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The Complete English Language Course Improve Spoken English

4.2 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 2,550 ratings
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TJ Walker, Derek Smith, and Media Training Worldwide Digital

This Udemy course gives you, the English language learner, a complete overview of the English language and grammar.

This course will give you the ability to understand English better and the confidence to speak and write English more fluently.

This English language course is taught by two world-renowned communications trainers, TJ Walker and Derek Smith.

Message from Derek Smith:

My name is Derek, I’m a native Brit and qualified and experienced TEFL/TESOL trainer.

I have been teaching English to adults for over 10 years and look forward to using technology to reach a wider audience.

Read more

This Udemy course gives you, the English language learner, a complete overview of the English language and grammar.

This course will give you the ability to understand English better and the confidence to speak and write English more fluently.

This English language course is taught by two world-renowned communications trainers, TJ Walker and Derek Smith.

Message from Derek Smith:

My name is Derek, I’m a native Brit and qualified and experienced TEFL/TESOL trainer.

I have been teaching English to adults for over 10 years and look forward to using technology to reach a wider audience.

I have a neutral accent which is clear and easy to understand.

Downloadable PDFs for each lesson will form a valuable resource collection for you.

The course is not designed to be accessed in sequence but takes more of a pick and mix approach.

For example, if you need help with prepositions of place, simply go to the grammar section and look for the lesson on prepositions of place.

Or if you need help with present perfect continuous, go to the tenses and aspects part and check out the lesson on present perfect continuous.

Where there are differences between the UK and US language usage, these are explained in the lesson.

I encourage you to ask questions if you feel that something has not been fully or clearly explained. You will get an answer and, if necessary, the course material will be updated. Depending on the answer, I will add a new lesson to the course.

Here is a brief summary of the course benefits for you:

  • Native speaker

  • Experienced and qualified teacher

  • Neutral and easy to understand accent

  • Lessons structured for easy access

  • Downloadable resources for each lesson

  • No bloated lessons to trick you or waste your time

  • Valid for UK and US English

  • Updates as required by the learners

  • Udemy 30-day refund policy

How many of your boxes did I tick?

This is the English language and grammar course you need. I look forward to seeing you on the inside.

Message from TJ Walker

I have been teaching executives around the globe to deliver presentations in English for the last 30 years. Most people, even native English speakers, are insecure about their English language usage. You can become an accomplished speaker and communicator and know that you are using excellent English every time you speak.

Derek is one of the top English language instructors in the world and I am proud to be teaching this course with him. He has the English and European sensibility down perfectly. And I have been living in and working in the United States my entire life. When you put us together, it is a powerful combination designed to help you become a master at English language and communication.

Good luck and I hope to see you inside the course.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • A detailed and thorough knowledge of english language and grammar.
  • To understand english easier.
  • To speak and write english with more confidence.
  • Get answers to all your english language questions from someone who actually teaches the language.

Syllabus

Introduction
The Complete English Language Course Improve Spoken English

We have created a Facebook group for this course.

The idea here is that this will give learners a more sheltered environment in which to ask questions and post texts or videos for feedback from the course trainers and your fellow learners.

The link is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/648462005652882/

Please apply to join, using the name you used when you registered as a student on the course. Your application will be approved as soon as we can verify you as a learner on this course.

IMPORTANT: if your application is rejected, please send Derek a message and he will sort it out for you.

This group is for you, so please use it well. Spammers are not welcome and will not be tolerated.

Looking forward to seeing you there.


Read more

Time to check what we covered in this section.

This lesson looks at the following common cat idioms:

  • cat got your tongue?

  • raining cats and dogs

  • not enough room to swing a cat

  • the cat that got the cream

  • when the cat's away, the mice will play

  • more than one way to skin a cat

  • set the cat among the pigeons

  • something the cat dragged/brought in

  • cat burglar

  • to have kittens

This lesson looks at the following common dog idioms:

  • the dog's bollocks

  • in the doghouse

  • tail wagging the dog

  • teach an old dog new tricks

  • his bark is worse than his bite

  • hair of the dog

  • see a man about a dog

  • go to the dogs

  • puppy love

  • let sleeping dogs lie

This lesson looks at the following common bee idioms:

  • a bee in one's bonnet

  • the bee's knees

  • to make a beeline

  • busy as a bee

  • the birds and the bees

  • to buzz with excitement

  • hive of activity

  • buzz off!

  • honeytrap

  • bee-stung lips

This lesson looks at the following common sports idioms:

  • to skate on thin ice

  • to swim against the tide

  • two can play at that game

  • to take the wind out of their sails

  • to back the wrong horse

  • to be on the ball

  • to play ball with

  • the ball is in your court

  • to hang up one's boots / gloves

  • to play on a sticky wicket

This lesson looks at the following common food idioms:

  • a bun in the oven

  • don't cry over spilt milk

  • wake up and smell the coffee

  • a couch potato

  • bad/good egg

  • cool as a cucumber

  • go bananas

  • have your cake and eat it

  • bigger fish to fry

  • spill the beans

This lesson looks at the following common colour idioms:

  • blue/white collar worker

  • blue-eyed boy

  • a red herring

  • to be in the black/red

  • the pot calling the kettle black

  • let’s see the colour of your money

  • as green as grass

  • green fingers/thumbs

  • to wave the white flag

  • a white lie

This lesson looks at the following common clothes idioms:

  • caught with your trousers (pants) down

  • burn a hole in your pocket

  • fit like a glove

  • keep your shirt on

  • roll up your sleeves

  • wear the trousers ( pants)

  • below the belt

  • hot under the collar

  • a feather in your cap

  • put a sock in it

This lesson looks at the following common ears idioms:

  • wet behind the ears

  • bend someone's ear

  • walls have ears

  • grinning from ear to ear

  • in one ear and out of the other

  • not much / nothing between the ears

  • make a pig's ear of something

  • music to your ears

  • dog-eared

  • out on your ear

This lesson looks at the following common nose idioms:

  • powder one's nose

  • pay through the nose

  • keep your nose out (of my business)

  • rub someone's nose in it

  • cut off your nose to spite your face

  • thumb your nose at someone

  • as plain as the nose on your face

  • look down your nose

  • turn nose up at something

  • toffee-nosed

This lesson looks at the following common eye idioms:

  • eyes bigger than belly

  • beauty is in the eye of the beholder

  • hard/easy on the eyes

  • pull the wool over your eyes

  • not a dry eye in the house

  • an eye for an eye

  • eyes in the back of your head

  • do something with your eyes closed

  • here's mud in your eye

  • get some shut-eye

This lesson looks at the following common hair idioms:

  • splitting hairs

  • within a hair's breadth

  • win by a hair

  • get in / out of someone's hair

  • keep your hair on

  • pull your hair out

  • put hairs on your chest

  • not a hair out of place

  • let your hair down

  • in the cross hairs

This lesson looks at the following common foot idioms:

  • both feet on the ground

  • shoot yourself in the foot

  • put one’s foot in one’s mouth

  • get off on the wrong foot

  • one foot in the grave

  • have the shoe on the other foot

  • foot the bill

  • get cold feet

  • tied hand and foot

  • where the shoe pinches

This lesson looks at the following common money idioms:

  • licence to print money

  • right on the money

  • rolling in the money

  • funny money

  • Monopoly money

  • hush money

  • money for old rope

  • put your money where your mouth is

  • throw money at something

  • you pays your money, you takes your chance

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by instructors with experience in both UK and US English, which provides a comprehensive understanding of language variations
Offers downloadable PDFs for each lesson, which can serve as a valuable resource for ongoing learning and reference
Includes a Facebook group for learners to ask questions and receive feedback, fostering a supportive learning community
Presents lessons in a 'pick and mix' approach, which allows learners to focus on specific areas where they need the most help
Covers a wide range of topics, from phrasal verbs and idioms to nouns, adjectives, and tenses, providing a thorough overview
Features lessons on idioms related to animals, sports, food, colors, clothes, and body parts, which may add color to learners' vocabulary

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Detailed english grammar and fluency guide

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive look at English language elements, including grammar, idioms, and phrasal verbs. Many learners highlight the clear explanations and approachable teaching style of instructor Derek Smith, finding his neutral accent particularly beneficial. The course's modular structure allows for flexibility, enabling students to focus on specific topics they need to improve. The included downloadable PDF resources are seen as a valuable aid for review. While the course covers a broad scope, some reviewers suggest the inclusion of more practical exercises to enhance learning retention. Overall, learners report gaining increased confidence in their English communication skills.
Course is structured for flexible topic selection.
"I liked that I could just jump to the grammar point or idiom set I needed help with."
"The 'pick and mix' approach is great if you want a reference, but less structured for a beginner."
"It's convenient to find specific topics quickly when I need a refresher."
PDF resources are helpful for review.
"The downloadable PDFs for each lesson are a fantastic resource for reviewing the material."
"I print out the PDFs to study offline."
"Having the summaries and examples in PDF format is very useful."
Sections on idioms and phrasal verbs are valuable.
"The lessons on idioms and phrasal verbs were incredibly useful for improving my natural English."
"I learned many new idioms that I can actually use in conversation now."
"The categories for idioms (like animals, food) made them easy to learn and remember."
Instructor Derek Smith has a clear, neutral accent.
"Derek's neutral accent is perfect for learners; very easy to follow."
"I really appreciated how clear and easy to understand the instructor was throughout the lessons."
"His teaching style is engaging and makes learning enjoyable."
Helps boost confidence in English communication.
"This course has significantly improved my confidence when speaking English."
"I feel much more confident using correct grammar and understanding native speakers."
"It gave me the boost I needed to practice speaking more often."
Grammar and concepts are explained clearly.
"The way the grammar rules are explained is very clear and easy to grasp."
"I found the explanations on tenses and prepositions particularly straightforward and helpful."
"The instructor makes complex topics easy to understand."
Could include more exercises for reinforcement.
"I wish there were more exercises or quizzes to practice applying the grammar rules."
"The course is informative, but needs more hands-on practice opportunities."
"Some topics would benefit from additional practice activities."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Complete English Language Course Improve Spoken English with these activities:
Review Basic Grammar Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental grammar rules to prepare for more advanced topics in the course.
Browse courses on Basic Grammar
Show steps
  • Review parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs).
  • Practice identifying subjects and predicates in sentences.
  • Complete online quizzes on basic grammar rules.
Read 'English Grammar in Use' by Raymond Murphy
Supplement your learning with a widely-used grammar reference book that provides clear explanations and practice exercises.
View English Grammar in Use Book with Answers OeBV... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'English Grammar in Use'.
  • Work through chapters relevant to course topics.
  • Complete the exercises and check your answers.
Create a Short Story Using New Vocabulary
Practice using newly learned vocabulary and grammar structures in a creative writing exercise to improve fluency and retention.
Show steps
  • Choose a theme or topic for your story.
  • Incorporate at least 10 new vocabulary words from the course.
  • Use a variety of sentence structures and grammatical concepts.
  • Revise and edit your story for clarity and accuracy.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Daily English Grammar Exercises
Reinforce grammar concepts through consistent practice to improve accuracy and automaticity in writing and speaking.
Show steps
  • Find a reliable online resource for grammar exercises.
  • Complete 10-15 exercises daily, focusing on different grammar points.
  • Review your answers and identify areas for improvement.
Language Exchange with a Native Speaker
Improve spoken English and gain confidence through regular conversations with a native speaker.
Show steps
  • Find a language exchange partner online or in person.
  • Schedule regular conversation sessions.
  • Discuss various topics and provide feedback to each other.
Read 'The Elements of Style' by Strunk & White
Improve your writing style and clarity by studying this classic guide to English usage.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Elements of Style'.
  • Read through the book, paying attention to the rules and examples.
  • Apply the principles to your own writing.
Prepare and Deliver a Short Presentation
Practice spoken English and presentation skills by preparing and delivering a short presentation on a topic of your choice.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic that interests you.
  • Write a script or outline for your presentation.
  • Practice your delivery and timing.
  • Record yourself or present to a friend for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete The Complete English Language Course Improve Spoken English will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
ESL Teacher
An ESL Teacher specializes in teaching English to students whose first language is not English. This course helps those aspiring to be an ESL Teacher with a thorough grounding in English grammar and usage. The course's explicit attention to both UK and US English is particularly helpful, as is the ability to ask questions and receive updates on the course material. The course can assist an ESL Teacher in understanding common challenges faced by English language learners.
See salaries and explore the career path for ESL Teacher
English Teacher
An English Teacher guides students in the nuances of the English language, helping them develop strong reading, writing, and speaking skills. This course would be beneficial for anyone considering a career as an English Teacher because it provides a comprehensive overview of English language and grammar. The course's lessons on nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, tenses, and prepositions help build a strong foundation, essential for effectively teaching these concepts to others. The downloadable resources and clear explanations in this course also benefit an English Teacher.
See salaries and explore the career path for English Teacher
Proofreader
A Proofreader is responsible for identifying and correcting errors in written text before publication. For anyone aspiring to be a Proofreader, this course provides an excellent foundation in English grammar and usage. The course focuses on improving understanding and fluency in English, which helps develop the keen eye for detail required to spot errors. The course is comprehensive, covering all crucial elements for a Proofreader.
See salaries and explore the career path for Proofreader
Grant Writer
A Grant Writer prepares proposals to secure funding from foundations, government agencies, and other organizations. This course helps those aspiring to be a Grant Writer by enhancing their English language skills. The course focuses on grammar and vocabulary; this helps in writing clear, persuasive, and compelling grant proposals. This course aids in crafting well-structured and grammatically sound arguments, essential for success in this career field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer
Editor
An Editor reviews and revises written material to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency. This course could be very useful, as it provides a comprehensive overview of English grammar and language usage. The lessons on nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, tenses, and prepositions contribute to the skills necessary for an editor. The course, overall, ensures a strong command of the English language, essential for any Editor.
See salaries and explore the career path for Editor
Content Creator
A Content Creator develops written, visual, or audio content for various platforms. This course helps individuals become effective Content Creators by strengthening their English language skills. A deep understanding of grammar and proper usage helps in crafting engaging and error-free content. Overall, this course benefits a Content Creator aiming to produce high-quality written content. The course can help differentiate a Content Creator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation for complex technical products or processes. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of English grammar and usage, which is essential for producing clear and accurate technical documentation. This course helps develop an understanding of sentence structure and proper word choice, which is essential to succeed as a Technical Writer. The modules on nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs are especially helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist manages a company's communication with the public and the media. This course can definitely help someone pursue a career as a Public Relations Specialist. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical for crafting press releases, speeches, and other public-facing materials. This course's focus on English grammar, vocabulary, and usage helps build a strong foundation. The course helps to communicate effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist
Journalist
A Journalist researches and reports on current events and issues. This course's focus on English language skills may be helpful for aspiring Journalists. Strong writing and communication skills are essential for effectively conveying information to the public, and this course helps build those skills. The course helps develop the verbal ability to clearly articulate ideas in English, which is crucial for success as a Journalist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist
Corporate Trainer
A Corporate Trainer is responsible for developing and delivering training programs to employees. This course may be useful, especially if the training focuses on communication skills or involves employees for whom English is a second language. This course's focus on grammar, vocabulary, and different aspects of the English language helps build a strong foundation for communicating effectively. The course also covers various aspects of English, which can be useful for designing training materials.
See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Trainer
Copywriter
A Copywriter is responsible for creating persuasive and engaging content for marketing and advertising purposes. This course may be useful because it provides a solid foundation in English grammar and vocabulary, which is essential for effective copywriting. This course's coverage of idioms, grammar, and sentence structure helps develop the skills needed to write compelling copy. The course also touches on language usage differences, which is beneficial as a Copywriter.
See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter
Social Media Manager
A Social Media Manager is responsible for creating and managing a company's social media presence. This course may be useful, as effective communication is vital for engaging with audiences on social media. This course's focus on English grammar, vocabulary, and idioms helps develop the skills needed to craft compelling social media content. The course makes one a stronger communicator overall, which is beneficial as an Social Media Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager
Interpreter
An Interpreter converts spoken or written language from one language to another. While this course focuses on English language skills, it may indirectly benefit aspiring Interpreters by solidifying their understanding of English grammar and nuances. This course focuses on improving spoken English, which is directly transferable to the demands of interpreting. A strong command of English is essential for accurately conveying information between languages, and this course helps.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter
Linguist
A Linguist studies language, its structure, and its evolution. A career as a Linguist typically requires advanced degrees. This course may be useful, especially for those interested in applied linguistics or language education. The comprehensive overview of English grammar offered by this course helps develop a solid foundation for further linguistic study. The course's detailed explanations and downloadable resources also benefit a Linguist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Linguist
Speech-Language Pathologist
A Speech Language Pathologist assesses, diagnoses, and treats communication and swallowing disorders. This career typically requires a master's degree. While this course focuses on general English language skills, it may be helpful to those interested in this field, particularly if they plan to work with clients for whom English is a second language. The course helps develop the awareness of nuances in English pronunciation and grammar.
See salaries and explore the career path for Speech-Language Pathologist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Complete English Language Course Improve Spoken English.
Cover image
English Grammar in Use Book with Answers OeBV...
Save
Comprehensive grammar reference and practice book for intermediate learners. It provides clear explanations and numerous exercises to reinforce understanding of English grammar. It is widely used as a self-study resource and as a supplementary textbook in English language courses. This book adds depth to the grammar sections of the course.
English Grammar in Use Book with Answers OeBV...
Paperback
Check
English Grammar in Use Book with Answers OeBV...
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Rating
4.2 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
27.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructors
TJ Walker
Derek Smith
Media Training Worldwide Digital
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by instructors with experience in both UK and US English, which provides a comprehensive understanding of language variations
Offers downloadable PDFs for each lesson, which can serve as a valuable resource for ongoing learning and reference
Includes a Facebook group for learners to ask questions and receive feedback, fostering a supportive learning community
Presents lessons in a 'pick and mix' approach, which allows learners to focus on specific areas where they need the most help
Covers a wide range of topics, from phrasal verbs and idioms to nouns, adjectives, and tenses, providing a thorough overview
Features lessons on idioms related to animals, sports, food, colors, clothes, and body parts, which may add color to learners' vocabulary
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