Many people believe that children have an advantage in language learning because their developmental stages support it. But would you believe me if I said adults actually have the edge when it comes to learning a new language? In fact,...
English pronunciation can be a pain. Take a look at the word “queue,” for example. If you’ve never seen it before, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s pronounced something like: kwee-yoo. In reality, it’s pronounced: keeyoo. You see, not...
Have you ever found yourself confused when a single English word seems to carry multiple meanings? A word you thought you understood suddenly means something completely different. Take the word “bow” for example. Does it refer to the gesture of...
What did you have for breakfast? It’s a fairly simple question, but chances are that you had to translate it into your native language and then back to English before you could answer it. This takes a lot of time...
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt like you were speaking clearly, but native English speakers couldn’t understand you? This can be frustrating, to say the least. Because you don’t have a native accent, some English...
Are you disappointed in the progress that traditional language learning methods have given you? You’ve memorized all of the words, lists, and rules for speaking English… but you still don’t feel like you’re anywhere close to fluency. This isn’t your...
Picture this – you’re at your company’s summer party. It’s an international company that employs English speakers from all over the world. At your table is a colleague from the United Kingdom, another from Australia, one from South Africa, and...
Imagine you’re watching an exciting new movie with your friends and one of the actors says, “That party last night was lit!" You’re not sure what “lit" means – was there a fire? And why did he sound so excited?...
Did I use the right word? Is my grammar correct? Is that the right pronunciation? If you have ever asked yourself any of these questions, you have experienced foreign language anxiety. And you’re not alone. Feeling anxiety about learning another...
Have you ever used an idiom incorrectly, like the words or the context wasn’t right? You’re not the only person this has happened to – even native English speakers use the wrong idiom from time to time! Idioms in English...
Have you ever felt “stuck” in conversations? Maybe you knew what you wanted to say in your native language, but you couldn’t remember the English words? Instead of having a conversation, you end up mentally translating — feeling rushed and...
Most English students make the mistake of thinking that using big and complicated words is the key to success when it comes to speaking business English. But the truth is that simplicity is usually the key to effective communication. Thanks...
Picture this: You and your friends are drinking coffee in your local cafe. Everyone is smiling and chatting in English. As the conversation flows between different topics, you feel relaxed and confident while you listen to what your friends are...
Have you ever found yourself lost in translation when someone uses an English idiom you’ve never heard of before? It can be frustrating, especially when it happens in the middle of a conversation! You’re not alone. English idioms can be...
“I passed the highest level of the official Japanese test of English, and studied in the U.S.” That’s what the politician’s brochure said… I was playing with my family at a park in Nagasaki, Japan when a local Japanese politician...
