Blog

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 >

Did you know that some people in America have stopped saying “Merry Christmas?”

Instead, they say “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.”

And once, I saw a message from Facebook wishing me a “Wonderful Winter” – on Christmas Day! Read More >

I used to date a makeup artist.

When we’d go to a café in Prague, while I would read, she would draw.

And she was pretty good. Read More >

But first, let’s talk about math.

If a woman asks you, “How old do you think I am?”, what should you tell her?

Here’s the formula I use: Read More >

This is my parents’ backyard in Virginia.

Behind the barn and the mist, that’s Castleton Mountain.

These aren’t the Alps or the Rockies, so you won’t exactly need a Sherpa or an oxygen tank to get to the top. Read More >