Cafetalk Tutor's Column

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...

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...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 5

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

Speak Better English: Admit You Have No Idea!

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

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...

Spring flowers

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

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 ...

Why is the Waite Smith Tarot so popular?

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...

Happy Birthday to me!

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

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...

Tarot: A.I. versus Human

Can AI read tarot accurately? Yes. Somewhat. Is it better than a human? It depends on how deeply y...

Study. Know Your Craft. Be Intentional.

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

Canada at the Winter Olympics: The good, the bad, and the ugly

Photo: Canadian men's curling teamThe 2026 Winter Olympic Games have wrapped up, and Team Canada wa...

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...

The Real Reason You’re Afraid to Speak English

Many English learners believe they are afraid to speak because their grammar is not perfect. But in...

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

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

Feeling inadequate is not a verdict. It is a phase.

The problem is not the feeling — it’s the conclusion we attach to it. Inadequacy often whispers: “Y...

Preparing for an Online Lesson (especially if you're nervous!)

I've had a number of people tell me they get nervous before their first session with a new teacher,...

Self-Motivation Is Hard — But a Positive Mindset Is Power

Let’s be honest: self-motivation is not always easy. There are days when you feel tired, discourage...

Why Singing Is the Best Way to Fix Your Accent

“If You Could Master One Skill Overnight, What Would It Be?”

Imagine waking up tomorrow with one new skill mastered. Would it be speaking another language, play...

Prepare yourself before and online class

How to Speak When You Don’t Know the Word

One of the most frustrating moments in English is this: You are speaking. You are confident. You kn...

5 Effective Ways to Prepare for Your Online Lessons

I've been teaching online for some years, and I've noticed something interesting. The students who...

Daily English Upgrade #030: Say It Better — “Thank you” (natural, strong versions)

“Thank you” is great. These upgrades sound warmer and more natural. Simple upgrades: Thanks, I appr...

Why are you studying English?

We often feel anxiety when we are learning something new. When you are a beginner at a new language...

Practice Makes Your Message Shine

There are times when I'm eager to share my thoughts with others, but the words just won't come out—...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 5

Hey all! This is the fifth week of my English learning challenge: to try & use this idiom in yo...