Archive for 'Culture'
5 Interesting Christmas Customs Posted by sasha on Dec 21, 2015
In most English speaking countries Christmas is one of the most important holidays. There are many old traditions associated with Christmas, most notably attending mass to celebrate the birth of Christ. Another tradition that many know about is decorating a Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will down the chimney and leave gifts for…
An intro to universities (English vocabulary) Posted by Gabriele on Dec 15, 2015
Many of you reading this blog are studying at universities or are hoping to attend a university in the future. So, today we are going to look at some important vocabulary related to the people you will see and meet at a university. Let’s start by looking at the words ‘university’ and ‘college.’ These two…
Know Your Wonga – British and American Slang Terms for Money Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 10, 2015
How many slang expressions for money do you know? It turns out there are dozens, and many of them have a fascinating back story. These illustrations, made from actual money by Go Compare and Art Money, capture the origins of these terms in vivid detail. Check out the images and learn how to use these phrases for yourself. 1. Brass Northern English slang…
Giving thanks in English Posted by Gabriele on Nov 24, 2015
The Thanksgiving holiday in the United States is a time when people give thanks for the people and things they have in their lives. In honor of the upcoming American holiday of Thanksgiving I have some idioms and expressions for you that are all about giving thanks. Emphatic expression of thanks: I can’t thank you…
Articulate. Posted by Gabriele on Nov 3, 2015
Just a heads up (or warning) this post is intended for advanced ESL students. If you aren’t an advanced learner, you can give this post a try, and I hope you won’t get frustrated if you have trouble understanding the video this post is based around. If you do find this English too advanced for…
An American Wedding (Video) Posted by sasha on Oct 29, 2015
American wedding customs and traditions vary depending on the couple’s ethnic and religious background, but there are quite a few things that are common in all weddings. See what an American wedding looks like and learn a lot of useful English vocabulary in this video, which is great for ESL students or classrooms.
A “thrilling” Halloween Posted by Gabriele on Oct 27, 2015
It is almost Halloween, so let’s look at something scary to get us in the mood. Do you remember Michael Jackson’s famous song and music video Thriller? If you don’t know this early 1980’s hit song – here is your chance to learn all about it. Beware though, this music video has some scary scenes…