Everyday English in London

By our Callan Method teacher Emyr Humphreys. Although you are in the capital of the UK, you may have noticed how many other languages are spoken every day as well as English. However, you will still find opportunities to practise your English everywhere you go. When you use the Tube, for example, take a look at the advertisements to see what you understand. They also hand out copies of the Metro and the Evening Standard outside Tube stations which are perfect for improving your reading skills. There are endless opportunities to improve your speaking skills in London. Why not find language exchanges on websites such as meetup.com, couchsurfing.com and groups on Facebook. Another good idea is to do a walking tour of the city where the guide explains the highlights of London in English. Many are free but remember to tip the guide! On the way to your classes, why not listen to the radio or podcasts on your phone? This will help you to recognise vocabulary and grammar in English and also understand how spoken English sounds. Also, when visiting museums and galleries, try to read some of the notices in English. Again, this will improve your reading skills while also learning something interesting.