Five Top Tips for Learning a Language

To celebrate Love Audio Week we’ve got some top tips from bestselling author and language expert Paul Noble. With summer holidays approaching these steps will make learning a language that much easier. 1. Study (at least a little) every day! Learning a language is like building a fire –… Read More
a woman wearing a large backpack buying a ticket at a station

Asking for things when travelling in English

Our last article gave example phrases you could use when asking for information while travelling. We’ll now give examples you can use when asking for things, such as seats or receipts. To ask for something, use Can I have … ? or Could I have … ?. To be… Read More

The spotlight’s on climate change, all write?

Whether it’s naked protesters (don’t look, mum!), or children skipping school to become environmental activists, it’s hard to ignore the widespread attention that climate change has been grabbing recently. Being such a ‘hot topic’, climate change often features in English language writing exams, and students studying science,… Read More

Climate change explained

Climate can change naturally, but over the last century human activities have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit some of the heat radiation given off by the Earth’s surface and hence warm the lower atmosphere. The most important greenhouse gas is… Read More

The vocabulary of living green

Our changing climate is a topic that is at the forefront of our minds. This year, the focus of World Environment Day on 5th June is on the global crisis that is air pollution. To be part of the conversation about the issues and possible solutions, Collins English… Read More
a man showing another man something on his phone

Asking for information when travelling, in English

Our previous article gave you examples of how you could make travel suggestions. We’re now going to show you some phrases you can use when asking for information. You may need to go to a particular place or building when you are travelling. Use Is there … ? to ask… Read More
Tut mir leid! written on a wooden board

Apologizing and attracting someone’s attention in German

Most of us know when we have to say sorry, but when we’re not speaking our own language, it’s important to know how to do it. In German, different circumstances call for different words and expressions for apologizing. The most common way of saying I’m sorry is Es tut… Read More
MI SCUSI written on yellow paper

How to apologize and attract someone’s attention in Italian

Most of us know when we have to say sorry, but when we’re not speaking our own language, it’s important to know how to do it. In Italian, different circumstances call for different words and expressions for apologizing. The most common way of saying I’m sorry is mi dispiace. Read More
keyboard with a post-it note with GRACIAS written on it

Learning Spanish: Common courtesies

Whether you’re visiting a Spanish-speaking country or even planning to live there, you’ll want to be able to chat to people and get to know them better. The nuts and bolts of conversations revolve around common courtesies. As in English, in Spanish there are several ways you can ask someone… Read More