It takes time to get to grips with the basics of a foreign language. Learning the verbs, pronunciation, grammar rules, vocabulary and local colloquialisms takes lots of dedication. In the past by this would mean burying your head in a book for hours on end or listening to a tape recorder to pick up speech patterns and accents. 
But language learning has changed and things are now much easier and more intuitive with the right tools.
GoConqr is a free online learning platform that gives users the freedom to create a wide variety of learning resources or to simply discover and use those created by other users. It’s cloud-based so students and teachers can access their learning material at any time and from anywhere – from desktops, tablets or mobile phones.
And with 2 million users, the good news is that there are countless ESL and EFL resources to help you teach and learn English.
So how can you use GoConqr to help improve your language acquisition and teaching skills? Well, let’s take a look at some of the ways it can help.


5 ways GoConqr can help ESL teachers and students
1. Easier access to study material
The four key areas that English language learners (and all language learners for that matter) need to work on on before they can communicate effectively are: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Because each of these areas pose their own unique challenges, students and teachers have generally had to use a variety of materials to progress. 
However, with GoConqr you can access a rich variety of ESL materials – from Quizzes to Mind Maps to Slides. Users can also insert images, web links or language-related audio and video files into their resources, so that they can access all the material they need in one place – text, video, audio and web.  
2. More ways to improve your vocabulary
Some of the tried and tested resources that you can use to improve your English vocabulary include easy-to-use Flashcards and Quizzes. You can either put together your own or find and copy ones created by other users, just like these below. 
Just as effective, however, are the thousands of other learning materials that have been created in a range of contexts, covering every subject you can think of. These let English-language learners explore a variety of words and terms they may not encounter in their everyday studies.
3. Collaborative learning
Working with others makes learning a lot easier, and that’s especially true when it comes to learning a language. You can create or join communities of learners using GoConqr’s Groups function. Here you can connect with others, share resources, and open discussions in which you can give one another feedback and support or just use it as a place to swap and try out any new words and idioms you have picked up.
4. Culture and history
Language is like a record of all the cultural and historical changes of the place it comes from. The more you know about these, the deeper your understanding of the language will be. Because GoConqr has such a vast library of resources, you can discover all kinds of material that will help you learn more about the background of the English language and how it has changed over time. Plus, as the number of GoConqr users grows, so does the number of resources for you to explore.
5. Remote access
It takes lots of practice and hard work to truly acquire a new language, so why limit your studies to the classroom or home when you can continue learning no matter where you are? As mentioned earlier, GoConqr is a cloud-based platform. This means everything you’ve saved can be accessed on any device that has an online connection – so whether you’re sitting in a café, traveling by train, or simply out and about, your ESL resources are always just a few clicks away. 

By web Anywhere-Visit webanywhere.co.uk

n the age of the Internet and mass media, you might think that it is easy to find reliable information on just about any subject in a matter of seconds. If you wish to know what life is like for American college students, you can just look it up online... right? 
Not necessarily. In reality, the United States has a very diverse collection of campus cultures, each with its own identity and priorities, and the Internet does not always reflect this adequately. With this in mind, here are four common myths about college life in America:
1. College is primarily a social event
The film industry has produced many movies that depict American college life as a continuous social event, with very few hours spent in class. Such portrayals are occasionally reinforced by articles and lists like, “The Best and Worst Party Schools in the U.S.” In reality, American college students are often held to high academic standards, and they are expected to meet those standards if they wish to return each semester, and to graduate. This means that, while many students do enjoy socializing, they also prioritize their academic responsibilities.
2. There is no support for international students
Moving to a foreign country, whether for a semester or for four years, can be stressful. For many students, the process is rife with anxiety-provoking concerns about whether or not they will be welcome or will fit in. Some international students may even fear that the college to which they are applying will not provide adequate support. 
Luckily, most schools have formal departments (like the Office of International Student Affairs) that are designed to help international students acclimate to their new environment. These departments can assist you with student visa questions, or they can help you with simpler requests, like directions or referrals. In addition, there are many on-campus clubs and organizations that can provide peer support and opportunities for socialization.
3. Americans are less academically driven than students in other countries
Another concern among international students is that Americans are less academically driven than their foreign peers, which might seem to suggest that the quality of classes is sub-standard. However, this is generally a matter of cultural difference. U.S. classrooms tend to be more relaxed or informal than education in some other countries, and instructors often encourage student interaction with peers or the professor. This makes learning less of a one-directional activity, but it does not mean that it is less rigorous or challenging.
4. It is possible to commute everywhere
In many countries, public transportation is widely available, and it allows citizens to travel great distances. Sadly, in the U.S., this is not always the case, and it can pose a problem for students. While most American cities have some form of a transit system, it is often limited to urban areas. If you plan to attend a college that is located in a city, this might not be a problem for you, but if you are applying to rural schools, you may find yourself limited to campus activities (or to activities that are accessible via the campus bus system) if you are without your own car.
David White is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world's largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

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Also referred to as Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year 2016 falls on February 8 and begins the Year of the Monkey. This holiday designates the first day of a secular or sacred year as coordinated by the cycles of the moon. Chinese New Year celebration is called Spring Festival. ​

Read more about 2016 Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year in the Telegraph article: Happy Chinese New Year 2016! Everything you need to know about the Year of the Monkey.

International students who plan to apply to American schools face a number of challenges—distant campuses, language requirements, and, perhaps most importantly, the question of which standardized test will be most beneficial to their application.
When applying to undergraduate programs, students have the choice between taking the ACT or the SAT. While these assessments are generally used for the same purpose (comparing applicants), their focus and formats can be quite different, which, depending on your strengths and learning style, can make one or the other a better fit for you.
The SAT
For almost 100 years, students have taken the SAT in their junior or senior year of high school as they prepare for the college admissions process. While the test’s format and purpose has changed over the years, the current version of the SAT is used to measure a student’s general academic knowledge and critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Students must complete a number of math, reading, and writing items over the course of several hours. As previously mentioned, the SAT is largely focused on assessing your ability to use critical thinking and reasoning to solve problems. For example, students may not know the meaning of each vocabulary word that they encounter, but by analyzing the context and the available answer choices, they can potentially deduce the correct answer.
The ACT
Unlike the SAT, the ACT has a focus that includes science—an attribute that can be important to those students who plan to apply to American science programs. The ACT also assesses your math, reading, and writing skills in a timed environment. 
In general, the ACT utilizes questions that are less complicated than the SAT’s. But it is also critically important to note that for students in foreign countries, the ACT is not as widely offered as the SAT.
Which exam is right for you?
For many international students, one of the most important items to consider when choosing between the ACT and SAT is language ability. Given the SAT’s emphasis on grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, the test-taker’s knowledge of and ability with the English language will play a key role in success. 
For those students who are concerned about how their English skills will affect their test scores, the ACT offers less emphasis on English grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. (It is worth noting, however, that it is not entirely absent from the exam). Students who are stronger in quantitative subjects like math and science may find that the ACT is more oriented toward their abilities and academic knowledge. 
Ultimately, either test will satisfy the colleges to which you are applying, so the answer to this question lies in your strengths and weaknesses. For native English speakers and those with advanced English language skills, the SAT may pose little issue, and it may be more readily available to you. For individuals with less developed language skills, the ACT can be a great way to demonstrate your abilities in other areas like math and science. 
Whichever you choose, good luck!
David White is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world's largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

We all know that learning a foreign language will come in handy, allowing an otherwise non-existent opportunity, to communicate easily with an entire demographic of people who also use that language. We know that an understanding of a second language looks excellent on a job resume. We even know that speaking another language is a way to impress your friends. What some may not know is that bi-lingual capabilities correlate with a string of other mental functions. 
If you’re seeking some extra motivation to tackle a foreign dialect, read about what those functions are here in this list of seven, scientifically-proven ways that a second dialect can make you more intelligent. From the somewhat obvious to the cellular changes under the cranium, this is how you will become a smarter person.
1. You’ll Be Able to Learn From More People When You Travel
When traveling abroad without being able to speak the language can be exhausting. You have to carry around a language dictionary with you just to order the right food. Even then, you won’t always get what you’re looking for. This is an obvious way that speaking a foreign tongue will benefit you, but real nonetheless. As you visit other countries with fluency over the native language of the land, you will be able to pick up on the subtler cues, giving you a broader understanding of the culture, the individuals, and the little gems of wisdom offered by those you meet. You never know when a guru might enter your path; the last thing you want is to not be able to understand what he is trying to tell you.
2. Your Vocabulary Will Instantly Double
For every word you know, becoming fluent in another language, you will find at least one alternative way to speak it. If nothing else, knowing twice as many words is great for trivia. Unconsciously, you’ll probably be picking up some root words, and automatic comprehension of similar words in other languages. If it’s an extended vocabulary you’re looking for, why not start here.
3. Your General Foreign Language Aptitude Will Expand
The language that you learn and your native tongue will not be the only forms of communication you will have a better understanding of. According to Peterlang.com, your general foreign language aptitude correlates with knowing more than one language. So, although you may not have fluency in Portuguese, knowing two other languages will make it easier to pick it up than if you only know one.
4. Verbal Intelligence Will Rise With Foreign Dialect Practice  
As you practice speaking a new language, the same study that showed changes in foreign language aptitude tells us, you will see a rise in your verbal intelligence. So, the way in which you use your first language will change for the better. Likely, since you’re aware of grammar and multiple word uses for your second language, those same aspects of the first become more dominant in your mind. Are you ready to become a better conversationalist? It might be hard to keep people from wanting to sit and chat, in which case you’ll need to keep up your time organization skills.
5. When You Learn Another Language, Reasoning Capabilities Will Be Heightened
The final thing that the particular referenced study taught was that, surprisingly, reasoning capabilities were higher amongst the sample of language students than those that spoke only one language. If you are interested in attaining better reasoning skills for any reason, learning to speak another dialect may be a way to kill two birds with one stone. Who doesn’t want to have better communication and rational fuel for their decision making process? 
6. Your IQ Will Go Up Significantly
It has been shown that Intelligence Quotient is affected by the acquisition of a new language. If you’re looking to join mensa, get a foreign language under your belt. Learning a new language could help land you in the genius zone. Of course, you may still want to take the practice exams to find out what they actually expect from you.
7. Learning Another Language Will Literally Change the Density of Your Brain’s Grey-Matter
This is not a joke. According to a study on the topic of language and the brain, published in 2004, the grey-matter in your inferior parietal cortex will become more dense as you acquire a second language. Therefore, learning a second language will not only have effects on your mental capabilities, but the physical structure of your brain too. The density of your inferior parietal cortex plays a key role in many cognitive functions. As it increases, so do various intellectual abilities. If that’s not solid proof that a new language will make you smarter, nothing is. 
What did you learn, unexpectedly, when learning a foreign language? 


Eva Creerson is a former ESL teacher . She now works as a student consultant and a writer at masterpapers.org writing service

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