The English Trainer

There are lots of ways to describe renting or borrowing things in English. I have created a list with examples to show the language use. Borrow, loan, lend, let, hire, rent, lease To borrow (verb) take and use (something belonging to someone else) with the intention of returning it. I borrowed a book from the library. I borrowed a lawnmower from my friend. … To lend (verb) to allow (someone) the use of (something) on the understanding that it will be returned. I lent Sarah my red dress. Traditionally loan is a noun and lend in a verb but loan is more frequently being used as a verb. I l oaned Sarah my red dress. … Loan (noun) Usually a sum of money from a bank or another financial institution that must be paid back. I got a loan from the bank. On loan -(phrase) something is unavailable as it’s been borrowed I’m sorry but the book you wanted is on loan . The player is on loan to Tottenham. The painting is on loan to the Tate. ...

I had the pleasure recently of teaching a very dedicated and enthusiastic student who in a very short time scale, managed to pass IELTS at a grade higher than she needed. It's such a good feeling to have worked with someone who put so much into her studies, to get where she needed to be. She is now on to pastures new (leaving a present situation for a new one) and I wish her all the best. I am now teaching a new student, who is at the beginning of his journey which will culminate (end) with him taking his English exams in the future. It can seem like a long way, to get to where he wants to be. He asked me recently, "do you think it's possible that I will pass this test?". Part of my job as a teacher is to encourage my students, and help steer them and push them to achieve their goals. So what I said to my student is that with enough preparation, looking at past papers and practice, yes, it is not only possible but likely that he will pass the test. This advice goes fo...

Language learners often have something known as 'spiky profiles', they are not equally good in the four sections of language learning (reading, writing, listening, speaking). For example, if you learned English by watching films in original English with the subtitles in your own language, then your listening skills are probably quite good. Although, that doesn't mean that you can write if you have never practiced that skill. The key to helping students is to identify these areas where they have weaknesses and focus activities on those areas, while building on their strengths. It's not only skills that the student has but also their mindset and motivations. If, for example, a student needs to pass a speaking test and is very shy, and unwilling to talk, then the teacher needs to build their confidence up so the student has a decent chance when they get into the room with the examiner. On the other hand, a very outgoing student who loves to talk but makes lots of errors of...