Learn English/ESL/McMinnville, TN
This is your place for English as a Second Language! Come make mistakes, so we can learn and grow!
Do you like to exercise?
Is exercise something you like to do?
In Spanish, the verb 'hacer' can be used with the noun 'ejercicio' to mean 'to exercise' . Hacer can translate into 'to do' or 'to make'. In English, however, we never say 'to make exercise'. We either 'do exercise' or use the word 'exercise' as a verb and simply 'exercise', which is the most common.
Has this ever confused you?
Tell me in the comments below if you enjoy exercise... and if so, which is your favorite to do?
Rise and grind.. or rise and shine? The choice is yours.
Rise and grind means to get out of bed and start being productive, usually by means of working out, working your job, or working on some project.
Rise and shine traditionally means to wake up and get out of bed. Its meaning is a bit less intense than its cousin, 'rise and grind'. However, I like to use it to mean to wake up and be your best version. To shine bright like the sun.
So tell me... do you rise and shine? Or rise and grind?
Do you know what it means to be 'in shape' or 'out of shape'?
If not, fear no more! I explain it in this video. 😃 Watch until the end, and let me know in the comments if you are in shape or out of shape!
Feeling frustrated when you don’t know how to pronunciate words and sounds of the English language?
Many of my students have the same issue, and I have worked with them to find the best solution on figuring out how to make these sounds clearly to be better understood.
Watch the video below to learn the exact same approach my students follow to solve the problem and speak clearly.
Let me know in the comments below:
What have you tried to better your pronunciation, and how did it work for you?
31/01/2023
There is always at least one reason for us to work hard every day.
For me, it is to challenge myself to be the best version of myself that I could possibly be.
No matter what it is we are doing, I believe it is better (and more fulfilling) to give 100% than to give anything less. If there is no motivation for us in the activity, I think we ought to either a) change our perspective to find a motivating factor in it. or b) do something else that we CAN find motivation in.
For today’s poll, I’m really interested in YOUR reason to work so hard every day.
Is it:
🔸to be your best version
🔸bring home the bacon (make money)
🔸to be a good example for the kids
🔸Something else (let me know in the comments below)
And don’t forget to let me know in the comments below:
If being hardworking is not enough, what other elements do you need to succeed?
I notice some English learners have trouble knowing how to start difficult conversations over something they've been hiding from someone else.
For example, if you've fallen out of love with your partner but haven't had the courage to say anything. It has been bothering you for awhile and you don't want to hide it any longer. You can start the conversation with this useful idiom:
I've got to get something off my chest.
Or maybe you're the one who backed into your neighbor's car last week but didn't tell her.
If this is you, you can tell her you need to get something off of your chest. Then, you should go take some driving lessons. 🤣🤣 Just kidding. .. but do please drive carefully. 😉
Watch this video to see a real live situation where this idiom is being used!
And...
Let me know in the comments below:
Where else can you use this idiom?
Have you used this idiom before? (Don't worry, I won't judge 😉)
28/01/2023
What is the difference between a house and a home?
One of my students asked me this question the other day.
I wanted to share my answer with you here in case you have the same question.
A home is generally a concept of where you live.
A house is a type of home. So is a condo, an apartment, or even a van! ( ) 😀
Does that make sense to you?
There is a very classic expression that I use on a regular basis, especially since I change where I live on a regular basis. Perhaps you've heard it before :
Home is where the heart is.
Let me know in the comments below. What do you think that means?
What other questions would you like me to answer about confusing words?
ESL
27/01/2023
Do you find it hard to strike up a conversation with a native English speaker? Or to simply make small talk?
The reasons for this may vary from not having the opportunity to practice speaking to being shy or introverted, even in your own language.
Every time you try to do something about it, do you either get stuck or can’t even get started?
Well....Don’t worry! You are not alone.
Sometimes, we just have to step out of our comfort zone. It doesn't have to be a big, dramatic step, either. We can create a solid foundation upon small steps, which develop not only knowledge, but confidence, as well.
When I was first learning Spanish, cell phones didn't exist. Google translator nor Google maps were anywhere to be found. I had no sense of direction, yet there I was, in Mexico. I was a nervous wreck and I couldn't understand anyone or almost anything. When I'd ask for directions, a long stream of quick, connected sounds would pour out of these people's faces. I would stare at them with my eyes wide, unable to comprehend. After days of feeling defeated and not going far from my hostel, I finally realized what to do!
I went to the street and asked directions to the first person I saw . I listened to only the very first one they gave. I let them finish and thanked them.
Go to the red light.
So I did.
And there, I asked another person. I listened to only the first one again, let them finish, and thanked them.
Turn right.
So I did.
Then I repeated that process until I arrived to my destination.
Tedious? Maybe. But I built vocabulary, and more importantly, I built confidence.
Believe in yourself, and you can do it too!
Let me know in the comments below:
What do you find MOST DIFFICULT about starting conversations with natives?
27/01/2023
Experiencing drama in your life?! Confused about what to say?! Fear no more!
I notice some English learners have trouble knowing how to start difficult conversations about something they've been hiding from someone else.
For example, if you've fallen out of love with your partner but haven't dared to say anything. It has been bothering you for awhile, and you don't want to hide it any longer. You can start the conversation with this useful idiom:
I've got to get something off my chest.
The rest will flow like wine... I mean water. 😆
Or maybe you're the one who backed into your neighbor's car last week but didn't tell her. 😵💫
If this is you, you can walk to her house, knock on the door, and tell her you need to get something off of your chest. After you feel that huge sense of relief, you should go take some driving lessons. 🤣🤣
Just kidding. .. but do please drive carefully. 😉
Let me know in the comments below:
Where else can you use this idiom?
Have you used this idiom before? (Don't worry, I won't judge 😉)
25/01/2023
Hi! This is Leigh Ann. ... aka Magenta Leigh 😊
I just wanted to come here to introduce myself and welcome you to my community on Facebook.
I have been teaching English on and off since I graduated with the highest score in my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) program in Thailand in 2008.
I also work and travel as a living-statue street performer when I am in the US. When I am outside of the US, my only work focus is teaching. I also teach mindful movement and flexibility, tied together with inspirational suggestions.
I love any and all types of learning. I love challenging myself, mentally and physically. In fact, I will be heading to Mexico soon to get my PADI free diving certification as well as my PADI mermaid certification. .. Hmm...new performance opportunity?! Only one way to find out!
I’m so happy to meet you here and have you in my community.
Let me know in the comments below:
What do you want to see in my daily posts that can be of help to you?
25/01/2023
The best way to learn a language is to fully immerse yourself in the culture! If that is not available to you, don't worry! I'm here for you! I love teaching online because it allows me to continue to travel and immerse myself in different culultures.
I am here, in Medellin, Colombia on a Spanish learning journey!