Welcome to our special series of Halloween campfire stories to get you into a spooky mood. We have prepared some classic American urban legends and real-life ghost stories for you, all topped with fun, jokes and quite a few English learning tips. Sit back, relax and warm yourself by our virtual campfire!
Language isn’t always what it seems! Phrases called “idioms” are the combination of words that have a meaning that differs from its direct translation, make learning and understanding English difficult for non-native speakers. Read more about idioms and learn ten phrases commonly used in daily conversation.
Leading up to the holidays, Americans use many unfamiliar words and phrases to describe traditions and feelings associated with the season. Though many groups do not celebrate the religious aspect of the holidays, many traditions are deeply embedded in American culture. Everyone can appreciate the season of giving and the importance of family, so join us as we explore festive American vocabulary and a few traditions!
In a nutshell, slang is informal speech. It is most often used amongst young people and has its roots in popular culture, whether that be music, television, celebrities, or Internet trends. Slang changes constantly, so words or expressions that were popular last year or even a couple months ago may not be relevant anymore.
Anyone working in the startup industry knows how hard it is to create a successful business—oftentimes it might seem as though there is no secret to success when it comes to entrepreneurship. In the following TED Talk, “The Single Biggest Reason Why Startups Succeed,” entrepreneur Bill Gross shares what he believes to be the essential element when it comes to beginning a company.
In just under twelve minutes, radio show host Celeste Headlee will discuss ten ways to improve your conversations with this popular TED Talk. Below you will discover oodles of words, phrases, and idioms mentioned in the video. Feel free to follow along by reading the subtitles or the transcript. Plus, at the end of this article, discover a deck of flashcards containing each vocabulary term!
Knowing motivational vocabulary is great for encouraging your officemates and keeping morale up in the workplace. Your coworkers will be sure to appreciate your positive attitude around the office. Below you will find a vocabulary list of popular English-language idioms that refer to working hard and being successful at your job.
While the discussion of giving up on a hard project or quitting one’s job may sometimes be difficult, the language for talking about these issues is useful to know. In this list, you will discover both formal and informal terms, as well as clarifications on technical differences between similar expressions.
