30-Day Challenge Collocations 1 January 2021
"I can speak English but I don't sound natural and I translate in my head."
I remember once, when I was studying French at university, my French professor said to me, "your writing is all correct, but it just doesn't sound French! I can't give you a good mark."
I was really shocked! I'd tried hard to get everything correct. But my choice of words in French just wasn't natural and I didn't know how to fix the problem.
Later, when I was studying linguistics at Cambridge (where I focused on the psychology of how adults learn foreign languages), I found the answer! The answer was collocations.
What's a collocation?
A collocation is a group of words that often go together, like 'make a mistake' or 'heavy rain' or 'a slim book' or 'solve a problem'.
If you translate each word from your language, it's easy to say something like 'do a mistake' or 'big rain' or 'a thin book' or 'improve a problem'.
All of these are grammatically correct! But they're not what native English speakers say.
If we learn collocations, we solve two problems.
1: We sound natural, because we don't choose words that are translations of our own language, instead of what English speakers usually say.
2: We speak more quickly and easily, because we've learned whole phrases that make it easier to speak without thinking.
In this challenge, we'll learn 150 English collocations.
There won't be very many new words. Instead, you'll learn how to use words in groups.
We'll also use scientific techniques to help you remember the groups of words, so that you don't go back to word-for-word translations.
At the end of the challenge, you'll be able to use the collocations without thinking.
You'll translate less.
And your English will really sound more natural!
This course is closed for enrollment.
How it works
- We start on the 2nd of January.
- You get one lesson every day for 30 days.
- In each lesson, we'll learn 5 new collocations - 150 in total.
- These collocations are really useful and will help you sound natural in English.
- The lessons include a video, interactive exercise, PDFs and flashcards.
- You can do the lessons whenever you want, on your computer, tablet or phone.
- We'll also learn techniques to help you remember vocabulary. You can use the techniques with any new words in the future.
- The challenge is yours forever, so don't worry if you don't finish everything.
- You can ask questions by email or in the comments of the course and we'll help you.
Your Instructor
Hello! I'm delighted to meet you!
I'm Seonaid (it's pronounced 'show - na'!) and I'm your teacher here at Perfect English Grammar. I have a Master's degree from Cambridge University in English and Applied Linguistics and I've been teaching English for more than twenty years.
When does the course start?
We start on the 2nd of January 2021. Before that, you'll be able to log in, but there won't be any lessons yet.
What level is this for?
You should be high beginner (A2) or above.
How long do I need every day?
The lessons will take around 20 or 30 minutes each day.
What happens if I miss a day?
Don't worry! Just do the lesson when you can. You should do all the lessons in the right order, so don't skip ahead.
I'm not sure I can finish everything in January.
You can still use the lessons after the end of January. The course doesn't close. You can come back to the course any time.
I have a question!
No problem! Email us anytime: [email protected]
I don't like the course.
No problem! Email us within 30 days and we'll give you a full refund.
I'm a teacher. Can I use the material in my classes?
Yes! You have my full permission to use this material in your classroom or with your private students. Everything can be printed and photocopied.