How to Improve Your English Online Effectively

Below are some suggestions for improving your English online. 

Good online dictionaries for you to look up words, pronunciation, find how to use words:

1. Idioms dictionary
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/
2. English - English dictionary
http://www.oxfordlearnersdiction...
3. Dictionary to see the word in a sentence
http://sentence.yourdictionary.com/
4. Dictionary to see how the words are used in videos on Youtube
http://youglish.com/

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Learning English Chrome extensions: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/learn...

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To improve vocabulary:

1. Quizlet: Quizlet

2. Anki: Anki - powerful, intelligent flashcards

3. Memrise: Memrise - Learn something new every day

4. Word Reference: English to French, Italian, German & Spanish Dictionary

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To improve reading:

5. Learning with texts: http://lwt.sourceforge.net/

6. Dreamreader.net: http://dreamreader.net/

7. The English Learner Movie Guides: http://www.eslnotes.com/

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To improve pronunciation:

8. British Council Phonemic Chart: https://www.teachingenglish.org....

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To improve listening:

9. Tunein: http://tunein.com/

10. Rhinospike: https://rhinospike.com/

11. VOA Learning English: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/

12. Lyrics Training: http://lyricstraining.com/

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To improve speaking:

13. iTalki: https://www.italki.com/home

14. Verbling: https://www.verbling.com/

15. Busuu.com: https://www.busuu.com/en

16. Internations: http://www.internations.org/

17. Voicethread: https://voicethread.com/

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To improve writing:

18. Lang-8: http://lang-8.com/

19. Common Errors in English Usage: http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/er...

20. Purdue Online Writing Lab: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/

21. Medium: Medium – Read, write and share stories that matter

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Also, utilize Social media to learn English: Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin

Post, comment on Quora

Learn English from English learning channels on Youtube

Cr: How can I improve my English online? - Quora

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15 Australia Foods that You Must Try as An International Student

Do you agree that one of the best things in life is experiencing food? The same is true when visiting a new country. Beautiful Australia is famous for its stunning sun-filled beaches, friendly people, diverse and delicious food. If you are an international student in Australia (i.e. you will live here for more than three months), then you should not miss the chance to enjoy these delicious Australia dishes.

1. Aussie barbecue

Photo cr: Find Your Sausage Sizzle

Barbecue (also, barbie) in Australia is a way of socialising with friends and families, one of the must-have dishes for outdoor parties and weekend gatherings. It is so popular because of the fantastic weather most of the year. A typical Aussie barbecue includes beef burgers, steak, fresh seafood, bread, sausages and tomato or barbecue sauce.

2. Chicken Parmigiana

Photo cr: Taste: Recipes, recipes and recipes

Regularly served as a main meal in Australia, this dish consists of a breaded chicken breast topped with tomato sauce and parmesan, provolone or mozzarella cheese. It is often served with chips/ fries or salad, and the best place to enjoy this dish is in a pub. What is better than chatting with friends, sipping a beer and enjoying chick parmigiana after a hard-working day of studying your ELICOS course at Scots English College?

3. Barramundi

Photo cr: Daily Meal

Looks great? The word, barramundi, originates from an Australian dialect, translated as ‘big river fish’. This is Australia’s most popular fish. Do you know why? Maybe because it can be fried, baked, grilled or barbecued. No matter how it is cooked, this fish makes an extremely delicious dish.

4. Kangaroo Meat

Photo cr: Thelittleredjar

You can try kangaroo steaks, kangaroo sandwiches, dry kangaroo meat or kangaroo sausages. You can also open yourself up to a new experience with kangaroo meat – for example, enjoying it in a stew or pizza. If you are studying abroad in Australia, why not take this chance to taste this iconic Australian food? 

5. Crab Sticks

Photo cr: AKTIFMAG

This food may be familiar to many people in the world, especially those who love Japanese food. International students in Australia should keep this convenient food in their fridges. When needed, this delicious dish will be ready to satisfy any hunger.

Interestingly enough, crab sticks often contains no crab but kinds of white fish ground into power and shaped like crab legs. This dish becomes even more yummy when it is fried with oil.

See other 10 must-try Australia foods here: 15 Australia Foods that You Must Try as An International Student | Scots English College

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4 Reasons Why People Love Autumn in Australia, Not Just at First Sight but at Every Sight

Autumn in Australia captures the hearts of the local people, travellers and international students with its many sides of beauty. Visit Australia during March and May, and you will understand why people love this season that much!

1. Romantic autumn in Australia

Photo cr: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Fall (as the Americans call it) in Australia is perfectly poetic and romantic with deciduous trees changing colour and the grass becoming emerald greeen. It is a special treat to stroll along the paths covered in golden carpets of leaves and hearing the songs birds singing in the trees. It all puts you at ease. How can you not love Autumn in Australia when it brings you such romantic feelings and pleasure?

2. The sparkling sunshine

Autumn here becomes brilliant with yellow leafy roads sparkling with yellow sunshine. Amid the mild autumn air, beautiful sunshine makes Syney Habour Bridge more shimmering and mesmerizing. When it gets dark, what is better than taking a yacht cruise around Sydney Habour, watching the dolphins swimming and seagulls waving in the air?

Read more at: 4 Reasons Why People Love Autumn in Australia, Not Just at First Sight but at Every Sight | Scots English College

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Save the Dates: 12 Australian Festivals and Celebrations International Students Can’t Miss | Scots English College

If you are international student in Australia, then you can’t miss this chance to attend those important Australian festivals so that you can experience festivals and celebrations in this multicultural country.

Read more at: Save the Dates: 12 Australian Festivals and Celebrations International Students Can’t Miss | Scots English College

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4 Sources of Financial Aid for International Students in Australia | Scots English College

When studying abroad in Australia, students can use these financial aid opportunities to cover their tuition fees and other costs.

Read more at: 4 Sources of Financial Aid for International Students in Australia | Scots English College

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Considerably More International Students Are Choosing Australia

Australia has managed to attract more and more international students to study in the country through its great education opportunities, simpler visa process and secure work opportunities.

1. Reputation as a popular study destination for international students 

International student enrolments by sector, 2013-2016. Source: Australian Department of Education and Training

Australia has been popular among international students. According to the Department of Education and Training, the number of international students studying in Australia broke the record in 2016 with 554,179 international students enrolled in courses in Australia, an increase of over 10% from 2015. Also, the 2016 International Student Survey revealed that nine out of ten students were pleased with their study experience in Australia.

Read more at: International Students in Australia 2016: The Numbers Hit a Record High, Nine out of Ten Satisfied!

2. Simpler visa process and secure work opportunities

Prospective overseas students may also find Australia as one of the best places to study because of smoother visa application process and work opportunities. The government recently developed the simplified student visa framework (SSVF). It also released the first National Strategy for International Education 2025, a 10-year plan for strengthening its international reputation for high quality education and training, driving collaboration in education and research. The plan also shed light on improving graduate employability.

International students can work part time during their studies and may remain in Australia for up to four years after graduation (dependent on their visa).

You may also like: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Part-time Jobs in Australia

3. Great opportunities to study

There is an impressive number of study options for overseas students with over 1,200 institutions and 22,000 courses in Australia to choose from. Australia has the third highest number of international students behind the UK and US. For overseas students who need English language training before commencing higher level studies in Australia or who wish to improve their English language skills for work or life back in their home countries, they can choose quality ELICOS courses solely dedicated to international students.

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31 Common Australian Slang Words and Phrases You Need to Know

Here are some common Australian slang words and phrases that you will hear.

When Australians speak to each other, they use a lot of made-up words. Australians also make many of their words shorter. These made up words and short words are called Australian slang. Your own language also has some slang language.

Here are some common Australian slang words and phrases that you will hear.

1. Australian slang and meanings

Arvo = Afternoon, e.g. 'He's coming this arvo'.

Ambo = Ambulance, e.g. 'The ambo was here in 3 minutes after I called 000'.

Barbie = Barbeque, e.g. 'Let's have a barbie this evening'.

Beaut/ Beauty = Great/ Fantastic, e.g. 'Your new car is a beaut!'.

Bathers = Swim suit, e.g. 'I bought new bathers for my holiday'.

Bingle = Car accident, e.g. 'The traffic was very slow because there was a bingle on the motorway'.

Bloke = Man, e.g. 'He's a handsome bloke'.

Bottle shop/ Bottle-o = Shop where you buy alcohol.

Brickie - = Bricklayer - someone whose job is to build with bricks.

The Bush = Rough country side outside the city, e.g. 'I would not like to live in the bush'.

Chook = Chicken, e.g. 'We had a roast chook for dinner'.

Crook = Feeling sick, e.g. 'I feel a little crook today'.

Digger = A soldier, e.g. 'An Australian digger were killed in Afghanistan'.

Dunny = Toilet, e.g. 'Where's the dunny'.

Fair Dinkum = If something is Fair Dinkum, then it is real, true or honest. e.g, 'He's a fair dinkum Australian'.

A fair go = A good chance, e.g. 'Every Australian should get a fair go'.

Footy = Sports game called rugby.

Good Onya/ Good Onya Mate = Well done.

Grog = Alcohol, e.g. 'I gave up the grog for New Year'.

Hotel = Pub.

Kiwi = Someone who is from New Zealand.

Mozzie = Mosquito, e.g. 'The mozzies are out this morning'.

On special = Something selling at a low price, e.g. 'Wine is on special this week at the bottle shop'.

Outback = The remote parts of Australia, e.g. 'Uluru is in the Outback'.

Postie = Postman, e.g. 'The postie is late today'.

Sheila = Woman, e.g. 'She's a pretty sheila'.

Servo = Petrol station, e.g. 'I met Joe when I was filling up at the servo'.

Sickie/ to pull a sickie = To take a day off work when you are sick.

Sparkie = Electrician - some who works with electricity/ wires

Sunnies = Sun glasses, e.g. 'I can't find my sunnies. Did anyone see them?'.

Snag = Sausage, e.g. 'Put another snag on the barbie.'

2. What's more?

As a visitor here, you will have noticed that Australia is a multicultural country. Immigration from so many countries and cultures around the world have increased the cultural and language diversity of Australia's population. Click here for the cultural guide for a better and quicker adaptation to life in Australia.

Source: Scots English College - a government registered ELICOS provider that provides quality ELICOS courses

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