Vocab Jam: Grow Your Vocabulary with “The Lusty Month of May”

Vocab Jams

My favorite holiday is May 1, and that is for one reason, and one reason only: “The Lusty Month of May”. 🌼 To me, this tongue-in-cheek song from the movie Camelot embodies the playful, whimsical aspect of human nature, and everything that is delightful...

“The Star-Spangled Banner”: History + Vocabulary for ESL Students

History + Culture for English Learners

A couple of my in-person students asked me the other day about the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”. They go to a lot of soccer games here in D.C., so they hear it a lot. They wanted to understand the history of the song, and the meaning of...

Vocab Jam: Learn 15 New Words with “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat”

Vocab Jams

Cats were revered in ancient Egypt—harming one could even be punishable by death!—and today, funny cat videos dominate the internet. I’d wager that more people have heard of Grumpy Cat than have heard of Frida Kahlo. Is it any wonder that everybody wants to be a...

Vocab Jam: Learn 10 New Words with the Classic Song “Ol’ Man River”

Vocab Jams

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...

Vocab Jam: Learn 29 Advanced Vocabulary Words with “The Bells of Notre Dame” 🔔

Vocab Jams

When you study English, it can be tempting to compartmentalize the different aspects of language learning. Your vocabulary lists are separate from your grammar drills, and your listening exercises are separate from your reading comprehension. In real life, though,...