Conversation Tips: The Power of Paraphrasing

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” ―Albert Einstein, (1879-1955) German physicist  Paraphrasing matters in conversation too ― especially when learning a new language! Experienced English teachers know that students must learn paraphrasing skills to complete academic writing assignments. Likewise paraphrasing remains a vital skill for English language...

Read More

Teaching Matters: How democratic is your ESL classroom?

“Education is a kind of continuing dialogue and a dialogue assumes, in the nature of the case, different points of view.”   ~Robert Hutchins (1899-1977), former President of University of Chicago and educational philosopher   Continuing on the theme of creating a better classroom this semester, it is essential to make sure there is an ongoing dialogue between teachers and...

Read More

Discussing the New Year And Making Resolutions to Change in English Class

“To modernize is to adopt and to adapt, but it is also to recreate.” Octavio Paz, (1914-1998), Mexican writer and diplomat.   Holidays and anniversaries often prompt personal reflections. As a new year beckons, millions of English language learners and thousands of English teachers  reflect on their lives and make new year resolutions.   What did you find satisfying in...

Read More

Teaching Tips: Discussing Idioms in the Classroom

“Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands, and goes to work.” ~Carl Sandberg (1878-1967), American poet and historian   Idioms, or phrases that have their own meaning relative to their specific conjunction of words, are a unique feature of language that can be difficult for beginners to make sense of. Here are some common examples of American idioms: You...

Read More

Changing Work Titles & Greater Equality

“Habits change into character.” ~Ovid (43 BCE-17 CE), Ancient Roman poet Which is correct: fireman or firefighter? The answer is both! But one has been gaining traction lately, along with many other gender-neutral terms for occupational titles. Here’s why: Many professions were traditionally only open to men. As women have gained greater rights and society has become more...

Read More