Author: Sam Burns

  • The Alps

    The Alps

    There is no place like the Alps! Learn about this amazing place while learning English vocabulary and grammar through this English lesson today!

  • IELTS: Dangers and Pitfalls to ELLs

    IELTS: Dangers and Pitfalls to ELLs

    Now that we know both sides of the IELTS coin, what mistakes can we make when approaching IELTS? English language learners (ELLs) like you face many dangers because of IELTS.  None of them are actually IELTS’s fault, but they do exist because of IELTS.  The same problems exist around other testing systems, not only like…

  • I Spy: Messy Desk

    I Spy: Messy Desk

    See full sized photo. Man!  What a messy desk!  How could any one get any work done like this? … Wait, this is what my desk looks like. (facepalm) Let’s make the most of it and play a game of “I Spy”.  What? You don’t know how the game works?  Let me tell you.  It’s…

  • IELTS: What is it really?

    IELTS: What is it really?

    Want to get another opinion on IELTS? One you’ve probably never heard before? In this post, we’ll talk about what IELTS really is.

  • How to Cook Coconut Beef

    How to Cook Coconut Beef

    Learn English and practice new vocabulary and reading comprehension through this short post about how to make coconut beef!

  • The Keys to Deep Memory

    The Keys to Deep Memory

    Have you ever felt like the words you are learning aren’t sticking in your brain?  Do you write words 15 times and still not remember them? Is memory a problem? Me too! Well, our brains aren’t servants that obey what we tell them to do.  Our brains are complex organs that work all day every…

  • Bees

    Bees

    You know what this is.  It’s got black and yellow stripes, a furry body, transparent wings, two big eyes, six hairy legs, and everyone’s favorite: a big stinger.  It’s a bee, and bees are wonderful things. I remember a long time ago, when I was just a boy, I lived at a camp in the…

  • Should I take group lessons or 1-to-1?

    Should I take group lessons or 1-to-1?

    It can be a really hard decision.  I’ve had to make this decision before, and I have had many classes in other languages in both group lessons and 1-to-1 format.  Unfortunately, a lot of ELLs make the decision based on cost alone: group classes are cheaper! But there are so many factors to consider, and…

  • Late Night Walk

    Late Night Walk

    Learn frequently used words while experiencing a late night walk through an interesting, old town, then practice with free learning activities.

  • How we should do Extensive reading (Part 2): Building a Reading Habit

    How we should do Extensive reading (Part 2): Building a Reading Habit

    Now you know why to do extensive reading and you’ve got the right book on your level!  Not sure what the best way to do extended reading is?  The answer is building a reading habit. Let’s talk about it! Consistency This is the most important factor in building a reading habit.  How long, where, when,…