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  • A man sat in a living room with books and plants in the background, he is reading a book
    • Just for fun
    • Linguistics and culture

    Words that can't be translated into English

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    While English is a rich language, there are some words from other languages that dont have a direct translation. These words often describe special feelings, situations, or ideas that are deeply connected to their cultures. For example, just as some languages have specific words for different types of weather, other languages have unique words for particular moments or emotions that are hard to explain in English. Here are some interesting examples of untranslatable words that show us the different ways people see the world.

    • Language learning
    • Just for fun

    Expressing love around the world: Interesting facts and how to say "I love you" in different languages

    By Sam Colley
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Love is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures and languages. For those learning another language, understanding how to express love in various tongues can be both fascinating and useful. Whether you're planning to travel, connect with friends from different backgrounds, or simply expand your linguistic repertoire, knowing how to say "I love you" in different languages as well as the cultural context, can be a beautiful way to show appreciation and affection. Let's take a look at some of the many ways to express this timeless sentiment and some interesting facts.

    1. Cultural nuances:

    In many cultures, the way you express love can carry different weights and meanings. For example, in Japanese, "ۤƤ" (aishiteru) is a very strong expression of love, often reserved for serious relationships, whereas "ä" (daisuki) is more commonly used among friends and family.
    However, French, often called the language of love, uses "je t'aime" to express love as a romantic phrase that can be used for both partners and close family members.

    2. Gender differences:

    Some languages have gender-specific ways of saying "I love you." For instance, in Arabic, "????" (a?ibbuka) is used when a woman says "I love you" to a man, and "????" (a?ibbuki) is used when a man says it to a woman. Similarly, in Hindi, men say "??? ????? ????? ???? ???" (main tumse pyaar karta hoon) and women say "??? ????? ????? ???? ???" (main tumse pyaar karti hoon).

    3. Formal vs. informal:

    Some languages have formal and informal ways of expressing love. In Spanish, "te amo" is more formal and used for romantic love, while "te quiero" is more casual and can be used for friends and family.
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  • Two people playing video games on the sofa together
    • Technology and the future

    How video games help language learning

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 6 minutes

    The evolution of video games and global connectivity

    Video games have come a long way since their inception in the late 20th century. From the simple pixelated screens of 'Pong' and 'Space Invaders', we've entered an era where video games are complex, immersive and incredibly detailed. The evolution of video games has not only been technological but also cultural.

    With the rise of the internet and online gaming, players from different corners of the world can now connect, collaborate and compete in real-time. This global connectivity has transformed video games into a social platform, where language barriers are often encountered and interestingly, overcome.

    • Language learning

    Understand your English level

    By Sam Colley
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Learning English as a second language is a journey that can be fun and tough. A key part of this journey is knowing your current skill level. The Global Scale of English (GSE) helps learners check their skills. The GSE is a scale from 10 to 90 that measures English ability. It gives clear information about what learners can do at each level. In this blog, well look at how to find out your English level using GSE scores, levels, and "I can..." statements.

    Why understanding your English level matters

    You may wonder, Why is it important for me to know my language level? If you start studying without knowing your skill level, you might feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or find learning too easy and be put off or not make any learning progress.
    Knowing your English level helps you in many ways, such as to:

    1. Set realistic goals: Tailor your learning objectives to your current abilities.
    2. Choose appropriate materials: Select books, courses, and resources that match your proficiency.
    3. Track progress: Measure improvement over time and stay motivated.

    GSE levels and what they mean

    The GSE levels range from Starter to Expert, each with specific "I can..." statements that describe what you should be able to do at that level. Heres a breakdown of each level, along with some practical examples:

  • Students sat at a desk looking at a textbook together, with a teacher pointing to it
    • The Global Scale of English
    • Business and employability

    Real-world English: How GSE Job Profiles bridge learning and work

    By Sara Davila
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Did you know that improving your English proficiency can increase earning potential by up to 50% and safeguard your career against AI? Recent research by ɫèAV highlights that English is not just a skill but a career-defining advantage in todays globalized workplace. For millions of adult learners, the journey from the classroom to the workplace requires more than general conversational abilitiesits about gaining targeted, job-ready skills as quickly as possible. For English language educators, understanding what Dz-𲹻⡱ English is and how to identify Dz-𲹻⡱ skills can provide a significant advantage in ensuring learners are prepared to communicate effectively and collaborate with their future coworkers.

    Thats where the Global Scale of English (GSE) Job Profiles comes in. For educators and program developers, it offers a bridge between real-world job skills and the English learners need to perform them. Whether youre creating programs for nursing assistants, hospitality workers, or IT professionals, this tool ensures that learners build the precise English skills they need to thrive in their roles.

    Lets walk through how to create a GSE Job Profile and explore its practical use for building programs that align with todays professional realities.

  • A man reading a book sat in a window
    • Linguistics and culture
    • Language hints and tips

    Ways to help you work out the meaning of new words

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Learning a new language is an exciting journey, but it can also be challenging, especially when you encounter unfamiliar words. Don't let new vocabulary intimidate you. With the right strategies, you can work out the meaning of new words and enhance your language skills. Here are some effective ways to help you work out the meaning of new words so you can use these new words confidently and tackle any unfamiliar words with confidence.

    Before diving into practical tips, it's helpful to understand a bit about the origins of the English language. English is a Germanic language, but it has been heavily influenced by Latin, especially through the Norman Conquest in 1066 and the Renaissance period. Many English words have Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes. This historical context can be a valuable tool in decoding unfamiliar vocabulary.

  • A business woman on her phone smiling, sat in a office with a laptop on her lap
    • Business and employability
    • Technology and the future

    Digital Language Tutor: Enhancing language learning through AI-powered conversation partners

    By Mateusz Jekiel
    Reading time: 3.5 minutes

    With an ever-growing range of learning tools and applications being launched, choosing the right solution can feel overwhelming. However, the Digital Language Tutor for Mondly by ɫèAV distinguishes itself as an innovative solution aimed at helping corporate clients enhance their listening and speaking abilities in relevant business contexts.

    The Digital Language Tutor is targeted at professionals who speak at least a B1 level of English (43-50 on the Global Scale of English). It employs AI-powered Conversation Partners to simulate corporate scenarios, providing users with an immersive and interactive learning experience.

    In this post we outline the strategic design process behind these Conversation Partners, highlighting the importance of diverse representation, compelling and authentic personality trait development, and integrating level-appropriate language skills alongside essential corporate soft skills to create a comprehensive language learning solution.

  • A group of students stood in a classroom high fiving eachother
    • Language teaching

    How to help students achieve their New Years resolutions

    By Nicola Pope
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    2025 is here. As we step into the new year, it's the perfect time to reflect on our recent challenges and?achievements. Its also a good moment to think about the future with optimism and?plan our goals. Our students, too, are thinking about their New Year's resolutions.?

    As a teacher, you can help them consider how learning English will help them now and in the future. On top of this, you can guide them as they plan their goals and give them useful advice on how to achieve them.?

  • Students sitting outside a building chatting and smiling together
    • Language hints and tips

    Understanding resolutions: Setting your language goals for success

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Millions of people make resolutions every New Year (or any significant milestone). Many learners set inspiring goals to acquire new skills, explore new academic fields, or develop better study habits. But how often do these resolutions stick? And how can you turn your learning-related goals into lasting habits? This post dives into the science of resolutions and practical strategies to make your learning commitments stick.

    Why do learning resolutions fail?

    that the majority of New Years resolutions fail by February. When it comes to learning, the reasons often include overly ambitious goals, lack of clear plans and failure to sustain motivation over time.

    One main reason resolutions fail is that they are not specific enough. Goals like "get fit" or "learn a language" are too vague and dont include steps to take. Without a clear plan, its easy to feel lost and lose motivation.

    For example, its one thing to decide, Im going to learn French this year, but without a structured plan, consistent practice and measurable benchmarks, the resolve often fizzles out.

    Another factor is having unrealistic expectations. While it's good to be ambitious, setting too high goals can cause frustration and burnout. For example, trying to master a skill in just a few weeks ignores the time and effort needed to improve.

    Distractions and other priorities can slow down progress. Life demands, like work or family, can easily push resolutions aside if they aren't included in everyday routines.

    How long does it take to form a habit?

    One key to sticking to a learning resolution is habit formation. Popular belief often quotes the 21-day rule, but research says differently. A 2009 study published in the found that it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit.

    However, this number varies based on personal factors, the difficulty of the habit and the surroundings. For instance, if your goal is to study for 20 minutes each day, it may feel more comfortable after a few weeks of practice. In contrast, picking up a harder learning habit, like spending two hours a day studying Mandarin grammar, could take much longer to become a regular part of your routine.

    Strategies for making resolutions stick

    1. Start small and specific

    Instead of setting a big goal like become fluent in Spanish," set smaller, easy-to-reach goals. For example, try "learn 10 new Spanish words each day" or listen to one Spanish podcast each week. This makes your goal seem less overwhelming and helps you feel accomplished over time.

    that mixing big-picture goals with small, specific ones can be a useful way to stay on track when working toward long-term objectives.

    2. Use the power of routine

    Connect your new learning habit with one you already do. This is called habit stacking. For example, if you have coffee every morning, decide to study for 15 minutes as you finish your drink. Linking the new habit to a routine you already have makes it more likely to stick.

    3. Track your progress

    Keeping track of your learning helps motivate you and shows where you can improve. Whether you check off lessons in a language learning app like Mondly by ɫèAV or write notes in a journal, seeing what youve accomplished keeps you interested.

    4. Build accountability

    Tell your friends, family, or study groups about your learning goals. When someone else knows your goal, it can help you stay on track. Its even better to join a community of others who want to learn, like on social media or in online classes.

    People who do well often set clear, achievable goals and share them with friends for support.

    5. Reward yourself

    Small rewards can go a long way toward maintaining motivation. Celebrate milestones with meaningful perks, such as a favorite treat, an afternoon off, or buying yourself a book on the subject you're learning.

    6. Anticipate and plan for setbacks

    Life happenssometimes work is stressful or things go wrong. Remember that missing a day or getting behind doesnt mean you've failed. Keep going by recognizing challenges and getting back to your study plan with fresh motivation.

    7. Dont fear failure

    Mistakes are part of progress. Every mispronounced word or awkward conversation is a step closer to fluency.

    8. Reassess and adjust goals

    If your language learning plan isnt working, change it. If weekly goals seem too much, try monthly goals instead. The key is flexibility.

    The reward of resolutions

    Keeping resolutions can be tough, but the benefits are great. Picture yourself reading a book in your target language, traveling more easily, or making stronger friendships with people from different cultures. With determination and these tips, you can achieve your language learning goals.

    Start today -?Whether it's January or June, it's never too late to set new goals. Draft a language learning plan, break it into small steps, and watch as each day brings you closer to your destination.