phrases) that have become iconic in modern American culture. The film begins with a long conversation between the two characters over a lengthy car journey, providing you with plenty of dialogue to practise your listening skills.

3. Four Weddings and a Funeral

Not sure whether you want a British or American accent? Four Weddings and a Funeral gives you the best of both! In a classic film set over the course of four weddings (and a funeral, obviously) Hugh Grant plays an awkward British wedding guest who falls for Andie McDowell, a beautiful American woman. Four Weddings gives you a chance to learn the best British slang and compare the two accents with this heartwarming movie.

4. Little Women

One of the most successful movies of 2019, Little Women is a great choice for language learners because of its clear dialogue and charming storyline. The film tells the story of four sisters living during the American Civil War and is of particular interest to fans of American history. Once you’re familiar with the film, you can also try reading

5. Great Gatsby

A modern interpretation of the classic American novel, Baz Luhrmann’s Great Gatsby is perfect for English language learners who want to learn more about 1920s America. With slow and sombre dialogue as well as an incredible soundtrack, this movie will keep any English language learner interested.

6. The Social Network

The story behind Facebook is definitely one worth learning about! This captivating movie traces Mark Zuckerberg’s life from college student to entrepreneur and is perfect for practising legal and technical vocabulary.

7. Juno

Hilarious, endearing and easy to understand, Juno is the perfect film for students who prefer independent films to big Hollywood blockbusters (commercially successful films). This movie also makes a great talking point for conversation class. Try watching it in a group and asking each other: ‘What would you do if you were in Juno’s situation?’�ę

8. The Imitation Game

The moving story of an English war-hero who ended up being persecuted for his sexuality, the Imitation Game gives learners the chance to discover an untold story in British history. The language spoken in the film is a perfect example of the ‘Queen’s English’ with clear pronunciation and easy to understand dialogue.

9. Frozen

The delightful story of a girl searching for her sister, Frozen is an immensely popular Disney movie that’s super simple to understand. Yes it may be a kid’s movie, but if you’re new to learning English then watching children’s films is the perfect starting point. With simple dialogue and catchy theme songs, kids’ films are a great introduction to English movies.

10. The King’s Speech

What a great idea for learning English – watching a film where the main character – a historic British figure – is learning to speak! King George VI struggles to communicate due to a speech impediment, which means pronunciation is a very big focus in this movie.

Tips for Learning English with Movies

1. The shorter the better

Choose shorter films so you don’t become overwhelmed with new vocabulary and feel tempted to stop watching halfway through.

2. Use English subtitles

Watching the movie with English subtitles, rather than subtitles in your own language means you’ll be reading and listening to new vocabulary at the same time. This makes it much easier for you to understand new words and get to know the plot of the film.

3. Avoid pausing the movie to look up words

Try not to pause and look up words you don’t understand, as this will stop you from enjoying the plot. Instead, try and work out the word’s meaning from context- you might find you learn more than you think!

Want to improve your English with native speakers? Check out our English courses and get the skills you need to succeed.