Typeflu
Learn English: the Typeflu blog
Clear articles on English listening, pronunciation, grammar, IELTS and everyday phrases, each based on trusted sources and linked to lessons you can practise.
Listening and pronunciation
- Why is spoken English so hard to understand? Why is spoken English hard to understand? Linking, dropped sounds, weak forms, rhythm, contractions and speed, with examples and a routine to train your ear.
- Weak forms and the schwa /ə/: the sound you keep missing Weak forms and the schwa /ə/: why to, for, can and of sound so short, a table of strong and weak forms, when to use the strong form, and how to hear them.
- How to pronounce -ed in English: the /t/, /d/ and /ɪd/ rules How to pronounce -ed in English: the three sounds /t/, /d/ and /ɪd/, the one rule behind them, adjectives like naked and learned, and drills for past tenses.
- Silent letters in English: patterns, examples and why they exist Silent letters in English: kn-, wr-, -mb, silent l, gh, h and more, with a table by letter, IPA, why they exist and how they affect dictation and spelling.
- How to improve your English listening: a clear method and daily routine How to improve English listening with intensive and extensive practice, dictation, shadowing and transcripts, plus a simple daily routine for every level.
Grammar
- A, an or the? How to use English articles When to use a, an and the in English, and when to use no article: a vs an by sound, first and second mention, general nouns, and the most common mistakes.
- Am, is, are: stop forgetting the verb “to be” How to use am, is and are in English: why learners forget the verb to be, the forms, questions, negatives, contractions, and there is vs there are explained.
- Present simple vs present continuous: when to use each one Present simple vs present continuous: habits or right now, state verbs like know and want, signal words, third person -s and the mistakes learners make most.
- In, on, at: prepositions of time and place with clear rules When to use in, on and at for time and place: clear tables, the exceptions (at night, on the bus, in the car, at the weekend) and common learner mistakes.
- English word order: the rules, with examples and common mistakes English word order made simple: subject-verb-object, the order of adjectives, where to put always and never, questions with do, and indirect questions.
- Common English mistakes Arabic speakers make, and how to fix them The most common English mistakes Arabic speakers make: p/b, missing a/the and is/are, he/she for things, extra pronouns, vowel spelling and word order.
IELTS
- IELTS Listening band scores: from correct answers to your band IELTS Listening band scores: how your raw score out of 40 becomes a band, how many correct answers you need for 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5 and 8, and how rounding works.
- IELTS Listening spelling and answer format: mistakes that cost marks IELTS Listening spelling rules: misspelled answers are marked wrong. Word limits, plurals, capitals, UK vs US spelling, numbers and dates, and how to practise.
- IELTS Listening question types: the format and a strategy for each one IELTS Listening question types explained: the 4 parts, 40 questions, timing on paper and computer, word limits, and a clear strategy for every question type.
- A 6-week IELTS study plan: week by week, skill by skill A 6-week IELTS study plan with a weekly table for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, free official practice tests, mock test days and daily study time.
Everyday English
- English phrases for meetings: what to say from start to finish Useful English phrases for meetings and calls: opening, giving opinions, polite disagreement, interrupting, asking someone to repeat, action points and closing.
- Professional email phrases in English: what to write and when Professional email phrases in English: greetings, opening lines, polite requests, follow-ups, attachments, apologies, sign-offs and the most common mistakes.
- Common phrasal verbs in English: the ones you really hear Common English phrasal verbs you really hear, grouped by situation with meanings and examples, plus separable vs inseparable verbs and how to learn them.
- Common job interview questions in English, with model answers and useful phrases Common job interview questions in English with model answers: tell me about yourself, strengths, weaknesses, why this job, the STAR method and questions to ask.
- English phrases for travel: what to say and what you will hear Polite English phrases for travel: airport check-in, security, passport control, hotel, directions, transport, restaurants, shops and emergencies.