Your First Halloween in the U.S. - 5 Things to Expect: Halloween—there is no denying that this October celebration is an important part of American culture. Although not an 'official' U.S. holiday, Halloween is a fall tradition that many Americans look forward to with...
8 Fun American TV Shows for Learning English - Watching American TV shows is one of the most enjoyable ways to improve your English skills. By listening to authentic conversations, you can learn everyday expressions, cultural references, and even different regional...
Helping Your Child Have a Great Start to the New School Year in the US - For families that have recently moved to the U.S., the start of a new school year can bring a lot of questions. The school system, classroom culture, and even daily routines may feel quite...
Vocabulary: Compliment vs Complement - In this article we'll take a look at another pair of English words that can cause confusion: Compliment vs Complement. Although they look very similar and sound exactly the same, their meanings are very different. Let’s see how...
Keys to Success on the Duolingo English Test - The Duolingo English Test (DET) is becoming an increasingly popular option for students who need to prove their English language proficiency for universities, scholarships, or work. Unlike traditional English tests such...
4 Steps to Confident Conversations - It happens quickly: At a small gathering of people, you suddenly find yourself face-to-face with someone you've never met. You smile awkwardly for a moment, wondering if you should try to start a conversation or simply move on....
40 Amazing Experiences Around Seattle - The city of Seattle and surrounding areas—often called the Puget Sound region—is a beautiful and exciting place to live or visit. Whether you like being outdoors, meeting new people, or exploring a new city, there’s something...
Vocabulary: 8 Common English Phrases with Surprisingly Dark Origins - What do criminals, horse-drawn carriages, and hats have in common? They all helped shape the way we speak English today! English is full of strange and colorful expressions that don’t always make...
Vocabulary: Using Normal, Typical and Regular Correctly - English has many words that seem similar but carry important differences in meaning and usage. Three such words—normal, typical, and regular—are often confused by English learners. While these words can...
Four Common Thesis Statement Mistakes in Academic Essays - A thesis statement is a clearly-worded summary of your opinion about a topic. In my teaching, I encourage students to think of a thesis statement as the 'heart' of their essays: just as a human body needs a...
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The History of New Year’s Resolutions: Each year as the calendar turns from December to January, people around the world take time to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter and the promise of a fresh start. One of the oldest traditions of welcoming the new year is...
Christmas Traditions: 5 Lessons from A Charlie Brown Christmas For many Americans, watching A Charlie Brown Christmas in the month of December is a beloved holiday tradition. Though it was released 60 years ago, this animated television show (called a 'special')...
4 Fun American Thanksgiving Traditions: Each November, Americans from all kinds of backgrounds celebrate Thanksgiving, a U.S. national holiday centered on friends, family—and lots of food! The modern American Thanksgiving includes a wide variety of traditions, and...