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An article about English grammar I saw this article about English grammar that some might find interesting https://theconversation.com/things-you-were-taught-at-school-that-are-wrong-70327

An interesting online test of English vocabulary levels. If you are learning English and want to test your vocabulary level then do the English test here http://www.englishclubpro.com/resources/are-you-sure-that-you-know-5000-words-in-english-take-this-test At the end of the test, it will ask some demographic details and also if you have undertaken any of the formal English tests like TOEFL, IELTS. You won't have to give contact details unless you choose to do so.

An exercise in listening to an American voice speaking in the English language This is an exercise that I am asking a friend of mine to do for the purposes of learning English. However if anyone else wants to test themselves, please create your OWN notebook entry, and reply with a transcript in English text, a summary of what is being said again in English and also a summary in your own language. You can come back here later and I will post a transcript. So the result is . a transcript that everyone can check . your thoughts in English (so someone else can check your English writing. . your thoughts in your own language which will help understanding of people learning your language. The background to this is that there are many different English dialects and some of them are difficult to understand even for English speakers. This particular speech is by an American poet. Please make a transcript of only the first minute of the video clip, you can take as long as you want on the minute, but please record how long you took to understand the voice and tell us what caused you the most difficulty. The video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmWnQzd6x0w

Storybooks to encourage multi-lingualism in children The site below may contain material helpful for people starting to learn a foreign language. It is meant to help younger children learn but should be helpful for beginning older students as well. http://www.multilingual-families.eu/repository/for-children Some of you might also like to contribute to its development :-)

Droplet lenses for smartphones. This could be really interesting . A video of some work done at a University in Australia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t63aCxFqDv0&feature=youtu.be Now where can I get one.

A poem by an Australian poet - Henry Kendall Bellbirds By channels of coolness the echoes are calling, And down the dim gorges I hear the creek falling: It lives in the mountain where moss and the sedges Touch with their beauty the banks and the ledges. Through breaks of the cedar and sycamore bowers Struggles the light that is love to the flowers; And, softer than slumber, and sweeter than singing, The notes of the bell-birds are running and ringing. The silver-voiced bell birds, the darlings of daytime! They sing in September their songs of the May-time; When shadows wax strong, and the thunder bolts hurtle, They hide with their fear in the leaves of the myrtle; When rain and the sunbeams shine mingled together, They start up like fairies that follow fair weather; And straightway the hues of their feathers unfolden Are the green and the purple, the blue and the golden. October, the maiden of bright yellow tresses, Loiters for love in these cool wildernesses; Loiters, knee-deep, in the grasses, to listen, Where dripping rocks gleam and the leafy pools glisten: Then is the time when the water-moons splendid Break with their gold, and are scattered or blended Over the creeks, till the woodlands have warning Of songs of the bell-bird and wings of the Morning. Welcome as waters unkissed by the summers Are the voices of bell-birds to the thirsty far-comers. When fiery December sets foot in the forest, And the need of the wayfarer presses the sorest, Pent in the ridges for ever and ever The bell-birds direct him to spring and to river, With ring and with ripple, like runnels who torrents Are toned by the pebbles and the leaves in the currents. Often I sit, looking back to a childhood, Mixt with the sights and the sounds of the wildwood, Longing for power and the sweetness to fashion, Lyrics with beats like the heart-beats of Passion; - Songs interwoven of lights and of laughters Borrowed from bell-birds in far forest-rafters; So I might keep in the city and alleys The beauty and strength of the deep mountain valleys: Charming to slumber the pain of my losses With glimpses of creeks and a vision of mosses.

Singing in a new language helps you to learn it This is an article about some language research findings. I hope that you can read it. http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/08/15/3824909.htm

Free Kindle Book about English Language History There is a free ebook download from Amazon about the history of the development of the English language. I have not read as yet but some of you might find it interesting. Here is the link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBFO4OG/?tag=ereaderpcom-20