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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, writing, and communicating better in English.

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Feeling fearful, anxious or hesitant about writing in English?

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Category: Language Learning TipsWriting 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 TipsWriting 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 Tips

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

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Category: Language Learning TipsWriting in English

It’s hard enough pushing “publish” in our native language, let alone in another language. But if now is the time for you to reach a wider audience for your business, then it’s also time to build up your confidence in writing in English.

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Category: Language Learning TipsWriting in English

Finding the time to work on your Business English can be challenging. One way is to fill in the short gaps we all have during the day when waiting for the bus to come or for someone to arrive or for lunch to be served.

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Category: Language Learning TipsWriting in English

A common confusion is which preposition to use in the following fixed expressions.

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Category: Common English Confusions

Clients often tell me how much they like the elephant on my website and business card, and then ask why I chose an elephant.

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Category: News

Here’s some advice on how to keep your training sessions short and simple plus stimulating.

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Category: Language Learning Tips

Clients often tell me that meetings and presentations can be less intimidating than the prospect of making small talk during the coffee break or at lunch.

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Category: Language Learning Tips

One day we realise that our good enough English could be better, or in fact needs to be better to improve our performance at work. MORE can help us to reach our goal. Use MORE to upgrade to the next level.

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Category: Language Learning Tips

How successfully you can express yourself in English depends on your language proficiency and your communication skills.

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Category: Language Learning Tips

When you’ve been learning English for a while, it can become a bit repetitive and tedious. Sometimes a change in mindset can help.

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Category: Language Learning Tips

Sometimes it’s the little things that slow us down or trip us up, such as trying to remember if a word is spelt together or apart.

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Category: Common English Confusions

Prime candidates for confusing words are affect/effect and effective/efficient.

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Category: Common English Confusions