Already a twitterer?
Invite your followers to take the Twitter Challenge (see details below). If you have a Twitter account click the image below for a suggested message from us.

New to Twitter?
This page will introduce our 'English Phrases' page on Twitter and invite you to join the Twitter Challenge.

What's one of the best ways to remember new English phrases?
The best way to learn new vocabulary and particularly idiomatic English phrases is to use them to describe something about you or your experiences. Personalising colloquial expressions by using them to describe your thoughts, feelings or daily events will help you 'connect' with the new item of vocabulary.

Why use Twitter to practise English phrases?
Never heard of Twitter? This is how Twitter describes itself:

"Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. People write short updates, often called "tweets" of 140 characters or fewer. These messages are posted to your profile or your blog, sent to your followers, and are searchable on Twitter search."

Your Twitter posts tell your followers what you're doing at any given moment. Of course this could also include what you're thinking, feeling, hoping for or planning to do. As long as you keep to 140 character limit you can make Twitter work for you. See the video below for more on Twitter.

Twitter is ideal for practising English phrases. No need to plan a coherent paragraph or pen an article. One or two short sentences is all you need to put your chosen phrase into some kind of personal context.

Getting started with Twitter
Each day we post one or two messages on Twitter which include a colloquial expression (see the latest above in the right-hand menu). If you'd like to follow our updates:
1) create a Twitter account
2) visit us at www.twitter.com/English_Phrases and click 'Follow'. Our messages will then appear in your Twitter page whenever we add new ones. We'll then follow you so we can read any messages you post.

Join the Twitter Challenge to practise English phrases
When you've learnt the basics why not take up our Twitter Challenge?
1) Use an English colloquial expression in your message. Start your message with @English_Phrases if we're not yet following you. This will notify us of your post.
2) Once you have some posts invite your friends and teachers to follow you. Don't forget to follow them so you can keep up to date with what they're doing.
3) Invite your followers to take the Twitter Challenge. If you have a Twitter account click the image below for a suggested message from us.

What kind of English phrases can you use?
1) Are there any phrasal verbs you're struggling with at the moment?
2) Why not use a new idiom you've come across?
3) Try to make use of one of our daily colloquial expressions.
4) You could practise any new collocations you're learning.

Sign up to Twitter and follow English Phrases here. We look forward to reading your tweets!

More on Twitter?
Here's a video from Commoncraft: 'Twitter in Plain English'. Listen out for these common expressions:
a) day-to-day lives
b) to post bite-sized updates
c) to look up friends
d) to see a different side to someone
e) to paint a picture of someone
f) to discover a passion for something
g) to bring people closer