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A great way to learn a language is to teach it.  

Find a friend who knows less English than you do and start to teach them little phrases. Some fun phrases to start with are “I see [noun].” and “I like [noun].”. 

Then have then point to things they see or like and help them fill in the nouns. If you don’t know the word that is a great chance for you to learn it and look it up. You teach them and you teach yourself at the same time, one noun at a time! 

Reading is a fantastic way to improve your vocabulary. 

It can be hard to choose a book when your level is not very high but don’t be discouraged.

I recommend that English language learners read novels written for children. Don’t worry, just because the novel is written for children doesn’t mean it is childish. 

At Languagelab.com we have a monthly book club and we read books from the US 6th and 7th grade reading list. These books are recommended for 12 and 13 year olds and can be about anything: history, mysteries, magical lands, even war and love. 

This month the English City Book Club is reading the famous British book 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. You can download a free copy of the book here.

Read the book and join us! The English City Book Club is the first Friday of every month at 6pm GMT. See it on the calendar.

This tip will help you to remember new English words!

Choose your favourite song, any song, and rewrite the words using English words you know. Even if you are a ‘terrible singer’ you can sing the song to yourself and get a lot of practice using the words or phrases you put into it!

Here is a FANTASTIC example: 

Something spooky is happening in English City.... strange noises can be heard everywhere, there are pumpkins all over the place and bats are flying around the city.

From the 30 October to the 2 November we will be celebrating Halloween and Dia de los Muerto (Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican festival) in English City. Do you dare join us?

Come to our special Halloween classes and events and find out what is happening for yourself, but be warned: strange and scary things might happen! 

There will be parties, dancing, ghost hunts, spooky stories and much more. You can wear your Halloween costume - but be careful because you never know what might happen. There’s only one way to find out though, and that’s by joining us for the events – see the list below!

We love to sing in English City! Singing songs in English helps to improve your pronunciation (and it's fun too!)

So, to celebrate singing, enter our KARAOKE COMPETITION!

PRIZE = 3 month Ultimate General English course at Languagelab.com worth $400!

How to enter: make a video of yourself singing a song in English and post it on our Facebook page. 

Deadline: 11pm GMT Friday 16 November 2012

English City was host to the English Language Olympics online. Students from 30 different countries competed in English Challenges for gold and glory!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the special English City 2012 events and classes. We hope it improved your sports vocabulary... and even your sports skills!

See some great pictures below by Erick Souther.

Also, thanks to everyone who helped created the amazing Olympic Village in English City. The Village has many different little houses representing each country!

Visit the Village now.

Don't forget that if you are a student of Languagelab.com you can have your blog posts corrected by a teacher!

Simply write 'please correct this' at the bottom of your blog post. A teacher will post corrections below your blog within 1 week.

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If you would like other writing corrected you can use the Languagelab Grammar Doctor in Self-Study on our website! Send your writing or grammar question and a qualified teacher will correct it for you within 24 hours. 

All courses (except Basic General English and trial courses) have free access to Grammar Doctor with Self-Study.

How to use the Grammar Doctor:

1. Login to Languagelab.com and go to your dashboard

2. Select 'Self Study' (of the left-hand side of your dashboard)

3. Select 'Learn' at the top of the screen (next to 'Home')

Want to be the next Student of the Month?

We have so many fantastic students it is very difficult to choose, but here are some points that can help you:

1. Go to many events and classes. Remember, you have unlimited events with your subscription!

2. Be enthusiastic :) Don’t be scared to make mistakes or to correct yourself.

3. Participate actively in class and help others.

4. Encourage your friends and family to join us!

5. Ask thoughtful questions.