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Welcome to the blog!
Here you'll find mini lessons, tips and tricks, new vocabulary, grammar rules and pronunciation tips from Thomas' weekly blog posts.
Subscribe to blog updates so you never miss a post! Some blog posts are great for beginners and others are better for advanced learners. Pick your level to get posts that are the most relevant to you.


How Can We Use "Neither" in Conversation?
A lot of my students get confused when they tell me that they don't like something and I respond "me neither!" This is a common way to agree with a negative statement and we use it often in English. Let's talk about when and how to use "neither."

Thomas
6 days ago3 min read


October Bulletin: New Halloween English Lessons, the Review Lab, and So Much More!
October is here, and I'm celebrating Halloween with 11 new lessons and games, the brand-new Review Lab, and redesigned quizzes. Plus, a look at what's coming for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

Thomas
Oct 35 min read


Adverbs of Frequency: Never, Always, and Everything in Between
Let's talk about seven common adverbs of frequency: always, often, usually, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, and never. These little words do a lot in everyday conversation, and once you get the hang of them, you'll sound much more natural.

Thomas
Aug 304 min read


Book Review: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Heartstopper is a graphic novel series about Charlie and Nick, two high school boys who develop a romantic relationship. The series is recommended for A2-B1 English learners and uses natural, spoken English instead of formal, written English. While the first two volumes are great for A2 beginners because they are lighthearted and focus on the romance, volumes three, four, and five are better for B1 intermediates because they discuss more mature themes like mental health and s

Thomas
Aug 275 min read


How To Use "Have" and "Had" for Eating and Drinking
There are two very common English words my beginner students are confused by: have and had. We use them all the time to talk about ownership and experiences, but we also use them when we talk about food and drinks. Let me show you how.

Thomas
Aug 223 min read


Celebrate Earth Day With These Reading Lab Stories
April 22nd is Earth Day. I'm celebrating by gathering all of my favorite Reading Lab stories into one Earth Day collection. These stories talk about the seasons, climate change, joining a gardening club, an amazing butterfly sanctuary I visited in Arizona, and more!

Thomas
Apr 131 min read


Using “Have to” to Talk About Obligation in English
You have probably learned that “have” is used to talk about ownership. However, when you add the preposition “to,” the meaning changes from ownership to obligation. Let’s talk a bit more about “have to,” when we use it, and how we use it.

Thomas
Feb 163 min read


"I said" vs. "I told" and when to use them
Remembering the differences between "I said" and "I told" can be confusing. This article will explain when and how to use them and it includes a practice quiz.

Thomas
Aug 14, 20251 min read


The Many Meanings of "Get" — One Verb, So Many Uses!
Some of my English students have been noticing something strange lately: the verb "get" is everywhere. Native English speakers, like myself, will use "get" in many of their sentences, but what does it even mean? Is it different every time? When are we not allowed to use it?

Thomas
Jun 22, 20254 min read
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