Blog

Practice your reading, listening and writing skills in English while you improve your vocabulary, increase your knowledge about Canadian culture, and find new resources for further language study.

We post a new blog entry every Tuesday and Friday.

Movie: “You People”
Brandon Douglas Brandon Douglas

Movie: “You People”

—| C1-C2 (advanced) |—

Netflix’s new romantic dramedy, featuring Hollywood A-listers like Jonah Hill, Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, explores the delicate…

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to throw shade
Brandon Douglas Brandon Douglas

to throw shade

—| C1-C2 (advanced) |—

In North American English, this expression typically means…

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International Mother Language Day
Brandon Douglas Brandon Douglas

International Mother Language Day

—| C1-C2 (advanced) |—
Between 1947 and 1955, citizens of modern-day Bangladesh, known then as East Pakistan, fought for…

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Book: “Born A Crime”
Brandon Douglas Brandon Douglas

Book: “Born A Crime”

—| C1-C2 (advanced) |—

“Born A Crime” by comedian and former talk show host Trevor Noah is an eye-opening memoir that…

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Song: “If I Were A Boy”
Brandon Douglas Brandon Douglas

Song: “If I Were A Boy”

—| B2-C1 (upper-intermediate to advanced) |—

If I Were A Boy by Beyoncé is not only an iconic song from…

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Most Popular Posts

father vs. dad vs. daddy

— B2-C1 (intermediate to advanced) —

A common mistake that many language learners make is using the word, “daddy,” when it is not appropriate. “Daddy” does not mean the exact same thing as “dad” or “father.” It’s meaning changes based on context: your age, the age of the person you’re speaking to…

to lay off

— C1-C2 (advanced) —

A common mistake among learners of the English language is using the incorrect word to refer to why a person no longer has a job. What is the difference between the verbs “to lay off” and “to fire”? Learn this difference here.

5 Indigenous Terms Used In Canadian English, Part I

— C1-C2 (advanced) —

Canada is a multicultural society where, generally, peoples’ differences are openly celebrated. Due in part to this open multiculturalism, Canadian English has evolved over the years to adopt words from various languages, including Indigenous ones. Here is a brief list of…