Global English

29/05/2026

✨ Fun Fact about the English Language! Have you heard of a compound word?

If not, then you are up for a tasty example! ☕ In English, a compound word is when two words join together to create a new meaning. In our video, we used the example “flat white” — a delicious coffee drink made from the words flat + white!

Did you spot the flat white in the video? 👀 Now you know that even your coffee order can teach you English!

A big thank you to Doppio Coffee at VU for the fantastic coffee☕💛 Check them out on Instagram: .vu

Do you know more compound words? If so, write one in the comments ⬇️

If you want to learn more about English pronunciation and vocabulary, follow us on Instagram and check the FutureLearn in the bio…

coffee vrijeuniversiteitamsterdam

22/05/2026

✨Welcome back! This time at uni and with the terms “Ground Floor” and “First Floor” 🏫

Have you ever wondered why finding your classroom in an English-speaking country can sometimes be confusing? Imagine someone tells you: “Your lecture is on the first floor!” But wait… are you in the UK or the US? 👀

In British English, the ground floor is the level at street level, while the first floor is one level above. In American English, however, the first floor is actually the street-level floor!

That means the same instruction could take you to completely different places depending on the country 🌍 Language variation is everywhere — even inside university buildings!

Quick challenge: If you’re in the UK and your classroom is one level above the entrance, which floor are you going to? Tell us your answer in the comments 👇

And how does it work in your country? Do you use “ground floor,” “first floor,” or something completely different?

If you want to learn more about English usage and variation, follow us on Instagram and check out FutureLearn via the link in our bio.

15/05/2026

15/05/2026

✨ Curious what it’s like to take our MOOC English Pronunciation course?

In this video, one of our alumni shares his experience and how the course helped him improve his English pronunciation and confidence 🗣️🌍

Want to improve your English too? Don’t hesitate to check us out via the link in our bio!

08/05/2026

⚡️ Generation Battle: The Word “BET” ⚡️

But wait… why does the word “BET” mean something completely different depending on your generation? 👀

Millennials:
“Bet” = to gamble or make a wager 🎲

Gen Z:
“Bet” = okay, for sure, or I’m down 😎

Example:

Millennial:
“I bet you €10.”

Gen Z:
“Want to grab coffee later?”
“Bet.”

English constantly evolves, and every generation gives words a new meaning. What do you think, which version do you use more?

Want to learn more about modern English, slang, and real-life expressions? Check the FutureLearn link in our bio 📚

01/05/2026

✨ The English language is constantly evolving — shaped by accents, dialects, and pronunciations that reflect history, identity, and everyday use. From American and British English to Irish, Caribbean, South African, and countless regional varieties, there is no single “correct” way to sound English.

A recent debate highlighted by The Telegraph and linguist Susie Dent shows just how fluid pronunciation can be. The word “mischievous” is traditionally three syllables — but many speakers now add a fourth. Dent suggests that while it may not be “standard,” its growing use reflects how language naturally shifts over time.

But is this change a mistake — or simply how English evolves?

👉 Read more here:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/28/susie-dent-hay-festival-mispronounce-mischievous-language/

What do you think? Should pronunciation rules be preserved, or should we accept how people actually speak? Write your thoughts below ⬇️

If you want to learn more about English pronunciation and global varieties of English, follow us and check out the course in our bio 👀📚
moocenglish

24/04/2026

✨ Schiphol Airport and beyond…

We explored key terminology and English pronunciation related to air travel and airports ✈️
After the great feedback on our last mini-series, we’d love your input: where should we go next?

From libraries to parks — what would you like to explore? 🌿📚

Drop your ideas in the comments and tell us what aspects of English pronunciation and phonetics you want to discover!

If you’d like to learn more about English usage and variation, follow us on Instagram and check out FutureLearn via the link in our bio.

17/04/2026

✨Welcome back in Schipol Airport and this time with the term “Gate“

Have you thought about why in the word “gate“ the final e is not pronounced? In the past, we would have pronounced the e, like “Gat-e“ but now it vanished. Only in some cultures and languages, such as Japanese, these vowels are still being pronounced.

How is it your mother tongue? Are there words that you still pronounce every single vowel?
Tell us in the comments!!!

If you want to learn more about English usage and variation, follow us on Instagram and check out FutureLearn via the link in our bio.

10/04/2026

✨ Did you know that some English words seem similar but carry subtle differences in meaning?

Take “luggage” 🧳 and “baggage.”

They’re often used interchangeably, especially in everyday conversation, but there’s a slight distinction. “Luggage” usually refers to personal suitcases and bags you take when traveling. “Baggage,” on the other hand, is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts—like in aviation ✈️, where it refers to all items transported by passengers, including checked and carry-on bags.

According to Merriam-Webster, “baggage” can also have broader or even metaphorical meanings, while “luggage” stays closely tied to travel.

That’s what makes English so interesting: small word choices can reflect different contexts and levels of formality.

A great example of how meaning shifts depending on usage!

✨ Did you already know the difference?

Tell us in the comments!

If you want to learn more about English usage and variation, follow us on Instagram and check out FutureLearn via the link in our bio.

03/04/2026

✨ Did you know that English words can change meaning depending on how they’re used in a sentence?
Take “check in” ✈️ and “check-in.”

They’re pronounced the same, but they function differently. As a verb, “to check in” means to arrive and register, for example at an airport. As a noun, “check-in” refers to the place or process itself, like the airport desk or the act of registering.

That’s what makes English so interesting: small changes in form can signal different grammatical roles.
A great example of how context shapes meaning in English!

✨ Did you catch the difference right away?
Tell us in the comments!

If you want to learn more about English pronunciation and variation, follow us on Instagram and check out FutureLearn via the link in our bio.