Engoo Tutor's Blog
From "Hard" to "Challenging": Sharing Common Business Euphemisms
Even if the meaning doesn't change, certain words will be more appropriate for a situation than others. This is especially...
Explaining Phrasal Verbs with "Tell" (with Discussion Questions)
As we've mentioned in previous articles, phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and other short words that form new meanings...
Explaining the Passive Voice: Why, When and How
Most of the English we all speak is in the active voice. But the passive voice also has its place,...
Topic Focus: Basic Tutoring Tips
A lot goes into being a successful online tutor. Things like your space, your equipment, the type of materials you...
"Cheese!" 9 Picture-Based Idioms to Share with Students
In English, we often speak about things we can see. However, many times we aren't referring to our eyes at...
Tricks and Treats! Join Engoo's Haunted Halloween Raffle
It's Halloween season once again! This year, we're celebrating by hosting a Haunted Halloween Raffle — a fun way to...
Daily News Lesson Roundup: Halloween
Although not as big as Christmas a few months later, Halloween is a major celebration with an interesting history and...
Idioms Based on Body Parts
Once students have learned the many slang terms for different parts of the body, they may be ready to move...
How to Write Great Lesson Notes
Delivering enjoyable and educational classes for our students is only one part of the service we provide at Engoo. So...
![How to Avoid Answering Sensitive Questions [Updated]](https://assets.blog.engoo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/02/10075543/bernard-hermant-bSpqe48INMg-unsplash-300x200.jpg "How to Avoid Answering Sensitive Questions [Updated]")
How to Avoid Answering Sensitive Questions [Updated]
It happens every now and then: a student asks a question that is too personal or just not appropriate for...
What Does Our New AI Tool Mean for Tutors?
As you have probably seen, we have been developing a new AI-powered tool for users of our platform. We hope...
Tips to Confirm Students Really Understand
You've likely been in a situation in which you explained something to a student, who then told you they had...
The Unique Challenges Faced by Many Japanese English Learners
According to a recent report, Japan ranks a record low 87th out of 113 countries and regions in the English...
![How to Explain "Pay," "Spend" and "Cost" [Updated]](https://assets.blog.engoo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/04052846/pay_spend_cost_cover-1-300x200.jpg "How to Explain \"Pay,\" \"Spend\" and \"Cost\" [Updated]")
How to Explain "Pay," "Spend" and "Cost" [Updated]
Similar to "say" and "tell," there are small but important differences between "pay," "spend" and "cost" that can be difficult...
Common Pronunciation Mistakes Japanese Students Make
A student's native language can have a big impact on the things they find easy or difficult when learning a...
![Free Conversation Ideas for Valentine's Day [Updated]](https://assets.blog.engoo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/02/12024539/valentine_free_talk_cover-300x200.jpg "Free Conversation Ideas for Valentine's Day [Updated]")
Free Conversation Ideas for Valentine's Day [Updated]
Originating in the UK, Valentine's Day as we know it now has spread around the world. Your students probably know...
Free-Talk Topics for Kids and Teens
Free-talk lessons can often be one of the most challenging parts of online English tutoring. If your student happens to...
Use Free-Talk Lessons to Share These Funny English Word Pairs
Some English word pairs sound funny — but they are still very useful to know.