In my writing summer class, we are beginning the Emotional Intelligence (EI) Unit. I love this subject. So many conflicts among groups could be avoided if we all just had a bit more EI. One of my favorite aspects of this subject (and there are so many awesome ones, it is difficult to choose a […]
Tag Archives: language
Always Stay Humble and Kind
Listening to music provides so many benefits, especially for language learners. Cultural priorities are revealed through songs. Correct and incorrect grammar is used too. Idioms and advice run throughout music. The segments are also short, often less than 3 minutes, so that you can listen over and over again to catch certain phrases or rhythms. […]
A Fresh Start with idioms
Hello Again. It’s been a while since I’ve been with you. I put the blog on the bench for a month or so because I ran out of steam at the end of the semester and hit the wall big time. I was absolutely ready to throw in the towel. I simply had to dial […]
Ch2:AAWWWLLL
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] At the request of my students, I am starting this blog with the vocabulary. Take a minute and review the definitions and idioms below before reading Chapter 2: Meet Larry. The idioms are indicated with an *. [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] Take a minute and review the definitions and idioms below before reading Chapter 2: […]
Chapter 1: AAWWWLLL
The Antithetical Adventures of Wanda Wonder Worker and Loafing Lazy Larry This blog and the subsequent ones for a while will be going through the Wanda and Larry’s story to develop your advanced vocabulary usage. This is the first chapter. Follow these steps to use this story to improve your English vocabulary. Don’t panic when […]
You’re Fired!
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwDMFOLIHxU[/embedyt] Workin’ 9 to 5, for service and devotion You would think I would deserve a fat promotion Want to move ahead but the boss won’t seem to let me I swear sometimes that man is out to get me! In our 24-hour 7-day a week world, the days of only working 9-5 […]
Who’s Holding Your Safety Net?
My colleague, who teaches at a private ESL school with small classes and close connections to her students, recently shared a story with me. A group of students were playing in the park and had a minor injury. Afraid to go to the ER, they called her. She drove to meet them, assessed the situation, […]
Be Kind to Others
In Oklahoma, we have a saying, and you may have a similar one in your language as well. Never criticize a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins. Although we never really know what someone else is going through, empathy can certainly help us to practice kindness with others. I’ve been […]
Black or White… or Grey?
In teaching this week, two different phrases came up that required explanation for my students: mixed blessing and false dichotomy. Additionally, I used the phrase double-edged sword in a mini-lecture and had to explain that as well. These phrases and the explanations got me thinking about absolutes and how we like things to be one […]
In Sickness and In Health
Everyone everywhere gets sick some time or another. Luckily, most of us get better too. Subsequently, every language has its own phrases for talking about sickness. I was wiped out by sickness all spring break, so I had the chance to think about how we speak of sickness and health in English. Hence, this week’s […]