Mind Over Matter

English is one of the most valuable skills you can acquire in today’s globalized world. Whether you want to travel, study, work, or communicate with people from different cultures, English can open many doors for you. But how can you learn English effectively and conveniently? One of the best ways is to learn English online. Here are some of the benefits of online English language learning: Flexibility:  Online English courses allow you to learn at your own pace and schedule. You can choose when and where to study according to your preferences and availability. You don’t have to worry about commuting, traffic, or weather. You can also adjust the level and intensity of your learning according to your goals and needs. Variety:  Online English classes provide a wide range of themes, resources, and activities to accommodate a variety of learning styles and interests. You can access videos, podcasts, articles, games, quizzes, and more to practice your listening, reading, writing, a...

Reading is one of the most popular and beneficial activities people can engage in. Reading can improve knowledge, vocabulary, creativity, critical thinking, and mental health. However, reading habits vary widely across regions and countries, depending on culture, education, book access, and digital literacy. I am sharing exciting trends and statistics about reading habits worldwide based on recent research and surveys. Asia According to a survey by Statista 2017, China, India, and Thailand are the top three countries where people read books most frequently. In China, 36% of internet users reported reading a book every day or most days, and 34% read at least once a week. In India, 32% read daily or most days, and 40% read weekly. In Thailand, 30% read daily or most days, and 35% read weekly. These figures are far higher than the worldwide average of 22% for daily or most days reading and 31% for weekly reading. However, reading frequency does not necessarily translate into reading liter...

In Pakistan, acquiring proficiency in English is often considered a means of gaining access to better employment opportunities and achieving upward social mobility. In a society characterised by acute class division and intense class consciousness, parents from the lower, lower middle or working strata aspire to enrol their children in English-medium schools. Public demand for English medium schooling has led to an exponential growth of varied types of schools over the last three decades. The education system in Pakistan is divided into three main categories: state-influenced elitist public schools or cadet colleges, private elitist schools, and non-elitist schools. The private sector has an increasingly large share in education, with solid public-private partnership models to enhance access to quality education for those in need. Private English medium schools emerged as a dependable alternative in Pakistan without a viable public sector education. The deplorable conditions of public ...

Academic writing is a form of communication that involves presenting and analysing ideas, arguments, and evidence in a clear, structured, and formal way. Academic writing is important because it helps students develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills essential for academic and professional success. Academic writing also allows students to demonstrate their understanding of study topics and contribute to advancing knowledge in their fields. In our context, academic writing is not formally taught at the school and college levels. Without going into the debate over the plight of public sector education, especially in Sindh, academic writing is a crucial yet neglected subject. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that many university graduates struggle to write a simple essay. I am presenting some basic concepts and tips to improve academic writing.   Types of Academic Writing There are different types of academic writing, depending on the purpose, audience, and...

Reading English Newspapers for Improving English Skills Reading English newspapers regularly is one of the best ways to improve one's English skills and knowledge. Reading newspapers exposes one to a variety of vocabulary, grammar, and expressions and helps one stay updated with the latest national and international news, events, and issues. Newspapers also provide valuable insights and opinions from experts, analysts, and journalists on various matters of public interest. Newspapers can also expose learners to authentic and natural language use and different styles and genres of writing. Reading newspapers regularly allows learners to expand their vocabulary, improve grammar, develop reading comprehension, and increase general knowledge. The headlines are the most essential part of a newspaper article, as they summarize the main idea and catch the reader's attention. By reading the headlines first, you can get a general overview of what is happening worldwide and decide which ...