Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Not Cold, Just Considerate: Japan’s Silent Rules for Language Learners

Japan can feel incredibly welcoming—and sometimes strangely hard to read.   You didn’t do anything ...

Inspirational podcast on 'Haiku'

I am a big fan of 'Luke's English Podcast' and think it's a great resource for upper intermediate &...

Confidence: The Unstudied Rule of English

There is a persistent illusion among many learners of English that confidence must wait for correct...

From Words to Confidence: Your English Journey Starts Here

English is more than grammar and vocabulary — it’s a bridge to people, opportunities, and confidenc...

New Business English lesson: Making Small Talk and Networking

Great business relationships start with small talk.   If your small talk is smooth and natural, it ...

It is Time For Tea!

Did you know that 'it is teatime' , can mean different things, depending on where you live in the U...

The Fresh Cilantro and Basil Story

The Fresh Cilantro and Basil Story (Vocabulary list at the end) Chapter 1: Cilantro Cilantro, in pa...

Where In the World Should I Go?

Are you planning a holiday? Or just dreaming of one?Language study can be of practical assistance f...

How an Alphabet Reform Shaped Modern Turkish

When people start learning Turkish, they are often surprised by how phonetic it is. What you see is...

Asian Food in Africa

When I first started watching Asian dramas on TV, I was slowly introduced to Asian food. I had neve...

Inner Alchemy #03: Transforming Your Deepest Sorrow into Life Energy—Beyond Emotional Turmoil: The Secret Process of Self-Awakening

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Hannya Within the human heart, there exists a force we call the “Oni” (unawak...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 3

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

28 Years in the Sky: Lessons from the Cabin Manager’s Seat

When you spend 28 years traveling the world at 35,000 feet, you see it all. I started my career as ...

Why your imperfect English/French is actually your greatest strength.

I have traveled across many borders, but the most beautiful thing I have ever discovered isn't a mo...

Travel Japanese You Can Use Today (within 60 seconds)

If you’ve ever traveled in Japan and thought, “I studied… so why can’t I reply fast enough?”—you’re...

I didn’t adopt a cat… A cat adopted me.

I recently got a cat, but it happened in a very unexpected way. I have always loved cats and when I...

The Director of Your Own Life

Pull up a chair, grab a coffee, and let’s get real for a minute. After the whirlwind of filming my...

How Do You Like Your Coffee? The Ethics of Coffee.

Does coffee help you get to the other end of the day? I must admit, that when I am really busy, it ...

Gaining Confidence Online

Online classes can be intimidating if you are used to an in-person experience.  Prior to the pandem...

How to Feel More Confident in Online Classes

Remember how tricky it was to learn how to ride a bicycle? After a few weeks of unsteady riding , s...

Recipes and Cooking Shows. Practical English!

Do you want to improve your language skills, but find it difficult to find the time?I have a sugges...

How to Feel More Confident in Online Language Classes

Many language learners think confidence is something you either have or don’t have. If you are shy,...

Two Heartwarming Dog Movies on Netflix: Togo and The Art of Racing in the Rain

Recently, I watched two wonderful movies on Netflix: Togo and The Art of Racing in the Rain. Both m...

Pet names (terms of endearment) in English

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, I thought I’d share some comm...

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #002

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #002 Work / Meetings / Appreciation “You must be tir...

You Don’t Need Confidence - Just Willingness

Under-confident people tend to have an exaggerated view of what 'confidence' looks like. I mean who...

Why Reading News Articles Helps You Learn English

Reading news articles is a powerful way to improve your English. News uses real, everyday la...

Valentine's Day Date...is Battleship??

Have you ever played Battleship? Growing up, my older brother & I had a Battleship set that we ...

Feeling nervous in online classe

How to stop feeling nervous in our online classes:1️⃣ Don’t be perfect You don’t need perfect Engli...

How to Feel More Confident in Your Online English Class

  If you feel nervous, shy, or unsure when joining an online English class, you’re not alone. Many ...