Teacher’s Blog: Reflections on Education, Culture and Life in Canada by Mike Simpson
Vocabulary Study: Office Work, Collaboration and Teamwork (Intermediate to Advanced)
Welcome. Are you ready to "collaborate" with me? and what does that really mean? Is it just a buzz word? If not, why is it important to know and use this word? Aside from interviews and usage by HR or human resources workers, there really is a trend and tendency...
Words for Winter – Vocabulary for Seasons, Temperature, Precipitation and Clothing (Beginner to Intermediate)
Here’s a winter vocabulary list tailored for beginner to intermediate English learners. These words are grouped by categories such as seasons, temperature, precipitation, and clothing to make them easier to remember. Seasons Winter – the coldest season of the year,...
Vocabulary Study: Business and Globalization Expressions (Intermediate to Advanced)
The world of finance, business and international trade are complex and the ability to discuss these fields is a priority for anyone working in economics, or anyone studying advanced language use. Are you concerned about "outsourcing" or "global supply chains?" Does...
Should We Say Fall or Autumn? (Looking at Seasons, Semesters and Etymology)
I'd like to welcome you to fall and wish you a great season. Some of us students and some teachers, and all of us are likely interested in vocabulary like fall, also known as "autumn." The question, among many, is should we say fall or autumn and is there a...
Big Hello and Warm Welcome to You
Greetings! I am happy you stopped by. I'm Mike, a teacher and designer from Toronto. this site supports my ESL English students - I teach students English and we work in-person and online. I wanted to say hello to you and welcome you to the site. Are you interested in...
Expand Your Vocabulary with Business English Expressions (Idioms and Phrasal Verbs)
Introduction Do you find you are sometimes at a loss for words when it comes to informal conversation with co-workers or people you have to make small talk with? You might want to focus on learning idioms and special expressions, particularly those used in business...
How to Speak English: Greetings from Standard Phrases like “Hello” to Slang and Idioms like “What’s up”
"Good morning," or "How are you guys?" or even "What's up?" could be heard as standard or slang greetings in a business, school or person setting, in places like Toronto, Canada, where I'm from. I've heard and personally used a wide range of formal or informal...
How to Learn English with Music (Tips from an ESL Teacher)
Learning English is a challenge, and making the lessons interesting via music, movies, art or other media and entertainment can help create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for the learner. Whether you are a student or teacher, using music in lessons and the classroom...
Learn to Speak English Fluently and Accurately (ESL Tips from a Teacher-Tutor in Toronto)
You speak to people everywhere but aren't sure if they are picking up everything that you say. How can you ensure your words reach them clearly and you are understood? This is not a simple question but there are approaches and strategies that English learners and...
Learning and Acquiring New English Vocabulary with Google Word of the Day
Are you interested in growing your vocabulary and keeping sharp? Daily bite-sized learning activities like word games and sudoku can play a positive role. With that in mind let's look at a quick way to study new vocabulary on a daily basis. I'd like to introduce:...