Cafetalk Tutor's Column

TED Talks - 10 Ways to have a better conversation

I have started TED Talks Discussion lesson recently, and so I have been watching a lot of videos to...

My ways of increasing motivation

This topic really got me thinking. When I set a new goal, or when I try learning something new...

New Lesson - TED talks Discussion

What is a TED talk?   TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design.   TED talks ...

Input and Output

Today I want to talk about “input” and “output”. What is a good studying m...

If I were an animal, I want to be a dog

Dogs are our best friends.  There is a special bond between dog owners and their dogs.If I wer...

Efficacy vs effectiveness

These two words are very similar in meaning, and yet they are not the same.   I have often h...

How to cope with the pandemic and lockdown

It has been one year since Canada's first Covid 19 case.  Our lives changed since then.  ...

Christmas Day in Toronto

Merry Christmas ^_^   I feel blessed that we had a white Christmas.  Tobagganing i...

Easy nutritious breakfast - overnight oats

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of oatmeal milk, soy milk, or almond milk - enough to cover the oa...

Great news! Swearing is good for your mental health.

I heard that on the morning talk show this morning.  I was like, "yay!". Okay, that's sounds a...

A cold winter morning in Toronto

I woke up to a sunny snowy morning today, which put me in a good mood instantly.  These days, ...

Fortune telling

占いによって、自分の将来を決めるのはあまり良くないと思う。This is my mantra starting today.When things don't go well in my life,...

My balcony view

We moved to this condo in May.  The spacious balcony and the large windows were what attracted...

Second wave of the pandemic is underway in Canada

Our Prime Minister addressed the nation yesterday, saying "In our four biggest provinces, the secon...

Back to school

Today is the first day of school in Toronto.My kids have been waiting to see their friends for mont...

Sociopaths and COVID-19 - are you a sociopath?

A new study has found that people with sociopathic traits are less likely to follow public health m...

Normal is boring, danger is exciting

Lyrics: “Our shadows blending And my hand is shaking, When touching your face I feel your ...

Life in Toronto

Businesses are open, and life is improving.    Wearing masks is the new normal here.

Life in Toronto amid Covid 19

Life is absolutely boring these days after most businesses are closed. Schools, recreation facil...

Coronavirus

Vocabulary: stigmatize - describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.

Video blog #2 Commonly used English greetings other than "How are you?"

English-speaking people usually greet each other in an informal way, so you can use these common co...

Please listen to my first video blog

How do you stick to your New Year's Resolutions?

It is the time when everyone is getting all gung ho about making New Year's Resolutions, with most ...

A song that moves me to tears

A friend recommended this song to me. I think it is a very powerful love song, and I would like to ...

Unrequited love

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". This quote is adapted from a line in the play "The Mou...

Notre Dame Fire

There have been many posts on social media from people expressing their opinion on the restoratio...

Myths about the common cold

1. You can't catch a cold from the cold weather, or if you don't dress warmly in winter.  Cold...

My trip to Japan

I just came back from an amazing trip to Japan, still recovering from jetlag.It is spring in Japan ...

I have completed 500 lessons!

Dear students,   I am happy to announce that I have completed 500 lessons on Cafetalk. ...

Holiday Etiquette

1.  Do you have to attend the office Christmas dinner?Yes, absolutely.2. Office holiday party ...