ɫèAV

What do we, as teachers, need to teach effectively in these times? Well, as a teacher – but also as an ESL learnerÌý–ÌýI’ve always believed that English is not something to be studied, it’s something to be lived: it's my mantra.Ìý

Based on that idea, throughout my career, I’ve been seeking not only academic tools that support my teaching, but also resources that turn teaching into an experience, not just a class. That’s what I found when I first discovered the GSE, and what has drawn me so closely to ɫèAV – not just the textbooks, but the initiatives, research, projects, tools and more.

Adapting to technological change

Now, artificial intelligence was introduced into our lives not long ago, and it seems like it’s here to stay. Whether you’re a fan of it or not, we must accept that it’s part of our present – and our future. We need to learn how to use it wisely.ÌýLiving the language means understanding that the world changes – and we must change with it. Technology is essential (and I love it), but there are things it simply cannot replace: creativity, communication and leadership. These are deeply human traits and, as teachers, we must not only teach them but also create environments where students connect with others and grow as people through language.

Then, both students and teachers will be able to use their language, collaborative, leadership and empathethic skills in English-speaking environments – and these skills are crucial for thriving in the fast-paced world of technological progress.

The power of soft skills and confidence

There’s one experience that changed my mindset years ago – and it’s directly connected to the title of this text. The moment my English fluency truly improved was the moment I began to believe in myself. It was when I projected the version of myself I wanted to become. It was when I realized I wanted to speak to the world, and my confidence extended far beyond the classroom.

Long story short, my perspective as a student shifted dramatically when I got my first job. That’s when I realized the value of understanding the world, being able to communicate effectively, and developing essential soft skills – skills I didn’t even realize I was learning at the time, but which have been crucial to my personal and professional growth. Today, I’m glad that education is starting to include these elements in the classroom.

ɫèAV’s support for educators and students

I’m excited about ɫèAV's latest research into GSE Soft Skills (report coming soon). The GSE provides a methodological framework and resources to enhance my teaching. It also offers answers to my long-standing questions, including tools to prepare my classes more effectively and support my colleagues in helping students master both language and professional skills.

We must prepare our students for life beyond the classroom. By offering clear goals, role models, opportunities to practice and consistent feedback, ɫèAV helps us spend less time planning and more time engaging with our learners.

The world is moving fast – and sometimes faster than we can keep up with. By integrating creativity, communication and leadership into our lessons, we give our students the skills that employers value most and that technology can’t replace. These are the same skills that, without a doubt, helped me reach my goals.

In my case, I didn’t learn these soft skills at a very young age – but the sooner our students do, the better. The earlier they connect with their purpose, the deeper the impact.

When I think about myself as a teacher, I always try to remember what it was like to be a student. These tools remind me of the things I learned in my younger years – and that I now want my students to experience too. Embracing these global changes and resources allows me to better reflect who I am – not only as a teacher, but as a person.Ìý

As a proofreader and editor, I'm often asked to explain the rules of grammar. I answered three of the most common questions in the first post of this series, and now it's time to look at another frequent query: how to use apostrophes.ÌýWhere do they go? When are they needed? And when should they be left out entirely?

Apostrophes might be small but they can cause big confusion because they are used both to indicate posession and to contract words. But the good news is that there are clear, simple patterns to follow, which we'll explore, along with exceptions to watch out for.ÌýWhether you’re writing a report or just a text message, these tips will help you use apostrophes correctly and confidently.

When we set out to create the ɫèAV English Express Test, we knew we were stepping into a new era of language testing. One where students could test from anywhere, at any time, in less time! But with that flexibility comes a big responsibility, to make sure the test is secure, accurate, and trusted by institutions around the world.

So how do we do that? And why does it matter so much?

Security is not optional

At-home testing opens doors for students who might otherwise be left behind by logistics. But it also raises questions. How do we know the right person is taking the test? How do we prevent cheating? How can institutions trust the results?

We’ve built ɫèAV English Express Test with these questions in mind. Every test taker must present a government-issued photo ID, verified using facial recognition technology. They are monitored throughout the test using both their webcam and a second camera, from a mobile phone, to give a better view of their environment 

This dual-camera setup helps deter malpractice and gives our proctors a clearer picture of what is happening in the room.ÌýWe perform audio consistency checks to ensure the same person is speaking throughout the test and any mismatches are flagged as suspicious. We alsoÌý lock down the test environment so no one can navigate away or use unauthorized devices. 

Accuracy that goes beyond the score

Security is only half the story. Accuracy matters just as much. Institutions need to know that the scores they receive reflect a student’s true ability.

ɫèAV English Express Test uses AI scoring engines trained on over 147,000 responses, with a 0.98 correlation to human scoring. That means the scores are not just fast, they are reliable. And every test is verified by a human expert within 48 hours to ensure fairness and consistency.

We also provide institutions with access to samples of graded spoken and written responses, so they can see exactly how a student performed. 

Why this matters for admissions teams

As an admissions professional, you are making decisions that shape futures. You need to trust the tools you use. ɫèAV English Express Test was designed to give you that confidence.

It is not just about catching potential cheaters or ticking compliance boxes. It is about making sure every student has a fair shot, and every institution has the information it needs to make informed choices.

Looking ahead

We are not stopping here. Our roadmap includes even more security enhancements. Because trust is not something you build once, it is something you earn every day.Ìý