5 Fun Things to Do on Labor Day Weekend - In the United States, the Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. Labor Day is always the first Monday in September, which makes this a three-day weekend (Saturday through Monday). Often people make use of...
Vocabulary: Using Say, Tell, Talk and Speak - This video lesson will help you recognize how and when to use these four important verbs. Click here to download a free pdf of the charts presented in the video:For more practice, try completing the practice exercises...
Pronunciation: Can and Can't - This video lesson will help you recognize the difference between can and can't in American English conversation. Remember that can is usually a structure word: It is often unstressed in a sentence, with a reduced vowel sound. On the...
Participial Adjectives: Grammar Guide - This video lesson offers rules and examples for understanding participial adjectives and using them to create great English sentences.When working with participial adjectives, remember the rule: Use Present Participle (-ing)...
American English Vowel Sounds: American English has a large number of vowel sounds: around 20 of them! This set of sounds changes in different parts of the United States; some sounds are more popular in the Western U.S. and some are more popular in the Eastern....
Understanding American Humor - Part 3: Riddles - Understanding what people think is funny—and why—is a challenge for anyone who tries to learn a new language or appreciate a new culture. The topics covered in these articles will help you to join in the fun with your...
Understanding American Humor - Part 2: Knock-Knock Jokes - Understanding what people think is funny—and why—is difficult in any language. The goal of this short series of articles is to help you recognize American humor, and maybe even join in the fun! Part 1 of the...
Resources for Vocabulary Building - These are some of my resource picks for students who want to focus on building vocabulary. I've used all of them in the classroom with great results. Whether you are beginner or advanced, young or old, there is something here for...
Understanding American Humor - Part 1: Puns - Understanding what people think is funny—and why—is difficult in any language. In fact, one sure sign that you are developing fluency in your second language is when you realize you are able to appreciate its humor and...
4 Apostrophe Rules: Grammar Guide - Apostrophes may be small, but they have a big impact on grammar! Correct usage of the apostrophe shows your reader that you care about the details. They may seem easy, but there are plenty of places where any of us can have a...
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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...
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...