ESL Explorer Blog | Page 2 of 10 |

1) Canada: Being a Canadian I’m afraid I’m slightly biased, but in all honesty you can’t get much better than the friendly people, gorgeous landscapes, multi-cultural metropolises and unlimited possibilities for outdoor adventure. Studying English is more affordable compared to other countries and because international schools are so established, applying and studying is well organized. While most of Canada gets around 4-5 months of winter the rest of the year is very pleasant and in fact quite hot during the summer. But, don’t forget to embrace the winter with many snow-friendly sports and festivals.
2) United Kingdom (UK): Studying in the UK will require an understanding of the varied dialects and accents present. However, England has a well-established tradition of teaching English so there are a plethora of well-run schools to study at. The transit system is very efficient allowing you to easily travel around the country and to France and Belgium via the Eurostar. The country has an incredible history so there are lots of learning opportunities and weekend activities. Unfortunately it can be an expensive place to study, but the weather is milder than central Canada.
3) Australia: This is an incredibly popular destination to study due to its warm climate, relaxed vibe and trendy youth culture. Expect lots of young adults travelling and learning which makes it easy to have fun and make friends. There are a multitude of things to see and do and its close proximity to Asia makes it a popular place to study English.
4) New Zealand: After visiting this majestic country last year I would recommend studying here just for the beautiful landscape alone. It is a small and safe country that is rapidly becoming much more multi-cultural. While a far distance from Europe and North America it is definitely worth a visit for its friendly people who will provide numerous opportunities for you to practice your English on. Expect healthy cuisine and a mild climate on the North Island though clothes and beauty products can be expensive.
5) Ireland: My sister is currently studying in Dublin, and while her native language is English, she has made numerous friends who studied in Ireland to learn English. They love the country for its friendliness and party scene but also its natural beauty. It is cheaper to study in than mainland Europe but easily accessible to travel to numerous European countries. Expect lots of rain but quality food.
6) United States of America (US): The US is easily the most populated of all Anglophone countries and therefore has one of the largest ESL bases. The US is varied depending on which part you study in. Crime is a factor in most major cities and metro-areas. The North-East and the state of California are the more liberal places in the country. The climate depends on your area but typically the more north you are, the colder it will be during winter. There is lots of paper work involved in applying for a visa and the process can take a while so it’s best to start well ahead of time.
7) Malta: An island paradise located between Italy and North Africa it is an incredibly small country but beautiful, warm and historical. Though English is an official language you may not get the opportunity to be as immersed in practice as you would in some of the other Anglophone countries. However you will get nice accommodations and reasonable pricing. Even better if you are an EU citizen you will not need a visa to study here.
8) South Africa: Upon travelling to South Africa I was stunned by its beauty and modernity. It is the most democratic and economically-stable countries in Africa with gorgeous scenery, an incredible wine industry and thrilling wildlife. The safest places to live and study are along the Western Cape, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. This country is incredibly diverse and multi-cultural with great food, weather and activities.

Thinking of studying in one of these countries? Check out all available course types and top schools to study here! Know about another great place to study English? Tell us where in the comments!

The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

Learning to understand, read, and speak are the most important aspects of becoming fluent in any language. However, once you feel confident in your ability to converse in English you might want to take your linguistic knowledge to the next step. Similarly, if you feel insecure about your English you can always supplement with non-verbal gestures. In addition to words, body language is a key attribute in conversing with others. In fact, non-verbal communication accounts for about two-thirds of all human communication! Whether you are conscious of it or not, nonverbal signals can reveal a lot about your personality, work ethic and likeability. These are significant not only for everyday interactions but became vital when job-hunting. Let’s take a look at some of the most common non-verbal communicators, their implications and most importantly, how you can use them to your advantage!

Eye Contact: In a job interview or personal interaction eye contact communicates interest. It says that you are listening and paying full attention. Avoiding eye contact can suggest you are inattentive or disapproving.

Body Arrangement: Though often overlooked, the way you sit, stand and carry yourself is frequently noticed by others. In fact sight is the most dominant sense and is privileged by 85% of a person’s senses.

Space: Physical space is an important element of how we arrange ourselves. Since North America is known as a non-contact culture, people expect a certain amount of distance when communicating with others.

Facial expressions: Humans are able to convey hundreds of expressions and often, can be difficult to control. Thus it is necessary to maintain a serious or professional looking appearance during an interview or a hint of excitement towards the opportunity. You can also take advantage of this communication method if you do not feel fully comfortable in your English by using expressions to convey your mood.
Gestures: These are dependent upon culture. Many common hand gestures in North America may be considered obscene in Asia or Europe. Though generally, talking with your hands is acceptable as well as waving, making an ‘OK’ sign or thumbs up, beckoning motion or clapping. Pointing can be acceptable when referring to a location or object, but is often considered rude when directed at a person
Touch: As previously mentioned, North Americans tend to shy away from contact as they value their personal space. Touch is important in the form of handshakes as people will expect a firm shake. However, consoling or encouraging someone with a pat on the back is more appropriate than a hug. Everybody is different, so play it safe and limit personal touching until you better understand a person’s cultural and personal expectations.

How to use non-verbal communication to your benefit:

1) Mirroring: This is a scientifically proven method to increase effective communication. Essentially you want to act as a “mirror” to the person you are conversing with which makes you more relatable. Don’t go overboard, but if they cross their legs, do the same.
2) Maintain your appearance: Don’t forget that visuals are important. Dress professionally and keep an appearance which suggests you didn’t just roll out of bed.
3) Maintain good eye contact: As previously mentioned, this conveys interest and trustworthiness to the person you are communicating with. But, know the difference between eye contact (two people connecting their eyes) and starring at somebody which can be perceived as inappropriate.
4) Check your Posture: The way you arrange your body is instrumental in the way you are perceived by others. In professional settings maintain an authoritative posture and presence. For example, don’t slouch or hide in the background but take up space and hold your head up to communicate power and assertiveness.

Business English: 5 Tips for Cover Letter Writing

In last week’s Business English segment, we explored effective tips for writing impressive resumes. Your resume is the primary piece of information in a job application as it includes all necessary background information in an organized and easy to read manner. However, there is another integral element to the job application process, the cover letter. Unlike a resume, a cover letter is written in a- you guessed it- letter format. It should be formal and professional and include more in-depth explanation than your resume. Here are some helpful hints to remember when writing your cover letter:

1) Always Tailor it: When applying to several jobs it’s easy to create one cover letter to send to all your potential employers, this is a rookie mistake. Generalized cover letters are often viewed as impersonal and moreover, that you aren’t serious about the job. It is okay to create a cover letter template, but you should personalize each one to include information about the company, organization and job for which you are applying.
2) Nix Fancy Formatting: While it’s important not to submit a general cover letter, it is ironically, imperative that you ensure the structure and format of your cover letter is standardized. It should be black ink on white paper, 12 point font in Ariel or Times New Roman. Similarly, it should follow a set structure like this:

Top: Include your name, contact information and the date
Beginning: Keep it formal. Always address your potential employer by their name and job title
Body: Cover all the basics. Address what position you are applying to and why you’re interested, your relevant job experience, education, qualifications and what you can bring to the position
Conclusion: End the letter by thanking the employer for their time and re-instate your interest in the position and having an interview. Make sure to end it with something sincere like “I hope we can both agree on the potential success of this opportunity” or “Thank you for your time and consideration,” etc.

: WikiThreads / Foter.com / CC BY-SA

3) Content cut-backs: Much like with a resume, an employer is busy and often doesn’t have time to read about your entire life experiences. While you want to include important information and expand on the details of your resume, you should still remain relevant and succinct. It is best to include only your most recent experience and qualifications.
4) Don’t re-write your resume: You already have a resume, so use the cover letter as an opportunity to explain, in detail, about experiences, qualifications and accomplishments you’ve achieved in previous positions. Build upon what you have stated in a bullet point on your resume but don’t merely repeat all the same information.
5) Always Proofread: I don’t think this can be stressed enough; proofreading is essential to success. After you’ve reviewed your letter extensively, have others read it to give a second opinion. Ensure your cover letter does not extend one page.

To become more confident in your Business English abilities book a Business English course through ESL Explorer to save 50%!

Business English: 8 Tips for Resume Writing

One of the most popular ESL course types is Business English which helps you hone your communication skills for the purpose of work. It can help you gain knowledge into industry-specific vocabulary, learn acceptable Western business and cultural practices and effective communication methods like emailing, telephoning, giving presentations or contributing to meetings. It is imperative to have these skill sets in order to transcend your knowledge by making it effective in another language. This also opens up endless job possibilities and many opportunities for career advancement. In this first installment of Business English tips, we will start at the very beginning of any job application process, resume writing.

*Refer to this sample resume

(Sample Resume)

1) Visuals are important: Though the quality of resume content is key, never underestimate the importance of design. Font should be a standard 12 point font, usually in Times New Roman. It is acceptable to adapt the header (the top section that includes your name and contact information) to a larger font size in boldface, though you should still avoid any colour besides black. Overall you want your resume to be clean and well-structured, making it easy for a potential employer to read.

2) Organization: The truth is, most employers are too busy to dig for important information on hundreds of resumes. Therefore, it is important that you ensure your information is accessible. Always place your most recent jobs at the top of the resume and work down in chronological order. Boldface your job position or title and use bullet points to summarize the details of the position. This should not exceed 5 lines. Make sure there is consistency in your design and structure. For example, if one job title is bolded make sure you bold all your listed job titles.

3) Highlight your skills: Naturally you’ve accomplished lots at your previous places of employment, so much that you may not have room to include everything. Maximize this by creating a “Skill Section” or “Competencies” at the beginning or end of your work experience category. List the numerous qualities and skills you’ve learnt that are applicable and beneficial to the job you are applying for.

4) Numbers are important: Numbers create interest on a resume as they are very specific. So instead of stating, for example, that you wrote a bi-weekly blog which reached numerous people say: I managed a blog in which I wrote 2 articles a week reaching over 200,000 people. (I wish)

5) Proofread. Then proofread again: If an employer is looking over hundreds of resumes, and spots a spelling error, they are not going to invest the time in continuing reading that application. In addition to proofreading it is also helpful to have a friend or relative edit your resume to give advice or catch any mistakes you may have made.

6) Include only relevant information: It is important to include only relevant job experience and community engagement. A part-time retail job you worked at in high school is not likely related to the position you are applying to now. Similarly, instead of listing numerous hobbies consider listing only your volunteer or charity work experience.

7) Education: Recent grads should list degrees at the top of your resume including any awards, certificates, etc. If you have been graduated for over five years consider moving that section to the end of your resume (after your work experience).

8) Keep it Short & Sweet: The challenge of resume writing is to provide as much information about yourself and your qualifications in as minimal a space as possible. Summarize, use bullet points and include only important information. Ideally, your resume should not exceed 2 pages.

IELTS in Vancouver: A Guide to Studying in Western Canada

We previously looked at studying in Toronto and examined the basics of living in an exciting, multi-cultural metropolis. Part of the beauty of studying in Canada is that it is vastly different depending on which part or province you visit. While there are overarching customs and beliefs that tie this nation together, Toronto and Vancouver still differ.

Life in Vancouver:
For nearly 52% of Vancouver residents, English is not their first language. Not only does this demonstrate the diverse range of ethnicities in Vancouver, but also, speaks to the extensive ESL communities, courses and support that’s available. Similarly, living in Vancouver provides numerous opportunities for weekend fun. There are plenty sites to see like the Vancouver Art Gallery, Sports Hall of Fame, Historic Chinatown and Granville Street. Similarly you can explore the 2010 Winter Olympic Sites, catch a Canuck’s game at the Rogers Arena or go whale watching! Being in such close proximity to the Pacific Ocean creates a plethora of opportunities to enjoy the 18 kilometer stretch of beaches right outside your door. With so much to see and do in Vancouver you can forget there are plenty of things to explore outside the metro area. Day trips can be taken to Victoria, The Sunshine Coast or Harrison Hot Springs. In just 30 minutes you can be at the base of some of the best skiing areas in the world, like Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour.

Getting Around:
Translink Vancouver is the primary transportation system in central Vancouver which includes buses, trains and even ferries.

Weather:
Welcome to Canada’s warmest city. Don’t let the Canadian winter stereotypes mislead you; Vancouver has an incredibly mild climate. Instead of snow however, rain is plentiful. For this reason, it is still necessary to bring warm clothes and waterproof gear. If you are craving a picturesque Canadian landscape, remember that just outside the city are skiing ranges which offer a multitude of winter activities.

University TOEFL/IELTS requirements:
Vancouver is home to some of the highest ranked universities in the world. All universities have English language requirements and these are no exception. Before you begin studying for the IELTS in Vancouver, it is important to know what your university of choice requires.

University of British Columbia (UBC): Minimum 6.5 with a 6.0 in each component of the Academic Version
Simon Fraser University (SFU): Minimum 7.0 with a 6.5 in each component of the Academic Version
Fairleigh Dickinson University: Minimum 6.0
Emily Carr University of Art & Design: Minimum 6.5

Testing Centers:
You’ve studied, explored and experienced all Canada’s pacific coast has to offer and now, it is time for your final IETLS test in Vancouver. The official testing centre in Vancouver is at The Global Village, located at 888 Cambie Street. There are also two other locations for your convenience in Gastown at 220 Cambie Street and in Richmond. Similarly, UBC and SFU also arrange test days on their campuses to make taking your IELTS in Vancouver more accessible.

Best Schools to Study English:
ESL Explorer only matches you with schools that have been accredited by National Accrediting Boards such as Languages Canada, British Council and NEAS. Courses include TOEFL preparation, Business English, General English and IELTS preparation.

'Ironic' is one of the most misused words in the #English language. Read about its meaning and how to use it here: http://t.co/Zx0XF9hkss

Top 8 Countries to study English

The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

Business English: 5 Tips for Cover Letter Writing

Business English: 8 Tips for Resume Writing

IELTS in Vancouver: A Guide to Studying in Western Canada