June 10, 2021
45 Proverbs in English to Start Using Today
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that "every cloud has a silver lining" when I was sad. Or that "curiosity killed the cat" when I asked too many questions. Or, my least favorite as a child, that I should "never put off until tomorrow what I can do today" when I wanted to play video games instead of finishing my homework.
These are only three of the most commonly used proverbs in English, but I swear I’ve heard these hundreds of times!
I’m sure that you’ve heard similar proverbs and sayings over and over again in your native language. These words of wisdom can give us a new perspective, reinforce good habits, and give us something to say when we’re at a loss for words. And for you, as the avid language-learner you are,... Show more
May 14, 2021
The Very Best Places to Visit in New York City
If you plan on visiting the United States, you can’t pick a more iconic location than New York City.
With a population of over 8 million people, NYC received over 65 million tourists in 2018! Compare this to other major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, California (50 million tourists) or Seattle, Washington (40.9 million tourists).
So what makes New York City such a desirable tourist destination?
NYC is known for being welcoming to any and all visitors, and the city also has quite a diverse population. NYC is known to have the largest population of Jews outside of Israel and the largest population of native Chinese outside of Asia. In addition, roughly a quarter of all Native Americans in the U.S. reside in New York City.
... Show more
April 23, 2021
An English Learner’s Guide to American Culture
As an individualistic country that’s home to people of numerous cultures, the United States has not one cultural identity, but many.
Learning about American culture, values, and lifestyle is a great way to immerse yourself in the English language. Whether you’re just curious about what life in the United States looks like, or you plan on moving to the country soon, the information in this article will help you better understand what to expect.
You’ll learn about a variety of topics, from religion to food, and walk away with a clearer image of the American culture basics.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Values and Beliefs
Religion in the United States
What is an American Family?
American Work Culture
Art:... Show more
March 29, 2021
The Best American Food: All of the Dishes You Have to Try!
According to Reference.com, Americans eat thirteen billion hamburgers every year, about 3 billion pizzas, and 2 million tons of french fries. Holy moly.
In the United States, we really do love our American fast food (and our Mexican fast food, Chinese fast food, and all other types of fast foods...).
That said, not all typical American food is super-unhealthy or purchased at a drive-thru window. American food culture is rather versatile, including a mix of all-American classics, meals passed along from Great Britain, and even traditional foods from other cultures.
Exploring a country’s food and eating habits is a fantastic way to learn about that country and its people. In this article, I’ll introduce you to:
Several popular... Show more
March 18, 2021
Learn English Grammar Basics in Minutes
When I was a kid, my mom used to force me to diagram sentences, one after another. For some reason, she thought it would help me understand things like sentence structure and parts of speech better.
It didn’t. I hated it. And today, I don't even remember how sentence diagramming works. I just remember spending miserable hours of my childhood doing it at the kitchen table.
That image popped into my head as soon as I started writing this article. So today, my goal is to introduce you to all of the English grammar basics in a straightforward and simple manner. No sentence diagramming and no fuss, because I’ve been there!
By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have a better idea of how English grammar works, from word... Show more
March 4, 2021
The Best English Quotes for Every Occasion
Why are people drawn to quotes? I think it’s because a quote can do one of two things:
1) Put our existing feelings and opinions into words
2) Help us see things from new perspectives
These are things that everyone needs from time to time, and the quotes that resonate with us may stay with us forever.
In this article, we’ll show you the best English quotes for students of the language! These are quotes that will inspire you, make you think, or make you smile. We’ll explain each quote in detail, so you can understand their background and meaning.
Enjoy!
Table of Contents
Quotes About Success
Quotes About Creativity and Inspiration
Life Quotes in English
Quotes About Time
Love Quotes in English
Quotes... Show more
February 11, 2021
English Business Phrases and Sayings You Need to Know
If you plan on doing business in the United States, it’s crucial that you learn the most common English business phrases and what they really mean. This information will make it possible for you to succeed in any field and form closer bonds with your coworkers!
In this article, we’ll be discussing phrases you can use in a variety of work- and business-related situations. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
Job InterviewsBusiness MeetingsBusiness Phone Etiquette & Phrases
→ If you don’t have time to read through this article right now, we recommend that you check out our short vocabulary lists on Phrases for Doing Business Successfully and Words for the Workplace.
Table of Contents
Before We Begin…
Business... Show more
February 5, 2021
Super Bowl Sunday in the U.S. – Pass the Guac, Please!
Huge, cheering (and jeering) crowds. Coffee tables and countertops laden with dozens of deliciously fatty, greasy foods. Several cases of beer located in key positions throughout the household. People dressed in football jerseys and wearing paint on their faces…
Can you believe that all of this is for a single sports game? And it happens every year.
In this article, you’ll learn about Super Bowl Sunday in the United States, from its origin to modern-day traditions. Enjoy!
1. What is the Super Bowl?
Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most-awaited days of the year for fans of American football. On this day, the football season culminates in the championship playoffs, when the two best teams from the NFL’s two... Show more
January 28, 2021
Learn English: YouTube Channels You’ll Love!
What a time to be alive! The age of online learning, working from home...and YouTube.
YouTube is one of the most popular social media platforms today, with at least hundreds of millions of users each month. This is the place to find music videos, news coverage, cooking tips, and advice for everyday life. In short, watching YouTube can give you pleasure and entertainment with educational value. (Well, the educational value is optional…)
Did you know that when you learn English, YouTube can be a great supplemental tool? People tend to learn best when they’re able to have fun in the process, or when what they’re learning intersects with their interests. And luckily, when it comes to English language learning videos, YouTube is a gold... Show more
January 8, 2021
Different Ways to Say Goodbye in English
https://youtu.be/5IfODmxAvtY?si=1b-mHj_K7Tt8PQOA
It’s important to learn how to say goodbye in English because this is a crucial conversational skill to have as a new learner. In any language, saying goodbye at the end of a conversation or when leaving a group is polite. It lets the other party know that you respect them, and it makes your leave less abrupt.
In this article, we’ll go over a number of ways to say goodbye in English. We cover the most common words and phrases for a variety of situations, so you’ll never have to leave awkwardly again!
→ Before you continue, we recommend that you read our articles on How to Say Hello in English and How to Confidently Introduce Yourself.
Start with a bonus, and download the... Show more