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☆ Grammar Challenge ☆ January Grammar Clinic Quiz ☆

It’s already February, which means the January Grammar clinic has closed.  I’d like to thank everyo...

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 ...

Short BBC documentary videos with subtitles - 短いBBCのドキュメンタリービデオ

https://www.bbc.com/reel/ BBC Reel is a collection of short documentary videos from the BBC about v...

Confidence: The Unstudied Rule of English

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

Inspirational podcast on 'Haiku'

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

不冷淡，只是更體貼：給語言學習者的《日本無聲規則》

i日本常常讓人覺得非常友善——但有時也會「難以讀懂」。 你並沒有做什麼「壞事」，但氣氛卻微妙地變了。沒有人直接說什麼，可你就是能感覺到空氣中有一個無聲的訊息。 這正是我創作 Podcast《Japa...

It is Time For Tea!

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

給中級學習者的口說進化課：寫作

  學了兩、三年的中文，你是否常煩惱： 雖然日常交流沒問題，但一遇到複雜的話題，就只能用簡單的詞彙和斷斷續續的短句？ 其實，想要突破口說的瓶頸，其中一個祕訣就在於「寫作」。 寫作並非只是為了把字寫漂...

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...

The Fresh Cilantro and Basil Story

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

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...

French the language of love

  I've always loved languages, and French is a favorite. I decided to become a French tutor during ...

【一週兩次・讀台灣】徐若熙加盟軟銀鷹 喊話挑戰大聯盟

【一週兩次・讀台灣】 教科書を飛び出し、台湾の「今」を知り、生きた台湾華語をマスターしませんか？ 毎週2回、最新の台湾ニュースを題材に、台湾特有の文化、時代を映す言い回し、そして興味深い社会現象を...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 3

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

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,...

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 ...

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...

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...

Gaining Confidence Online

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

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...

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #002

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

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...