Archive for 'Culture'
Christmas Karaoke Posted by sasha on Dec 18, 2017
Listening to music is a great way to learn a language. It also teaches us about the culture of a country or region. With Christmas fast approaching, there are Christmas carols playing all around the world. If you’re an ESL learner, these traditional songs can provide a fun and entertaining way for you to practice…
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 14, 2017
I have a very personal connection to one particular song of the holiday season. 25 years ago, I directed a stage production of Meet Me in St. Louis, a classic film about a family in Missouri at the turn of the 20th century. It was a huge undertaking, spanning several months of planning…
Songs of the Season: White Christmas Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 8, 2017
I don’t know about you, but for me, the best thing about the holiday season is probably the music. There’s something for everybody, from choral to jazz to carols from all around the world. You might hear Kwanzaa chants or Chanukah songs for all ages. But, of course, in English-speaking countries, the most common songs…
English Phrases and Idioms With “Catch” Posted by sasha on Dec 6, 2017
English can be a confusing language. There are so many words in English that can have different meanings depending on the context. Add in slang and idioms, and ESL learners can often find themselves quite confused even though they know the meaning of a word on its own. In this post, we’ll look at some…
The American Cranberry Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 17, 2017
Consider the cranberry. Grown primarily in North America, the cranberry, with its vibrant ruby color, is the festive, decorative heart of the Thanksgiving table. Many, if not most, American homes will have some representation of the cranberry present during the final six weeks of the year. Despite its high acidity, it will be consumed by…
48 Hours in New York City (Part Two) Posted by sasha on Nov 9, 2017
With only 48 hours in New York City, you have no choice but to make them both busy days. After visiting Central Park and Times Square on day one, there’s lots more to do. Our second day takes in the views of the Statue of Liberty, Washington Square Park, the High Line, and so much…
Phil Ochs, American Balladeer Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 6, 2017
“My pen won’t pour out a lyric line when I’m gone So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here” This blog occasionally pays tribute to notable influencers of the English language and its culture. Today we’ll explore a lesser-known, but astonishingly talented and complicated individual – Phil Ochs. In the 1960s…