Hi Reader, Happy Saturday to you! I am looking forward to making pancakes for breakfast with my youngest son - it's his favourite breakfast meal. (Oh...and I add a nice hot cup of coffee for me! My day doesn't start without it!) Do you have a favourite weekend ritual? Now...on with today's newsletter! Trying to use your LinkedIn to find work? Make sure you're not making these classic mistakes. (Via Daria Lysenko.) Daria works to help newcomers build new lives in Canada - and finding...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I recently saw a post on Reddit from someone who has been stuck at the same score for the CELPIP for their past 7 attempts. That's a lot of CELPIP tests. And to be honest, I admire their hard work, dedication and their attitude: I'm not giving up! But here's the question this person, and you too if you are in the same situation, should be asking right now: What is going wrong with my CELPIP prep system? This is a huge question to ask, but few people actually do it. Instead, they...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, It's been one of THOSE weeks. Busy work week and busy back pain for me, as well as another physiotherapy visit today. And today, I experienced a new treatment: Acupuncture! *Cue dramatic music here!* Have you ever had it done before? (I sincerely hope you haven't needed it.) It actually wasn't that bad. Not, Wow! I want to do that again and again...but not bad considering I am a major wimp when it comes to needles. (Are you nervous around needles, too?) Best of all, it actually...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I listened to this video today and thought it was immediately applicable to you as you work towards your English learning goals and CELPIP scores. Don't Quit: How to survive your first year on Youtube. Why I think it relates? "The Valley of Death!" Dave talks about a period all YouTube creators go through where they feel like, they're doing everything right, but their channel just doesn't seem to grow. Learning English has those 'Valley of Death' moments too. One of the biggest and...
14 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Feel like you're always blanking out and freezing in the middle of your CELPIP speaking responses - or in everyday conversations? The way to stop freezing is not by buying course books, or studying more. You need to be doing this instead - even a little each day can go a long way if you stay consistent! mr bean lol GIF by britbox Need some help being more consistent with your speaking practice for the CELPIP? Would you like to finally kick your low self-confidence with your English...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Happy Saturday to you! I watched this short from one of my favourite comedians the other day, and I wanted to share it with you to (hopefully) enjoy. (It's just 30 sec long.) What I hope you'll notice: how he uses his tone of voice! Notice what he does with it to emphasize ideas. Is it always the same? The lesson for you on the CELPIP: make sure you let feeling come through your voice. Don't let it be a monotone! Are you an introvert needing help with your speaking skills for the...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, This week I visited a new physiotherapist. I've been battling chronic back pain for 5+ years, and over that time I've worked with 2 chiropractors, 2 physiotherapists and have been x-rayed so many times I think I might glow in the dark - and nothing has helped me or the pros I've been working with get rid of the pain. The pain is every day, and it sucks. Well, my newest physio visit didn't do much to help either. Booo! The therapist did give me some helpful information about my...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, To get better CELPIP scores, you need better practice. (Duh!) Jim Carrey Reaction GIF But not the kind of practice where you get lost behind a course or grammar book. Those might help...a little...but they're not near as powerful and potent for practice as...(drumroll please!) actually using your English in day-to-day situations. Excuses Reasons To Avoid Practice I've got many friends who are immigrants. Most of them, not all of them, but most of them rarely use their English...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I've been experimenting with using an open source podcast recording tool called Audacity. I used it before many years ago, but I've forgotten much about how it works. So it's felt like using it for the first time. When the episode went live, I noticed a constant, annoying 'hiss' in the background. It sounded unprofessional, and it frustrated the heck out of me to hear! But it was already live! To be honest, it bothered me the entire day, so when I got home after work, I spent an...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read