English Language

“My name is Abdi Dika. I am a 30 year old journalist based in Kenya. I studied Mass Communication at the University of Nairobi. I currently work for Medical Administrators Kenya Limited as a Social Media Executive. My work involves fraud detection and auditing, as well as reporting. A number of hospitals are constantly involved…

Learning a new language is as exciting as it is daunting. The possibilities of knowing a second or even third language are endless. From traveling the world, studying abroad, making that big career move to an international office, or the bragging perks that come with simply being able to converse in another language, learning a…

“Of all the factors that transform how we communicate, none are so powerful as young people, who have always steered language,” writes book critic Parul Sehgal.Our February Vocabulary Challenge invites middle and high school students to suggest a new word of their own. In the comments, tell us what your word means and why you…

You have a decent understanding of the English language. You know the pronouns. You’ve managed to grasp basic grammar rules. You can greet people and have a simple conversation. This works until you find yourself in an environment that requires more than just the basics, and you struggle. This is because the basics are just…

These days, with remote and hybrid work becoming the norm, teams span multiple countries and time zones, and clients can be located anywhere in the world. In this kind of workplace, learning a new language isn’t just a nice extra – it can genuinely shape your career. It’s not only about understanding colleagues or clients…

Over the past eight years of our Vocabulary Video Contest, students have produced thousands of lively, original videos in which they define a Word of the Day in under 15 seconds.Sixty of the winning videos, organized into three compilations by part of speech, are rounded up in this post. We hope that this repository of…

In music, this type of “leaning” grace note clashes with the melody just enough to create dissonance, then sweet resolution. It is famous for its capacity to give you goosebumps: Imagine Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, or the opening of Adele’s “Someone Like You.” The word is derived from “appoggiare,” an Italian verb meaning “to lean,”…

“My name is Renata Nascimento. I was born in the city of Niteroi, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’s a city of 600,000 people, located on Guanabara Bay. I grew up in a small family – my mother, my sister and me. How did you learn about Alison? I don’t remember exactly,…

In your comment, do your best to document your process of learning this word. This could include guessing the word’s definition incorrectly (or correctly!), making a personal connection to the word, or offering a compelling explanation for why the word intrigued you. The best submissions will capture memorable encounters between a student and a new…

So, you’ve decided to pack it all up and start a new adventure in a new city and country. Moving abroad is a life-changing decision that can be both exhilarating and challenging. Whether you’re relocating for work, education, adventure, or just looking for a change in lifestyle, thorough planning and preparation are essential to ensure…