Here's the first question. It's from Punmou in Canada who asks: How can I memorise vocabulary?

Gareth Rees: I think first of all you should be realistic! Don't try to learn more than 15 words a day. Secondly, be selective! Choose words you consider useful and interesting to you. Making a choice helps you remember the words. Finally, be active. Do things with the words. For example perhaps, write little stories or example sentences. Study a word in depth with a good dictionary. And most importantly, organise the words you learn and make connections between them.

April: How can I improve my English by reading English novels?

Gareth Rees: Well, make sure you enjoy the novel! Don't keep stopping to check words in your dictionary. It is important to try and guess the meanings of words. I recommend that you read the book chapter by chapter. That is at the end of each chapter choose some words that you wish to check. Another good idea is to find exemplary sentences or phrases. Find examples of interesting use of language that you will want to remember.

Luke Ye from China asks: I think it is very difficult to improve from intermediate level to advanced, what is the solution?

Gareth Rees: Hello Luke Ye. One solution is to read and listen widely. You need to experience as much English as possible. Secondly, you should concentrate on improving your vocabulary and your knowledge of English sentence structure. Fluency is often associated with an advanced level so it is important to find a speaking partner or, if you can, to visit English speaking countries as often as possible. Don't give up! It takes time to become an advanced level speaker or user. But it can be achieved!

Teresa from Italy asks: I have problems catching everything when some people speak English, even I when know the English words they use, how can I improve this?

Gareth Rees: Hello Teresa. I welcome you study more about English pronunciation. When we speak we often change the sounds of small words - and make connections between other words. This can be very confusing if you don't understand what is happening. And even if you know a word, you may not be able to identify it when it is in a quickly spoken sentence.

Mehraneh from Iran: My problem is that I know a lot of English words but when I want to use it in conversation or writing I could not use those.

Gareth Rees: When you are doing some written work, make sure that you plan and prepare carefully. This will give you the opportunity to consider your vocabulary and use as many of those words that you know as possible. If you are doing a speaking activity in a class, you can do a similar thing. Preparation, is probably the best way to overcome this problem.

Carlos A.: One of my biggest problems with understanding is letter D in words like 'would', 'had', etc.

Gareth Rees: This is difficult, you need to consider the whole sentence and the general context for the language. That way, you can decide which grammar is being used. Also, if 'had' or 'would' have been shortened, perhaps they are not so important for the overall understanding.

Carlos A.: Ok, that's what I try but because of my lack of practice I am slow to understand when people are talking.

Willis: How can I improve my pronunciation?

Gareth Rees: Hello Willis - thanks for your question. You can improve your pronunciation by listening. You should find short examples of real spoken English, for example a news headline. Listen carefully and try to repeat the short phrases.

Willis: What about changing my African accent to a standard British accent?

Gareth Rees: Willis - if you are thinking about changing your accent - this is probably best achieved by listening to and repeating as much authentic English as possible. These days, it is hard to identify a standard British accent, so do not worry if you feel you cannot perfect the accent.

Willis: I want to be internatonally understood...

Gareth Rees: Willis - that is a good aspiration. Try listening to the BBC World Service. And try to find opportunities to speak English in an international context. Practice is everything!

Willis: At the moment, I'm listening to London FM 94.9...

Gareth Rees: Willis - that sounds excellent!

Willis: I do this every day but no change to my accent.

Gareth Rees: Try repeating phrases which catch your ear. Mimicry - can be a fun way to improve your accent!

Chieu N.: I am from Vietnam, so my English is not good ! How to improve it?

Gareth Rees: Chieu - try to practice your English in a variety of ways. This will help your enjoyment and therefore your learning. There are so many to choose from. To learn a language you do need to practise all four skills: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. Personally, I think you can learn a lot from reading very widely - magazines, books, newspapers, cereal packets, adverts... Whatever takes your fancy.

Carlos A.: I think the best way to learn English is doing it without any fear for making faults!!

Gareth Rees: Carlos - you've made a very good point there. Don't be afraid of making mistakes!

Carlos A.: Is there a big difference between faults and mistakes?

Gareth Rees: Carlos - not really - there aren't differences. We generally talk about language mistakes, and personality faults. Or faults with a machine.

Chieu N.: How to improve listening?

Gareth Rees: Chieu - find good sources of listening if you can - something which has a transcript - a written copy of the words spoken. On our website you can often find places where we do this - and you can listen to them as often as you like while reading the words. Secondly, listen in a variety of ways and be active. This means that sometimes you may have the radio on in the background only. At other times you will listen closely. If you can, find a source of listening that you can listen to repeatedly. The first time you listen to something, try to get a general understanding on repeated listenings try to understand more detail and perhaps even write your own transcript. Chieu - what are you listening to?

Chieu N.: I listen to Radio and music.

Gareth Rees: Is it possible for you to listen to recorded examples of English so that you can play them over and over again?

Claudio: Pronunciation is my problem, too.

Willis: When pronouncing the word "singer" is the "g" pronounced?

Gareth Rees: The 'n' and the 'g' combine together to make a single sound. This is in the standard British accent.

Claudio: So "n" and "g" together is always pronounced "n". Correct?

Gareth Rees: No Claudio - the 'n' and the 'g' together make a completely different sound. See if you can find examples on our website http://www.bbcworldservice.com/learningenglish to practise.

Willis: Educational/educative, which is commonly used? Do we say, the programme was educative or educational?

Gareth Rees: Willis - it should be 'educative' - but in spoken English we usually say 'educational' and this is an example of current language change - well spotted!

Val Garner from France asks: What is the most important thing to practice, speaking or listening?

Gareth Rees: Hello Val. I think speaking is the most important thing to practise as it involves listening. Also it is a productive skill and so will improve your grammar and vocabulary knowledge. However, both skills are very important. Especially when we remember that when we learn our native tongue we spend a long time listening before speaking.

Nosrati, Iran: How can I find out my level in English?

Gareth Rees: There are many English Language examinations available around the world, for example the Cambridge Examinations and the Trinity College examinations. I recommend these because they test speaking and listening as well as test your grammar. There are also many commercially available diagnostic tests - which often test listening and grammar knowledge. Besides this, many course books now provide small tests which will show you your level.

Aurore from France asks: Is it better to learn alone or with friends?

Gareth Rees: Well both approaches would have their advantages. Studying on your own will allow you to concentrate on your own language needs and to practise at your own speed. However, learning with friends will give you an opportunity to practise your speaking and to test each other. Obviously I would suggest you do both!

Hugo Vargas: Hello. What is the best way to remember vocabulary?

Gareth Rees: Well Hugo, the best way to remember vocabulary is to make sure that you continually revise the words you have been learning. You should check new words again in a couple of days and then in a week or two. Also, make sure that you organise your vocabulary records in a flexible way. Don't just write endless lists. For more information about this, refer to my study pages. Finally, try to use the words that you are learning. Write example sentences, play games, perhaps make little vocabulary flash cards. All the best!

Dominique from France asks: How would you use drama with 13 to 16 years old?

Gareth_Rees: This question is really for teachers. I recommend you visit the Teaching English website run by the BBC and the British Council where you will find articles and activities concerning this subject:
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk

Mai Thai: Do you have any problems while speaking if you pay much attention on grammar, vocabulary? For instance, fluency?

Gareth Rees: Hello Mai Tai - yes. Concentrating on grammar and vocabulary can lead to slower speech. It maybe more accurate however it might not be such effective communication. Personally, I think students should at times be careful about their grammar and vocabulary ie their accuracy, but at other times should concentrate on communicating their ideas without worrying about accuracy.

Bader from Kuwait asks: How can I stop translating from my language in English when I write?

Gareth Rees: Hello Bader - there are two things you can do. Firstly, be sure to prepare and plan your writing in advance. This will allow you to develop your ideas and to find the English expressions that you require. Secondly, I suggest that you work with an English-English dictionary and use this to help you check your vocabulary.

Roberto from Mexico asks: Can you give me some tips to improve my communication skills?

Gareth Rees: Hello Roberto - to improve your communication skills you should try not to worry about mistakes in your language and to concentrate on communicating your message. Also, you should develop strategies that help you when you do not know the exact word that you require. So you should practise explaining ideas, and meanings of words. Finally, the best way to improve these skills is to practise them in meaningful situations. So, you can have a conversation with an English speaker - perhaps over the internet... because writing is communicating.

Kamal Abed: How can I get IELTS?

Gareth Rees: By identifying your learning style, you will be able to choose activities that suit your style and therefore help your memory. There really is lots of good advice on those study pages. Kamal - if you have a look at the message board we've put some advice on there about the IELTS exam. Thanks everyone! It's been a pleasure talking to you and I hope my advice has been useful. I wish you all the best in your studies! And hope that you continue to take part in our masterclasses.