Are Nominalizations ‘Zombie Nouns’?
May 15, 2018
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“Prose consists less and less of words chosen for the sake of their meaning, and more and more of phrases tacked together like the sections of a prefabricated hen-house”…
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Is They Okay? Is it okay to use “they” for a singular pronoun of unknown gender?
May 3, 2018
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‘Chandos’ Portrait of Shakespeare in the National Portrait Gallery, London “There’s not a man I meet but doth salute me As if I were their…
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Is “They” Okay? Is it okay to use “they” for a singular pronoun of unknown gender?
May 3, 2018
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‘Chandos’ Portrait of Shakespeare in the National Portrait Gallery, London “There’s not a man I meet but doth salute me As if I were their…
Read MoreTeaching Tips: Discussing Idioms in the Classroom
December 23, 2015
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Idioms can be difficult for ESL beginners to make sense of. Here are some examples and tips to get you started.
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‘Verbal Energy’ column quirky, insightful, fun
January 3, 2015
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Christian Science Monitor’s Ruth Walker spotlights English as a fascinating language Photo Source: Christian Science Monitor“There is no such thing as “the Queen’s English.’ The…
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It’s a Breeze in Easy English Times
September 24, 2014
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Idiom lessons by IAB in EET “These lessons will help you use more colorful English in your life. Idiom by idiom, you will find speaking…
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Perfection and grammar: not essential for ESL students, or even native speakers
September 17, 2014
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Certain grammar rules unnecessary for comprehension, everyday conversation Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons “Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” -Salvador Dalí (1904-1989)…
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Between life and death: Zombie nouns privilege pretentious vocabulary at the expense of simple clarity
August 15, 2014
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The nominalization of nouns creates abstract, dry and often misleading language “Simplicity is the glory of expression.” -Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet Sometimes, it’s fun…
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Volume Matters – Even in Personal Conversations
July 2, 2014
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Why volume matters, especially in difficult student-teacher conferences “Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” ―Rollo May (1909-1994) American author…
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Homophones Can Confuse: A Minor Mistake in Miner Valley
June 20, 2014
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Why it is so important for English learners to tackle homophones in the classroom “For me the greatest beauty always lies in the greatest clarity.”…
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