7 Roman Numerals

You know that 2 + 2 = 4. But do you know that ii + ii = iv?

The numbers that we normally use (1, 2, 3 etc) are called
"Arabic numerals". But we sometimes use another system for
writing numers - "Roman numerals". The Romans used letters
of the alphabet to represent numbers, and you will
occasionally see this system used for page numbers, clock
faces, dates of movies etc.

There are 7 letters used for Roman numerals:

I = 1
V = 5
X = 10
L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1000

In general, letters are placed in decreasing order of value,
eg XVI = 16. Letters can be repeated one or two times to
increase value, eg XX = 20, XXX = 30. Letters cannot be
repeated three times, so XXXX is not used for 40. In this
case, XL = 40 (50 minus 10).

Tips for CVs/Resumes

When you apply for a job, you are usually asked to send a CV
or resume. This is a history of your education and work
experience. Here are 7 tips for CVs and resumes in English:

Tip 1: Use design that demands attention
Employers don't have time to read through each of your job
descriptions to know if you have the skills they need. The
design of your CV must do it for them. Your CV should be
concise, well-organised and relevant. It should emphasise
the most important and relevant points about your
experience, skills and education.

Tip 2: Use 'power words'
To control the image that an employer has of you, use power
words that match the position you want. Certain words are
used frequently by recruiters in their job descriptions. You
should study recruiters' advertisements and job descriptions
and use these words in your CV and covering letter.

Tip 3: A number is worth 1,000 words
Numbers are alive and powerful. They create images in our
minds. General statements are easy to ignore. Be specific!
Use numbers when describing your duties and achievements.

Tip 4: Put important information first
List important information at the beginning of your job
descriptions. Put statements in your CV in order of
importance, impressiveness and relevance to the job.

Tip 5: Sell benefits, not skills
Holiday companies don't sell holidays. They sell relaxation,
adventure, sun, sea and sand (the benefits of a holiday).
You should not sell your skills (many other people have the
same skills). You should sell the benefits of your skills.
When you write your skills and past duties, you can explain
their benefits to the employer.

Tip 6: Solve the employer's (hidden) needs
Employers want people who can solve problems, not create
them! Your CV and cover letter should show how you can solve
the employer's problems and needs.

Tip 7: Target the job
You will have more success if you adjust your CV and cover
letter for the specific skills an employer is seeking. This
means that you would write one CV for one particular job and
a different, modified, CV for another job.

7 British/American Spellings

Some British English and American English words have the
same meaning and pronunciation but different spellings.
Here are seven common groups. If you are not sure about a
spelling, it's best to look it up in a British or American
dictionary as appropriate.

1. ogue/og
BrE: analogue, catalogue, dialogue
AmE: analog, catalog, dialog

2. our/or
BrE: colour, favourite, honour
AmE: color, favorite, honor

3. ence/ense
BrE: defence, licence
AmE: defense, license

4. s/z
BrE: analyse, criticise, organisation (but z is also used)
AmE: analyze, criticize, organization

5. l/ll
BrE: enrolment, fulfil, skilful
AmE: enrollment, fulfill, skillful

6. re/er
BrE: centre, theatre, metre
AmE: center, theater, meter

7. miscellaneous
BrE: jewellery, programme, practise, pyjamas
AmE: jewelry, program, practice, pajamas

NB1: in BrE program is used when talking about computers
NB2: in BrE practise is a verb and practice is a noun

History of the English language

The figure below shows the timeline of the history of the English language. The earliest known residents of the British Isles were the Celts, who spoke Celtic languages—a separate branch of the Indo-European language family tree. Over the centuries the British Isles were invaded and conquered by various peoples, who brought their languages and customs with them as they settled in their new lives. There is now very little Celtic influence left in English. The earliest time when we can say that English was spoken was in the 5th century CE (Common Era—a politically correct term used to replace AD).

In case you hadn’t made the connection, “England” ← “Engla Land” ← “Angle Land” (Land of the Angles, a people of northern old Germany). Their name lives on in the district of England named East Anglia, and also in the Anglican Church. In the present day there is still a region of Germany known as Angeln, which is likely the same area from which the original Angles came. Angeln lies in Schleswig-Holstein on the eastern side of the Jutland peninsula near the cities of Flensburg and Schleswig.

---

ESL Secrets

7 British/American Spellings

Some British English and American English words have the
same meaning and pronunciation but different spellings.
Here are seven common groups. If you are not sure about a
spelling, it's best to look it up in a British or American
dictionary as appropriate.

1. ogue/og
BrE: analogue, catalogue, dialogue
AmE: analog, catalog, dialog

2. our/or
BrE: colour, favourite, honour
AmE: color, favorite, honor

3. ence/ense
Bre: defence, licence
AmE: defense, license

4. s/z
BrE: analyse, criticise, organisation (but z is also used)
AmE: analyze, criticize, organization

5. l/ll
BrE: enrolment, fulfil, skilful
AmE: enrollment, fulfill, skillful

6. re/er
BrE: centre, theatre, metre
AmE: center, theater, meter

7. miscellaneous
BrE: jewellery, programme, practise, pyjamas
AmE: jewelry, program, practice, pajamas

NB1: in BrE program is used when talking about computers
NB2: in BrE practise is a verb and practice is a noun