What Does Conditional Admission Mean for International Students?

Posted on Friday, January 14th, 2011 under Applying to College, International Students, Learning English

Conditional admission is good news for international students!

A growing number of US colleges are offering conditional admission, welcoming international students who would previously have been barred due to insufficient English language skills.

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American Slang You Should Know: Video

Posted on Friday, November 26th, 2010 under International Students, Learning English, Video

No matter how many hours are devoted to learning a language from a textbook, it’s impossible to get a full grasp of it from reading alone.

Why? Textbooks don’t teach you the ever-changing vocabulary that is considered “slang.”

Check out today’s video, which breaks down the meanings of a few popular American slang words.

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TSE Exam: What Is It? Who Takes It?

Posted on Monday, March 29th, 2010 under Learning English, Testing

Are you a student or working professional who speaks English as a second language? You might be asked to take the TSE!

It’s important to know the format of the exam (also known as the Test of Spoken English) and what you will be asked in order to be prepared.

Stay calm! We’ve compiled a brief explanation of the TSE’s purpose and format.

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English Idioms for Money & Business

Posted on Friday, November 6th, 2009 under Learning English, Living in the US, Money

American English idioms flourish around money and business. However, international students may find themselves more bewildered than enriched.

What is a “dog-eat-dog” industry, for instance? Or a store that charges “an arm and a leg”?

Here are some common idioms to make your social interactions more profitable!

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Workplace Idioms for International Students

Posted on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 under International Students, Jobs, Learning English

American workplace idioms offer abundant ways to talk about time, money and accountability.

If you’re an international student or are starting your first job in the US, here are 20 of the most common expressions heard both in the boardroom and around the water cooler.

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American English Idioms: College Edition

Posted on Monday, August 17th, 2009 under International Students, Learning English, Living in the US

English idioms are a regular fixture on American college campuses, but international students may find them puzzling. Here are ten common expressions heard around campus in both academic and social contexts.

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American Slang Words: Mad! Sick! Horrorshow!

Posted on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 under International Students, Learning English, Living in the US

Slang appears and vanishes at meteoric speeds. Unlike formal English, slang aspires to be outrageous, absurd, even illogical. Some words mean the opposite of their usual definitions, while others have meanings that often change.

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12 American Travel Idioms for When You Hit the Road

Posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 under International Students, Learning English, Living in the US, Travel

American travel idioms are the gems of truck stops, motels and airports. “Get off the beaten path” and learn these 12 idioms before you put the “pedal to the metal” and “hit the road.”

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How American Roommates Help International Students

Posted on Friday, June 5th, 2009 under International Students, Learning English, Living in the US, Student Housing

An American roommate not only can help you practice your English language skills, but also is a great resource to learn more about American culture, etiquette, holidays, pop culture and more.

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American Regional English Words & Phrases

Posted on Monday, May 18th, 2009 under International Students, Learning English, Living in the US

American regional English is a collection of expressions and vocabulary specific to one part of the country. It passes from one generation to the next as a linguistic tradition, and defines that region’s residents in distinctive and endearing ways.

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English Idioms & American Socializing

Posted on Monday, April 13th, 2009 under International Students, Learning English, Living in the US

American English idioms are among the most charismatic elements of our language, but for international visitors and students they can be gibberish. Defined here are ten common expressions to ease your first social outings in the US.

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American English: A 2-Minute Introduction

Posted on Monday, March 30th, 2009 under International Students, Learning English, Living in the US

American English is a rich, diverse language. Although its complexity is daunting, speaking it is essential to fully experience American culture. International students, in particular, will gain unique insight into themselves and their time abroad.

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