Vocabulary
Vocab Jam: Learn 10 New Words with the Classic Song “Ol’ Man River”
If you're a fan of learning English with music, buckle up, because I've got a great song for you this week. Learn 10 new vocabulary words with the classic song "Ol' Man River" from the musical Show Boat. If you want to test your listening, too, try using the song as a...
read more
Fall Words: 17 Vocabulary Words to Describe Autumn
Fall words, here we come! In the northern hemisphere, autumn is upon us. And here in Virginia, our vast deciduous forests are casting aside their emerald hues for a riot of reds, yellows, and oranges. The heat of summer is giving way to sweater weather. And instead of...
read moreTips & Tricks
Getting in Shape and Staying that Way (+ Bonus Audio! 🎧💙)
Guest post by Alberto Alonso UPDATE! Alberto really cares about helping people learn English, so he's gone the extra mile for you guys. For the first time ever on this blog, you can listen to the post in addition to reading it! If this helps you,...
read more
Bird Writing Prompts 🐥: 10 Creative Writing Ideas for English Learners
The imagination is one of the most underused tools in language learning, but it can help you progress in your English journey by leaps and bounds. Creative writing is one of the best ways to activate your imagination in a way that helps you expand your English. But...
read moreHistory & Culture
Olé! 8 Spanish Words Used in English
It's not surprising that a lot of English words originated in Spanish. There were a number of political marriages between the English and Spanish over the years (Catherine of Aragon, anyone?), a military rivalry (ever heard of the Spanish Armada?), and, of course,...
read more
Hey! What’s So…Punny?
Guest post by Sheila MacKechnie Murtha, co-author of the English the American Way ESL series Okay, raise your hand if you like to laugh... Ah yes, you... and you... and you in the back... and... well, ME! Come on— everyone likes a good laugh, and we all love a...
read moreGrammar & Spelling
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Guest post by Rob of Ginseng English What are transitive and intransitive verbs? When you are learning a new verb, one of the most important things to learn about that verb is whether it is transitive or intransitive. Transitive verbs have direct objects....
read more
Funny Spelling Mistakes! Test Your English with These 13 Hilarious Spelling Errors
Any student of the English language can tell you that English spelling is, well, awful. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. Comb rhymes with home but not bomb, and lost rhymes with tossed but not host! Simply put, WTF? Well, guess what? Spelling is hard for...
read morePronunciation & Listening
English Dictation Exercises: 20 Mini-Dictations Featuring Phrasal Verbs with Take
Phrasal verbs are difficult enough, but phrasal verbs with take are particularly hard because, well, there are so many of them! In another post, we looked at 20 phrasal verbs with take, complete with visual vocabulary cards and a practice quiz. But will you understand...
read more
10 Mini Dictations Featuring 10 Synonyms for GO AWAY!
You've now learned 10 synonyms for 'go away', but will you remember them if you hear them in conversation? Rock star English listening is about processing the sounds you hear, but it's also very much about understanding the vocabulary people are using when they speak....
read morePersonal & Miscellaneous
Here We Go! More Stepper Questions Answered 🤗 (+ 45 Bonus Vocab Words!)
I love getting to know you guys, and I love letting you get to know me, too! A few of you asked me some personal questions recently on Twitter, so we're back for another round of Stepper Questions Answered! But, you guessed it, there's more to this post than...
read more
Advanced English Vocabulary at the Blessing of the Animals
When people think of Washington, they often think of politics and imposing marble monuments, a place of history and intrigue. However, on the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, forget all of this and prepare yourself for a surfeit of fluffiness! Francis of Assisi...
read moreWords of the Day
Word of the Day: TESTIFY
Today's English word of the day is: TESTIFY. Keep reading to learn the meaning of 'testify', hear the pronunciation, and read two example dialogues. With each word of the day, I only focus on one definition. To see every meaning of the word, check out its entry in the...
read more
Word of the Day: LIE LOW
Today's English word of the day is the idiom: LIE LOW. Keep reading to learn the meaning of 'lie low', hear the pronunciation, and read two example dialogues. With each word of the day, I only focus on one definition. To see every meaning of the word, check out its...
read more