Speak Englishier

Talk to native speakers about the stuff you like.  

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Let's practice talking about what we think. We can start with "In my opinion.." to show this is not a fact.

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What do you think about ______? Let's look at some common opinion sentences.

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Let's make sentences! Try to describe the picture in English.

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Let's practice! Try to make complete sentences. Start with simple ideas. Look for the main idea of the picture and make a strong first sentence. Check out our examples.

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Our new classes are here! Learn English via video chat with other students from all over the world. We look forward to seeing you in class!

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Check out our quiz to practice these more.

It’s the beginning of a New Year! People all over the world are making a healthy start to 2020. Have you made any resolutions? Let’s learn how to talk about your new (or old) hobbies and fitness routines.

It’s very common to make mistakes with go, do, and play.  Today we are going to demonstrate how to use each of these. Let’s get started!

SHORT RULE: USUALLY GO IS USED WITH “-ING.”

We often use go when we must travel to a different location to do the activity. Example: go fishing, go rock climbing, go golfing.

We also use go when we are covering distance during the activity: go running, go cycling, go skating, go swimming.

I’m going swimming on Saturday.

She usually goes golfing with Peter.

I have never gone rock climbing, but I’m willing to try.

SHORT RULE: USE DO WHEN BODY POSTURE/POSITION IS KEY

Do is used with types of exercise we do without equipment such as ballet (but not dance), yoga, and karate. We also often use do with group fitness class-type activities such as aerobics, pilates, zumba, etc.

I am so flexible from doing yoga.

She has been doing pilates for a year.

Now that I do karate, I feel a lot safer walking alone.

SHORT RULE: USE DO FOR EXERCISES WE COUNT

Exercises we do in reps or sets that need to be counted often go with do. Examples: sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, lunges, squats, curls, jumping jacks, etc.

My dad can do 100 sit-ups.

As a young woman I could do a lot more lunges than I can now.

I usually only do pull-ups when I’m trying to impress someone.

SHORT RULE: USE PLAY FOR GAMES

We use play when we use a ball or puck--baseball, hockey, basketball, football, rugby, soccer, tennis, polo

We use play when we throw something--frisbee, darts

We use play when we keep score and/or play on a specific court, field, or pitch.

NOTE

As always, there are exceptions to these rules. English is tricky! Many of the words we use with go can also be verbs on their own. You will hear people say “I go golfing on Saturdays.” However, you will also hear “I golf on Saturdays.” These are equally correct and have little or no change in tone or meaning.

Check out our quiz to practice these more.

Resolution- a firm decision to do or not do something

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What's the difference between retro and nostalgic? Something retro uses styles or trends from the past (like Obstagoon's '70s punk/KISS style). Something nostalgic reminds us of fond times past, and especially is associated with warm and pleasant sentimental memories (like fat Pikachu)?

Find more Pokemon-themed lessons in this week's blog post about "memories.

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Many of our students confuse "drive" and "ride." Don't worry! Mario and Luigi are here to help!

Check out our most recent blog. We look at some of the most common transportation verbs, and just because we feel like it, we demonstrate the correct usage using our favourite modes of transport from video games. Find it right here.

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It can be tricky to remember which preposition to use when talking about transportation. Luckily, Cloud from Final Fantasy VII can help us out! Check out the new blog post as part of Transportation Week!

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American Culture--Thanksgiving/Football/Black Friday

Use these IELTS-style questions to learn more about American culture. You will learn more about: Thanksgiving, American Football, and Black Friday. There is about 90 minutes of content in this practice session.

This package includes: 2 Listening Recordings (1 Monologue and 1 Conversation); 1 Academic Reading passage with 15 questions; 1 General Reading passage with 15 questions; 1 Academic Writing Prompt; 1 General Writing Prompt; 6 speaking prompts.

This package includes answers and feedback from our tutors. Simply complete the test and click “Finish” to submit your answers. Tutors generally reply via email within 24 hours.

You are not required Finish every section. The test is not officially timed. However, you may only submit your answers once.

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Hold on. Hold your horses! Hold down the fort. Hold hands. Don't hold your breath. What's your favorite way to use 'hold?'

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I couldn't sleep last night. The bustle of the street kept me awake for hours.

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We’re ready to go catch some shiny Treecko and hatch some eggs! How do you feel about the Community Day time change?

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New shinies released for the equinox! How many of you still need to add the second Meteorite Pokemon to your Pokedex? Make sure you check out our new blog post about the origins of the word ‘equinox’: englishier.com/blog/vocabulary-quickie-equinox

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Tony Stark may be stranded in deep space with no food or water, but he still wants to pull off one last surprise. What do you think his plan is?  Be sure to check out our blog post to learn more about phrasal verbs: englishier.com/blog/2019/2/8/phrasal-verbs