Using The Present Simple To Talk About The Future January 14, 2010 by Melanie (Photo by Canadian Pacific) The present simple can be used to talk about talk about scheduled future events (things that happen according to a schedule or timetable). These events are usually scheduled by someone else and they are usually public […]
Category: Blog
How to Use the Verb ‘Explain’ in English
How to Use the Verb “Explain”! January 13, 2010 by Melanie I have lost count of the number of times a student has said to me: “Teacher, can you explain me . . .?” or “Let me explain you what I mean . . .“ No, I cannot explain YOU anything nor can you […]
Do All Canadians Speak English and French?
Do All Canadians Speak English and French? January 12, 2010 by Melanie Share4 Tweet1 +1 Shares 5 I get asked this question all the time: Why aren’t you bilingual? I thought ALL Canadians spoke English and French!? [Someone who is ‘bilingual’ can speak and understand two languages.] Canada is officially a bilingual country. Across […]
Understanding ‘So’ and ‘Too’
Understanding So and Too (Grammar) January 7, 2010 by Melanie This post was inspired by a question my student asked. She wanted to know which sentence was correct: You’ve got to tell him that he’s getting so old to drive a car. You’ve got to tell him that he’s getting too old to drive a […]
English Grammar: How to Use “So” and “Too”
English Grammar: How to Use “So” and “Too” January 7, 2010 by Melanie I’ve put so and too together in this lesson because I have heard so many English learners confuse them! Why do the smallest words always cause the most trouble? In this lesson we will focus on so and too as adverbs and […]
numbers
English Vocabulary: 911 and 9/11 January 6, 2010 by Melanie 1 Comment In a recent private lesson, my student was talking about world events. She talked about the attack on 9-1-1 in NYC. I was confused at first, but then I realized she was talking about 9/11, not 9-1-1. You may hear or see both […]
English Vocabulary: 911 and 9/11
English Vocabulary: 911 and 9/11 January 6, 2010 by Melanie 1 Comment In a recent private lesson, my student was talking about world events. She talked about the attack on 9-1-1 in NYC. I was confused at first, but then I realized she was talking about 9/11, not 9-1-1. You may hear or see both […]
7 Commonly Mispronounced English Words (video)
7 Commonly Mispronounced English Words! (video) January 3, 2010 by Melanie This English pronunciation lesson will help you pronounce these words clearly and correctly. Trust me: You’re pronouncing at least ONE of these words wrong. Every English learner I have ever spoken to has mispronounced at least one of these 7 words, mainly because the […]
The Story of Santa Claus
The Story of Santa Claus December 23, 2009 by Melanie 1 Comment Santa goes by many names – Santa Claus, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, or Father Christmas. He lives at the North Pole, where he also has a toy workshop. He keeps an eye on children around the world and he knows if they’ve been […]
December 2009
Archives for December 2009 The Story of Santa Claus December 23, 2009 by Melanie 1 Comment Santa goes by many names – Santa Claus, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, or Father Christmas. He lives at the North Pole, where he also has a toy workshop. He keeps an eye on children around the world and he […]