English test preparation tips

English test preparation tips

Official English exams are costly procedures in many ways: they are very inexpensive, they cost a lot of time to prepare and, most of the time, passing them is a challenge for students. If this is your case and you are looking for tips on how to pass the English B2, you have come to the right place!
In Fun Talk we are going to tell you everything you need to pass your exam easily. Are you ready?
Let’s go!

How to prepare for English B2

preparing for the English exam

Choose the type of exam you want to sit for

There are many models of exams: the Cambridge, the IELTS, the TOEFL, the APTIS, the Trinity, etc. Some of them have national validation and others have international validation, some are useful in the workplace and others are valid for visa applications.
Research each of these models and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Sign up for preparation classes

Most English language schools offer English preparation classes for official exams at all levels. at all levels.
The positive thing about signing up for one of these courses, in addition to the resources and knowledge they will provide you with, is that you will take a level test before you start, so you will know if you should take the B2 or if, on the contrary, you are already at that level and should focus your efforts on the C1.

Make a calendar

Another advantage of the placement test you take at the academy is that you will be able to detect your strengths and weaknesses.
With this in mind, draw up a schedule allocating more time to the areas that are most difficult for you and that have the greatest influence on the exam grade. That is to say, if the Use of English is difficult for you, you should dedicate more hours to it, because it is a big part of the final grade.
However, if you do a Reading exercise badly, but the rest compensates the grade, you should not dedicate much more time to improve that part.
You should think strategically. In addition, as it usually takes a year to pass the FCE or B2 English exam, planning is vital to be able to prepare for the test correctly.

Performs mock exams

The mock exams are simulations of the official exam that are carried out in English language schools and serve to accustom the student to the test.
Remember that the B2 is an exam that consists of four written parts (that is to say, about four hours of exam) and one oral part (which is usually taken on another day), so it demands a capacity of concentration that is necessary to train.

Tips for passing the B2 English exam

In addition to dedicating hours of study time to English, we recommend that you do a language immersion at home to better prepare for your English exam.
To do this, you can do the following:

  • Change the language of your cell phone to English.
  • Watch series in English without subtitles.
  • Read books in English.
  • Write a diary in English.
  • Try to think in English.
  • Use apps or go to conversation bars to practice the speaking part.

Tips for passing the English oral exam

The oral part is your opportunity to demonstrate all the knowledge you have acquired throughout your preparation, so really All you have to do is be relaxed and speak naturally. However, here are some more tips on how to prepare for your English oral exam:

  • Practice the times at home. Time how long it takes you to speak while practicing and make sure you don’t shut up before the time allotted for the task is up.
  • Avoid silences or pauses while thinking. To do this, you can learn phrases like ‘Well, it’s a tricky question’, ‘I haven’t thought about it yet but…’ or things like that that can help you to save time while you think about what to answer.
  • Focus on being natural and demonstrating fluency rather than perfecting your pronunciation.
  • Listen actively to your partner and make comments that show that you have understood what he/she was saying.
    Don’t forget that, to a large extent, the oral exam is a conversation.

That’s it!
If you want more tips and guides on how to pass the English test fast and easy, contact us !contact us! At Fun Talk we will prepare you to get the highest score possible!

Best countries to improve your English

Best countries to improve your English

There are many ways to learn and improve your English, but moving to English-speaking countries is one of the most convenient options, since it is a total linguistic immersion where you will have to deal with the language in all areas of life.
Whether you are looking for countries where to study English for a season or if your idea is to buy a one-way ticket and live an adventure in another nation, this post is for you!
Read on and discover some of the best countries in English in which to perfect your level!

5 English-speaking countries

United Kingdom

united kingdom women If what you are looking for is a
British accent like that of the listenings that they put you in the school or in the English private classes, without a doubt United Kingdom is the best option, concretely England . The good thing about this country is that it is relatively close to Spain, only two or three hours away by plane, and there is a fairly regular influx of flights, so you can visit your family without any problems.
Also, if you are worried about the size of the capital or how expensive rent is in London, you don’t have to move there! There are other options, such as Bristol, Brighton or Manchester, where you can do your language immersion in a more relaxed and economical way.
The only bad thing is that since the Brexit the entry conditions for Europeans have changed, so we recommend you to read well the requirements before buying your ticket.

Ireland

Ireland is an ideal choice to live in because it is also close to Spain and, especially since Brexit, it has become one of the most popular countries to study English in. Both Cork and Dublin are university cities and full of life, so your stay there will be fun and you will be able to make friends of different nationalities.
The only thing that might worry you if you are very used to British English is the accent, since it has always been said that the Irish speak English that is very difficult to understand, but don’t let this put you off! Think that in Spain we also have different accents and, although it may be more difficult to understand someone from the south or north if you are from the center of the peninsula, in the end we all understand each other.

Malta

Malta was a former British colony, so it still retains a lot of heritage from its colonists in such simple details as having more Costa Coffe coffee shops, the British brand, than Starbucks, its American competitor.
However, is one of the most unnoticed English-speaking countries in existence.

United States

If you always watch movies or series in English, the American accent will not be difficult to understand, so spending a stay in the USA can be an incredible alternative. Also, if your purpose is to study English, this country has some of the best universities in the world. However, you will have to apply for a visa to enter the USA and the process will be much more complicated if you choose this country than if, for example, you choose Ireland.

Australia

If you are not convinced by the idea of moving to Ireland or England because of the weather and you prefer to avoid stepping on American soil, Australia may be the perfect option for you.
This Oceania country was also a British colony and, perhaps for that reason, the accent of its inhabitants is somewhat different, but it is understandable. To give you an idea, there are many Hollywood actors who are Australian, such as Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Hugh Jackman or Chris Hemsworth, so you may be somewhat accustomed to its sonority.
However, Australia is one of the most restrictive English-speaking countries in terms of customs.
Although the requirements are not complicated to meet, they are simply you must make sure that you have all your papers in order before you go.

Advantages of moving to English-speaking countries

Although most people move to English-speaking countries to improve their level of English, the truth is that doing so will bring you multiple benefits, both personally and professionally:

  • Improve your fluency and mental speed, as you will be forced to use English even to buy coffee.
    In fact, many people who move to English-speaking countries even start having dreams in English.
  • It will make you braver. You will have faced the challenge of exposing yourself to such an adventure on your own, which will bring you great personal growth.
  • It will improve your CV, since many Human Resources departments value positively stays abroad.

Don’t wait any longer! Decide your next destination and start planning your move. If you need conversation classes to get some fluency before you leave, Fun Talk can help you,contact us and let us train you for this amazing adventure!

Keys to achieve linguistic immersion

Keys to achieve linguistic immersion

Have you been recommended to do a linguistic immersion and you don’t know what it is?
Learning English can be a challenge for many people, but no matter how easy it is, what is clear is that it is a long-term learning process. Whether you want to improve your level or if you have just started studying, one of the most effective tricks to improve your English is to do a language immersion.
Therefore, in this Fun Talk article we explain what it is and how you can carry it out.

What is linguistic immersion?

language immersion Linguistic immersion is an educational methodology that consists of the total immersion of a person in the culture of a language. The most radical way to carry it out would be to move abroad, but the truth is that it can be done from your own home in a more economical way by following a few simple steps.
If you want to immerse yourself to the maximum in English and improve your level, don’t wait any longer!
Exposing yourself to situations where you have to master the language is the best way to learn.

Language immersion at home: 5 steps to improve your English

Change the language of your cell phone

Fortunately or unfortunately, mobile devices have become indispensable in our daily lives.
That’s why changing the language of your phone to English is an easy, fast and cheap way to learn English, since you will see words you already know translated and your memory will associate them by itself.

Switch to English subtitles

If you watch content in English, forget the English subtitles! Put them in English or, if you feel ready, remove them altogether. This will force you to pay more attention to the sonority of the language and help you develop your active listening skills.

Find people to speak English with

Whether it’s a fellow student or a native friend, talking is the best way to put what you’ve learned into practice! To do this, you can go to conversation bars or sign up for an adult English course.
There you will find people with whom you can speak English on a daily basis.

Use apps to improve your English

Today, there are many options and technologies technologies to learn English, so use as many as you canSo use as many as you can: language apps, YouTube videos, English podcasts… You don’t need to watch academic content all the time, but you can explore, for example, the BBC catalog and listen to a podcast about crime in London.
The options are endless!

Write a diary in English

Consistency is often the most difficult part of the learning process at home, so the best way to improve your English through language immersion is to write a personal journal.
This will force you to think in English every day, improve your writing skills dramatically, and also serve as a way to record your progress and feel good about yourself.

Language immersion abroad

If you want to live an experience abroad and need to improve your English, there is no more comprehensive language immersion than moving to an English-speaking country, as you will have to perform all kinds of daily tasks in English.
This will help you expand your vocabulary and will also give you a lot of fluency at all levels.
These are the most common ways to do a language immersion abroad:

  • Volunteer through an association such as WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms).
  • Go as an au pair with an English family.
  • Sign up for a language immersion course organized by an academy.
  • Move to the adventure and look for a job there.

Why do a linguistic immersion?

Language immersions have many benefits: they bring greater fluency in the language, a better understanding of the associated culture, and an increased ability to communicate effectively in everyday and professional situations.
Although it can be a challenging and difficult process, especially at the beginning, the improvement in English is immediately noticeable, so it is very rewarding. What are you waiting for?
Whether at home or in another country, take a language immersion and improve your English!

What is the best age to learn English?

What is the best age to learn English?

Although it is often said that there is no age to learn, several studies have shown that to achieve a better knowledge of the language, at least at a grammatical level, it is better to start between the ages of 8 and 10. Therefore, teaching English to children is much easier than teaching it to adults, but this does not mean that it is impossible to learn English at an older age.
Fortunately, there are many methods for learning English as an adult.
However, it is important to note that learning a language is not something you do temporarily, but is a long-term journey that you need to be involved in for a lifetime.
In this article from Fun Talk, our English language school, we are going to tell you what is the best way to learn, regardless of your age.

English levels by age: what to teach at each stage?

child learning English at a young age As we grow up, we develop different parts of our personality and cognitive abilities.
Therefore, depending on how old you are, you may approach teaching English in one way or another. In general, the earlier you start, the better and the more you will learn, so ideally you should start teaching English to children in infancy and continue studying in adulthood . However, as we have already mentioned, there are now several methods for learning English for adults that make everything easier.
Below, we explain how English levels are divided by age.

Teaching English to babies

Babies are more accustomed to paying attention to sounds, since it is at this time that the ability to speak and listen develops.
If you want your child to be bilingual, the best thing to do is to surround him/her with native speakers from an early age, so that he/she can imitate the intonation.
English classes for babies often use songs, stories, games and other sensory stimulation activities.

Teaching English to children

Once the child has gained some awareness, they begin to have more advanced cognitive skills, especially linguistic skills.
They also process information in a similar way to adults, so English classes for children focus on elements such as grammar, musicality and pronunciation. However, starting to study English during childhood or adolescence means already having certain influences from the mother tongue in terms of tonality and accent.

Teaching English to adults

Adults have longer attention spans, which allows for more intense lessons and more complex aspects of the language.
While it is true that young children have an easier time learning, adults have a higher level of education and a greater capacity for problem solving. Therefore, the best method to learn English for adults is to attend classes of English classes for adultsThey are actually the most prepared to deal with one.
However, adults are also the people who find it most difficult to attend classes, as their work life hinders their schedule.

What are the benefits of teaching English to babies?

A person who has learned English from a young age will have better pronunciation and a larger vocabulary, as they will have been more familiar with the language throughout their lives and the sounds come more naturally to them.
On the other hand, they will not have had to deal with the embarrassment that many adults suffer when trying to pronounce a foreign word correctly, so they will be more fluent when speaking.
However, this does not mean that this is the only way to learn.
As you have seen, it is possible to learn English at any age, especially now that English learning technologies are available to everyone. Different stages of life give us different advantages for learning other languages, so no matter what age you are, make the most of your strengths and get the most out of your study!

TOP 5 Most Fun Ways to Learn English

TOP 5 Most Fun Ways to Learn English

At Funtalk, we are firm believers in language immersion and believe in making learning English fun.
In this post, we’ll introduce you to effective strategies for mastering English in an enjoyable way.
From reading and music to series and movies, and even video games, we’ll show you how to incorporate English into your daily life in a fun way.
Read on to discover how to make learning English an exciting and rewarding experience!

How to learn English: Best ways and strategies

boy playing video games

Learn English by reading

Reading is a powerful tool for improving your English. Immerse yourself in books, magazines or even online articles that interest you.
Start with material adapted to your level and progress gradually.
Jot down new words and expressions, and practice reading comprehension.
Reading not only enriches your vocabulary, but also exposes you to different linguistic styles and contexts.
On Funtalk we have a post on the best reading to improve your reading in English and also a post on the best stories for the little ones!

Learn English by singing or listening to a podcast

Do you love music?
Use your passion to improve your English.
Listen to English songs, follow the lyrics and sing along with your favorite artists.
This fun practice not only helps you perfect your pronunciation, but also improves your ear for the language and familiarizes you with everyday expressions.
On the other hand, and along the lines of listening, you can always listen to a good podcast that you like and thus improve your listening comprehension.
In our blog we have a post about the best podcasts to learn English and it may interest you a lot.

Learn English by watching series and movies

Why not combine entertainment with learning?
Immerse yourself in the world of English by watching your favorite series and movies.
Start with subtitles in your language and then switch to English subtitles to challenge your listening comprehension skills. This practice will help you adapt to different accents and learn colloquial expressions from real life. In our blog we have a couple of articles that you will find very interesting:

Learn English by playing video games

If you are a video game lover, you are in luck! Playing games in English can be a fun way to improve your language skills. Many games have English dialog and text.
Immerse yourself in virtual worlds and communicate with other players in English.
This immersive experience will give you practice in real-life situations and will help you navigate everyday conversations.
And all in a very entertaining way!
That’s all there is to it!
Remember that these are ways to learn English in a fun way but one of the best ways is to join an academy like Funtalk. Contact us if you are interested for more information.
See you in another post some other time!
Thank you very much for your time!

Benefits of learning English in today’s workplace

Benefits of learning English in today’s workplace

Just twenty years ago, English was not so important at a professional level, but today things have changed and almost everyone knows English. Companies are demanding a command of the language as a basic skill when hiring people and most of the world of work in English has expanded globally, so they need people who understand the language.
For this reason, many companies have decided to train their employees through academies that offer courses in English courses for companiessuch as Fun Talk.
Learning English on the job is a very good way to improve your level, but doing so not only serves to keep you in the same position, but has many more benefits in today’s working world.

Why is it important to learn English in the workplace?

people working in English As we have already said, English has become the universal language in business, precisely thanks to globalization and new forms of communication.
Hence, learning English is important to open up new professional opportunities.
Although, more than important, it is crucial. However, the fact that it is practically an obligation does not mean that it has no benefits!
Here are some of them:

3 benefits of English in the workplace

Expand your training and resources

Once you are proficient enough in English to read and understand written texts , you can continue your education in English and have access to documents that are not available in Spanish, thus increasing your resources.
If you wish to continue your education, it is highly valued to have completed a master’s degree completely in English.

Possible promotion and networking

If you already have a position you like, but you are unable to interact with your company’s clients because they are all foreigners, you need to learn English to promote yourself.
In this case, it is a way to increase the quality of your resume, as it is vital for the position, but it has an interesting added bonus: it provides the opportunity to be able to communicate properly, so it opens up the option to make networking.

International opportunities

Many foreign companies are looking for Spanish personnel, but you don’t have to wait for them to call you!
You can also take the initiative and write to all the recruiters you find on LinkedIn or other employment platforms.
If you have always wanted to work in another country, learning English makes it possible. Even in Germany there are people who only use English in their daily life. And they will surely appreciate the effort you have made in looking for them, so don’t wait any longer! Take a course of English course for adults and start sending out applications.
As you can see, the benefits of English in the world of work are many: it improves your knowledge, your competitiveness, your mobility, allows you to travel, get promoted, apply for other types of positions… It is, without a doubt, a way to boost your career that will take you far.
If you are thinking of taking an English course to improve your professional skills, contact us!contact us! At FunTalk we will be happy to help you.