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Guides for exams and English at work

Clear, practical articles on IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and GMAT, and the English you need at work — from our course team.

Business EnglishLevelsSector EnglishGMATIELTSExamsTOEFLTOEIC

Business English

Business English · 3 min25 English Business Idioms You’ll Hear at Work (with Meanings and Examples)The most common English idioms used in offices and meetings — from “touch base” to “back to the drawing board” — with clear meanings, examples and when to use plain English instead.Business English · 3 min40 Business English Phrases for Meetings (Leading, Joining, Agreeing and Disagreeing)Practical English phrases for every stage of a meeting: opening, giving opinions, agreeing and disagreeing politely, interrupting, clarifying and closing with clear actions.Business English · 3 minHow to Write a Professional Email in English (with 5 Templates)A simple structure for clear professional emails in English, the right greetings and closings, polite phrases for requests and follow-ups, and five ready-to-use templates.

Levels

Levels · 3 minCEFR Levels Explained (A1 to C2): What They Mean and Which Level You NeedWhat each CEFR English level (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) means in practice, how the levels compare with IELTS and TOEFL scores, and how to find your own level for free.

Sector English

Sector English · 3 minFinancial English: 30 Key Terms Every Finance Professional Should KnowEssential English vocabulary for finance and banking — financial statements, banking and investment terms, and the language for describing results — with plain-English definitions and examples.

GMAT

GMAT · 3 minGMAT Verbal for Non-Native Speakers: Strategies for Critical Reasoning and Reading ComprehensionThe GMAT Focus Edition Verbal section explained for non-native English speakers: question types, timing, and practical strategies for Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension.

IELTS

IELTS · 3 minIELTS Band Scores Explained: How Your Overall Score Is CalculatedHow IELTS band scores work: how many correct answers you need in Listening and Reading for each band, how Writing and Speaking are marked, and how the overall band is rounded.IELTS · 3 minIELTS Speaking: The Three Parts Explained, with Tips for a Higher BandWhat happens in each part of the IELTS Speaking test, how examiners score you, and practical tips — with example answers — to speak more fluently and confidently.IELTS · 4 minIELTS Writing Task 2: How to Get Band 7 (Structure, Criteria and a Model Answer)A step-by-step guide to IELTS Writing Task 2: what examiners look for at band 7, a simple four-paragraph structure, useful language, common mistakes and a model answer.

Exams

Exams · 3 minIELTS or TOEFL? How to Choose the Right English Test for YouIELTS vs TOEFL compared: who accepts each test, format, length, speaking style and scoring — and a simple way to decide which one suits you better.

TOEFL

TOEFL · 3 minThe New TOEFL iBT (2026): Format, Tasks and the 1–6 Score Scale ExplainedThe TOEFL iBT changed in January 2026: a shorter, adaptive test with new task types and a 1–6 band scale. Here is what each section contains and how to prepare.

TOEIC

TOEIC · 3 minTOEIC Listening & Reading: The 7 Parts Explained and How to Score 800+A complete guide to the TOEIC Listening and Reading test: all 7 parts, how scoring works, time management and practical strategies to reach 800 or more.