If you ask a Californian, they will tell you that Northern California and Southern California are different worlds. Because California is such a large state, it is split by different climates, different cultures, and (of course) different language. Do you know the difference between Northern California and Southern California slang? While it is difficult to...
Are you taking the CAE Exam soon? If so, then you know how difficult Part 2 of the Listening Module can be. In Part 2, students listen to a monologue and complete a gap-fill exercise. The best way to improve your score in this section is to practice as much as possible. For an entertaining way to...
As an English language student, you probably already know that the English language is FULL of phrasal verbs! Some are very casual, while others are appropriate (and necessary) in Business English. Do you know these useful Business English phrasal verbs? Most are used nearly every day by English speakers. Phrasal Verbs for Business English Call...
What is trendy, serves delicious drinks, and is hidden? A speakeasy! Speakeasies are hidden bars, and they have become very popular in San Diego and San Francisco. To enter them, you must know someone who can make you a reservation, and the entrances are often hidden. Speakeasies are a fun way to spend an evening...
San Diego and San Francisco are incredible places to study English, and each city offers so many exciting activities that sometimes, it is hard to leave! But the mountains, beaches, charming towns, gorgeous nature, and fast-paced cities of California beckon. CISL students often take road trips while studying in SD or SF, and part of the...
Have you ever wondered what winter is like in California? The CISL Junior Program in San Francisco offers students the chance to experience a month in one of California’s most iconic cities, and we pack the student schedule with a tremendous amount of activities! The following list describes a typical week for students during the Winter 2016 program....
The business world is full of idioms to describe finance. Rather than saying “the company is having financial problems” or “the company is not making money,” the business world uses inventive idioms to express financial woe. The following list includes some of the many sayings for money problems in English. Hopefully you will only use these...
These days, there are many exams that test your English proficiency. CISL is proud to offer test preparation courses for the CAE, FCE, IELTS, and TOEFL exams. Which test is perfect for you? Read on to learn a little more about each test. How to Choose the Right Proficiency Exam Before you decide on exam,...
San Diego and San Francisco both have impressive metro and bus systems . . . but do you know the correct phrasal verbs for buses, trains, metros, and subways? Get on, get off, get in: we agree with our students when they say that there are way too many phrasal verbs for public transportation! Not to...
There is a reason they put the word “happy” in “happy hour”: grabbing a drink (for a discounted price) while the sun is still out is a great thing! Have you checked out some of the best happy hours in San Diego and San Francisco? The key to a good happy hour is, of course,...
