How many times have you heard people say phrases like 'going bananas' or 'at loggerheads' and scratched your head wondering what these phrases mean? These phrases are called idioms. Idioms are a collection of words that do not adhere to their dictionary meaning, rather these words, collectively, imply a different thing. For example, take the idiom 'at loggerheads', the dictionary meaning of loggerhead is a type of carnivorous sea turtle. However, loggerheads in this phrase do not refer to the turtles. Rather, at loggerheads means to be in a conflict. 'Both the team members are at loggerheads, it's a wonder how any work gets done!' – This sentence uses the idiom perfectly!

So, that is how an idiom works. It helps you convey your message without having to say it explicitly. In our last two blogs on idioms , we gave you a few idioms, along with their meanings, for practice. We hope that you are, by now, quite fluent with the ones we had provided.

It will not be a wonder if you are keen on learning more idioms, after all, that is the charm of idioms – they are addictive! Idioms lend a sense of affluence and in-depth learning of the language to a person's spoken English. The good news for you is that the English language is blessed with a number of vibrant idioms that are fun to learn and great to use. So get your pen and paper out and start learning!

• Turn over a new leaf: No, you do not have to actually go a pluck a leaf every time someone says, 'turn over a new leaf'. This idiom means to make a fresh start. This is a perfect idiom to boost some positivity in a person who has suffered a loss. Eg. "After suffering bankruptcy in his business, Suresh decided to turn a new leaf; albeit after taking into account all sorts of risks." Turn over a new leaf means to make a new beginning or give up the old ways.

• Face the music: Doesn't this idiom make you feel nice? After all, who doesn't like music? However, when someone says that you are bound to face the music, it means that you are going to be in some trouble – that definitely is not a cheering thought. Face the music implies that a person will have to face the consequences of their action. Eg. "I broke my sister's favorite watch, which she has lent me. Now I will have to face the music when I go back home."

Many people approach us with the same issue, "How to improve my English speaking skills?" While we do give them some easy pointers and tips that can help them, many people require more personal attention and teaching. For such people, the best option is to join an online English class like eAgeTutor. With proper guidance and personalized approach, a student can learn fluent English and enroll in spoken English courses that will help him/her achieve his/her goal.

When learning a new language, especially English, the most common problem people face is to memorize the never-ending words and phrases. After all, the English language has about 1,013,913 words, with new words being coined every now and then!

Now memorizing each and every word is a mean task, and not even the greatest scholars can know all about it. Adding to this mix is the fact that many individual word has multiple meanings. For example, the word 'set' has 424 meanings! That is a staggering number for a three-alphabet word.

Do not let these facts scare you. English is a helpful language, with so many people in so many countries speaking it. It is the language in which all official documentations are done, and it is the language of electronic communication as well.

In this day and age, you just cannot function without at least the basic knowledge of English. Learning spoken English is an active and gradual process, which one needs to keep practicing and improving.

There are many tips and tricks that one can employ to learn and improve English, however it is remembering that is the main issue. Many people struggle over using the right word at an appropriate time, which causes hindrance in their ability to speak fluent English. Following are a few simple memorizing techniques that are helpful for people new to English.

• Associate words with figures: There are many English words that people use in their day-to-day lives; however, apart from the 'common' ones, there is a horde of other words that one needs to know in order to communicate in the language. Remembering words after words can be a demanding task, and it is possible that you will not be able to remember every word that you learn. The trick here is to associate words with the objects that they represent. Like, when you are learning the word 'tiara', make a mental picture that it represents a crown worn by queens and princesses. This way, the next time you come across this word, you will know exactly what it means.

• Relate adjectives to activities: The next time you go to a park and get busy enjoying the beauty of the flora and fauna, make sure to use fitting adjectives. So, when you want to say, "What a colorful flower!" Instead, say, "What a brightly colored flower this is!" This is the best exercise for learning and getting into a habit of using adjectives. Associate adjectives with things and verbs, and try to think of a new one every day. If one day you use beautiful, then use pretty the other day. Adjectives lend emotions and vibrancy to any word or sentence, hence, learn as many as you can.

• Speak with emotions: Lending emotions to the words you are saying/ listening to helps in remembering them for a long time. For example, when you are asking a question, as it in an interrogative tone, or when you speak about something that surprises you, say it likewise. Using the words in the same tone that they imply helps in remembering the context in which they are used.

English learning, when done the right way, can be interesting and easy. The most sure-shot way of grasping the intricacies of this language is to enroll with an online English speaking course. With a professional and expert online English speaking course, English learning becomes engaging and simple!