Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Happy Birthday to me!

It's my birthday!   No, not my actual birthday...unfortunately that falls in late December ;-)   It...

The Pharaonic system….....to flee its captivity

The video discusses the concept of a "Pharaonic system" of governance, defining it as any autocrati...

Do you have questions? Tutors are here to help!

We can sometimes feel shy when working with a tutor.  However, our tutors are here to help!  They l...

Questions You Should Never Be Afraid to Ask Your Tutor

After nearly 13 years teaching Business English, I’ve noticed something interesting. The students w...

Spring flowers

Walking in my local park recently has been a real pleasure because the spring bulbs are really bloo...

Speak Better English: Admit You Have No Idea!

Speak Better English: Admit You Have No Idea! Communication / Confidence / Asking Questions "Ye...

How We Deal With Snowstorms

In the past year, I moved from the Seattle area of Washington state in the USA to (virtually) the m...

Study. Know Your Craft. Be Intentional.

Study Study is not just reading — it’s disciplined learning. It means understanding the theory, pr...

Why is the Waite Smith Tarot so popular?

Japanese Izakaya Phrases for Beginners: “Toriaezu Nama de” and “Kanpai!”

What does “Toriaezu nama de” mean?   This phrase means:   “For now, draft beer, please.”   Toriaezu...

Take all language-learning advice with a PINCH OF SALT.

There's so much advice out there when it comes to learning languages: use this app, follow this tec...

Ask. Learn. Grow.

Many students stay silent because they are afraid of sounding “slow” or “behind.” But the truth is ...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 5

Hey all! This is the sixth weekly English learning challenge: to try & use this idiom in your...

Things you can ask your tutor

Some things can be considered private, inappropriate or rude to be asking someone. However, you sho...

What is your favorite Pokémon?

Happy Pokémon Day!!!!  Here is a quick quizz to test your knowledge:  “I Choose You!” Who is Ash’...

Useful Japanese for Restaurants: “How Many People?” and “This Way, Please”

Have you ever felt nervous about entering a restaurant in Japan? Many learners worry about what the...

When Things Don’t Go as Planned

What do you do when your plans fall apart? When anxiety gets loud, insecurity creeps in, and you fe...

What Is the Weekend for You?

What is the weekend for you? Is it rest? Is it productivity? Is it escape? Or is it reflection? For...

Pearly Whites

"I come at night when you are asleep, For something small you safely keep. I leave a gift under you...

Questions You Should Never Be Afraid to Ask Your Tutor

Taking lessons on Cafetalk should feel comfortable and supportive. Remember, your tutor is here to ...

Is Two Really Better Than One?

“They say two is better than one.” “No man is an island.” Both statements point to one truth: we ar...

Questions you should never be afraid to ask your tutor

As a tutor I noticed over the years, in order to be respectful and polite, students feel shy to ask...

“Sunday Afternoon — Reset, Reflect, Restart.”

Sunday afternoon is more than just the end of the weekend. It is a quiet space between rest and res...

Back to the 90s

I was born in the 80s, and although I have a lot of nostalgia for that decade now, my memory of it ...