I wasn't going to read the news, but at least I'll get up to speed on/with what's going on in the world.

Come here, I'll bring you up to speed on what happened while you were away.

As an English teacher, I understand what it's like to be trying to get to grips with the language.

He stacked the books ever so neatly on the shelves. (Question for non-Brits: do you know what "ever so" means? Or at least are you be able to understand the meaning of the phrase? (I know what it means, just curious about regional differences))

When I met Derek he was ever such a good dancer.

He stacked the books ever so neatly on the shelves.

He is not much cop at maths. (Same question here)

The AC was blasting at full power.

The music was blasting at full power; it could be heard from miles away.

He's 19 going on 20.

He must be getting on for 50 now. (Question for Brits now: do you prefer "getting on for" over "going on"? (Because a couple of dictionaries pointed out that "getting on for" is British))

It's going on/getting on for 10 year since the announcement of the construction and yet they just/only started.

It was getting on for/going on midnight.