How to improve your reading skills and extend your vocabulary · 17 days ago
Reading is one of the best ways of improving your English. Its easy as you don’t have to attend classes, and can do it almost anywhere – including those times spent waiting around or traveling. Its so easy to pick up a book and carry it along with you. These days electronic books and book readers are also a convenient way to read “on the go”.
It’s also cheap – and even free! Online newspapers often give free access so you can keep up to date on what’s happening in the world as well as improving your English at the same time.
Don’t forget libraries as well. They are free to join in Hong Kong and have a wide range of materials. Many books are classified by English standard so you can choose something that is suitable for your English level.
Reading is enjoyable, fun and improves your vocabulary and grammar no end. Do it regularly and often!
It can be frustrating though when you try and read something too long or too difficult, and so some people are put off from reading often. Choosing the text and having a purpose is of paramount importance.
Click here for the top tips for effective reading skills
HKEnglish.com provides a range of Business English Courses including Oral Business English (speaking and listening), Business writing and grammar, Business Presentation Skills, and Preparation for Job Interviews. Since this is one-to-one tuition you may select a range of topics that you want to concentrate on.
— Charles
Emily Tang - New Staff Teacher at HKEnglish.com · 18 days ago
We are very happy to announce that Emily Tang has joined HKEnglish.com as an English teacher.
Emily Tang is native American-born Chinese from the United States. She is a graduate of the Ivy League-caliber University, Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where she obtained her Bachelors of Arts Diploma in English Literature.
She has extensive experience in teaching (ESL) English as a Second Language to both adults and younger learners from beginner to advanced levels. Her students always give excellent feedback for her teaching. They also appreciate the way she develops their understanding, knowledge and application of the English language in both work and social situations in a friendly and enjoyable way.
Emily also has close to ten years of business experience working in a variety of different industries in corporate America. She has worked in business textbook editorial and publishing, insurance, healthcare management, law offices, and business development, etc. She is able to pass on this valuable experience to her students so that they may use English appropriately language in a variety of settings.
Her extensive background of work experience, social interaction and educational credentials has equipped her to be highly adaptable at interpersonal communication skills in both conversational and written English. Emily can help assist clients with their Written English, Oral English, Business Presentations, Social and Business English, Academic English, Pronunciation, and Exams (TOEFL & IELTS).
Emily is also fluent in Cantonese and is able to help absolute beginners learn English easily with confidence. She has previously lived in Hong Kong for seven years and has a Hong Kong native’s understanding of the Chinese culture.
— Charles
How to improve your business writing quickly · 23 days ago
English is the most common medium for written communication in Hong Kong.
Although Cantonese is used for day to day work, nearly all emails, memo’s, notices and letters are written in English.
The bad news is that people are more likely to spot your bad English when it is written down. They have lots of time to read and re-read your emails and find every single grammar mistake!
What is worse is that the number of emails that employees have to handle is increasing every day. Even low level staff have to respond to emails in English these days.
So what can you do to improve your business English writing? Well, luckily the answer is simple! Study with an experienced private tutor with a business background and learn new methods for writing business documents quickly and easily.
HKEnglish.Com’s one to one private tuition is the best way to improve your business English rapidly. You will get 100% attention from the teacher and instant feedback on your mistakes. Their enjoyable, step by step approach and friendly teachers will make sure you improve quickly and consistently. One hour of customized one-to-one tuition is like 20 hours in a big class!
HKEnglish.com provides a range of Business English Courses including Oral Business English (speaking and listening), Business writing and grammar, Business Presentation Skills, and Preparation for Job Interviews. Since this is one-to-one tuition you may select a range of topics that you want to concentrate on.
Click here for more information on their other Quality English Courses
— Charles
Cover letters for email job applications · 37 days ago
First impressions mean a lot to your success in any area of your life. This is even more important when you are applying for a new job.
You know what skills and qualities you have but how do you make yourself stand out from the crowd? Human Resources offices receive hundreds of applications following a single advertisement so how do you ensure that yours gets to the top of the shortlist?
These days the majority of job applications are summited via the Internet by email. Unfortunately, many people do not bother to attach a formal covering letter. Some do not even give a brief introduction about themselves and just say “Here is my CV – please call me”. This is a big mistake!
You should always include a cover letter as an attachment along with your CV or resume. It will be read by the selection board members / managers when you are short listed for interview.
These people will probably not get to read the contents of your email, and so sending along a cover letter will help you stand out from the other applicants at this critical stage.
Remember too to write a clear subject line with the word “application” and the job reference number. This will ensure your job application is handled correctly and read by the correct people.
The body of your email should include a short paragraph about your application i.e. “I am writing to apply for the position of xx ref number xx advertised in xx on xx”.
You should also include a short paragraph about yourself, your skills and how you can be contacted. Do not write long paragraphs, though, as long emails will probably not be read. Bulleted lists are a good idea for emails, so use them if needed.
In summary, when you send in a job application by email you should:
*Write a clear subject line with the word “application” and job ref number
*Include a paragraph or two explaining your application and about yourself
*Attach your CV to the email
*Attach your covering letter to the email.
Good Luck! We hope you get the job of your dreams!
The easiest and most successful way to apply for a job is to send the company a professionally written CV (resume), with perfect English, and a covering letter that stands out from the crowd. HKEnglish.com now provides this customized service in Hong Kong.
— Charles
Tips for the IELTS Listening Test · 42 days ago
One of the best ways to gain a higher score in the IELTS test is to have a good understanding of the test modules before you sit for the exam. In this way you know what to expect and can therefore perform your best.
The listening test is perhaps one of the most difficult papers of the IELTS exam. There are four sections and the whole listening test takes 40 minutes. There are separate question booklets and answer sheets. At the end of the test you have ten minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. It is the first part of the exam and this is perhaps when you are most nervous. Try and stay relaxed in order to concentrate.
The best way to prepare is an intensive one to one preparation course.
HKEnglish.com provides this service in Hong Kong at reasonable rates.
Find out more about the IELTS listening test and discover the top tips by clicking here
Are you planning to take this key test soon? Click here for more information about high quality IELTS Preparation Courses
— Charles