Lots of us have tablets or smart phones in our bags and pockets. We use them to listen to music, watch videos as well as games,  facebook and many more activities. So, why not use them to help you learn or improve your English. Below is a few Apps from the British Council that you can download for Android or Ios systems.

Learn English Podcast – Fun English language listening practice

Each show, with the dynamic duo of Tess and Ravi is 20 minutes long and comes with questions aimed at Elementary learners of English, which you can try and answer while listening to the podcast.

The tapescript also moves in time with the audio to aid listening. This feature is not available when in live streaming mode.

Features:

* 3 series of podcasts to date, more to follow
* practice activities for each podcast
* tapescript for supported learning

Learn English Grammar -LearnEnglish Grammar is an interactive application for grammar practice that helps improve accuracy in the use of English grammar . This application offers thousands of questions that help to strengthen the knowledge and practice of English grammar .

Four levels  from beginner to advanced

OVER 1000 QUESTIONS PRACTICE

Each level contains over 600 grammar activities , divided into about 25 topics like grammar Simple past , Question tags and Prepositions . Grammatical questions using 10 unique types of activities such as filling in gaps , multiple choice and combinations .

Learn English Audio

IELTS Word Power - British Council IELTS Word Power is a vocabulary practice app for IELTS test takers. With over 100 questions to test your word power, this app helps to build vocabulary in preparation for the IELTS test.

Big City Small World - Big City Small World is an audio drama for learners of English brought to you by the British Council.

Set in London, it follows the lives of a group of regulars in Tony's cafe.

The application includes:

* 48 episodes to listen to with interactive tapescript to read while you listen

* Eight free cartoons to download with accompanying language learning points (swipe down to see them when marked with an arrow or 'i')

* Audio character introductions

Johnny Grammar - Beat the clock and answer as many spelling, vocabulary and grammar questions as you can in this 60-second quiz!
Johnny Grammar’s Word Challenge is a quiz for English learners to test common vocabulary, spelling and grammar that appears in everyday English.

Main features:
* 3 levels - Easy, Medium, Hard
* 3 quiz categories – Words, Grammar, Spelling
* 10 common topics – Food & Restaurants, Travel, Small Talk, Hobbies etc,
* Earn badges as you play and share with others
* Compete with others on a global leaderboard
* Share your badges with others on a leaderboard
* Feedback provided on wrong answers to enhance your learning.

Learn English Kids - Do you like listening to and reading stories? There are lots and lots of great animated stories here for you to watch and listen to.

Aimed at children who are learning English as a second or foreign language, LearnEnglish Kids: Videos provides ten fun videos to enjoy.

Stories include:
* Goldilocks and the Three Bears
* Jack and the Beanstalk
* Little Red Riding Hood
* Dark Dark Wood
* The Monster Shopping Trip
* Record Breakers

and many more.

Includes a parents' guide with information on how best to help your child learn English.

MyWordBook 2 - Learn, practice and review your English vocabulary with MyWordBook. MyWordBook is an interactive vocabulary notebook for English language learners.

BRING WORDS TO LIFE!
* All word data comes from Cambridge University Press' learner dictionaries
* Word lists are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels
* Topic by topic learning – you choose the areas you need to practice
* Includes tips for learning vocabulary

EFFECTIVE LEARNING!
* Learn 75 pre-installed new words through interactive flashcards
* Add pictures, sounds, example sentences, translations and notes to flashcards to help you remember

* Check your understanding of new words through a wide range of activities
* Review the words quickly in a list view and archive the words you have learnt and know
* Buy more word packs especially for your level and interests

* Create your own flashcards for new words as you need them

SHARE WORDS WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
* Now you can sync Your Words across all your mobile devices
* Share your own flashcards through Facebook, Twitter and Email. Help your friends to learn!

Users must create an account to download more words. MyWordBook is free but in app purchases may incur a charge. Costs are highlighted within the in app purchasing section (Store).

To -ing or not to -ing that is the question.

Infinitives versus Gerunds 

 You should remember that in English the infinitive is preceded by “to”: “I just want to go home and go to sleep!” But English also frequently uses gerunds, which are formed by adding “--‐ing” to a verb: “running”, “smoking”, “studying”. Note that gerunds, although formed from verbs, and although they look identical to the present participle (“I am running”, for example), are used as nouns: “Running is good exercise.” English for some reason loves the gerund. Very often in English we use the gerund when other languages, like Portuguese, would use the infinitive. But then, sometimes we do use the infinitive. And occasionally either form is acceptable. Confusing? Yes, it can be. And unfortunately, some memorization is required to know when to use the infinitive and when to use the gerund. However, there are some guidelines – if not firm rules – which will help you to know whether to use the infinitive or the gerund in a given situation. Here are three guidelines which cover three common situations:

1. Verbs which describe feelings – whether someone likes or does not like something – are followed by a gerund. Examples:

 “I like swimming.” “I dislike swimming.” “I Hate studying grammar.” Common verbs in this category include: like, dislike, hate, enjoy, fear, interested in, detest, don’t mind, can’t stand, tolerate, and love, among others. Note that a few of these verbs – “like” and “love”, for example – may be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Most, however, can only be followed by a gerund. A native speaker of English would never say, for example, “I dislike to swim,” but always “I dislike swimming.” Why? I have no answer. However, use the gerund after this category of verbs and you will always be safe.

 2. Verbs which describe motion, whether stopping, starting, or a lack of motion, are usually followed by a gerund. Verbs in this category include: begin, complete, delay, finish, continue, stop, start, postpone, quit, resist, resume, stay, remain, and cease. Examples: “I didn’t begin studying until 10:00 PM.” “I have just finishing reading the assignment.” “The following students should remain standing…” English, however, is often capricious, and there are a few verbs in this category which are followed by infinitives, including: commence, proceed, leave, and wait. A few maybe followed by either a gerund or infinitive: begin, start, and continue. “Stop” is an interesting verb. It can be followed by a gerund or and infinitive – but the meaning will change. “I stopped smoking” indicates that I no longer smoke, whereas “I stopped to smoke” indicates that I stopped some other activity in order to have a cigarette. If you aren’t sure, use the gerund after verbs in this category and generally you’ll be correct.

 3. Verbs which communicate an intention to do something are generally followed by the infinitive. Verbs in this category include: attempt, arrange, be able, choose, consent, dare, decide, expect, hope, intend, mean, ought, plan, prefer, try, want, and wish. Examples: “I plan to visit the U.S. in December.” “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” “I wouldn’t dare to fly in an ultralight airplane.” These guidelines don’t cover all situations, but they cover some common ones. And if you already speak English at an intermediate to advanced level, I offer you an additional tip if you aren’t sure whether to use the infinitive or the gerund: Trust your ear. Say each aloud and use the one which sounds best to you.

© John Clites 2011 www.EnglishForBrazilians.com

Make or Do

2) “Make” versus “do”

 Portuguese has the handy word “fazer”. In English, “fazer” might be translated as either “make” or “do”. But in English, “make” and “do” are not interchangeable, so you should learn when to use which.

 The general rules are:  

·          Use the verb “do” to express daily activities or routines. Usually these are activities that produce no physical object. For example, we “do housework” and we “do the dishes”.

·         We also “do homework” (or should!), even though you could argue that a physical product is produced. Think of homework as a routine.

·          We also use “do” when speaking of activities vaguely: “What are you doing later?” “I’m not doing anything.” “Want to do something?”

Use the verb “make” when something physical is produced:

·         “Volkswagen makes cars.”

·         “Would you like me to make some coffee?”

The biggest problem when choosing whether to use “do” or “make” is that many standard expressions use “make” when according to the general rules above you might expect to use “do”. You should learn these expressions. A few of the more common ones are:

·          make plans or arrangements

·          make an exception

·          make a telephone call

·          make a decision or make up your mind

·          make a mistake

 Special note: A Brazilian “faz uma prova”. In English, should you use “do” or “make”? Neither. In the US, we “take a test”.