English Facts
Fast on its way to becoming the world's first universal language, English is spoken by over 380 million people worldwide as a first language, around 600 million as a second language, and has over 1 billion people considered 'learners'
English has by far the greatest vocabulary of all world languages: excluding proper nouns there are over 1,000,000 words, compared with French which has fewer than 100,000
89% of school children in the European Union study English as a foreign language
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Western culture is filled with numerous examples of valiant male friendships. Batman and Robin, the Lone Ranger and numerous more examples have kept the bad guys at bay. And what about women?s friendships ? have they accounted for anything? The infamous ?Sex and the City? with Carrie Bradshaw and her girlfriends sipping cocktails and dishing the dirt on previous boyfriends strengthens the idea that female friendships are exposed as playful.
However, ?girl talk?, seems to be significantly more fundamental than we first thought. New information is constantly being found that suggests women?s friendships have played a critical role in human evolution.
Just as our ancestors shared child-care duties while men were out hunting, contemporary females come together during times of war or famine to pitch in with material and emotional support. Female ties have evolved to ensure that certain vital functions important to human life get maintained. Some studies have suggested that friendship does for females what status does for males ? that it enhances their own sense of well-being while improving their children?s prospects for survival.
Not long ago it was unfashionable to think of men and women as fundamentally different. But in recent years, studies have shown consistently that women are better than men at reading and responding to subtle cues about mood and temperament. They are more trusting, more empathetic and more focused on one-to-one friendships.
Our English speakers, fully qualified to teach their native tongue, can train you and, if need be, the rest of your group at a time that is suitable to you, at your home or place of work. Sessions can take place on the day of your choosing - even weekends - and at the time you want: whether it be morning, afternoon or evening. If circumstances arise where your home or office is not convenient, the classes can be held at your trainer's office. Resources for the course are provided for you.
Book now / EnquiryThese courses in English are meant for those that feel that learning English would make a change in their work. For starters, it is expedient to learn how to say hello/goodbye, as well as basic business protocol; once the basics have been mastered, reading and writing come to the fore. Students who have greatly benefitted have been involved in import/export, international negotiations and acquisitions, jobseekers in multinational companies where another language is required, and those working in the international academia and government circuits. Even on our most fundamental beginner's course, students can anticipate ending the course with basic telephone English and e-mail English skills for communicating, as well as survival English if a short visit to the country is needed.
Book now / EnquiryThese English lessons fit a broader spectrum, and can be useful for those who need different things from the language. Most beginner students will have a handle of survival English by the end of their course, which will provide them without enough English to communicate at least at a basic level during short trips to the country, but those who require more would benefit greatly from these sessions. Typical students have been those eager to travel all over the world, those buying overseas property, those with foreign spouses, aficionados of English culture and those who just wish to pass a particular English exam.
Book now / EnquiryIf there are 2 or more of you with the same level of English, the same targets within the language, and be able to study at the same time and location, then you'll be happy to know that these English courses can also be made available for Two-to-One English Courses or Small Group In-Company English Courses. Listen & Learn do not generally recommend classes of more than 6-8 people, although Taster courses in English can run with up to 12 people. Bookings must be made for all participants at the same time.
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Harrogate
A large town in North Yorkshire, Harrogate forms a conurbation with Knaresborough, the population of the combined urban area being around 85,000. Historically Harrogate was primarily a hub for agriculture and the woollen industry. Nowadays the town is used as a commercial, conference and exhibition centre, owing mainly to the vast array of hotels built during the period before the First World War when Harrogate was a popular getaway for the English élite. Harrogate also acts as a dormitory town for commuters working in Leeds and Bradford, and is also the site of regionally renowned traditional eateries, Betty's Tea Rooms.
English Testimonials
"Our native speaker qualified English language teachers can train you and your colleagues at your office or home at a time to suit you. Classes can be any day of the week (even weekends) in the morning."