Explaining Subtlety in English Communication
Generally speaking, unspoken communication is often more important in many parts of the world in comparison to Western cultures. But...
- Advanced Learners
Vocab & Expressions
Featured Articles
Share These "Cold" Idioms with Students This Winter
"Cheese!" 9 Picture-Based Idioms to Share with Students
Free-Talk Idea: Movie Vocabulary (with Quiz + Discussion Questions)
5 Flower Expressions to Teach Students This Spring
Do you have extra lesson time or need ideas for a free-talk lesson? Spring is right around the corner in...
- Vocab & Expressions
A Valentine's Day Activity for Free-Talk Lessons This Week
For the week of Valentine's Day, a fun activity your students can do is write short messages to people they...
- Conversation
- Vocab & Expressions
One Smart Way to Boost Students' Reading Skills
If you've ever asked a student to say something in their own words, you know how difficult it is for...
- Vocab & Expressions
What Students Actually Mean by the Word “Foreigner” (And What They Could Say Instead)
“A foreigner asked me for directions.” “I want to make more foreign friends.” “There are some foreigners in my company.”...
- Vocab & Expressions
10 Expressions to Help Students Speak English More Empathetically
Sometimes, conversations with our students during lessons seem a little off. Even when we’ve done our best to put them...
- Vocab & Expressions
Turn Your Students Into Conversationalists with These Simple Questions
Do you ever feel out of breath at the end of a free-conversation lesson, because you had to do everything...
- Conversation
- Vocab & Expressions
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 💡
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
![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...
- Grammar
- 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
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
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
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...
- Vocab & Expressions
![English That Adds Up: Number-Based Idioms to Share With Students [Updated]](https://assets.blog.engoo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/12/23020255/number_idioms_cover-300x200.jpg "English That Adds Up: Number-Based Idioms to Share With Students [Updated]")
English That Adds Up: Number-Based Idioms to Share With Students [Updated]
For students whose level is high enough, idioms can often be a fun lesson topic; they're practical while avoiding the...
- Vocab & Expressions
8 Cold & Flu-Related Phrases and How to Explain Them
Once the weather cools down, many students may start complaining about not feeling well. This is a good time to...
- Vocab & Expressions
Explaining Phrasal Verbs with "Get" (with Discussion Questions)
We're back with another dive into the world of phrasal verbs. Once again, verbs combined with simple prepositions open up...
- Conversation
- 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