Daily Lessons / blog posts

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES 

1. Give the person a conversation ball

In one of my favorite books, The Catcher in the Rye, the main character is talking about trying to meet girls in New York City. He’s having a difficult time because the girls aren’t very interesting and the conversation is bad. He then gives an analogy of a good conversation. He says it’s like throwing a baseball with another person. You throw the ball. The other person catches it. He throws it back. You catch it. You throw it back to him. And so on. Back and forth. Read More >

I used to have an office in Prague. But after a few months I went back to teaching in my apartment. I thought sitting at a big, wooden table in an old Prague 1 building would be more professional than sitting on my blue couch.

But really, the only difference was that my students weren’t as relaxed. And that was definitely the case with the student I’m about to tell you about.

When I walked in that morning he was already sitting at the table waiting for me. Read More >

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MOOD IN 120 SECONDS 

If you’re already having a great day, perfect.

But what if you’re not? Or what if it’s the end of the day and you’re feeling tired? Or what if it’s just a normal day and you’d like to feel better? Read More >

HOW TO ASK GOOD QUESTIONS

1. Make Them Real

2. Make them Open-ended Read More >

HOW TO MOVE THE SPOTLIGHT IN ONE STEP

Ask Questions.

That’s it. Read More >

Instead of my usual weekly lesson, today you’re getting the latest section from a book I’m writing. (If you missed last week’s, you can read it here.) 

The title: “How to Talk to Strangers in English; And make them think you’re amazing even if your English is so bad it makes rugby players cry and starts earthquakes.”

If you have any feedback for me — if something is confusing, if there’s a word you don’t know, if you disagree with something, or if you think I should add something — please write. And for everyone who emails advice, I’ll put his/her name on a list to send a free copy to when it’s done. Read More >

ANOTHER BAD IDEA FROM SCHOOL

For exactly one year I taught English at a high school in Prague.

Never again. Read More >

Something different today.

Instead of my usual email, you’re getting the latest from my next book.

The title: “How to Talk to Strangers in English; And make them think you’re amazing even if your English is so bad it makes rugby players cry and starts earthquakes.” Read More >

There’s always a better way to do it.

Example:

Last week I was lying in bed in a hotel room (a great place to get stuff done, if you can keep the TV off) and thinking about my priorities. Read More >

As the sun sets over a cloudy America, I wish you and your family a very happy, healthy and wealthy 2019.

I thank you for your attention and your trust. I hope my lessons and motivation made your journey with English at least a small bit easier.

And this time next year, as you think back to today, may we both be to say, “I am wiser now than I was then.” Read More >