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If you’re planning to study in the USA, you’ve probably looked into English proficiency tests for university admissions. And you’ve probably noticed – they’re not all the same.

• Some are more expensive.Ìý
• Some take weeks to deliver results.Ìý
• Some require you to travel to a test centre.

The ɫèAV English Express Test is different.

What makes the ɫèAV English Express Test special?Ìý

This online English test is designed for international students who want to move quickly and confidently through the admissions process.

• Take it from homeÌý– No travel needed. The ɫèAV English Express Test is fully online, so you can complete your exam from anywhere in the world.
• Get certified results in 48 hoursÌý– No long waits. Receive your official English proficiency scores fast, so you can meet university deadlines with ease.
• Pay lessÌý– It’s one of the most affordable English tests for US university applications, helping you save on costs.
• Accepted by a growing number of US universitiesÌý– Use your results to apply to top institutions across the United States.
• Built for momentum, not delaysÌý– Designed to help you move forward, not slow you down.

Why this test matters

When you’re applying to study in the USA, every day counts. You’re juggling application deadlines, coordinating with universities and planning your next big move. You need an English language test that supports your ambitions, not one that holds you back.

What makesÌýɫèAV English Express Test different?

• AI scoring for fairness and consistencyÌý– Advanced technology ensures your results are accurate and impartial.
• Security inbuiltÌý– Take your test with confidence, knowing your identity and results are protected.
• CEFR and GSE-aligned resultsÌý– Trusted by universities and colleges, your scores are mapped to international standards for English proficiency.

It’s everything you need for your US university application, without the stress.

Ready to take the test?

If you’re searching for an English proficiency test that fits into your life and helps you move forward, the ɫèAV English Express Test is ready when you are. Take your test today and start your journey to studying in the USA with confidence.

Punctuation makes your writing easier to read and understand, but it can be tricky to master. As an editor and proofreader, I often notice people confusing semi-colons and colons, so we'll explore the difference between them. And because both are often used in lists, we'll also look at the humble comma – and its sometimes-controversional cousin, the Oxford comma.Ìý

Semi-colons and colons both connect phrases in a sentence but are used in different situations.Ìý

Understanding colons

Colons introduce important information and explanations. They're often used before lists as a replacement for phrases like "they are" and "which is":

• He offered me a choice of drinks: tea, coffee or hot chocolate.Ìý
• I packed the essentials in my bag: water, pens and a magazine.Ìý
• She speaks three languages: English, French and Portuguese.Ìý

You can also think of a colon as a spotlight, with the phrase that comes after the colon explaining or expanding what came before it.Ìý

• In 1903, travel was changed forever by an important event: Orville and Wilbur Wright's first successful flight.
• He loves visiting the animals at the farm: cows are his favourite.Ìý
• There is one rule I live by: I treat others as I wish to be treated.

The secrets of semi-colons

A semi-colon links two ideas that are closely related and that would be two complete sentences if you used a period instead. They give a softer transition than a period would, and they're often used instead of conjunctions like "and", "but" and "because":

• I love eating pizza; my sister loves eating burgers.
• I wanted to go for a swim; I couldn't find my goggles.Ìý
• I'm going to the park; the weather is beautiful.

Semi-colons also seperate items in long lists to make life easier for the reader and stop a sentence becoming a sea of apostrophes. For example:

• I've got my shopping list ready: peppers, carrots and oranges from the market; toothpaste, shampoo and pain relief from the drugstore; and a newspaper, snack and drink from the newsstand. Ìý

Standard comma or Oxford comma?

An Oxford comma goes before "and" or "or" at the end of a list. The first example has an Oxford comma, the second doesn't.Ìý

• Please bring me a sandwich made with cheese, lettuce, and tomato.Ìý
• Please bring me a sandwich made with cheese, lettuce and tomato.Ìý

American English generally favors the Oxford comma, British English typically omits it, unless needed for clarity. Compare:

• I love my parents, Taylor Swift and Keanu Reeves.
• I love my parents, Taylor Swift, and Keanu Reeves.Ìý
  

As with many areas of punctuation, whether you choose to use the Oxford comma is a matter of personal preference. However, the most important thing is to be consistent in your usage.Ìý

Whether you’re picking up Spanish for travel, Mandarin for business or French just for fun, you’re not only expanding your communication skills, you’re also giving your brain a powerful workout. But what actually happens inside your brain when you learn a language?Ìý

The brain’s language centers

Your brain is made up of many parts and two areas are significant for language:

• : Located in the frontal lobe, this region helps you produce speech and form sentences.
• : Found in the temporal lobe, this area helps you understand spoken and written language.

When you start learning a new language, these areas get busy. They work together to help you listen, speak, read and write in your new language (Friederici, 2011).