Last updated at 14:21 BST, Friday, 17 April 2009

Speaking and writing

Questions answered

British and American English
Brittney from the USA is coming to work in the UK and is worried about language differences
'Can we not do that?'
Alex Gooch explains the two very different meanings of 'Can we not go there?'
Contractions: 'aren't', 'haven't'
Roger Woodham discusses contracted forms
Discourse markers
Roger Woodham investigates useful linking words for conversation
Fluency
Susan Fearn helps to improve your spoken fluency
'gonna','wanna', 'gotta','dunno'
Do you wanna learn about these informal expressions?
Greetings and farewells
Ashfaq Quadir from Pakistan asks about the difference between 'How are you?' and 'How do you do?'
Group discussions
Mayur, India: 'Can you please tell me how to speak effectively in a group discussion?'
Informal terms of address
Do you know how to use 'mate', 'pet', 'love' and 'pal'?
Interview skills
Mayur from India asks for tips on going for a job interview
Pronunciation and fluency
Martin Parrot advises you on how to improve your pronunciation and fluency
Non-standard English
Pop music holds many examples of non-standard English. What is non-standard English and why does it exist?
R.P.
Sarah Bradshaw explains that R.P. is a particular pronunciation style
'slang' or 'jargon'?
Amos Paran discusses these specialised areas of language, without using too much jargon
Tips for translators
Rachel Wicaksono draws on her experience to advise potential translators
Tone of voice
Find out about two style of writing: subjective and objective tone
'would' in conversation
Jafar from Pakistan asks: How we can use 'would' in conversation?
Writing 1: business letters
There are many conventions to follow when you write a business letter
Writing 2: job applications
What is the difference between a letter of application and a covering letter?
Writing 3: types of error
Muhamed Maiwada from Nigeria wants to know about 'typos, mangled sentences and cliches.'
Writing 4: netiquette
Here are some of the difference between emails and letters.

Latest answers

'Finished' in questions
From Taher, Yemen
'Still' in sentences
From Marcel, Brazil
Using 'divorced'
From Pamela, South Korea
Using 'wonder'
From Kimia, Iran
Using 'open'
From Andrei, Russia

Local Navigation