"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...
- Vocab & Expressions
Vocab & Expressions
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How to Help Students (Actually) Use the Vocabulary They Learned
Most of us aren't able to learn some new words one moment and toss them into conversations the next moment....
- Vocab & Expressions
Become an Expert at Making New Vocabulary Memorable đź’ˇ
Imagine you’re trying to learn Chinese and your teacher introduces you to the character, 日, meaning “sun.” It makes no...
- Vocab & Expressions
Why Adult Students from East Asia Say They 'Play' with Friends
You’ve probably heard some adult Japanese or Korean students say, “I play with my friends on the weekends” (meaning “I...
- Vocab & Expressions
Using a Student’s Native Language in Class: Yae or Nay?
“Don’t translate!” “Stop thinking in your native language!” These are common tips that language teachers give their students. Unfortunately, they’re...
- Online Tutoring
- Vocab & Expressions
Are We Teaching Advanced Students The Wrong Words?
A student once complained to me, saying “The vocabulary exercises in advanced Daily News lessons don’t have many useful words!...
- Advanced Learners
- Vocab & Expressions
Teach Your Students This Skill To Help Them Pass Exams, Learn Vocabulary Faster, and More
Whether we’re taking an exam, watching the news, or having a conversation, a word (or two!) that we don’t recognize...
- Test Prep
- Vocab & Expressions
How Not to Teach Vocabulary (According to Science)
Imagine you’re in a Japanese class and your teacher is reading some vocabulary: “And the next word is “kyū-ryō,” which...
- Vocab & Expressions
Explain Words with Their "Core Concepts" and Watch Students Go “Aha”!💡✨
Did you know that the French word for “potato” is “apple of the earth” (pomme de terre)? Or that the...
- Vocab & Expressions
How to Craft Example Sentences That'll Make Students Go "Aha!" đź’ˇ
Have you ever explained a new word only to find that your student still looks puzzled? Chances are, it’s not...
- Vocab & Expressions
Smart Expressions for Providing Reasons, Predictions, and Recommendations
Everyone wants to sound smart. Yet, when we speak a foreign language, our ideas get watered down by simplistic language...
- Conversation
- Vocab & Expressions
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.
- Conversation
- Vocab & Expressions
What Are Collocations?
Quick food? Do a test? Wrong and right? Do any of those sound strange to you? If they do, then...
- Online Tutoring
- Vocab & Expressions
5 Fun Vocabulary Games for All Levels
Teaching vocabulary can be boring, but here are five easy games to make it more fun for both you and...
- Vocab & Expressions
Expressions Students Can Use Instead of "Etc."
We don’t always need to list every example of something we’re talking about. In most cases, naming two or three...
- Vocab & Expressions
Tips for Helping Your Students Strengthen Their Vocabulary
The bigger a speaker's vocabulary, the more freedom they have to express their ideas creatively and with the precise nuance...
- Vocab & Expressions
Explaining Phrasal Verbs with "Make"
Phrasal verbs combine verbs with adverbs or prepositions to form new meanings. They are extremely common in English usage and...
- Vocab & Expressions
Free-Talk Idea: Movie Vocabulary (with Quiz + Discussion Questions)
Being a movie fan these days often involves much more than simply going to the theater. Movie buffs have passionate...
- Conversation
- Vocab & Expressions
English That Adds Up: 10 Number-Based Idioms to Share with Students
For students whose level is strong enough, idioms can often be a fun lesson topic. They are practical and useful...
- Vocab & Expressions
Explaining Phrasal Verbs with "Look"
One thing many English students don’t realize is how much of daily English communication is done with a very limited...
- Vocab & Expressions
Slang for Body Parts Students Never Learned
Words for body parts are some of the first words we all are exposed to when learning a language. But...
- Conversation
- Vocab & Expressions