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Learning a new language is an exciting journey, but it can also be challenging, especially when you encounter unfamiliar words. Don't let new vocabulary intimidate you. With the right strategies, you can work out the meaning of new words and enhance your language skills. Here are some effective ways to help you work out the meaning of new words so you can use these new words confidently and tackle any unfamiliar words with confidence.

Before diving into practical tips, it's helpful to understand a bit about the origins of the English language. English is a Germanic language, but it has been heavily influenced by Latin, especially through the Norman Conquest in 1066 and the Renaissance period. Many English words have Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes. This historical context can be a valuable tool in decoding unfamiliar vocabulary.

With an ever-growing range of learning tools and applications being launched, choosing the right solution can feel overwhelming. However, the Digital Language Tutor for Mondly by ����app distinguishes itself as an innovative solution aimed at helping corporate clients enhance their listening and speaking abilities in relevant business contexts.

The Digital Language Tutor is targeted at professionals who speak at least a B1 level of English (43-50 on the Global Scale of English). It employs AI-powered Conversation Partners to simulate corporate scenarios, providing users with an immersive and interactive learning experience.

In this post we outline the strategic design process behind these Conversation Partners, highlighting the importance of diverse representation, compelling and authentic personality trait development, and integrating level-appropriate language skills alongside essential corporate soft skills to create a comprehensive language learning solution.

2025 is here. As we step into the new year, it's the perfect time to reflect on our recent challenges and��achievements. It’s also a good moment to think about the future with optimism and��plan our goals. Our students, too, are thinking about their New Year's resolutions.��

As a teacher, you can help them consider how learning English will help them now and in the future. On top of this, you can guide them as they plan their goals and give them useful advice on how to achieve them.��

Balancing mindfulness and planning ahead

Here we find ourselves already in a new year. I wonder if, like me, many of you might be wondering how that has happened. January is a time of year traditionally associated with analyzing the past and making resolutions for the future.

In the classroom this might also involve looking forward to assessments and exams at the end of the school year. Maybe you’ve made New Year’s resolutions that have already fallen by the wayside.��

The focus of this blog is learning how to stay in the present moment. So let's take a practical look at how to manage this time of year with your students and with ourselves as teachers (and humans), while also effectively planning ahead for the future.

Are you ready to harness the power of English to drive your business forward? At ����app, we are proud to announce the release of the ������app Global English Proficiency Report 2024, drawing upon extensive data to illuminate the state of English language skills worldwide. This report is meticulously crafted to equip business leaders with essential insights for informed decision-making.

Sue Kay has been an ELT materials writer for over 25 years. She is the co-author of ����app's Focus Second Edition and is one of the co-founders of . In this article, Sue takes us through her experience of using video in the classroom and shows us how to motivate and engage students with authentic video.

Videos are no longer a novelty

When I started teaching in the early 80s, video was a novelty in the classroom. We only had one video player for the whole school and had to book it a week in advance. There was very little published material available, but thanks to the rarity factor, the students lapped it up.��

There was no problem with getting them motivated, even if the lessons accompanying the videos were not particularly exciting and consisted mainly of comprehension questions. Lucky for me, our school had a very dynamic Director of Studies who gave great teacher training sessions and I was very taken with a presentation he did on active viewing tasks.��

I was, and still am, a big fan of the Communicative Approach and I embraced the more interactive video tasks enthusiastically: freeze frame and predict, watch with the sound down and guess what people are saying, listen with the screen hidden to guess the action, etc.��

When I’m preparing a video lesson, I still try to include at least one of these activities because the information gap provides an ideal motivation for students to watch the video and check their ideas.��

Dr. Quoc is an author, educational solutions provider and AIED expert with over 20 years of experience in ELT and education in Vietnam. He is the Founder and CEO of Pro.Ed Education Solutions and Chief Officer of EduVerse, a global network supporting lifelong learning for educators. Dr. Quoc is also the author of The Art and Science of ChatGPT in Education and was named a LinkedIn Top Educational Leadership Voice in 2024. His work focuses on integrating AI into education to support personalized and flexible learning for teachers and learners.

For many adult learners, mastering English isn’t just about gaining a new skill—it’s about unlocking opportunities in work, family and social spheres. But juggling English lessons alongside work, family obligations and social commitments is a challenge that can feel overwhelming.

This guide explores the unique challenges adult learners face and how educators can support them with empathy, flexibility and effective strategies.

The challenges of learning English as an adult

Meet Le, a 35-year-old Vietnamese project manager who dreams of working for an international company. With a demanding full-time job and two young children, finding time for English lessons feels impossible. Missing classes and struggling to complete assignments leads to frustration and self-doubt—an all-too-common experience among adult learners.

Many adults face similar challenges:

• Balancing work, family and personal commitments leaves little time and energy for study.
• Fatigue after a long day makes it difficult to concentrate or retain information.
• Progress feels slow, which can be demotivating.

Without practical support, the goal of English proficiency can seem out of reach.

Strategies for overcoming challenges

1. Setting SMART Goals

Educators can guide learners to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. Breaking down larger objectives into small, measurable milestones gives learners a sense of achievement. For example, ����app’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides actionable “Can-do” statements, such as:

• Reading (GSE 37/CEFR A2+): Can understand simple personal emails.
• Speaking (GSE 44/CEFR B1): Can give a short talk with visual support.

These manageable goals create motivation and help learners like Le stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Offering flexible learning options

Flexibility is key for adult learners. Teachers can adopt strategies such as:

• Modular lessons that can be completed in short sessions.
• Micro-learning, including 10-minute daily practices using apps or quick grammar exercises.

For learners like Le, micro-learning can easily be integrated into a work commute or lunch break.

3. Blending learning with real-world scenarios

Teaching English through practical, real-life contexts makes lessons more relevant and efficient. Using authentic materials like emails, meeting notes, or presentations mirrors learners’ daily lives and creates immediate applications for their new skills. For instance:

• Help learners role-play workplace conversations.
• Develop speaking proficiency for social interactions or workplace scenarios.

This approach saves time and reinforces the usefulness of learning English, keeping learners motivated.

4. Encouraging weekly reflection

Reflection allows learners to monitor their progress, stay motivated and adapt their strategies. Teachers can:

• Encourage learners to set weekly goals (e.g., learning new business vocabulary or practicing pronunciation for 15 minutes daily).
• Use reflection journals to track achievements, identify challenges and adjust learning plans.

This habit reinforces a growth mindset, helping learners make consistent progress amidst their busy schedules.

Implementing the strategies

Here’s how educators can apply these strategies effectively:

1. Assess and set goals

Work with learners to set realistic, measurable goals based on their personal motivations and schedules.

2. Create flexible study plans

Develop personalized study schedules that incorporate modular lessons and micro-learning techniques.

3. Use authentic materials

Include sample emails, presentations, or conversations that align with the learner’s work or life situations, making lessons more practical.

4. Encourage accountability

Implement tools like reflective journals or digital reminders to help learners stay on track and see their progress.

5. Leverage personalized AI tools

Use AI-powered tools to recommend tailored exercises, provide instant feedback and enable targeted practice in learners’ focus areas.

Why It matters

English proficiency opens doors to better job opportunities, stronger social connections and enriched personal growth. By providing empathetic and flexible support, teachers empower learners to achieve their goals without compromising their work-life balance.
For educators seeking further resources, ����app’s GSE framework offers valuable tools to help adult learners succeed. Teachers can use these aids to track progress and personalize lessons for maximum impact.

Celebrate education

To mark the incredible work of educators helping learners balance work, life and study, we encourage you to share your own experiences and tips to others. Together, we can continue to empower lifelong learning and celebrate the role of education in transforming lives.

In the rapidly evolving age of artificial intelligence (AI), language plays a critical role in shaping the future of technology. English, in particular, has emerged as the dominant language in the AI domain, driving innovations, collaboration and accessibility. As we delve deeper into the digital age, the importance of teaching English becomes increasingly evident. Here are some key points that underscore why English is essential in the realm of AI and why its teaching matters.

Global collaboration and research

AI is a field that thrives on collaboration and the sharing of knowledge. Researchers, developers and engineers worldwide contribute to the collective advancement of AI technologies. English is the common linguistic thread that binds this global community together, enabling seamless communication and collaboration among these diverse professionals.

By teaching English, we empower individuals from various linguistic backgrounds to participate in global research projects, attend international conferences and publish their findings in widely accessible journals. This global exchange of ideas not only accelerates the pace of AI innovation but ensures that advancements are inclusive and representative of a wide array of perspectives.

Access to educational resources and technical documentation

Many AI research papers, educational materials, textbooks, online courses and technical documents are published in English. Leading AI platforms, libraries and frameworks, offer extensive documentation and support primarily in English.

By equipping individuals with English language skills, we empower them to access these invaluable resources. This democratizes the learning process, allowing aspiring AI practitioners from non-English-speaking regions to acquire the knowledge and tools needed to contribute effectively to the field.

Enhancing communication and language learning with AI systems

As AI systems become more integrated into our daily lives, the ability to communicate effectively with these systems is paramount. Many AI-driven applications, from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to customer service chatbots, operate predominantly in English. Teaching English ensures that users can interact seamlessly with these technologies, maximizing their utility and enhancing user experience.

Moreover, as continues to advance, proficiency in English allows individuals to better understand and contribute to the development of more sophisticated and intuitive AI communication interfaces.
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For many students, navigating the world of English language proficiency tests can be a daunting experience. Whether you're preparing for university, looking to enhance your career prospects, or simply aiming to improve your communication skills, understanding what your Global Scale of English (GSE) score means is crucial.

In this blog post, we'll break down the GSE, explain what your score represents and provide you with actionable steps to improve it.