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Showing posts from April, 2017

What is the Secret to Language Immersion?

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What is the Secret to Language Immersion? If you are trying to learn a language like English , you have probably heard about immersion language learning, or ILL. This is because immersion learning is the most effective way to acquire a language. And I say ‘acquire’ because that is exactly what the brain does—it slowly begins to recognize and assimilate a language naturally, without studying, memorizing, or painful classroom grammar exercises that are associated with ‘learning’ a language. Does that sound too good to be true? Well it’s not, and in fact it’s the same way you learned to speak your native language: effortlessly. In fact, traditional classroom exercises and studying grammar books can be counterproductive to learning languages. That’s because our brain naturally remembers things when there is a real-world context and an emotional memory associated with it. This happens constantly in our everyday lives when we interact with friends and family, or take part in memorable or ...

Human Resources Definition and most commonly used Terms

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Human Resources Definition and most commonly used Terms English Human Resources Vocabulary HR and recruitment processes Salary related vocabulary Taking time off work (holidays and sickness) Phrasal verbs related to work Working hours Describe different roles Contract types and related phrases What happens in the Human Resources (HR) department in a workplace, and does it have anything to do with me? The answer is ‘EVERYTHING related to the employees’ and YES! The Human Resources team are very important to the employer and employees of a company because they process and control everything from interviews, employment contracts, new staff packages, salary negotiation, payment queries or issues, problems with colleagues, promotion, maternity/paternity packages, to staff dismissal, pension funds, retirement packages and contract termination! With that in mind, I hope you can see how they play a very important role in making sure that the boss and staf...

Formal and Informal Email Phrases – from Greetings to Closing Phrases!

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In this article, you’ll find examples of language that are commonly used in different types of emails, and hopefully, you’ll find the most appropriate one for your message. The examples are labelled ’ formal ’ and ’ informal ’- please note that most informal expressions are perfectly suitable to use in ’semi-formal’ situations, such as between business associates who have worked together for some time and have established a good relationship. GREETINGS Formal Dear Sir/ Madam, Dear Sir or Madam, To whom it may concern: (especially AmE) Dear Mr/ Ms Jones, Dear Dr Smit h, (note: First names are NOT used. Using Miss or Mrs to address a woman  is not appropriate, as you don’t know whether she’s married or not) Informal Hi Dennis, Hello Claire, Dear Mum, (note: salutations are followed by a (,) comma , exception: ’To whom it may concern:’) REASON FOR WRITING / REPLYING Formal I am writing to make a reservation/ to apply for the position of...