Work on your Phrasal Verbs – Book Review

Work on your Phrasal Verbs

by Jamie Flockhart & Cheryl Pelteret

There are various reasons why people choose to read a particular book. I opted to purchase this book from the amazing British bookstore Blackwell's for the impressiveness of its sibling Work on your Idioms (read my review of the idiom book here). Phrasal verbs (things like run out, stand for, talk into, and give away) are an inextricable part of the English vocabulary and make up a large part of it (see what I did there?): mastering this area is undoubtedly crucial if you wish to be an excellent English speaker (and writer) and aim to sound more natural in using this language. I found this resource incredibly useful and this volume really lives up to my expectations; read on to discover the reasons why I heartily recommend it to fellow English learners.

Work on your Phrasal Verbs by Jamie Flockhart & Cheryl Pelteret covers not all phrasal verbs that exist in the English language. This may seem like a minus point of the book, but it is actually a plus one because what this book deals with are the 400 most common phrasal verbs: those you are most likely to meet (and use) in life. The book is divided into 25 units, each of which discusses phrasal verbs concerning a certain topic, for example money and spending. The phrasal verbs are arranged alphabetically and explained using extremely simple and easy-to-understand language (some of the definitions show labels such as [INFORMAL] and [BRITISH] so that readers can use the phrasal verbs appropriately). What's more, each meaning is equipped with at least one useful example sentence that shows a context in which the said phrasal verb can be used. These features ensure that readers understand and memorize the phrasal verbs effortlessly. I also appreciate the authors' endeavor to highlight that a particular phrasal verb is separable, for instance by giving appropriate examples. Another feature that I found really helpful is Notes, which give additional information about some phrasal verbs, e.g. alternative phrasal verbs or their opposites. Lastly, just like its close relative, Work on your Phrasal Verbs boasts numerous exercises stretched on two pages per unit to give readers opportunities to practice using the phrasal verbs that they have learned – the exercises I've done have really helped me fortify my learning.

Hold on, did I say "lastly"? Sorry for that because this book spoils its readers even more! Three appendices are present at the back of the book, the first one giving you highly useful tips for learning phrasal verbs, the second one listing the basic meanings of some common particles (such as in, from, and over), and the last one providing phrasal verb & noun collocations with example sentences. Working on your Phrasal Verbs is a perfect kit for building your phrasal verb reservoir and will be an invaluable English-learning resource on your bookshelf!

So, if you don't have the book yet, I guess you know what to do now: set off for a bookstore and opt for this book. Be careful so that you won't be run over by a vehicle and don't break into the bookstore if it is already closed – you'll have to pay for that! Just go back home, get up tomorrow morning, and head for it to get your copy of Work on your Phrasal Verbs! 😄

Have you read Work on your Phrasal Verbs? What are your thoughts on this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!

P.S. Did you realize that the title of this book contains a phrasal verb? 😉

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5 Traits of a Successful English Learner

At any moment I believe there is at least one human being asking how they can learn English effectively and achieve their linguistic goals in the shortest time frame possible. I myself am an English learner and the fact that my bread and butter now is teaching English doesn't diminish it to the slightest degree: I was, am, and will always be an English learner. Through this article I'd like to discuss 5 qualities that are possessed and shown by successful learners of this sexy language (and also any other tongues, I think). This is wholly based on my own English-learning experience as well as my collective observation of my students and other English learners. Happy reading!

1. Love

Love is one of the greatest forces in life. When we hear the word "love", it usually conjures up images of a couple hugging, kissing, or doing other romantic stuff. However, love is broader in scope and involves feelings toward inanimate objects, such as languages, as well. If you are aiming for success in learning English, love is the most important quality you need to possess. When you love something, it is always easy to achieve what you want with it, isn't it? You will learn without having to be told to, because it comes from the deepest of your heart. Love of English will keep you moving forward and decimate any obstacles getting in the way of your awaiting success!

2. Curiosity

I have also noticed that high-achieving English learners are those who maintain a high level of curiosity. English is like a complex puzzle that needs to be solved but there are certain patterns or guidelines that can help you master this language. This should be a very fun activity but it requires a substantial amount of time and effort. You need to always crave for more and keep being insatiably curious. For example, if you know the word "happy", do you know other phrases or expressions that express the same idea? Its synonyms maybe? As for grammar, it is essential to be in the habit of asking "why?" Why do we need to put an -ing form after the word "enjoy"? Why is the phrase "extreme tall" grammatically wrong? Your English-learning experience will be markedly different with the existence of this quality.

3. Enthusiasm

Being enthusiastic is crucial to the development of one's English proficiency. With burning enthusiasm, you will achieve in one day what mediocre ones would in a week. Within the same window of time, learners with such a characteristic will finish five long grammar exercises while apathetic ones may even struggle to complete one short exercise. Practice does make perfect and it is only with enthusiasm that this can be effectively done. Just like the power of love, if you are exuberant, you do what you need to do on your own initiative. However, it is important to keep in mind that this quality has to be paired with consistency; otherwise, the impact would not really be significant.

4. Reflection

Just as we look in the mirror before starting off for a wedding party to ensure that our appearance will not disappoint the guests, it is essential that we regularly & continually reflect on our English learning. Try to ask yourself such questions as "How long have I been learning English?", "What improvements have I made?", and "What areas do I still need to work on?" On a smaller scale, you can review what you have just said or written. Was my pronunciation entirely correct? Did I use the correct verb forms? Is this sentence grammatically perfect? Did I make any mistakes in terms of punctuation and capitalization? Doing self-assessment is, indeed, critical for your success in learning English.

5. Humility

Last but not least, aside from making you a likable human being, humility helps you reach what otherwise would be unreachable. I personally believe that we can learn from anyone, anywhere, and anytime. What we have experienced cannot be 100% the same as what others have. Therefore, even if you think you know everything, you actually do not. Being humble must be part of your disposition if you are to attain optimal outcomes from your English-learning experience. Admitting that we are not perfect is not a weakness; on the contrary, it is a strength. There are always gaps in our knowledge and it is conceivable that there are many people who have pieces of knowledge and probably tips/advice that we do not know. Thus, willingness to learn from such people and ask for their help is key to enhancing your English skills. Look around and you may see an opportunity to take your English to the next level!

I hope this article is particularly helpful for your English-learning voyage! Please write you think in the comment section below!

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You may be interested in reading the following articles:

• How to Be Good at English (Part 1)
• How to Be Good at English (Part 2)
• 5 Recommended Websites for Learning English
• Is Grammar Important?
• 12 Common English Mistakes That Indonesians Make
• Quick Tips on the IELTS Test
• Language Finds a Way
• Language Is an Illusion
• Common English Mistakes: Present Simple and Present Continuous

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Is Grammar Important?

Grammar is not important. As long as you understand what I say, it's enough.

The text above represents a comment that I sometimes hear from English learners -- odds are you have heard this kind of utterance as well. However, does this statement hold true? Is grammar not important?

The quick answer is yes. Grammar is important indeed. Let's use two different approaches to answering this question.

We can be sure that grammar is important by looking around and realizing how many grammar books there are and how diverse they are on the market. ELT (English Language Teaching) publishers such as Cambridge, Oxford, Longman, and Collins have collectively produced numerous grammars, which are aimed, without a doubt, at English learners. These include the classic Understanding and Using English Grammar and Fundamentals of English Grammar by Betty S. Azar and Stacy A. Hagen and COBUILD English Grammar, which I am about to order a copy of. The existence of such books demonstrates how important grammar is in communication. This is not to mention that most, if not all, non-grammar-focused ELT books also discuss grammar, albeit not comprehensively and thoroughly.

Now, let's take a look at this mini-conversation between two old friends, Paul and Karen, which takes place at a subway station:

1. Paul: Hi Karen! Long time no see! How are you?
2. Karen: Hi Paul! I'm good. And you?
3. Paul: I'm all right. It's been 5 years. By the way, what do you do after you graduated from university?
4. Karen: You mean what I do now?
5. Paul: No, that time after we graduated from university.
6. Karen: Oh, I see. I worked as a salesperson for a kitchenware company for about two years. I was getting bored, so I decided to leave the job. Now I teach chemistry in a high school in my hometown. How about you?
7. Paul: ...

This made-up dialog illustrates how our use of grammar can affect the effectiveness of our communication. Paul doesn't use the right auxiliary verb, "did", (line 3) and it leads Karen to ask for clarification (line 4). This means Paul needs to give Karen clarification (line 5). Although Karen finally understands what Paul intends to know, this series of unnecessary actions takes (and wastes) some time and, therefore, reduces communication efficiency.

It is sometimes argued that grammar is important only when it comes to speaking, not writing. The example above shows that grammar matters whether you are speaking or writing -- the only difference is that people are more likely to get embarrassed by what they write because writings tend to be recorded or stored and making corrections is not always possible, while on most occasions once you speak, it is gone.

I always believe that when you love something, it is going to be easy. This has resulted in me coming up with an unpublished, Bible-referencing quote: "The love of grammar is the root of English proficiency". This may not be wholly true, but it will certainly boost your English skills more than you would without such passion.

If you find it hard to learn grammar (or, more generally, English) and think that grammar is too complicated to master, you might want to read my other articles How to Be Good at English (Part 1) and Language Is an Illusion. I wish you the best of luck on your grammar-learning journey!

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Quick Tips on the IELTS Test

Many people in the world would like to pursue their dreams by continuing their studies in their favorite universities or working in top global companies. If the organizations are located in English-speaking countries, it is very likely that one of the requirements is in the form of a test or exam such as TOEFL or IELTS. In this article, I am going to give you quick tips for achieving a good (or even great) band score on the IELTS test.

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This is just true in the case of IELTS taking. Before you face the real test, make sure you devote a sufficient amount of time to getting prepared for it.

The very first thing you should do is to familiarize yourself with the test format and band score criteria. You have to be able to answer questions such as How many and what types of questions are there in the Listening part?, How many texts are there in the Reading component and how long does it last?, What is the minimum number of words do test-takers have to write in the IELTS Writing? In addition, keep in mind what you have to do so as to achieve your desired band score. For instance, to reach a band score of 8 in the IELTS Speaking, you must “use paraphrase effectively as required”, and to attain a 7 in Writing Task 1, you have to “use a variety of complex structures”. Knowing these will be of great mental advantage to you in tackling the exam, with good time management being one of the results.

Possessing that knowledge alone is not enough. In order to succeed in the IELTS, you also need to do a substantial amount of practice. It is highly advisable that you do many practice tests. Make sure you practice carrying out the various possible task types; for example, in the IELTS Reading there are multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, and so on. What is more, put a lot of effort into honing the skills that are required to get your target band score – these might include paraphrasing and using complex structures (see above). Learning with an IELTS tutor can be very helpful too as they can monitor your progress and give you feedback based on your performance – what is already good and what still needs to be improved on.

Last but not least (and perhaps one that is often forgotten or missed by IELTS participants), ensure that you are physically fit and remain calm during the test. Nourish your body with plenty of nutrients and, while practicing can take a lot of energy, remember to always have enough rest and sleep. Taking an exam can also be especially stressful, with students sweating being a common sight in examination rooms. Getting nervous can lead to your mind going blank and it definitely reduces your chance of performing to the best of your abilities on the IELTS test. Test-takers might find the effect even stronger in the Speaking section, where they need to give responses to an examiner face-to-face. Therefore, relax and enjoy the “show” – relishing your favorite beverage before the test begins might help. Wish you the best of luck with the IELTS test!

Information about IELTS can be accessed at https://www.ielts.org.

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Language Finds a Way

If the title rings a bell, chances are you are a dinosaur maniac, a sci-fi addict, or at least a moviegoer.

Yes, this curiosity-inducing title has been inspired by a popular quote uttered by American mathematician character Dr. Ian Malcolm in the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park. I believe, currently it's strongly reverberating all over the world in anticipation of the fifth installment of the franchise: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, slated to hit theaters on June 22 next year. It is always great to discuss dinosaurs, but now let's shift from a dinosaurian theme to a linguistic one.

I used to (and perhaps many people) think that language is something that is immune to change. It maintains its forms and features permanently and remains unaffected by any circumstance where it resides. Language is sort of comparable to religious dogma in the sense that you must accept it as it is and altering it is impossible – it would be deemed sacrilegious to attempt to make any changes to it. Language is a robust entity; it is invincible and stays the same all the time, retaining all of its characteristics. But is this true?

To answer this question, firstly, let's look at a very basic question: Why do we use language? Humans are inherently very social creatures and in order to make achievements possible, they often need to be able to express their ideas and feelings successfully as well as effectively to other members of their kind. That's where the role of language fits in. Language is simply a means of communication, intended for the good, development, advancement, and survival of our species.

With this in mind, it is easy to think that language is, quite the opposite, actually fluid. As I once put it on Facebook, just like creatures, language evolves. It adapts to the conditions as necessary and to try to prevent change is a futile act. "Functionality" is the watchword. The sheer variety of world languages itself points to the fact that language has transformed on a massive scale, and it keeps on changing – unstoppable. 'Pressure' from its surroundings inevitably modifies it and this process should be seen as a natural process and not an intimidating one.

Stan Carey excellently wrote in a Macmillan Dictionary Blog article that "the meanings and usage of words change all the time: new senses emerge, old ones fade or shift, and senses can vary greatly from one context to another." Not only that; language also constantly accepts new vocabulary. For instance, two centuries ago no-one had ever heard the words tyrannosaurid and even dinosaur, but now the terms are widely used, especially in paleontological and scientific contexts (note that the definition of dinosaur itself needs changing: many dinosaurs, such as Compsognathus and Velociraptor, are considered small and, scientifically speaking, birds are dinosaurs, so dinosaurs as a group are not extinct). In addition, as technology has advanced rapidly, a huge impact on the related vocabulary couldn't be resisted. This is clearly seen from the fact that the majority of the 15 words that have climbed in use most significantly over the past twenty years are technology-related, such as email and laptop (watch British linguist David Crystal talk about the internet's effects on language here).

The same fate also befalls other linguistic features, including grammar, which is probably often thought to be even more "stubborn". Michael Rundell, the Editor-in-Chief of the Macmillan Dictionary, stated in his Real Grammar article that "grammar is no different" from vocabulary and that it "can change over time." For example, starting as a verb, the word impact has undergone alterations in its history and now it is perfectly fine to use it either as a noun or a verb. In terms of pronunciation, rhotacism – whether or not r is pronounced in words like card – historically disappeared and emerged in English.

Change is the nature of language. It is unavoidable and it is actually good that language, uh, finds a way. Continue reading

Brands

Having been in a post vacuum for sort of a long time and 'seen' some things going on on this only known inhabited planet, some of which included the launch of an international ballistic missile by North Korea (which I believe you all know) and the second son of President Joko Widodo, Kaesang Pangarep, being accused of religious blasphemy and hate speech for his video titled "#BapakMintaProyek", as well as engaging in a debate against a friend from high school who seems to be strictly creationistic, here I am to express another thought of mine through blogging.

Well, firstly, I'm not a marketer (my brother is), so I'm not going to give you a lecture on brands through this writing. It is more to my attitude towards them. What is a brand?

I think of it as some kind of ID card. It refers to what makes something different from others. When it comes to fast food chains, names such as KFC, Burger King, and McDonald's quickly come up in our minds and top the list. They are very famous brands since virtually everyone in the world knows them. Speaking of bags, Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton are highly associated and very popular with high-class people.

Perhaps many people stick to certain brands in their lives; they develop a sense of 'contempt' towards products and/or services of other brands. However, that's not exactly true of me. I'm a kind of a person who is quite flexible and doesn't force themselves to get something at all costs out of an exclusive liking. Nevertheless, as with many, or all, things in the world, there are always exceptions.

Fashion

In terms of fashion, I'm not a picky man. I would be willing to wear any clothes that look nice (enough) on me and won't get me embarrassed in any situation. In addition, they should be comfortable for me and not cause any physical (and therefore mental) disturbances when I am doing my activities. I generally choose function over appearance. Currently I have a backpack that I've used for some time (perhaps around 2 years) and it doesn't display any sign of wear! The brand is Bodypack and I am really satisfied with it, so I'll definitely buy another Bodypack if I need another bag. My fashion brands also include Lois (trousers) and Indomaret (briefs).

Food and drinks

As I'm not an affluent man, I rarely splurge on expensive food. I will consume food and drinks that suit my taste and of course are not dangerous for my health. However, I have a preference towards HokBen (fast food) when my adventurous mode is off. For those who do not have the faintest idea (and haven't opened the link), HokBen is a Japanese food restaurant from Indonesia that provides a selection of mouth-watering dishes. Unfortunately, the prices are apparently going up so much that it seems to be becoming less affordable. Another fast-food chain worth mentioning is CFC, the name of which stands for "California Fried Chicken" – don't be fooled by the name, though, since it is originally from Indonesia. CFC has two special dishes that, I think, no such types of other brands can outdo: Onion Rings and Chicken Strips. They are simply mouth-watering and will definitely heighten your appetite in a split second.

Books

Reading is an essential activity that more or less determines the future of our planet. Therefore, choosing the right book for you is as important as deciding on your life partner – I'm not being lebay. I specialize in English and dinosaurs, so my book collection is mostly comprised of those kinds of book. With regards to English, Cambridge, Oxford, Longman, and Merriam-Webster have a special place in my heart. I find they are very reliable, informative sources which every English lover should consult. However, I am also open to other brands such as McGraw-Hill, which is an awesome addition to my collection. As for dinosaurs, brands are less important than authors! (well, strictly speaking, authors are actually brands as well) Dinosaur books by world-renowned experts such as Dr. Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. (American paleontologist) and Julius Csotonyi (Canadian paleoartist) are something I would pick even without looking at the covers first. One publisher that is worth mentioning for its stunning, rich dinosaur (and other subjects too) illustrations is DK (Dorling Kindersley), by which two dino books of mine were published.

Toiletries

Well, it is important to maintain a high level of hygiene. As a rule of thumb, I'd choose any which don't cause negative side effects, such as pimples (fortunately, my skin is not very sensitive) – Cussons Baby proves good for my hide. There is an Indonesian saying "Hair is a woman's crown", stressing the importance of hair beauty. I'm one who believes that it also applies to men. Natur is the brand I use since, as its name suggests, it contains natural substance(s) (although I know that not everything natural is nice, for example T-Rex). Nevertheless, so far so good!

Entertainment

Everyone needs entertainment, including me. Nowadays I never watch TV and play games, so I don't have any preference for certain TV and game 'brands'; I do watch YouTube videos though, and while there are some interesting channels, such as Edho Zell, I don't really limit myself to them. I'm not a moviegoer, so I rarely go to the theater and will watch any movies that attract me, regardless of the 'brands'. However, in terms of music, there's only one eternal 'brand', Jay Chou. I've been a loyal fan for a month of Sundays and personally I'd say he is the best musician in the world – his music will still be enjoyable in 66 million years' time.

That's about me. How about you? Are you a brand person or not? Share you thoughts in the comment section below! Continue reading

Longman Language Activator – Book Review

Longman Language Activator

by Pearson Education

A ubiquitous, classical question that lingers in many people's minds is "How can I improve my English?" In certain cases, one of the areas that they really need to improve on – but that they might not realize they have to – is vocabulary. Our world is a vast entity where a massive number of things exist and occur. Thus, we need to be able to express an idea or thought as clearly as possible. For this reason, expanding your English vocabulary bank would surely turn you into a more effective communicator.

And congratulations, folks! The Longman Language Activator has been 'born' to serve that function. In the preface (p. vii), it is mentioned that Lord Randolph Quirk called the Longman Activator, which includes the Longman Essential Activator (intended for lower-level students), 'the dictionary the world has been waiting for', and in my view, it definitely is.

How will this dictionary help you enrich your vocabulary? The Longman Language Activator will take you on a journey to words and/or phrases in generally the same meaning area, so that you know their differences, if any, and express what you want to say or write more exactly and/or accurately. For instance, under the "to eat" section (p. 345), there are "eat", "have", "chew", "swallow", "lick", "consume", "dig in/tuck in", and "chow down". In addition to clear, easy-to-understand definitions, this dictionary contains plenty of examples in case you need help in understanding. It also features pronunciations to make sure you pronounce the words and phrases correctly (British/American) as well as labels to ensure you use them appropriately (British/American, formal/informal, etc.). Grammar and collocation information, which I find extremely important, adds to the appeal of this book, and the alphabetical order organization as well as a useful index at the back of the book make it convenient for readers to use.

One thing that could be improved is its coloration, as this book is printed in black and white except for the cover and the "Using the Activator" section. Its 'sister' (the Longman Essential Activator) is more pleasing to the eyes as it is beautified with color. What is more, the second edition of the book was published in 2002; it has been 14 years since then, so it might need to be revised/updated.

Without a doubt, the Longman Language Activator – along with the Longman Essential Activator, I believe – is absolutely a must-have for English learners and teachers who would like to take their English to the next level. This book is definitely worth every cent/penny you spend.

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Language Is an Illusion

Why is that?

To begin with, there is a short tale for you to heed. Steve Martin is a British man. He was born in London 35 years ago and raised by his parents, who are also of London origin. He has spent most of his life, playing, studying, and working in his home country. Needless to say, having in contact with British culture and language for most of his time, his English is unquestionably excellent.

Now let's use a lot of third conditionals here: what if Steve had been born in Vietnam, where the official language is Vietnamese, not English? What if he had been brought up by parents who came from Quang Ngai, not London? What if he had had to nod his head a little bit, instead of shaking hands, which is unusual in Vietnam, when meeting someone for the first time? Would he be the one he is now?

Of course not. He would be very fluent in Vietnamese and his English might not be as good as his now.

(You might be wondering why there is a cultural question there. The quick answer is because language and culture are inextricable. Check out this awesome TEDx Talk by Tim Doner, a hyperpolyglot from the U.S.A.)

Now let's move on to YOU. What if you had been born, not in your homeland, but in another country? What if you had been brought up by parents whose mother tongue is not your native language? What if you had grown up getting exposed to a culture that is so different from the one you are used to? Would you be YOU?

No, you wouldn't. You would speak "that" language better than your real first language. Basically, you would be "a new you".

Getting back to Steve, if he were with his real parents in London, would they understand what Steve said in Vietnamese? Probably not. Would Steve understand what his parents said in English at a fast rate? Probably not either.

Now imagine "the new you" is now with your real family members at a monthly gathering at your maternal grandmother's house. Would they understand what "the new you" talked about? Probably not. In an exactly the same situation, they wouldn't get what the heck you were talking about and vice versa because of the different languages.

So what is this all about? It means language is nothing but a medium, or a system, as I like to call it. Language is only meaningful when a group of people (perhaps a tribe or a nation) agree on the "effects" it can give – I recall my high school friend told me that language is "an agreement". Or, in other words, it is an illusion. To see my tips for learning English, click here – be sure to check part 2 as well.

Actually this is what made me realize that to learn a language successfully is not that hard as long as you want to adapt to the "system". Or, to put it more dramatically, you must (want to) be "reborn' or "born again", like Christians are.

What is more, this also rebuts the notion that you need to be talented to be successful in languages. When we are talking about talent, we are referring to a small number of people, right? Now, how many French people can't speak French fluently? How many Germans can't write German in an effortless fashion? I believe only an incredibly tiny fraction of a nation are not able to learn and use their native language and it must comprise those with sight and hearing impairments. In short, language proficiency is not linked to talent.

To end this article, I would like to quote Tim Doner at the end of his TEDx Talk presentation "Breaking the language barrier" (find the link above):

"You can translate words easily, but you can't quite translate meaning."

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Common English Mistakes: Present Simple and Present Continuous

Here is a list of common mistakes in the use of the present simple and present continuous:

1. infinitive without -s or -es (or has) with third person singular subjects (he, she, it, etc.)
Christina (= she) go to English classes every week. (incorrect)
Christina goes to English classes every week. (correct)

My brother (= he) have a thick dinosaur book. (incorrect)
My brother has a thick dinosaur book. (correct)

2. be + infinitive
I am eat bread every morning. (incorrect)
I eat bread every morning. (correct)

She's like me very much. (incorrect)
She likes me very much. (correct)

Note:
Barry likes Christina. (= Barry is interested in Christina, probably because she is kind, smart, etc.)
In this sentence:
likes = verb

Barry is like Christina. (= Barry is similar to Christina. For example, Barry is nice and Christina is nice too. Barry's hobby is reading and Christina's hobby is reading too.)
In this sentence:
is = verb
like = preposition

3. only v-ing (without be)
Johnny cooking in the kitchen. (incorrect)
Johnny is cooking in the kitchen. (correct)

Be quiet! My children sleeping. (incorrect)
Be quiet! My children are sleeping. (correct)

4. using the present simple when the present continuous should actually be used instead, and vice versa
What are you doing? ~ I have lunch now. (incorrect)
What are you doing? ~ I'm having lunch now. (correct)

She is visiting her uncle once a year. (incorrect)
She visits her uncle once a year. (correct)

I hope this article is useful for you! Keep on loving English! Continue reading

5 Recommended Websites for Learning English

It is 2015 and I guess English still stands out and remains the world's lingua franca. Despite my fondness for learning other languages like Filipino, English is still my pet one – in what other languages can I find high quality dinosaur books? Thanks to technology, learning this 26-letter language has become much easier. Here are 5 websites that I use to improve my English proficiency and, hopefully, will help you master the language as well! Check them out!

1. EnglishClub
A simply named website, EnglishClub contains tons of useful learning materials. It is something you could always return to as this website covers a wide range of English language aspects, from grammar to punctuation to word stress. Personally I am keen on the "of the day" features, which give you a new idiom, phrasal verb, saying, and slang expression every day!

2. Espresso English
Don't get mistaken; Espresso English is not about coffee, but it will be your cup of tea! I haven't explored this website much but I enjoy reading the blog a lot; it consists of lots of fabulous, well-structured, easy-to-understand articles about idioms, vocabulary, useful phrases, etc.

3. TED
Strictly speaking, TED is not a website for learning English or any other languages. Yet, it proves to be a great tool for developing your listening skills. Practice listening by watching talks about a vast range of ideas and turn on the English subtitles when needed. You can also access the videos on its YouTube channel.

4. engVid
Want to learn English with native speaker teachers online? Just visit engVid! As you might have guessed, engVid offers a myriad of helpful videos presented by experienced English teachers, some, or most, of which have subtitles with them. The topics are varied, from pronunciation tips to soft English expressions. I like Adam's and Emma's teaching styles because their explanations are simple and understandable. You can access the videos on its YouTube channel as well.

5. Macmillan Dictionary
What? You might have been a bit confounded. Well, to learn English – and any other languages, I guess – you need a good dictionary; and for that reason, Macmillan Dictionary exists! This dictionary will surely make things a lot easier for you. What makes me crazy about this dictionary is that it uses simple language for its definitions. What is more, it provides information about countability, synonyms, collocates, and the 'Get It Right' feature, which will definitely help you avoid common mistakes.

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How to Be Good at English (Part 2)

As I'm getting older (and so everyone is), I'm becoming more and more aware of the importance of this wide spoken language – English. My international friend base is continuously expanding and it is English that unites us. I've already written an article about how to be good at English; however, this piece of writing contains more personal and detailed information. Curious? Here they are, four techniques I use to boost my English proficiency!

1. Watch videos online

Oh, come on! We live in the Internet era and myriad online videos are waiting for you to be watched! The site I visit is – as you might have expected – YouTube. Firstly, I watch videos without subtitles, trying to get the message. Then, if there are any words I couldn't catch, I watch the parts which they are in with a subtitle on. Your pronunciation awareness will certainly increase – you'll know which syllable the stress of a word is on, accustom yourself to connected speech, etc. You could watch Ted Talks – I've seen some people giving engaging speeches – as subtitles are provided.

2. Read novels

You might be thinking, Why novels? The quick answer is because they contain lots of words, or in other words, a great amount of language. I used to hate novels, actually, but I ended up falling in love with them after realizing their efficacies. If you want to learn a language, you have to expose yourself to as much language as possible – and novels would be your great helpers. By reading novels, you get hosts of new words, new collocations, new idioms, etc. Don't know the meaning of a word? Before looking it up in your dictionary, which is something you should keep at hand, try to guess it by looking at the context – look at the words and/or sentences surrounding it. For example, take a look at this text:

John went into the forest and saw a XXXX. Strangely, it didn't bite him; it passed by him instead.

What is XXXX?

Premise 1: It was in the forest.
Premise 2: Strangely, it didn't bite.
Premise 3: It passed by John.

Conclusion: XXXX might be an animal (based on the fact the pronoun 'it' is used and points 1 and 3: animals are common in forests and moving is an activity typical of an animal) and it was probably a predator (based on point 2: the writer had expected XXXX to bite John).

On top of that, reading will increase your grammatical accuracy awareness. Unconsciously, you'll realize the existence of new structures and your brain will click when people use them incorrectly!

Tip: Find a novel that is right up your alley. You don't want to fall asleep when reading it!

3. Talk to yourself

What? Yeah, it seems strange. But since I can't find a language partner – I hope you have found one or will – I myself am my language partner. One 'trick' I use is to create sentences (about 4–5) every time I learn a new phrase, structure, or anything. For example, I would say to myself something like "Have ever you visited Saigon? She's been my language partner for two years. Mr. Masrani has worked for his company since 2010," if I were learning about the present perfect simple. I would always strive for a high level of fluency before I move on to the next point. Sometimes I also combine several grammar points, for example by telling a story that comprises a number of tenses. Other times I use an idiom with different tenses. Basically I do lots of experiments! This method turns out to be very effective to me, and you could give it a shot.

4. Write a blog

Yeah, actually what I'm doing now is one of the ways to brush up on my English – to practice writing. By writing a blog, I can make use of all the English things I've learned in a free and creative way, while being able to express my ideas to the public at the same time. And another piece of good news is it is gratis – I created this account without any rupiah or dong.

You may have noticed that all these points relate to the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. However, don't limit yourself! Besides these, I also do other English-enhancing things like reading news items online and enlarging my vocabulary through websites such as Espresso English. Another important thing is to make sure your effort is as closely related to your interest as much as possible since you will progress faster. I wish you all the best on your English journey!

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Common English Mistakes That Vietnamese Make

I love Vietnam! In fact, I want to work and live there (I hope I can do it next year). I have quite a lot of Vietnamese friends, some of whom I have already met in person. I've been to Ho Chi Minh City twice and now I still feel the wonder of it. Well, since I can't communicate in Vietnamese well (I'm learning it, though), I interact with my Vietnamese friends in English. Here are some common mistakes made by Vietnamese, based on my experience. I hope this list will be useful for Vietnamese who want to learn/are learning English and for other people too!

Note: I will keep this post updated.

1. "have" instead of "there is/are"
To talk about existence, Vietnamese often use "have", not "there is/are".

Examples:
• Have one teacher here. (should be There is one teacher here.)
• Have five people in my office. (should be There are five people in my office.)

2. no be
Vietnamese tend to omit be forms (am, is, are, etc.).

Examples:
• My friend beautiful. (should be My friend is beautiful.)
• My father at home (last week). (should be My father was at home.)

3. no articles
Vietnamese tend to leave out articles (a/an and the).

Examples:
• I in office. (should be I am in the office.)
• Yesterday my sister went to bookstore. (should be Yesterday my sister went to a bookstore.)

4. infinitives with third person singular subjects in the simple present
When using the simple present, Vietnamese tend to use infinitives with third person singular subjects (he, she, and it).

Examples:
• My mother cook for me. (should be My mother cooks for me.)
• My brother go to school every day. (should be My brother goes to school every day.)

5. no -s or -es in plural forms
Vietnamese tend to use singular forms where plural forms should be used instead.

Examples:
• I want to buy two apple. (should be I want to buy two apples.)
• She have a lot of friend. (should be She has a lot of friends.)

6. no prepositions
Vietnamese often leave out prepositions.

Examples:
• I listening music. (should be I'm listening to music.)
• Wait me. (should be Wait for me.)

7. ending sounds
Vietnamese have difficulty in pronouncing ending sounds.

Examples:
• "Ll" in "will" and "kill" is pronounced like the second 'u' in "usual". (the /u/ sound is pronounced instead of the /l/ sound)
• "Rice" is pronounced like "ry" in "cry". (the /s/ sound is not pronounced)
• "Always" is pronounced like "alway". (the /z/ sound is not pronounced)
• "D" in "seaweed" is pronounced like "sh" in "wish". (the /ʃ/ sound is pronounced instead of the /d/ sound) Continue reading

Practical English Usage – Book Review

Practical English Usage

by Michael Swan

I feel 'sinful' if I don't let people know this book. So here it is, one of the best English language books I've ever read: Practical English Usage by Michael Swan.

I'd call this book a 'super problem solver'. Why? This book discusses the English language extensively. The content ranges from grammar and pronunciation, through differences between American and British English, to how to correspond in English. Swan writes the content clearly; it is easy to understand and won't baffle the readers. Finding a topic is effortless as there is a very useful index at the back of the book which clearly directs the readers to what they are looking for (the contents are arranged in alphabetical order and numbered). This book is a must-have not only for English learners, but also for English teachers, as, I believe, in someone's teaching career, they sometimes come across questions that they don't have the answers to. In addition, the 3rd edition includes Don't say it!, a section that covers 130 common English mistakes at various levels. I think the remark that Practical English Usage is the 'Bible' of English is not an exaggeration.

The 4th edition of Practical English Usage was published in 2017 and can be purchased here. Continue reading

Understanding and Using English Grammar & Fundamentals of English Grammar – Book Review

Understanding and Using English Grammar

by Betty S. Azar and Stacy A. Hagen
&
Fundamentals of English Grammar

by Betty S. Azar and Stacy A. Hagen

Do you want to learn English? If so, Understanding and Using English Grammar and Fundamentals of English Grammar are definitely for you. To be honest, in terms of English, these books are my "first love"; they are "the alpha" of my English journey. I learned A LOT from these books. Betty and Stacy explain every language point simply and clearly, with lovable tables and drawings. These books are also comprehensible, making them remarkable references. I didn't read much of Basic English Grammar, which is intended for lower-level learners, but it must be as good as these incredible books. Highly recommended for those who really want to learn English!

Click here to buy the fifth edition of Understanding and Using English Grammar.

Have you read Understanding and Using English Grammar and Fundamentals of English Grammar? What do you think of them? Share your opinion in the comment section below! Continue reading

12 Common English Mistakes That Indonesians Make

First of all, this list of 12 mistakes is based on my experience. I encounter Indonesians every day (of course! I'm an Indonesian) and I've found these to be common among them. Secondly, I hope that it will be useful for English-learning Indonesians—and perhaps other English learners as well. Lastly, enjoy it!

1. infinitives everywhere
There are many kinds and forms of verbs in English. Indonesians tend to use infinitives on almost every occasion.

Examples:
• Erick go to school every day. (should be Erick goes...)
• She have dinner with her boyfriend at Sushi Tei Central Park yesterday. (should be She had dinner...)
• Berry want to play basketball this evening. (should be Berry wants...)

2. be + infinitive
Be forms are commonly found with infinitives. They tend to "stick together".

Examples:
• I am like to read romance novels. (should be I like to...)
• Last Friday I was bring some food to Tony. (should be Last Friday I brought ...)

3. more + short adjective + -er
Indonesians often struggle when it comes to short comparatives.

Examples:
• Elephants are more bigger than humans. (should be Elephants are bigger...)
• Kobe Bryant is more taller than Jay Chou. (should be Kobe Bryant is taller...)
• Benny is more busier than Santi. (should be Benny is busier...)
• Papayas are more healthier than beer. (should be Papayas are healthier...)

4. wh-questions
- wrong auxiliary position

Examples:
• Why you are wearing jeans? (should be Why are you...)
• Why you haven't put down the guitar yet? (should be Why haven't you...)
• Why she bought that medicine? (should be Why did she buy...)

- no auxiliaries

Examples:
• Why she walking around the park? (should be Why is she walking...)
• Why Carol eat last night? (should be Why did Carol eat...)

5. adjective + with
"With" is not combined with some adjectives.

Examples:
• Richard is different with my father. (should be Richard is different from/than (US)/to (Brit)...)
• Jane's car is similar with Rocky's. (should be Jane's car is similar to...)
• My book is same with his. (should be My book is the same as...)
• Victoria Beckham is married with David Beckham. (should be Victoria Beckham is married to...)
However, you can say "Victoria Beckham is married with four children."

6. silent t in words ending with -st, -nt and -ct, and silent k in words ending with -nk
Indonesians tend not to pronounce the last t in words ending in -st and -nt.

Examples:
• "Fast" is pronounced /'fæs/ (US) or /'fɑːs/ (Brit). (should be pronounced /'fæst/ (US) or /'fɑːst/ (Brit))
• "First" is pronounced /'fɚs/. (should be pronounced /'fɚst/)
• "List" is pronounced /'lɪs/. (should be pronounced /'lɪst/)
• "Sent" is pronounced /'sɛn/. (should be pronounced /'sɛnt/)
• "Mint" is pronounced /'mɪn/. (should be pronounced /'mɪnt/)
• "Want" is pronounced /'wɑːn/. (should be pronounced /'wɑːnt/)
• "Act" is pronounced /'æk/. (should be pronounced /'ækt/)
• "Fact" is pronounced /'fæk/. (should be pronounced /'fækt/)
• "Effect" is pronounced /ɪ'fɛk/. (should be pronounced /'ɪ'fɛkt/)
• "Expect" is pronounced /ɛk'spɛk/. (should be pronounced /ɪk'spɛkt/)

In addition, they tend not to pronounce the last k in words ending in -nk.

Examples:
• "Bank" is pronounced /'bæŋ/. (should be pronounced /'bæŋk/)
• "Link" is pronounced /'lɪŋ/. (should be pronounced /'lɪŋk/)
• "Sink" is pronounced /'sɪŋ/. (should be pronounced /'sɪŋk/)
• "Tank" is pronounced /'tæŋ/. (should be pronounced /'tæŋk/)

7. wrong pronunciation of words ending in -sk
Indonesians tend to pronounce /k/ and then /s/ in words ending in -sk. Sometimes the /k/ is silent.

Examples:
• "Ask" is pronounced /'æks/ or /'æs/ (US), or /'ɑːks/ or /'ɑ:s/ (Brit). (should be pronounced /'æsk/ (US) or /'ɑːsk/ (Brit))
• "Disk" is pronounced /'dɪks/ or /'dɪs/. (should be pronounced /'dɪsk/)
• "Risk" is pronounced /'rɪks/ or /'rɪs/. (should be pronounced /'rɪsk/)
• "Task" is pronounced /'tæks/ or /'tæs/ (US), or /'tɑːks/ or /'tɑ:s/ (Brit). (should be pronounced /'tæsk/ (US) or /'tɑːsk/ (Brit))

8. th sounds (/θ/ and /ð/)
Th is often pronounced /t/ when it should be pronounced /θ/, and it is often pronounced /d/ when it should be pronounced /ð/.

Examples:
• "Bath" is pronounced /'bæt/ (US) or /'bɑ:t/ (Brit). (should be pronounced /'bæθ/ (US) or /'bɑ:θ/ (Brit))
• "Thick" is pronounced /'tɪk/. (should be pronounced /'θɪk/)
• "Thin" is pronounced /'tɪn/. (should be pronounced /'θɪn/)
• "This" is pronounced /'dɪs/. (should be pronounced /'ðɪs/)
• "That" is pronounced /'dæt/. (should be pronounced /'ðæt/)
• "Then" is pronounced /'dɛn/. (should be pronounced /'ðɛn/)
• "With" is pronounced /'wɪt/. (should be pronounced /'wɪθ/ or /'wɪð/)

9. /v/ sound
Indonesians are not accustomed to pronouncing /v/. They often use /f/ instead of /v/.

Examples:
• "Give" is pronounced /'gɪf/. (should be pronounced /'gɪv/)
• "Live" is pronounced /'lɪf/. (should be pronounced /'lɪv/)
• "Verb" is pronounced /'fɚb/. (should be pronounced /'vɚb/)
• "Very" is pronounced /'feri/. (should be pronounced /'veri/)

10. pronounced gh
When gh should be silent, it is pronounced /g/.

Examples:
• "Eight" is pronounced /'eɪgt/. (should be pronounced /'eɪt/)
• "High" is pronounced /'haɪg/. (should be pronounced /'haɪ/)
• "Right" is pronounced /'raɪgt/. (should be pronounced /'raɪt/)
• "Weight" is pronounced /'weɪgt/. (should be pronounced /'weɪt/)

11. pronounced w in words beginning with wr-
When w should be silent in wr- words, it is pronounced.

Examples:
• "Write" is pronounced /'wraɪt/. (should be pronounced /'raɪt/)
• "Wrong" is pronounced /'wrɑːŋ/. (should be pronounced /'rɑːŋ/)

12. strong forms
Indonesians tend to use strong forms when they are not normally used.

Examples:
• Can you swim?
"Can" here is pronounced /'kæn/ (strong form). (should be pronounced /kən/ (weak form))
• I think I will make a cup of coffee.
"Will" here is pronounced /'wɪl/ (strong form). (should be pronounced /wəl/ (weak form)) Continue reading

Spot The Error! #2

For each number below, find the error and write the correction.

1. There are a piece of cake on the table.
Correction:

The verb "are" is incorrect. "A piece of cake" is singular so it should be changed into "is".

2. Jay Chou was born in Taiwan on 1979.
Correction:

The right preposition for years is "in".

3. Sierra went to a concert two weeks ago. They enjoyed it very much!
Correction:

"They" is not the correct pronoun for Sierra. Change it into "she".

4. Yesterday I bought dinosaur book and gave it to my beloved brother. She directly read it and said it was amazing!
Correction:

The first sentence is lack of "a" in front of the word "dinosaur", and the second sentence uses the wrong pronoun; "she" is used to describe a woman, while "he" is used to describe a man.

5. My girlfriend is very smart and beauty. I love her.
Correction:

What is needed here is an adjective, not a noun. Change "beauty" into "beautiful".

6. My mother knows that I like to watching sci-fi movies.
Correction:

After "like" we may put either a gerund or a to-infinitive. Choose between "watching" or "to watch".

7. I cutted my finger deliberately when I was cooking.
Correction:

The past form of "cut" is "cut", not "cutted".

8. I don't know what is my boss doing now. He is in his room.
Correction:

Invert "is" and "my boss". The subject in a noun clause is placed before the verb(s).

9. In Jerry's opinion, swimming is more easier than playing golf.
Correction:

The comparative form of "easy" is "easier". Leave out the word "more".

10. Farah and Merry are shopaholics. They always want buy fancy clothes.
Correction:

The second sentence is lack of "to" in front of "buy".

Your score is:

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