As our site grows every day we want to share some information with you on the way we are operating the project. We call this section «Business Blog» as it is similar to doing a log book where data is recorded in a chronological order. «Blogging» is gaining popularity with more and more people picking up the habit of publishing their experiences and thoughts on the Internet. Our Blog covers various topics — from TOEFL, TOEIC, MBA, GMAT, ESL/EFL test preperation to cultural traditions and current political events.
There will also be some Internet marketing terminology and if you have any questions regarding the information simply let us know.

The Business Blog is written by Torsten Daerr and edited by Alan Townend.

2004 — May 08
For almost two weeks now we have been using a more detailed statistics system that displays some very interesting information on the traffic of english-test.net One of the new features is the search phrase report. It shows us what our users are looking for and which word combinations they type into Google or any other search engines to find our site. Most of those phrases, of course, are related to practising and improving their English language and communication skills. A growing number of people are looking for English test materials that they can download and print off. Our statistics reveal hundreds of search phrases containing the words «printable» and «download« such as «toefl download», «toefl free download», «free download toefl», «download toefl test». Another very frequently used search term is «pdf» as in «toefl pdf sample» or «free english test pdf». According to our data the TOEFL test is still more popular than its business oriented brother — the TOEIC test as there are far more search strings with the abbreviation «TOEFL» than there are combinations with «TOEIC». At the same time English-test.net users are not merely looking for free English tests but often type in the terms «business English test», «English vocabulary», «differences between American and British English» or «interactive English tests».
Another trend we have noticed is the search for English language audio and listening materials. Quite a popular phrase for example is «TOEIC listening online» or «free English listening test» or «toefl listening practice test». As English is not a phonetic language it is obvious that the audio component of any training programme plays an important role. Looking at the statistics on our site we gather that the vast majority of english-test.net users have computer equipment that is capable of replaying audio files either online or after downloading. So, technically it would be possible to add an audio dimension to English-test.net

2004 — April 29
Executive Vocabulary is one of the most effective and valuable language learning tools I've ever seen. For me English is a second language and that's why it's important to be able to analyze the huge vocabulary of English in order to select those words and phrases I actually want to use. Of course I started learning English a considerable time ago and I do have in fact a substantial vocabulary base. There are certain lexical units that all speakers of English use no matter when and where they learned the language because those are basic standardized phrases essential for any type of communication. The most fundamental ones might be «yes», «no», «right» and «of course».

However, when you have completed the study of the basics and you want to move on to another level of language proficiency, you have to follow a vocabulary building program that teaches you those words and lexical items that are most appropriate for expressing your thoughts. When it comes to delivering ideas and fulfilling our intentions, we have one single tool — language. Consequently we should practise and improve our language skills on a regular and consistent basis. Here is where Executive Vocabulary plays its part because it has been developed from the results of research showing that there is a direct link between a person's financial success and their active vocabulary. It's a fact that most people don't make an effort to choose their words consciously but instead use words they have picked up somewhere along the way. Executive Vocabulary is different. It contains only carefully selected words that are used by people in top positions. These are people who are aware of the importance and impact of language. The methodology of Executive Vocabulary is as effective as are the words it consists of:

• You hear how each word is pronounced properly and you can see how it is spelled.
• You hear a definition of the word and you can read the definition.
• You hear samples of how the word is used in various contexts.
• You can test your understanding and monitor your progress.

When you listen to the program regularly for a certain period of time, you will increase your active vocabulary because your subconsious picks up new words and then you start using them yourself.

2004 — April 17
Leipziger.Ru — our montly magazine for speakers and friends of the Russian language provides us with an excellent opportunity to keep abreast of business developments in our area. The April issue features a press release sent by Leipzig-Halle Airport. Commencing July 3rd Russia's fastest growing airline, «Sibiria» will be operating a direct flight Leipzig-Moscow using modern Tupolev 154M airplanes seating up to 180 passengers. Sibiria will connect Eastern Germany with Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries of the former Soviet Union reactivating the commercial and cultural relationship between our nations. Leipzig has got the potential to become the EU's air terminal for Eastern Europe. In addition to «Sibiria Airlines» there is also «Atran», a Russian cargo air service that has been operating freight flights from and to Leipzig for several years. In December 2002 Atran delivered 35 brand new Cayenne motor cars from Porsche's Leipzig plant to a car exhibition in Atlanta. For this spectacular flight Atran used an Antonov 124 — the second largest freight aircraft in the world also known as Ruslan. A Boeing 747 would only have been able to transport 25 Cayennes.

2004 — April 05
What will be the highlights of April 2004? Well, I'm sure Alan will be writing even more new English tests containing vocabulary related to certain topics or expressions. We are planning to display the headlines of each test on the start page so you will be able to select a test by its content rather than by clicking on a number. Maybe, we'll even keep the current structure as an additional option for those of you who like taking each test in a chronological order.
Last Thursday we delivered the April issue of Leipziger.RU and discovered some new and interesting places in our town. It seems that the Russian speaking community in Leipzig is constantly growing — you hear the language everywhere, especially when you walk through the busy city centre. Now, that we are getting settled in our office it will be much easier to establish personal contacts with people of different nationalities and bring them together. We haven't even had time to put our company logos on the shop windows but have already had a number of interesting meetings. First, we met Dean Nixon, an English trainer, photographer and journalist from Auckland, New Zealand. He has been living in Leipzig for a number of years and in addition to teaching his mother tongue to Germans, Dean has been depicting and describing the life of factory workers, waitresses and other groups of people in Leipzig. To the question as to why choose Leipzig as the place to stay, Dean answered that he is fascinated by the rapid development and contrasts in the city. Now, we want to use some of Dean's materials in the coming issues of Leipziger.RU to show our readers that Germany's population is much more culturally diverse than you might imagine…