Category Archives: IELTS

Exciting News I’d Like to Share

Posted on January 3, 2026 by mhardy3222

I’ve been working on something behind the scenes … An ebook for learners who want English to make sense Many of my students over the years have said the same thing: “No one ever explained it like this before.” That … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, ESL Teachers, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Relative Clauses, TOEFL, TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | 1 Comment

How to Describe a Painting using ‘Wh…?’ questions

Posted on December 3, 2025 by mhardy3222

‘The family of Darius before Alexander’ by Paolo Veronese 1565-1570 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦  Greetings English learners! How would … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Leave a comment

Sensational, Skilful Semicolons!

Posted on November 3, 2025 by mhardy3222

What the ….. !!    Not another SEMICOLON !! What is a  Semicolon? Let’s have a look. ; a) Spiderman is my favourite Super Hero; he’s my favourite person! b) Spiderman is my favourite Super Hero; actually, I still really like Superman.   What … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), TOEFL, TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | 1 Comment

Silent English Letters

Posted on October 25, 2025 by mhardy3222

Greetings English Learners! It’s time for some silliness! The English Language does seem to have an unfair number of silent letters. How can you remember them all? Well, it takes time and familiarity, and a generous dose of humour helps! … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, ESL Teachers, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Pronunciation Videos, Speaking & Pronunciation, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Vocabulary | 2 Comments

Advanced Reading – Improve your English & your Knowledge!

Posted on August 6, 2025 by mhardy3222

Is it possible to become a successful English writer when English is your second language?                  Imagine being taught English at school but not hearing it spoken outside of  the classroom. This is an … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, IELTS, Reading, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Spelling Mistakes that Ruin your Writing

Posted on March 6, 2025 by mhardy3222

English spelling is not easy for anyone learning English as a second language. It may surprise you to learn that many native English speakers are not good at spelling in their native language. They know that spelling is very important … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Difficult Pronunciation & How to Remember It #2

Posted on January 8, 2025 by mhardy3222

Photo by Mimi Thian, Unsplash Today, I will continue to focus on common English words that many of you find difficult to pronounce. (See my previous post: Difficult Pronunciation & How to Remember It) Here is a quick reminder: My … Continue reading →

Posted in Elementary (Level 2), IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Speaking & Pronunciation, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Vocabulary | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

MUST – The Most Misunderstood Modal!

Posted on September 1, 2024 by mhardy3222

Greetings English Learners!  Do you remember when you first learned the meaning of ‘must’? Must = Rules and Obligation. You must obey the road rules! You must not be late! Doctor: You must take two pills with food daily for … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

English Inversion #1: Why? When? How?

Posted on October 26, 2023 by mhardy3222

One of the first things you learn when you start learning English is the word order in sentences. The subject comes before the verb:  SUBJECT                           VERB you                                        learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Leave a comment

Relative Clauses #11: Advanced non-defining Relative Clauses

Posted on August 5, 2023 by mhardy3222

First, read the earlier posts on Relative Clauses, especially #3 and #6. Advanced non-defining Relative Clauses are not as difficult as their name suggests. There are only two Relative Clause Pronouns used, whom & which, and the Relative Clause is usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Relative Clauses, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | 1 Comment