With every New Year comes new goals, objectives and lifestyle changes, or what we call resolutions.
Going to the gym, eating better, travelling more are just a few of the common resolutions friends typically mention. But occasionally we forget about improving upon skills we have learned previously, and one of the mistakes we make is related to language development.

Learning and sustaining a second language is an ongoing skill that needs to be continually refined.
Whether it be reading, listening to movies/music, or taking conversation classes, mastering a second language should be one of the principal resolutions on our list. Not only does it help our personal development but opens the door to many more job opportunities and promotions with international companies.

When evaluating your new year´s resolutions, don´t leave this valuable skill of mastering a second language dormant too long, or you may just regret it at the end of the year.

May 2018 be successful for all of you!

There aren´t many things as scary as walking into a Job Interview not knowing which language it will be in.  As everyone knows, a job candidate might look great on paper:  have loads of work experience and a top-notch educational background.  But if you cannot explain your professional and educational background in a clear and concise way, chances are you will not get hired.

Master Business English prepares candidates looking for new job opportunities with multinational companies who demand a proficient level of English. We go over typical interview questions related to your professional development, academic achievements, and labor experiences, highlighting “key words” that will help you stand out with your potential employer.

We also help review a candidate´s Resume/Curriculum in English as well as off translation services from Spanish – English.

The U.S. Presidential race is heating up with both sides trading barbs on a daily basis, looking for any kind of advantage while heading into the homestretch of this crucial election. The results will have global ramifications and could alter existing financial and military agreements with foreign countries.

Trump is putting his weight behind the argument of expanding jobs and boosting national industry by reviewing and possibly eliminating Free Trade Agreements with countries that include Peru. He is also promising to reduce the U.S´s participation in the military alliance NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) whose primary mission is to safeguard the security of member´s borders.

Clinton has opted to stick to the Democratic party line that both her husband Bill Clinton and current President Barak Obama forged, which is to promote trade through international agreements as well as strengthen the U.S.´s military presence throughout the world.

To get the latest information and analysis of this extremely tight race, check out the following sights: cnn.com,  foxnews.com,  bloomberg.com

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (Toefl) is a communicative based exam for both students and professionals.  It is a must for those applying to Universities in the U.S or Canada and is becoming increasingly important among companies who are looking for candidates with a high level of English proficiency.

The higher your score (current IBT exam is out of 120 points) the more choices you will have to being accepted at a prestigious university as well having more opportunities in the job market.

Master Business English (MBE) offers 2 month Preparation Courses for the Exam, in Groups as well as Individual courses.  The exam includes 4 parts:  Speaking, Listening and Reading Comprehension, and Writing (2 Essays).  The course is taught by North American teachers who have years of experience preparing students on improving their speed and accuracy through drills and moderated practice exams in the 4 parts of the Exam.

Listening skills are an essential part of any language. In short, if you do not understand what the other person is saying, you will not be able to respond. There are many options to choose from, so it really depends on what you prefer to use:

Movies/Television series:  These are the most popular forms of listening options and in my opinion the most entertaining. However, some of the dialogue is quite rapid for a lower level learner and a lot of it is filled with “slang” or colloquial expressions. Recommended for Intermediate to Advanced learners

News programs:  I constantly recommend listening to international news programs because of the variety of accents as well as being short and to the point.  In addition, the english used by the speakers is a formal and more professional.  Recommended for all learners

Internet exercises: There are a numerous amount of web pages for ESL learners that offer listening exercises for all levels and broken down into specific topics: General /Everyday English, Business English, Technical English, etc..  You just have to find the right page for you.

Music: This is an excellent option not only for music enthusiasts but also for people who spend a lot of time travelling to work or school. Take advantage of the long commute by listening to some of your favorite english groups or singers. Recommended for all learners

“A/An” articles are called “Indefinite” because they are:  not specific, new or unknown to your listener:

1. I need a new phone. (not a specific phone, just any phone)
2. Linda is an arquitect. (new to the listener you are speaking to)
3. You will find a tour guide somewhere. (unknown to the listener)

“The” articles are “definite” or specific articles. They are known to the listener:

1. The sushi at the restaurant you recommended was fantastic. (known to listener)
2. I prefer the blue car, not the red one. (specific)

What I tell students time after time, increasing your vocabulary has to be the most important aspect of English language development.  Whether you are true beginner or an advanced level learner, you need the tools necessary to be able to communicate effectively as well as understand who you are listening to.
What we recommend our students is having a notebook or file on your computer where you can constantly add new vocabulary words in an organized and efficient manner.  You only need 10 to 15 minutes a day to review new and old vocabulary words.  Reviewing is essential in turning short term knowledge (new vocabulary) into long term memory.

MBE would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. We hope that each and every one of you achieves the goals you have set out for 2015 and continues to develop on a personal and professional level.