The English teachers voice

How to Correctly Use Slang in Speaking and Writing After more than twenty years of teaching English in Peru , I’ve learned something very important about slang : the problem is not using slang, the problem is using it without control. Many of my students arrive at an intermediate or advanced level sounding grammatically strong but socially unsure. They ask questions like: “Is this phrase too informal?” “Do native speakers really say this?” “Why does this sound strange when I use it?” These are good questions. Slang is part of real English, and ignoring it completely can make your speech sound stiff or unnatural. However, using slang well requires judgement, cultural awareness , and restraint, skills that take time to develop. This article is about how to use slang appropriately, not excessively, and not dangerously. Why Slang Is Especially Tricky for Learners in Peru One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that many Peruvian learners acquire slang from media, not from real-life inte...

  How to Avoid Using Slang in Speaking and Writing After more than twenty years of teaching English to students in Peru , one issue comes up again and again, especially with advanced learners: “My English is fluent, but sometimes people say I sound too informal.” In most cases, the problem isn’t grammar or vocabulary. It’s slang . Slang is everywhere. Students hear it in movies , social media , music , and everyday conversation, and naturally they start using it. The problem is that slang doesn’t travel well. It changes quickly, it’s highly cultural, and in many situations it can sound inappropriate, unprofessional, or even rude, without the speaker realising it. This article is not about banning slang completely. Slang has its place. But if your goal is clear, professional, and internationally appropriate English, then you need to know how to avoid slang when it matters. Why Slang Causes Problems for English Learners One of the first things I explain to my students is this: nativ...

English Pronunciation : Aiming For Clarity Rather Than Perfection. After more than twenty years in the classroom, one thing has become absolutely clear to me: good pronunciation is not about sounding like a native speaker . It never has been. What truly matters is being understood clearly and confidently. I have taught thousands of English learners from different linguistic backgrounds , and I’ve seen the same frustration again and again. Students often believe that if they don’t sound “native”, their English is somehow wrong. This belief does far more harm than good. In reality, correct pronunciation is about clarity, not imitation. It’s about helping your listener understand you without effort. Pronunciation is also one of the most misunderstood parts of language learning. Grammar is intellectual. Vocabulary is memorisation. But pronunciation? Pronunciation is physical. You are training muscles that may never have moved in these ways before. That’s why it takes time, patience, and...

  Using Phrasal Verbs Effectively in Writing A Practical Guide for Advanced Learners of English Introduction: Why Phrasal Verbs Cause Difficulty Phrasal verbs , verbs formed by combining a main verb with one or more particles, are a persistent challenge for non-native speakers of English . Forms such as pick up , put out , hold off , or look down are extremely common in everyday speech, yet their meanings are often idiomatic and unpredictable. This raises an important question for advanced learners: what role do phrasal verbs play in academic writing , and how should they be used appropriately? Many textbooks and academic English courses advise learners to avoid phrasal verbs entirely. While caution is justified, complete avoidance is neither realistic nor necessary. Phrasal verbs do appear in academic texts , although they are used selectively and differ significantly from those found in spoken or informal English . Step 1: Understand Why Phrasal Verbs Are Limited in Academic ...

Effective Stratagies for Accelerating English Language Learning . After more than twenty years in the classroom, one thing has become very clear to me: learning English takes time . There are no magic shortcuts . That said, there are smarter ways to learn, ways that make the process more natural, more enjoyable, and far more effective. Over the years, I’ve watched thousands of students succeed, struggle, plateau, and then suddenly break through. The students who improve fastest usually do one thing well: they live in the language , even outside the classroom. Here are some of the most effective strategies I consistently recommend to my students, and the ones I’ve seen work again and again. 1. Train Your Ear First : Listen Every Day Language begins with sound. Long before you speak confidently, your ear needs to recognise rhythm, intonation, and flow . Listen to English whenever you can, while doing housework, commuting, exercising, or relaxing. Radio stations , podcasts , interviews , ...

The 20 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning English After more than two decades teaching English, both in traditional classrooms and online, I’ve seen methodologies come and go, textbooks evolve, and technology completely transform how we teach and learn languages. One thing, however, has become very clear: the right websites can dramatically improve both teaching quality and student outcomes. Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of platforms. Some were excellent but short-lived. Others have stood the test of time and are now essential tools in my daily teaching. Below is my carefully curated list of the 20 best websites for teaching and learning English, based on reliability, quality of content, pedagogical value, and real classroom effectiveness. 1. BBC Learning English A gold standard for English learning. Excellent for listening, pronunciation, grammar, and real-world English. The content is authentic, level-appropriate, and professionally produced. I often use their short video...

The New TOEFL Writing Section (2026): A Practical Guide for Teachers and Students After more than two decades of teaching TOEFL, it is clear that the 2026 TOEFL iBT redesign represents the most meaningful shift in writing assessment since the test was first introduced. The new format moves decisively away from long, artificial essays and instead evaluates how well students can write clearly, accurately, and appropriately in real academic contexts . Overview of the TOEFL Writing Section (2026) Beginning in 2026, the TOEFL Writing section lasts approximately 23 minutes and contains 12 short writing tasks. These tasks are designed to reflect authentic university communication and assess a broad range of writing skills efficiently. The Writing Section Includes Three Task Types: Build a Sentence (Grammar & Accuracy) Students reorder words to form a correct, natural English sentence. Focus: syntax , word order , meaning , and grammatical accuracy . Write an Email ( Functional Writ...