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If elephants could write down their memories, they'd use their trunks. The Trunk is a collection of articles with advice on learning languages plus guidance on how to improve speaking and writing in English.

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You’ve psyched yourself up to write that blog post or email in English.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

Pronouncing individual sounds correctly is important when speaking, right?

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

Here’s some more insight into what people say about writing in English when it’s not their first language.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

We get so many emails every day that we usually just skim them, which makes it crucial to write emails that are easy to read.

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Category: Writing in English

Another common confusion is when to use the “ed” ending of an adjective (confused) versus the “ing” ending (confusing).

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Category: Common English Confusions

One reason why people don’t sound as good as they could when speaking is that they haven't warmed up first, especially before saying something important.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceSpeaking in English

For many people, the idea of sitting down and working through a grammar book from start to finish makes them want to do housework instead. But there’s a better way.

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Category: Language Learning Advice

The first step is to identify your regular mistakes in English and then defeat them one by one.

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Category: Language Learning Advice

This week another insight into what people say about writing in English when it’s not their first language.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

Having lost so many ideas and quotes, I’ve gone back to using a writing notebook.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

Another common confusion is when to use "few" and when to use "little".

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Category: Common English Confusions

Sometimes the words just won’t flow. Here are 3 suggestions for when that happens.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

While translating when writing is not a good idea, multilingual brainstorming is definitely worth doing.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

Saying what you mean so that it sounds natural is one of the challenges of writing in English for your business.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

What do people say about writing in English when it’s not their first language?

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

Feeling fearful, anxious or hesitant about writing in English?

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

We can use "appreciate" to ask and to thank. However, people often forget to add "it" when using "if" in a polite request.

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Category: Common English Confusions

Another quick and easy way to keep the writing wheels oiled is to create a one-sentence summary of something you’ve recently read or written.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English

Sorry, this doesn’t mean not doing anything – although sometimes that’s exactly what you should do. Rather it’s to encourage you to make some time for relaxed reading in English.

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Category: Language Learning Advice

While active copying concentrates on getting it right, speedwriting focuses on getting something down on paper.

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Category: Language Learning AdviceWriting in English